Introduction

The 2023 Annual Report of UNICEF, titled Building a Better Future for the Children of Guinea-Bissau, offers a comprehensive overview of the dedicated efforts made throughout the year to improve the lives and prospects of children across the country. Guinea-Bissau faces a range of complex challenges, including poverty, limited access to quality healthcare and education, malnutrition, and social inequalities, all of which threaten the well-being and development of its youngest citizens.

In this evolving context, the report highlights UNICEF’s strategic commitment to work hand in hand with local communities, government entities, and international partners to create lasting change. By strengthening health systems, enhancing educational opportunities, protecting children’s rights, and promoting social inclusion, UNICEF aims to build an environment in which every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

This document not only reflects on the achievements and milestones reached in 2023 but also underscores the importance of resilience and innovation in addressing ongoing and emergent challenges. With a shared vision for a fairer and more equitable future, this report calls on all stakeholders to continue fostering collaboration and investing in sustainable solutions that will secure better lives for the children of Guinea-Bissau today and for generations to come.

About Guinea-Bissau

• Capital: Bissau.

• Population: estimated at 1.9 million.

• Percentage of the population under the age of 15: 41.9%.’

• Urban population: 40-49%?

• Religion: over 50% is animist, about 45% is Muslim and about 5% is Christian.

• Gross National Income per capita:

• US$ 760 in 2020.3

• Main ethnic groups: Balanta, Fula and Mandinga.

• Economic mainstay: cashew nuts, among the top five global producers, and agricultural produce, such as rice, plantain and palm oil fruit.

• Life expectancy: 58 years.

• Fertility rate: 4.3.

• Languages: Portuguese, Guinea-Bissau Creole, Arabic, French, Fula, Mandika and others.
• Terrain: A low-lying country with a mass area of 36,125 square kilometres along with around 80 islands that make up over 10,000 square kilometres of the Arquipélago dos Bijagós. More than 20 of the islands are inhabited.

Child Survival and Development

By 2026, mothers, girls and boys, including newborns and adolescents, have equitable and increased access to quality high impact interventions for their survival and development.  When Dauda Ndjai heard about the UNICEF-supported vaccine campaign that integrated childhood vaccinations with the COVID-19 vaccine for adults, he not only brought his 2-year-old daughter to be vaccinated against the deadly meningitis disease but also picked up his four nieces and nephews and encouraged his neighbours to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He learnt about the meningitis vaccine during a UNICEF-supported mass campaign involving community health workers and youth volunteers making door-to-door visits as well as a mass media campaign.

The country has one of the highest child mortality rates, with 51 children per 1,000 live births dying under the age of 5 years and 22 babies per 1,000 live births dying during the first 28 days of life, most in the first week.

In February 2023, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Health in organizing a National Forum on Primary Health Care which allowed partners to identify ways to overcome health challenges in access, quality and the use of essential health services, particularly for disadvantaged groups. The forum formalised a Call to Action and a minimum package of services for primary health care delivery, including developing regional plans, revising the national health policy, improving the supply of vaccines and other essential medicines, deploying qualified staff, engaging the community and securing sustainable financing.

Community health workers made home visits to most registered pregnant women and children under 5, provided early treatment of common childhood illnesses, promoted vaccinations and nutritional screening, and distributed long-lasting insecticide-treated nets to over 1 million people. Seasonal malaria prevention drug distribution campaigns reached children aged 3 to 59 months in four regions.

Integration of multiple vaccines into nationwide campaigns proved effective for improving coverage. The March 2023 COVID-19 vaccination campaign reached thousands of under-vaccinated children who had previously missed routine immunization. Collaboration with the Red Cross enabled high vaccination rates in the capital. UNICEF supported other campaigns, including one for the newly introduced Meningitis A vaccine.

In HIV prevention, only 29 per cent of pregnant women in prenatal care were tested for HIV and only 26 per cent of those testing positive received antiretroviral treatment.

Over a quarter of children under 5 are physically and cognitively stunted due to chronic malnutrition. Many children are not exclusively breastfed, and most lack an adequate diet. Sanitation and hygiene issues contribute to malnutrition. Community health workers screen for malnutrition and refer severe cases to health facilities, though limited trained staff reduced admissions.

UNICEF trained health professionals and community workers in malnutrition treatment, tested a simplified protocol, and promoted breastfeeding. National Breastfeeding Month included advocacy for extending parental leave in line with international labour laws.

In HIV prevention, only 29 per cent of pregnant women in prenatal care were tested for HIV and only 26 per cent of those testing positive received antiretroviral treatment

Guinea-Bissau is on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 for sanitation if the current pace of open defecation-free village declarations is maintained. UNICEF promoted the Community Led Total Sanitation approach, with hundreds of communities declared open defecation-free. Improvements included new boreholes, solar systems, handwashing devices in schools, and hygiene promotion activities.

Education

By 2026, all girls and boys, including adolescents, especially the most disadvantaged, have access to quality pre-primary, primary, and secondary education and complete their education.

In 2023, Guinea-Bissau continued to face significant challenges in education, including insufficient infrastructure, inadequate learning materials, and a shortage of trained teachers. The education system also struggled with high repetition and dropout rates, particularly among girls in rural areas, due to poverty, early marriage, and pregnancy.

UNICEF worked with the Ministry of Education to strengthen the national education system, focusing on improving access, quality, and inclusiveness. The programme supported teacher training in child-centred and gender-responsive pedagogy, helping educators to better engage students and address the needs of girls and children with disabilities.

To improve learning conditions, UNICEF supported the distribution of textbooks and learning materials to schools across the country. Rehabilitation and construction of classrooms, including the installation of gender-sensitive sanitation facilities, were undertaken to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment.

School feeding programmes were supported in targeted regions, contributing to better nutrition, increased school attendance, and improved concentration among pupils.

Efforts were made to expand access to early childhood education, particularly in underserved rural communities. Pre-school teachers received training in early childhood development, and community awareness campaigns were conducted to emphasize the importance of early learning.

In response to the learning crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, catch-up classes and remedial learning programmes were implemented to help children recover lost learning. UNICEF also supported digital learning initiatives, equipping selected schools with tablets and digital resources to enhance teaching and learning.

Child Protection

By 2026, all children, especially the most disadvantaged, are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harmful practices, and have access to quality child protection services.

In 2023, Guinea-Bissau continued to face widespread child protection concerns, including child labour, early and forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and violence against children. Weak legal frameworks, limited enforcement of existing laws, and a lack of services for victims contributed to the persistence of these issues.

UNICEF supported the Government in strengthening the child protection system by providing technical assistance for the development and implementation of laws and policies aligned with international standards. Capacity-building for social workers, police, and justice officials was carried out to improve case management and child-friendly justice procedures.

Community-based child protection mechanisms were strengthened to identify, refer, and support children at risk. Awareness campaigns were conducted to challenge harmful social norms and practices, such as early marriage and gender-based violence, engaging religious leaders, teachers, parents, and youth groups.

Special attention was given to the prevention of and response to violence in schools. Teachers and education authorities were trained to promote safe learning environments and to detect and address cases of abuse and harassment.

Support services for victims of violence and exploitation were expanded, including psychosocial support, legal assistance, and reintegration programmes for children withdrawn from labour or exploitation.

Birth registration coverage remained a priority, with mobile registration units deployed in rural and remote areas to ensure children are officially recognized and can access basic services.

Social Inclusion

By 2026, children, adolescents, and women, especially the most disadvantaged and those living in humanitarian situations, are increasingly benefiting from inclusive social policies, public finance for children, and improved access to social protection services.

In 2023, Guinea-Bissau faced persistent poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, which limited access to essential services for many children and families. Rural areas remained particularly disadvantaged, with high rates of malnutrition, low school attendance, and limited health coverage.

UNICEF supported the Government in developing policies and programmes aimed at reducing child poverty and social disparities. Technical assistance was provided to strengthen public finance management for children, including budget planning, monitoring, and analysis to ensure greater allocation of resources to child-focused sectors.

Efforts were made to improve the national social protection system, expanding coverage of cash transfer programmes to vulnerable households. These programmes helped families meet basic needs such as food, school supplies, and healthcare, while also promoting children’s access to education and health services.

Data collection and analysis capacities were enhanced to better monitor child well-being and to inform evidence-based policymaking. Partnerships with civil society organizations were strengthened to reach marginalized groups, including children with disabilities and those living in remote communities.

Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships

By 2026, the rights of children, especially the most disadvantaged, are increasingly promoted and protected through effective communication, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.

In 2023, UNICEF worked to raise awareness of children’s rights and to mobilize support for child-focused programmes. Communication campaigns targeted key issues such as immunization, education, nutrition, and the prevention of violence against children, using a mix of mass media, community engagement, and digital platforms.

Advocacy efforts focused on influencing policy and securing commitments from government institutions, donors, and development partners to prioritize children’s needs in national agendas. High-level meetings and public events were organized to maintain children’s rights at the centre of political discourse.

Partnerships were expanded with a wide range of stakeholders, including government ministries, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, the private sector, and community leaders. These partnerships facilitated resource mobilization, technical collaboration, and the scaling up of interventions in health, education, and child protection.

Youth participation was promoted through support to children and adolescent networks, enabling them to contribute to advocacy and decision-making processes. Media training for young reporters encouraged the production of child-focused content and increased coverage of children’s issues in national outlets.

Programme Effectiveness

By 2026, UNICEF’s country programme in Guinea-Bissau is efficiently managed, evidence-based, and achieves measurable results for children through strengthened systems, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

In 2023, UNICEF focused on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of its programmes by enhancing planning, coordination, and accountability mechanisms. Programme monitoring systems were strengthened to track progress towards targets, identify bottlenecks, and adjust strategies as needed.

Capacity-building initiatives were implemented for government counterparts and partners to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that interventions are guided by reliable evidence.

Efforts to integrate gender equality, disability inclusion, and risk-informed programming across all sectors were reinforced, ensuring that programmes addressed the needs of the most disadvantaged and were resilient to shocks such as political instability and public health emergencies.

Resource mobilization strategies were diversified to secure funding from multiple sources, including bilateral donors, multilateral organizations, and the private sector. Financial management and supply chain systems were optimized to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

Knowledge management and learning were promoted through regular reviews, evaluations, and the dissemination of best practices, enabling continuous improvement of UNICEF’s interventions in the country.