Millions of children left behind at every developmental milestone: Gaps and Inequities in Early Childhood Development across Africa

This publication is rich with data on the equity gaps between the richest and poorest across focus areas — stunting, enrollment in pre-primary education, and basic vaccination rates (as a proxy for access to the health care system for children).  Data is also presented on births attended by skilled health staff, registration at birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, children engaged in early learning at home, children left in the care of other children or alone in the last week, and violent discipline of children. Data gaps were also a concern for water and sanitation (WASH), a key component of a “whole child” approach which safeguards good nutrition and prevents deadly bacterial infection.  Though the data is alarming, the publication ends by focusing on the opportunities and the importance of advocacy at this time.