The report is one of the first to use the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations to chart progress and to highlight critical challenges that directly affect the lives of children. It was published by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and authored by Bjorn Gelders from Development Pathways.
South Africa has made significant progress during the last two decades in areas such as child poverty, child survival, mother-to-be transmission of HIV and primary school attendance, among others. However, the report finds stark gaps in opportunity between rich and poor households, urban and rural communities, black African and White children; as well as disadvantages based on gender, disability and other markers.