Children are at risk
Children in Togo face many issues including a lack of education and access to healthcare, malnutrition, and child labour. Although there has been some improvement in recent years, the poverty rate is over 50%. Children suffer most from the effects of poverty. A lack of proper medical facilities means that children often die from preventable illnesses. Children from families experiencing hardship often leave school to work. Common forms of child labour include sexual exploitation, forced begging and agricultural work.
18.5
Years old is the age of the average citizen in Togo
Rapid population growth
Like most African countries, Togo has experienced rapid population growth over recent decades. This has made Togo disproportionately young, and the age of the average citizen is 18.5 years old.
However, rapid population growth is outpacing development progress, so that more and more people have limited access to services such as health care or sanitation. This reinforces the vicious circle and leads to many people living in poverty.
50%
Of Togolese live below the poverty line of 1.25 USD per day
Poverty
Togo is the tenth poorest country in the world, and about 50% of Togolese people live below the international poverty line of 1.25 USD per day. Female-headed households are most affected by poverty. Women remain more vulnerable, because they have less access to education and work. Children in disadvantaged households often leave school early to help support their families. Only around half of children between 13 and 15 attend school and only a quarter between ages 16-18.
30%
Of children aged 5 to 14 are forced to work
Child exploitation
Around 30% of children aged 5 to 14 are engaged in labour activities. Most children from rural areas work on family farms while those who live in urban centres engage in small-scale trading or domestic service. Children also work in rock quarries where they have to transport heavy stones or extract sand that is used for the production of bricks. The commercial sexual exploitation of minors, in particular young girls, is common in some areas of the country.
Together we can make a difference for children in Togo
Are supported in the community
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
Are supported on their way to independence
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Komla joined the family strengthening program and she and her children received access to health care and other material support to improve her family's living conditions. Her children also attend school and her eldest is learning to sew for a vocation (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Togo).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives