79. The Government has undertaken some institutional reforms to encourage stakeholder participation in development. This is reflected in the 25-Year Strategic Plan, the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP) and the Decentralization Programme. The Government has also made considerable effort to promote a bottom-up approach to development by including opinion leaders, NGOs and CommunityBased Organizations (CBOs). 80. Poverty in Sudan has thwarted efforts by the Government and stakeholders (private sector, and NGOs) as it cuts across various sectors of the economy. In order to reduce its impact, the Government has defined it as a condition for not having the means to provide basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, health, education, clothing and shelter. It has indicated that the main causes of poverty include: (i) the effect of economic liberalization on the poor and vulnerable groups; (ii) the long economic sanctions, which handicapped access to international initiatives such as (HIPCS); (iii) the protracted internal conflicts; and (iv) the increased amount of external debt. 81. According to the Household Baseline Survey 2009, the proportion of the population below the national poverty line and poverty gap is estimated at 46.5% and 16.2% respectively. According to the Survey, income/consumption poverty has declined by about 20 percentage points since 2005. But still nearly half of the population is below the poverty line. The poverty gap ratio and poverty severity index for 2009 are 16.2% and 7.8%, respectively, which shows that income/consumption poverty is high. 82. Since 2004, Sudan has witnessed positive developments, which opened new opportunities for real progress for education for all, especially at the basic level. The peace agreement ended longstanding internal conflicts. Investment in petroleum accelerated economic growth, which has encouraged external co-operation. Equally important, the Interim National Constitution-2005 stipulates: “The State promotes education at all levels all over Sudan and shall ensure free and compulsory education at the primary level and in literacy education programmes”. 83. Gender disparities in the area of education have narrowed as the number of girls enrolled has increased in both primary and secondary schools. It is indicated that out of the number of children enrolled in primary school, 58% were boys and 42% were girls. Combining primary and secondary schools, 63% of those enrolled were boys and 37% girls, which results in the increase of the Gender parity index to 101% in primary school and 78% in secondary school. In its commitment to girls and boys equal access to education, the Government has also abolished the school fees that were required in Junior Secondary School in Eastern and Northern Regions in order to encourage school attendance and lower regional disparities. 84. Despite the efforts made by the Government and all other stakeholders to accelerate the socio-economic development of Sudan and, consequently, reduce poverty, the situation is still of concern considering the impact of the climate change, the unemployment level and inequality in access to basic public services such as health, education, water, electricity and transport. 85. Indeed, in Sudan, almost one-third (31.8%) of under-five children suffer from moderate and severe underweight prevalence (weight for age), close to the national estimate of 33%. Similarly, nearly 33% suffer from moderate or severe chronic malnutrition (height for age) as per SHHS 2006, both indicating inadequate food intake coupled with other morbidities. 86. The Government started implementing a policy of free healthcare for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five. However, it was observed that healthcare services for women need to be improved. Indeed, various meetings with stakeholders indicated that health clinics are understaffed and personnel under-trained, and in some instances underpaid. As a result, medical doctors with a solid background often prefer to work for private hospitals, NGOs or in neighbouring countries or migrate overseas. 87. With regards to affordable access to water, sanitation, energy, finance, markets, ICT, shelter and land to all citizens, especially the rural poor, the Government needs increased investment in this area. According to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, only about 32% of the rural population has access to reliable 13