Denmark is widely recognized as a global leader in gender equality. It ranks third in the European Union (EU) on the Gender Equality Index with a score of 77.8 out of 100, 7.6 points higher than the EU average.
Denmark promotes equality by ensuring that all women, no matter their background, socioeconomic status or identity, have the opportunity to succeed. Inclusivity in Denmark is demonstrated through its dedication to providing opportunities for all women to thrive, supported by progressive laws and targeted initiatives.
Legislative Frameworks for Equality
At the heart of Denmark’s inclusive policy approach is a robust legal framework that protects women’s rights and responds to the diverse realities of their lives. The Gender Equality Act (2000) requires public authorities, universities and research organizations to embed gender equality into their planning and operations. This ensures balanced representation in decision-making and equal access to opportunities.
The Equal Treatment Acts (2024 and 2025) strengthen workplace equality by prohibiting gender-based discrimination and aligning national law with EU directives on equal treatment and work-life balance. Additionally, generous parental leave provisions further set Denmark apart. Parents can access up to 18 months of leave, with safeguards protecting academic and professional career progression during family absences. These measures create a legal foundation where every woman can participate fully and equally in society.
Economic Inclusion
Denmark’s welfare ensures that all women can participate in the economy. Around 70% of women aged 15–74 in Denmark participate in paid work outside the home, significantly higher than the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of approximately two-thirds.
The Fleksjob Scheme provides tailored employment for individuals with reduced work capacity, including women with disabilities or chronic illnesses. It allows them to work part-time with complete pay security. The program provides various support, including job coaching, vocational training, workplace accommodations and wage subsidies. These measures are designed to overcome barriers and provide individuals with the tools to secure, retain and thrive in employment. Employees and employers can benefit by encouraging greater participation in the labor market.
Furthermore, the Danish Center for Information on Women and Gender (KVINFO) introduced a mentor network that connects refugee and immigrant women with established Danish professionals. Networking is vital in opening doors to the labor market, education and social inclusion. Since its establishment, the network has had more than 7,000 participants. The relationships built between mentors and mentees are grounded in collaboration and individuality, ensuring both are treated as equals. This foundation cultivates trust and respect, celebrates unique strengths and recognizes potential.
Other initiatives, such as the For Women in Science program, promote inclusivity by encouraging gender balance in recruitment and offering training to address unconscious bias. This creates a more inclusive environment for women in leadership and scientific communities. These measures collectively promote inclusivity in Denmark, ensuring that women from all backgrounds can participate fully in the economy. This commitment helps break down barriers and supports greater social and economic integration nationwide.
International Action
Inclusivity in Denmark extends to its foreign policy, where gender equality is embedded to promote women’s participation and protection in global peace and security efforts. The National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2020–2024) ensures women’s full and meaningful participation in peace processes, while protecting women human rights defenders from threats and violence.
Denmark also takes a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence in conflict zones, funding programs that prosecute perpetrators, protect victims and support survivors’ recovery. By chairing the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, Denmark leads the global effort to safeguard women and girls in crisis settings.
Empowerment Through Networking
Beyond policy, Denmark invests in spaces that unite women and create lasting professional networks. The Career Club DK Women’s Empowerment Summit (2025) combines personal empowerment and career development with two stages of expert-led sessions, a female entrepreneur zone and structured networking. Indeed, these activities create space for meaningful connections, designed to celebrate diversity and build an inclusive community where women from diverse walks of life can thrive.
The Women in Law Forum: Denmark (2025), held in Copenhagen, was a thought-provoking gathering dedicated to advancing gender diversity and inclusion in the legal sector. The forum explored the changing landscape of female representation, the impact of generational shifts on workplace culture and the importance of collaboration in building a more inclusive legal profession.
Similarly, WOMENSCONF 2025, a global academic gathering in Denmark, brings together scholars and practitioners to explore issues from gender and migration to intersectionality and economic empowerment.
A Model in Progress
Denmark’s commitment to gender equality evolves in response to new challenges and women’s voices. By embedding equality into law, providing targeted support to vulnerable groups and promoting women’s leadership domestically and globally, Denmark ensures that every woman can participate fully in society.
From refugee mentorship programs to international peace-building, the commitment to inclusivity in Denmark shows that gender equality is strongest when it’s intersectional, proactive and collaborative.
– Beatrice Punt
Beatrice is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Auxílio Emergencial: Brazil’s Solution To Poverty
Other recent statistics highlight ongoing challenges for the country. In 2022, 8% of people lived below the poverty line. Of those workers, two out of every five were not officially employed by the places where they worked. This leaves families vulnerable, as they do not receive employee benefits and protections such as retirement savings, paid time off or family leave that formal jobs offer. There is also a lack of food supplies in the average household. As of 2023, nearly 60% of households led by women suffer from food insecurity and similar cases are prevalent across the country.
Bolsa Família and Social Support
With so many people suffering from poor living conditions and below the poverty line, intervention from those in positions of power appears to be necessary. Ongoing incentives are already in place to support the people of Brazil. In 2003, the Bolsa Família program took off, providing aid to families living in poverty and quickly became popular. By 2023, 19% of all registered homes in Brazil were on the Bolsa Família program.
Emergency Aid During COVID-19
Every country felt the impact of COVID-19, and Brazil was no exception, as those living in poverty had little defense against deadly diseases. In March 2020, the government launched the Auxílio Emergencial program to address the sharp decline in jobs and the loss of income that followed. The program was available only to people in poverty who were unemployed, informal workers or self-employed while living at or under 50% of the national minimum wage. Because much of the population’s data was already stored by the government, officials were able to swiftly and effectively distribute resources to those who needed them most. The program continues to support the Brazilian people.
Looking Ahead
The Auxílio Emergencial program was highly effective. After its launch, poverty in Brazil dropped by 23.7% from pre-pandemic levels, lifting 15 million people out of poverty. The efforts to address poverty do not stop there; the Brazilian government is continuing to create new social programs and update both the Bolsa Família and Auxílio Emergencial initiatives to ensure that even more people can rise out of poverty.
– John Menechino
Photo: Flickr
Guam Fights Maternal Mortality Through Guahan Doula Project
Lack of Access to Hospitals Restricts Medical Care
Guam has only three hospitals, one of which is located on the Guam Naval Base, which exclusively provides care to those serving and their families. The Guam Regional Medical City, located in Dededo, is a private hospital. This leaves only one public hospital, Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning, where most people in Guam can obtain medical care. It is also the only hospital with a labor and delivery wing.
Those residing in the southernmost parts of the island face up to an hour-long drive to the Guam Memorial Hospital. If there are any complications during labor and delivery, the distance may increase the odds of fatality for the mother or baby.
Due to the difficulties accessing health care, the Health Resources and Services Administration deems Guam a Medically Underserved Area. Specialized care, such as obstetrics, is even harder to access. More than half of maternity-related deaths are due to hemorrhage and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. Both are less likely to be fatal with routine, preventative doctor visits.
Provider Shortages
According to OBGYN Dr. Tom Shieh, there are only 6.5 OBGYNs left to handle the delivery of the roughly 250 babies born monthly. This shortage of medical professionals, coupled with the lack of hospitals, undoubtedly increases maternal mortality in Guam.
Guam, with a population of 167,777, has only 6.5 practicing OB-GYNs—far too few to adequately meet the needs of expecting and delivering mothers.
Guahan Doula Project
Bill 318-47 seeks to address the maternal mortality in Guam through certifying doulas. The bill proposes allocating $400,000 to the Bureau of Women’s Affairs’ Guahan Doula Project. Doulas can provide pregnancy care to help fill the gap that the lack of OBGYNs and gynecologists leaves. There are 13 doulas in Guam as of February 2025, but that number would surely increase if the bill passes.
Doulas are not licensed medical professionals in the same way that doctors are. However, they provide support and knowledge of the birthing process that has been proven to reduce maternal mortality rates, shorten labor times and reduce emergency cesarean sections.
More doulas would offer more possibilities of access to care than the Guam Memorial Hospital does alone. Practices can be set up anywhere and don’t need to be based in a hospital. This allows more women the opportunity to receive some pregnancy care before, during and after birth.
Doulas Supplement Maternal Care
Increasing access to prenatal and postnatal care will decrease the rates of maternal mortality in Guam. Medical problems that may prove fatal are more likely to be caught and treated if the expectant woman can be seen by a provider regularly.
– Sydney Uhl
Photo: Pixabay
USAID in Myanmar
Renewed Military Control and Civil War
The protests ended with a coup d’état, resulting in the military junta ousting Ne Win and ruling the nation. The military junta later held a general election in 1990, where national icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her party dominated, partly due to their pro-democracy agenda. However, the military leadership would not recognize Kyi’s party’s win and continued to rule the government. Kyi was put under house arrest and, in 2021, when the Tatmadaw military organization came to power following another coup d’état, they imprisoned her. Kyi was a prominent leader in advocating for Myanmar’s democracy in the 2010s, where the Burmese nation seemed to bend toward justice with the democratic elections of Htin Kyaw and Win Myint.
It was only until the coup d’état in 2021 that the population lost all hope of continuous liberation, as the Tatmadaw seized Nay Pyi Taw. From there, a full-on civil war broke out between the National Unity Government (NUG)–the democratic house which was ousted–and the State Administrative Council–the ruling military junta as of 2025, who ousted the NUG. The war is still ongoing, having recorded more than 75,000 deaths.
USAID in Myanmar
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was a strong proponent in helping alleviate social, economic and political turmoil in Myanmar, amid the numerous insurgencies and coups. USAID gave Myanmar approximately $2 million in 2001, a number that grew to more than $175 million annually by 2016. Following the 2021 coup, USAID, under the Biden administration, increased spending by more than 30%. A significant portion of the donations funded food, assistance and humanitarian aid. In 2025, that aid abruptly stopped.
Widespread Damage Across Myanmar
In March of 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake rattled Myanmar and neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. The earthquake affected 15 million Burmese people and estimates suggest that between 4,500 to 5,500 people have died, and more than 11,000 were injured, making it the deadliest earthquake in the country’s history. Power outages and interruptions to phone service and internet access affected more than half the population across the country. At least 120,000 homes were damaged, and numerous mosques and government buildings collapsed.
To help with relief efforts, countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, China and Italy sent aid worth millions of dollars—China alone sent more than $150 million. The United States, which had just pulled out its USAID employees, sent only $2 million.
The Way Forward
It could take a while for Myanmar to recover from the impact of the earthquake. However, there are many organizations stationed in Myanmar aiming to shorten the gender gap, expand food security and housing affordability and divert the economy away from reliance and this offers hope for the future.
– Jackson Mailer
Photo: Flickr
Social Relief of Distress Providing Resources in South Africa
The country made efforts to assist those living in poverty by providing clean water, schooling and stable households, but it is not enough; in 2014, non-monetary poverty had reached 22%. Recently, as of 2023, water deprivations reached 26%, lack of sanitation reached 39%, and removal of refuse and other waste reached a staggering 46%. The lack of resources that people in South Africa have is a massive hurdle towards fixing poverty.
Social Relief of Distress Program
To curb these numbers and the lack of resources people in South Africa have, the government created various policies to help bring more people out of poverty. Chief among them is the Social Relief of Distress program, which aims to help those in poverty who cannot meet the basic needs for survival by providing resources to them.
This program is free to apply to and those who qualify for it will receive either funding or food vouchers for up to three months. And while everyone can apply to this program, they must meet certain factors to be eligible for the program, such as having lost one’s own house, the family breadwinner, or being physically unable to work. People in these positions are usually living in poverty, so this program gives those impacted by it a large leg up and helps them get back on their feet. And the program is very popular; more than 10 million people are on the Social Relief of Distress program.
The Aid of the Government
Aside from these programs, the government addresses poverty and lack of resources in South Africa through its proposals and the way it spends its budget. In its 2025/26 budget, the government allocated 28.9 billion rands to the country’s health sector. The funding would go to various health care services, such as HIV testing and properly paying those who work in medical fields. The funding will also make health care services more accessible and less costly, which are some of the biggest hurdles for those living in poverty.
The South African government recently decided to extend the Social Relief of Distress grants until March 2026, when it was originally stated to end in March 2025. The government plans to keep the program intact until it implements something more sustainable, protecting current South Africans needing the program to stay afloat while preparing better options for the long term.
These programs and many other humanitarian efforts are instrumental in helping uplift many people living in South Africa out of poverty and into stable living situations.
– John Menechino
Photo: Flickr
Latet and Aiding Holocaust Survivors in Poverty
Efforts by Latet
As of April 2025, more than 220,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide are living below the poverty line and rely on outside aid or pension programs. Holocaust survivors reportedly face much worse living conditions than their fellow citizens of Israel. Lack of awareness regarding their plight leaves these individuals struggling for resources and help.
Fortunately, one organization committed to protecting and serving Holocaust survivors and elderly Israeli citizens is Latet. Latet is a nonprofit that provides aid to more than 100,000 families and about 1,600 Holocaust survivors living in poverty. Its services include food banks and educational programs for those in need. Latet stated that one out of every three Holocaust survivors lives in poverty and that 30,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel live near the poverty line.
The Jewish United Fund
The Jewish United Fund, based in Chicago, is another organization supporting Holocaust survivors living in poverty. It provides funding and resources to Israel to assist those who need them most. This aid allows Holocaust survivors to meet their day-to-day living expenses, including medical bills. The Jewish United Fund also provides home furnishings for Holocaust survivors, helping improve their well-being and quality of life.
Looking Ahead
Organizations such as Latet and the Jewish United Fund play an important role in supporting vulnerable populations and Holocaust survivors in Israel. Continued funding, support and recognition from the media and public can potentially help these organizations expand their reach and effectiveness. Helping Holocaust survivors acknowledges their resilience and contributes to providing them with greater stability and opportunities. By supporting these initiatives, donors and advocates contribute to efforts aimed at improving the well-being of some of Israel’s most vulnerable citizens.
– John Menechino
Photo: Flickr
Early Warnings for All (EW4All): Global Alert Systems
What is Early Warnings for All
Launched by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022, the EW4All seeks to ensure that every person on Earth is safe thanks to a life-saving multi-hazard early warning system by the end of 2027.
The effort is a direct response to the growing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters. Indeed, from cyclones in the Pacific to droughts in East Africa, communities on the frontlines of natural disasters often have little or no time to prepare. By combining meteorological science, technology, and local preparedness, EW4All aims to close this protection gap worldwide.
A Comprehensive, Multi-Pillar Approach
The initiative is co-led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Together, these organizations oversee four essential, end-to-end pillars:
These pillars work together. Without accurate data, forecasts lose precision. Without effective communication, warnings go unheard. And without preparedness, even the best warnings cannot save lives.
Tangible Progress: Funding and Country-Level Action
In February 2025, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved a groundbreaking $103.2 million in grant financing to bolster EW4All systems in seven climate-vulnerable countries—Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Somalia—benefiting more than 26 million people.
This project, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), carries a total investment of $114.6 million, including $11.3 million in co-financing from IFRC, ITU, WMO, and national governments
In Fiji, the FJ$29 million ($12.9 million) grant focuses on expanding early warning coverage in remote areas, integrating hazard monitoring with local communication systems and providing training for
Why Early Warnings Matter and Deliver Impact
Early warning systems are among the most cost-effective tools in disaster risk reduction. The Global Status Report (2022) shows that countries with substantive-to-comprehensive early warning coverage experience eight times lower disaster mortality than countries with limited coverage.
Providing just 24 hours’ notice before a hazardous event can reduce damage by about 30% and investing $800 million in early warning systems in developing countries could avoid losses of $3–16 billion annually
Scaling Impact Through Partnerships
The EW4All initiative not only coordinates funding but also drives technical assistance and national policy support. The EW4All Advisory Panel, co-chaired by the heads of WMO and UNDRR, meets twice a year to assess progress, address gaps, and align resources.
On the technology front, ITU has mobilized partnerships with mobile operators such as GSMA, Safaricom and Telefónica to deploy cell-broadcast and location-based SMS in at-risk countries, ensuring alerts are not dependent on internet access.
In parallel, the IFRC works directly with communities to run evacuation drills, distribute preparedness kits, and ensure that warnings lead to action.
A Positive Forward Outlook
As natural disaster risks intensify, EW4All out as a global solution that saves lives while protecting livelihoods. By preventing deaths, reducing asset loss and maintaining community stability, EW4All indirectly supports poverty reduction. Disasters often push vulnerable households deeper into poverty; effective early warning systems break that cycle by enabling people to protect their homes, crops and sources of income.
With two years remaining until the 2027 deadline, progress is accelerating. From the Pacific Islands to the Horn of Africa, EW4All is laying the groundwork for a safer, more resilient future—where no one faces disaster without warning.
– Prayosha Patel
Photo: Flickr
Shedding Light on Disability in Tanzania
Access to assistive technology (AT), a wide-ranging term for products or services beneficial to people with disabilities, has long been a challenge in Tanzania. However, efforts to improve availability are gradually increasing.
Disability in Tanzania
Approximately 1.6 million Tanzanians live with some form of disability. In Tanzania, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by poverty. Expanding access to AT promotes inclusion and awareness while creating resources that help reduce poverty.
Key initiatives in Tanzania include the Persons with Disabilities Management Information System, the National Business and Disability Network and the National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism.
The Persons With Disabilities Management Information System
The Persons with Disabilities Management Information System (PD-MIS) was launched on December 2, 2023, with the help of the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Honourable Kassim Majaliwa. Originally, a rural special education teacher, Isaya Mlinyi, brought attention to a reliable database that would bring awareness to children with albinism and visual impairment.
With the support of the Prime Minister’s Office and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the PD-MIS was launched and now serves as an up-to-date information system for persons with disability (PWD). Before this successful resource, Tanzanians with disabilities were recorded through manual registrations within villages and a census record every 10 years.
This newly invented assistive technology serves as a tool that captures PWDs’ up-to-date personalized information in Tanzania Mainland. An example of this newly successful AT is providing records of households with PWD and granting families social protection, such as additional income, to compensate for the lack of accessibility in the labor field.
The National Business and Disability Network
Despite successful progress throughout the years, PWDs in Tanzania still face hindrances and discrimination when looking for work. In response, the National Business and Disability Network (NBDN) was successfully launched in March 2025, promoting visibility and equal job opportunities for PWD within the workplace. This International Labor
Organization(ILO)-supported program ensures that companies provide inclusion as part of their corporate policy, which lowers barriers against people with disabilities. In addition to the ILO, the NBDN is supported by the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) and Sightsavers, a charity founded to support developing countries with PWD.
National Action Plan for Persons With Albinism
This action plan unveils the violence and discrimination that Tanzanians with albinism face, ensuring the safety and inclusion of this group of people. This social inclusion plan for Tanzania was officially signed on December 3, 2024, which is also the nation’s International Day of PWDs. The National Action Plan ensures that the Tanzanian government provides lawful security and population data for people with albinism.
People with albinism not only face workplace discrimination, but also suffer from being excluded from family and community. The National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism not only sheds light on this marginalized group of people, but it also creates opportunities and provides inclusivity for all people with a form of disability.
Conclusion
People in Tanzania living with a disability are more likely to face discrimination in the workforce, inadequate education and higher poverty rates. The accessibility to AT can provide the Tanzania Mainland with up-to-date records of PWD, create inclusion within labor departments and ensure community safety nationwide. These key factors play a major role in shaping poverty and survival for this large yet often overlooked group in Tanzania’s population.
Since the passage of the Disabilities Act in 2010, the government has continued working to create opportunities for people with disabilities, supported by campaigns promoting the principle that no one should be left behind. Recent social safety nets launched on the mainland encourage leaders to uphold inclusive policies and expand resources that strengthen protections for PWDs.
– Nichole Morgan
Photo: Flickr
Building Inclusivity in Denmark: Policies That Empower Women
Denmark promotes equality by ensuring that all women, no matter their background, socioeconomic status or identity, have the opportunity to succeed. Inclusivity in Denmark is demonstrated through its dedication to providing opportunities for all women to thrive, supported by progressive laws and targeted initiatives.
Legislative Frameworks for Equality
At the heart of Denmark’s inclusive policy approach is a robust legal framework that protects women’s rights and responds to the diverse realities of their lives. The Gender Equality Act (2000) requires public authorities, universities and research organizations to embed gender equality into their planning and operations. This ensures balanced representation in decision-making and equal access to opportunities.
The Equal Treatment Acts (2024 and 2025) strengthen workplace equality by prohibiting gender-based discrimination and aligning national law with EU directives on equal treatment and work-life balance. Additionally, generous parental leave provisions further set Denmark apart. Parents can access up to 18 months of leave, with safeguards protecting academic and professional career progression during family absences. These measures create a legal foundation where every woman can participate fully and equally in society.
Economic Inclusion
Denmark’s welfare ensures that all women can participate in the economy. Around 70% of women aged 15–74 in Denmark participate in paid work outside the home, significantly higher than the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of approximately two-thirds.
The Fleksjob Scheme provides tailored employment for individuals with reduced work capacity, including women with disabilities or chronic illnesses. It allows them to work part-time with complete pay security. The program provides various support, including job coaching, vocational training, workplace accommodations and wage subsidies. These measures are designed to overcome barriers and provide individuals with the tools to secure, retain and thrive in employment. Employees and employers can benefit by encouraging greater participation in the labor market.
Furthermore, the Danish Center for Information on Women and Gender (KVINFO) introduced a mentor network that connects refugee and immigrant women with established Danish professionals. Networking is vital in opening doors to the labor market, education and social inclusion. Since its establishment, the network has had more than 7,000 participants. The relationships built between mentors and mentees are grounded in collaboration and individuality, ensuring both are treated as equals. This foundation cultivates trust and respect, celebrates unique strengths and recognizes potential.
Other initiatives, such as the For Women in Science program, promote inclusivity by encouraging gender balance in recruitment and offering training to address unconscious bias. This creates a more inclusive environment for women in leadership and scientific communities. These measures collectively promote inclusivity in Denmark, ensuring that women from all backgrounds can participate fully in the economy. This commitment helps break down barriers and supports greater social and economic integration nationwide.
International Action
Inclusivity in Denmark extends to its foreign policy, where gender equality is embedded to promote women’s participation and protection in global peace and security efforts. The National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2020–2024) ensures women’s full and meaningful participation in peace processes, while protecting women human rights defenders from threats and violence.
Denmark also takes a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence in conflict zones, funding programs that prosecute perpetrators, protect victims and support survivors’ recovery. By chairing the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, Denmark leads the global effort to safeguard women and girls in crisis settings.
Empowerment Through Networking
Beyond policy, Denmark invests in spaces that unite women and create lasting professional networks. The Career Club DK Women’s Empowerment Summit (2025) combines personal empowerment and career development with two stages of expert-led sessions, a female entrepreneur zone and structured networking. Indeed, these activities create space for meaningful connections, designed to celebrate diversity and build an inclusive community where women from diverse walks of life can thrive.
The Women in Law Forum: Denmark (2025), held in Copenhagen, was a thought-provoking gathering dedicated to advancing gender diversity and inclusion in the legal sector. The forum explored the changing landscape of female representation, the impact of generational shifts on workplace culture and the importance of collaboration in building a more inclusive legal profession.
Similarly, WOMENSCONF 2025, a global academic gathering in Denmark, brings together scholars and practitioners to explore issues from gender and migration to intersectionality and economic empowerment.
A Model in Progress
Denmark’s commitment to gender equality evolves in response to new challenges and women’s voices. By embedding equality into law, providing targeted support to vulnerable groups and promoting women’s leadership domestically and globally, Denmark ensures that every woman can participate fully in society.
From refugee mentorship programs to international peace-building, the commitment to inclusivity in Denmark shows that gender equality is strongest when it’s intersectional, proactive and collaborative.
– Beatrice Punt
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
How Camel Milk in Somalia is Boosting the Economy
Camels have always been at the center of Somalia’s exports. Now, thanks to a growing industry of camel milk and its benefits to humans, the people of Somalia are using these camels to boost the economy and fight malnutrition.
Production
Before, only a fraction of the country’s seven million camels were used for urban grocery stores. Now, in the outskirts of Mogadishu, there’s been a shift in production thanks to Dr. Abdirisak Mire Hashi, a veterinarian and Beder Camel Farm’s manager. He has been at the center of this production, both preserving heritage and supporting the progress that the country has been experiencing.
Each camel at the farm now produces up to 10 liters of milk per day, two times more than what traditional farmers got. The increase is directly related to new investments in veterinary care, better feed and modern milking practices. On routine, the camels have a check-up and take their nutritional supplement, a very different practice than the free-roaming camels as seen a decade ago.
The biggest change is the yogurt factory, the first of its kind in Somalia. The factory has created hundreds of much-needed jobs for the country.
Camel Milk Benefits
There has consistently been an uptick in people demanding camel milk in Somalia. It has exploded in popularity for many reasons, but the main reason is its health benefits:
Camel milk yogurt is just as nutritious as cow’s milk. It offers a low-lactose alternative that remains rich in vitamins and minerals. This product could provide Somalia with a much-needed public health boost that may help ease the country’s malnutrition crisis.
Modern camel milk production is transforming agriculture. It is changing the way that farmers go about their livestock.
The Future
The Somali government is hoping more people will invest in this growing industry. Camel milk offers countless benefits and rising productivity could transform Somalia’s future. With the introduction of a Dairy Act and a livestock sector development strategy, the country is laying the groundwork for lasting change.
The Beder Camel Farm holds 40% of Somalia’s camel milk market. It continues to lead the way toward a more camel milk-focused future. The people of Somalia see the potential of this investment and they are hopeful for where it takes the country.
– Avery Carl
Photo: Flickr
Fragility and the Rule of Law in New Caledonia
Recent Tensions
Last year, the pro-independence Kanak population rioted across New Caledonia, particularly in Noumea. The riot was in response to proposed legislation granting voting rights to expatriates who had lived there for more than 10 years. Under the 1988 Noumea Accord, signed in response to similar riots and tensions in the ’80s, only native New Caledonians have been eligible to vote in elections.
Specifically, expats (many pro-French, anti-independence) were not allowed to vote in referendums on New Caledonian independence. To many Kanaks, this new legislation threatened the momentum of the pro-independence movement against French rule. Riots broke out and the French government sent military troops and police officers to reestablish the rule of law. Macron himself visited in an attempt toward peace; however, this seemed to inflame tensions, with statements of “not my president” from protestors.
The disagreement and subsequent violence go beyond political tensions, with young Kanaks speaking to the levels of disenfranchisement they feel as they struggle to make ends meet. At the same time, French expats use New Caledonia as a wealthy paradise. Europeans, in turn, report a rise in anti-white racism from Kanaks, who have targeted expat communities on the island. Sonia Backes, a pro-French politician in the New Caledonian Congress, has reportedly received death threats for her political stance.
Demographics and Social Groups
New Caledonia hosts a combination of indigenous Kanaks and White-French expats, with a population of more than 300,000. Approximately 39% are Kanaks and 27% are Europeans, with the remaining population comprising various Pacific and Asian ethnicities. Most Kanaks live in Noumea, particularly in the city’s underserved areas. In contrast, French expats tend to live in smaller communities in the south.
The poverty rate in New Caledonia is around 19%; however, in the majority-Kanak Loyalty Islands Province, this rises to around 45%. Amid this inequality, more than 26% of young people in New Caledonia are unemployed, with only 8% of Kanaks holding a university degree. Additionally, 46% have no high school diploma, whereas 54% of Expats completed higher education.
The educational and economic disparity between the two groups is stark and many have argued that this motivates tensions. The history of violence in New Caledonia is multifaceted. Historically, Kanaks have risen against the government for political reasons, which has been successful in the eyes of Kanak independence groups.
The result of the 1988 riots was three independence referendums, with the last occurring in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic. The vote resulted in opposition to independence. However, key pro-independence figures, such as Roch Wamytan, argued that the referendum occurred under abnormal circumstances. They claimed the results should be ignored and another vote held. Many Kanaks boycotted the referendum, following local mourning rituals and fearing the virus. Pro-French loyalists therefore won with 96.5% of the vote.
Foreign Interference
An interesting aspect amid this fragile situation is the role of Azerbaijan in supporting independence. Kanak independence figures dispute claims of economic support from the Azerbaijani government. However, pro-Azerbaijani social media accounts have been linked to widespread misinformation concerning the role of French police in the 2024 riots.
This stems from the French government’s historic support for Armenia, one of Azerbaijan’s rivals. Azerbaijan has responded by supporting independence movements of French colonial territories, with the Baku Initiative Group formed as a collection of anti-colonial groups in European overseas territories.
While Kanaks have historic reasons for supporting independence, foreign governments that oppose the French state see New Caledonian independence as something to weaken French influence abroad. New Caledonia has remained French due to its impact in the Pacific, not to mention the extensive nickel reserves available in New Caledonia, which are key for chip manufacturing and electric vehicles.
The Future of New Caledonia
While tensions have been high, the recent agreement to establish a New Caledonian state has been received mostly positively. Independence groups have agreed that this is the best they could hope for. However, this only calms tensions for now. Pro-independence Kanaks have vowed to continue to fight for their independence and that fervour will not subside anytime soon.
– Lee Stonehouse
Photo: Flickr