In the Taklimakan Desert of Xinjiang, China, dunes shift as much as 20 meters each year due to powerful and relentless winds. The dunes creep across the land, consuming the environment and deepening the struggles of those living in poverty. But China is fighting back. The Green Wall of China combats poverty by pushing back the desert and restoring both land and livelihoods.
On November 28, 2024, the final stretch of the desert met its match. The last 100 meters of shifting sand along the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert was planted with various seedlings like red willows, saxaul and desert poplar, sealing the gap in what is now a 3,046-kilometer-long green barrier. With that, the Green Wall stands as a living shield against desertification and poverty.
Drivers of Desertification in China
Desertification is “the transformation of fertile land into desert or arid waste” due to a combination of natural and human factors. Shifting climatic and weather patterns can intensify wind speeds and soil erosion, accelerating the spread of desertification. Human-driven climate change has intensified the problem. Specifically, China’s rapidly growing population has placed immense pressure on natural resources, with rising consumption leading to land degradation and creating conditions that allow desertification to swiftly creep up.
The Three North Shelterbelt System
Otherwise known as the Green Wall of China, the Three North Shelterbelt System is one of China’s most significant ecological and economic initiatives. The project carries calculated responsibilities such as improving the ecological environment, mitigating natural disasters and expanding habitable and arable land. These activities have led to its recognition as a key national project.
Beyond environmental goals, it also plays a role in enhancing production conditions, reducing regional disparities and fostering shared prosperity among all ethnic groups. Additionally, the Green Wall of China combats poverty by supporting the restructuring of rural industries, accelerates poverty alleviation among farmers and contributes to long-term sustainable economic and social development.
After generations of sustained effort, the Three North Shelterbelt System has completed afforestation and conservation work across 31.7429 million hectares. As a result, forest coverage in the project area increased from 5.05% in 1977 to 13.84% by 2020.
The initiative created the “Great Green Wall” along China’s northern frontier— serving as a barrier against wind and sand, conserving water and soil, protecting agriculture and supporting animal husbandry and has achieved ecological, economic and social benefits.
Protecting the People and Lands
According to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Forestry and Grassland Bureau, the successful completion of the Green Wall along the Taklimakan Desert will enhance the region’s ecological barrier, stabilize agricultural production, improve urban living conditions and support both economic and social development.
Expanding tree cover helps stabilize water supplies, absorb carbon dioxide and offer communities sustainable access to resources like timber and other forest products. China has adopted scientific sand control technologies, including engineering sand fixation, biological sand control and photovoltaic sand control. While stabilizing and preventing the spread of sand, these efforts have also supported the development of local, sand-based industries– helping to improve lives and boost regional economies.
Looking ahead, Xinjiang plans to further build upon and strengthen the “edge-locking” efforts, contributing to the construction of a robust ecological security barrier in northern China.
How The Green Wall of China Combats Poverty
Along with the hardships of desertification, farmers were uneasy about losing their sole source of income and falling into poverty as the desert expanded. Their fears have been eased through local government subsidies and additional employment opportunities.
The Chinese government launched the “Returning Farmland to Forest Program,” also known as “Grain for Green.” This initiative provided financial incentives to farmers to cease cultivation on vulnerable land and instead plant trees. The program has a dual purpose: first, to reduce soil erosion and prevent further flooding; and second, to ensure that farmers’ quality of life continues to improve, even with the loss of arable farmland. In return for the protection of the newly planted trees, farmers received subsidies, as well as land rights to the fields and terraces that they managed.
The amount of compensation varies based on location and the type of land cultivated; however, according to the State Forestry Administration, the average household receives no less than 9,000 yuan, or $1,253. Households engaged in the program receive payments directly to their bank accounts after forestry officers conduct annual inspections of their forest plots.
Employment Diversification
In addition to providing subsidies, the Returning Farmland to Forest Program has helped diversify employment opportunities and broaden the industrial base in impoverished areas. A study conducted by four Chinese universities examining the program’s long-term impact on rural economic development found that there was a 10.9% increase in the value generated by local primary sectors, compared to similar counties that did not participate. Furthermore, rural employment in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishing rose by 8.2%.
The Three-North Shelterbelt System holds the title of the Green Wall of China and with it, the aid for poverty. The project has enhanced the region’s ecological environment, boosted grain production and achieved progress in developing forest product bases. Through the growth of forest and fruit-related industries, the project has helped lift tens of millions of local residents out of poverty.
The project has generated a wide range of job opportunities in areas such as tree planting and land maintenance, offering stable sources of income for local communities. This rise in employment has elevated living standards and stimulated economic growth in rural and impoverished regions.
The restoration of arable land has revitalized agriculture, allowing farmers to improve crop yields and diversify their production. The benefits of the Green Wall are evident in the rise of agricultural productivity, which has bolstered food security and aid for poverty. In 2023 alone, forest-related industries in China generated an annual output of 8.04 trillion yuan, exceeded $180 billion in forest product trade and directly employed 60 million people across the country.
Other Poverty Alleviation Initiatives
The Green Wall of China was among the first large-scale projects to link environmental restoration with poverty reduction, but it is not the only one. The following are other poverty alleviation initiatives:
- The Natural Forest Protection Project (1998). Aims to protect natural forests by stopping commercial logging to preserve ecological balance and biodiversity. To offset income loss, farmers and communities receive subsidies, while funds support forest conservation, habitat restoration and wildlife protection for long-term sustainability.
- The South China Slopes Land Conversion Program (2002). Targets soil erosion on steep slopes in southern China by promoting the restoration of forests and grassland. Goals to reduce landslide risk, improve water retention, enhance ecosystem resilience and encourage sustainable land management for ecological stability.
- The Ant-Forest Program (2011). Created by Ant Financial and the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), the app is connected to Alipay and rewards users with “green energy points” for eco-friendly actions. These points lead to the planting of virtual and real trees in degraded areas of China. The app encourages user engagement through tracking, competition and sharing, making environmental conservation interactive and rewarding.
Looking Ahead
The Green Wall of China shows how large-scale environmental projects can restore fragile ecosystems while improving livelihoods. By combining ecological restoration with poverty alleviation, China’s afforestation programs have created jobs, strengthened food security and offered long-term stability to millions. As these efforts expand, the Green Wall stands as a model of how investment in nature can build resilience against both environmental and economic challenges.
– Gabriella Luneau
Gabriella is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
What to Know About Poverty in Spain
In spite of its position as one of the European Union’s biggest economies, poverty is still a significant issue in Spain. In 2023, there were 20.4% of people, according to data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE), who lived under the poverty line or were subject to social exclusion. Among these include low-income families; those with severe material deprivation or low work intensity, and so forth. This figure has fallen slightly in recent years but is still above the EU average. It shows that there is an unequal distribution of income and an undercurrent of economic vulnerability in this land.
The Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis
The economic fallout from the 2008 financial crisis took its toll on Spain as well. As perforated holes with no dollar signs continued to emerge all over the country, her economy saw skyrocketing unemployment and an increase in poverty rates unparalleled in decades past. The economy has recovered steadily, but many of the cuts made during austerity measures—especially in social protection and public services—continue to affect vulnerable groups fiercely today. Although the unemployment rate in Spain soared to 26.1% in 2013 before finally passing, it has since dropped to around 12% (2024). Precarious employment and underemployment are still more common than full-time work among young people in particular.
Exposed Demographics
Women and children, immigrants and the elderly are particularly vulnerable groups in Spanish society who suffer frequently under poverty. The child poverty level, for instance, was nearly 28.9% in 2023. This makes it one of the highest child poverty levels among all EU member states. Single-parent families, often headed by women, face increased risks of poverty due to their lower income levels and restricted access to affordable childcare as well as housing. Moreover, Spain’s aging population has become difficult in the face of an inadequate pensions system, for many retired citizens find their pensions cannot keep up with inflation.
Regional Differences
In Spain, poverty levels vary widely from region to region. On average, the poverty rate in southern regions like Andalusia and Extremadura is higher than that of wealthier, more industrialized areas such as Madrid and the Basque Country. For example, in 2023, the AROPE rate (At Risk of Poverty or Social Exclusion) for Andalusia stood at 37.5%, while just across the border, an identical group was living on only 12.5% of what most others enjoyed as income.
Solutions and Efforts
In response to the high poverty levels in Spain, both government and non-governmental organizations introduced a variety of initiatives. One of the most important government projects is called ‘Ingreso Mínimo Vital’ or Minimum Livelihood Income, which was launched in June 2020. This national welfare program seeks to guarantee a minimum income for the most economically vulnerable households. With almost 700,000 households and more than 1.6 million people receiving support by February 2024, the project also built job-seeking services and social programs into one cohesive whole to promote sustainable social integration.
Another notable project is Cáritas Española, an NGO with a long history of battling poverty and marginalization in Spain. Direct humanitarian aid (such as food, housing and education services) is combined with pressure for structural policy change. In 2023, Cáritas helped more than 2.5 million people in Spain in a mixture of urgent assistance and social development schemes. At the same time as it makes these appeals for such reforms on behalf of marginalized groups, the organization also works politically to publicize and make public their plight.
Looking Ahead
Despite Spain’s economic achievements and social programs, poverty continues to be an issue. Among children, women, and the elderly, it is particularly problematic, and the level varies greatly by region. While unemployment has fallen (thanks to post-2008 recovery), the absence of rights-cabinet work and regional inequalities mean that the justice obstacle remains strong. Programs like Spain’s Ingreso Mínimo Vital or the activities of Cáritas Española indicate that if we fixate on supporting particular systems and making policies which embrace everyone, there will be progress.
– Simone Sanchez
Photo: Unsplash
A Nation in Poverty: An Analysis of Being Poor in Syria
Water Scarcity
Today, 14.6 million Syrians do not have regular access to clean drinking water, according to UNICEF. The year 2021 marked the beginning of the most severe drought Syria has seen since 1997, with the first quarter of 2025 producing only 94.9 millimeters of rainfall compared to the average of 165.4mm, according to Syria Direct.
As a consequence of burning fossil fuels, from 2020-2023, temperatures in Syria increased by an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius, taking this level of drought from a one in 250-year event, down to one in 10, according to World Weather Attribution.
In 2010, Syria’s water pumps produced around 1.7 billion cubic meters of water; in 2022, that number had dwindled down to a mere 600 million cubic meters, according to The Century Foundation. The Century Foundation also reports that between 800,000-1.2 million Syrians access water from the Euphrates. However, between the drought depleting the supply and Turkey not allowing the allotted share of water to pass through to Syria, there has been a significant deficit in what the river can provide.
Water Treatment in Syria
Even then, nearly two-thirds of water treatment facilities, half of all pumping stations, and one-third of water towers have suffered catastrophic damage as a result of the ongoing conflict. Almost half of all Syrians are dependent on unsafe drinking sources, and 70% of the nation’s sewage goes untreated, according to UNICEF.
Furthermore, in the governorates of Raqqa and Deir al-Zour, virtually all of the untreated sewage goes directly into the Euphrates, supplementing the ever-growing sanitation dilemma, according to The Century Foundation. The combination of low water levels and destitute sewer infrastructure has become a breeding ground for disease, with 60,000 people suspected of contracting cholera between August 2022 and January 2023, according to The Century Foundation.
By October 2023, suspected cases of watery diarrhea had increased to more than 215,000, according to Relief Web. While this affliction may sound generally harmless to those in the Western world, if left untreated, patients may die from fluid loss within a matter of hours. However, Syria has made monumental advancements in water infrastructure in recent months.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the Emergency Children’s Help Organization and the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development, in late July, Aleppo saw the rehabilitation of three water systems, which had previously become inoperable due to earthquake-sustained damage. These facilities have now guaranteed access to free water for thousands of Syrians, according to Relief Web. However, the remaining exhausted water sources have taken a heavy toll on farmers and, in turn, the overall domestic food supply. One of the contributing factors for this strain has been that the methods Syria uses in cultivation require more water than the climate was capable of producing, even prior to the drought. Frankly, groundwater cannot even sustain these methods.
Food Shortages
Food shortages are a significant part of being poor in Syria. In Daraa’s 2025 harvest alone, farmers lost 50% of irrigated wheat, but it pales in comparison to the near 100% of rainwater-fed crops that became defunct. For context, this equates to a measly 14% of 2024’s crop, according to Syria Direct. Additionally, the wheat that Daraa has maintained is suffering from increased competition and the possibility of subsidies being removed.
Syria’s interim government has lifted customs duties and restrictions on Turkish imports. Since the beginning of 2025, these imports have increased by 47%, and the powers that be are also mulling over the alienation of wheat subsidies, according to the Tahir Institute.
Bread subsidies are already on the sidelines. On top of that, gas canisters used to cook sextupled in price by January 2025, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. That being said, nearly 13 million Syrians are at risk of extreme hunger, with an additional 2.6 million at risk, according to Relief Web. As a result, UNICEF has said that more than 3.5 million children have become victims of stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies. However, earlier in August 2025, UNICEF announced that it had deployed 14 mobile health and nutrition teams throughout southern Syria, claiming that supplies would be allocated to an estimated 4,000 women and children in need.
Looking Ahead
While it may seem like a drop in the bucket, efforts like this begin to compound in addressing being poor in Syria. With the help of like-minded organizations, it’s only a matter of time before the situation improves. Even if it’s little by little, these initiatives are saving lives.
– Owen Armentrout
Photo: Pexels
Addressing HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan
Overview of HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan
The Eastern Europe and Central Asian region (EECA) is the only region in the world where HIV and AIDS infections, as well as AIDS-related deaths, are still rising. A study carried out under Dove Press shows a consistent increase in the percentage of the Kazakh population living with HIV since 2010 – 0.12% of the population in 2010, and 0.27% in 2020. As of 2024, around 43,000 adults aged above 15 live with HIV in Kazakhstan.
Poverty also has some correlation with HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan. Sex workers are at higher risk of infection, a lifestyle which is generally a product of poverty and desperation. Furthermore, drug-users are at higher risk of HIV than non-drug-users, another practice which has links – cause or effect – to poverty. One way in which Kazakhstan could indirectly address its HIV/AIDS problem would be to help the poorest, and bring people out of particularly vulnerable situations.
There are reasons for optimism:
The Importance of International Aid
There are multiple NGOs and state-funded organizations which have helped and are helping Kazakhstan. These include:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CDC is a U.S.-based and government funded organization which works globally. In 2005, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) implemented actions, and since then, CDC has supported Kazakh domestic organizations, such as KSCDID, in researching and treating HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan:
The UNDP: The UN Development Program (UNDP) has helped to modernize health care in Kazakhstan:
USAID: This was an organization created under President Bush. It is credited with saving 25 million lives worldwide through its work on HIV and AIDS, and was very influential in Kazakhstan:
Threat to International Aid
This year, President Trump aims to decrease government spending by $9 billion USD. One victim of these cuts is USAID, which had to shut down in July 2025 due to lack of funding. Both former-presidents Bush and Obama have condemned this action.
The organization UNAIDS particularly focuses on the significance of the U.S. funding, and impact of the cuts. It projects a 90% reduction in HIV testing and outreach in two regions of Kazakhstan, accounting for 20% of the drug-using population and 9% of men who have sex with men.
The morale of the Kazakh people is another important factor. The fear of HIV and AIDS negatively affects the population, and UNAIDS highlights the significance and growth of this fear with the introduction of the temporary U.S. funding freeze in March 2025, even before the cuts have been fully implemented.
Reasons to Be Optimistic
Under these threatening circumstances, there are multiple actors working to soften the potential blows as much as possible. For example, the Government of Kazakhstan is committed to filling the gaps that the U.S. left with domestic funding. The government already covered 95% of the costs of HIV research and treatment, and so were not entirely reliant on the CDC before the cuts.
Communities in Kazakhstan are also mobilizing. There has been increased volunteering, as well as outreach workers moving to AIDS centers. There has also been dialogue with the Global Fund, which could help in the place of U.S. aid.
Meanwhile, in the case of the U.S. Government, in July 2025, U.S. senators said that they would end a plan to cut $400 million dollars from PEPFAR funding, a decision which many experts are relieved about. This should significantly lessen the potential impact of the cuts on HIV and AIDS relief, in Kazakhstan and across the world.
Looking Ahead
In summary, while HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan is a significant problem, and the threats to international aid funding are of further concern, there is cause for optimism. The people of Kazakhstan, as well as the international community, are adapting and making the best of their situation.
– Oliver Evans
Photo: Flickr
4 Key Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Paraguay
Since the fall of the dictatorship in 1989, a strong implementation of macro-economic policies, market reform and social programs have driven significant growth and lifted millions out of poverty. Nonetheless, inequality still remains stagnant amongst Paraguayans. The World Bank Group has issued four key recommendations to improve poverty: invest in human capital, create quality jobs, strengthen the fiscal system and increase climate resilience. Here are four key innovations in poverty eradication in Paraguay.
1. Investment in Human Capital
Education reform is at the center of Paraguay’s long-term anti-poverty strategy. The OECD’s Paraguay Country Program, officially launched in March 2025, lists improving teacher training as a top priority. Experts see better-trained teachers as essential to raising learning standards and preparing students for the job market.
One example is Tikichuela: Mathematics in My School, an online program designed to support teachers in helping primary students develop math skills. A Berkeley study found that Tikichuela has successfully narrowed the learning gap between low- and high-performing students in Paraguay. According to the study, 65% of students do not have the minimum proficient standards in mathematics, science and reading, making such teacher-supported programs vital. The initiative, which currently benefits 4,000 students in Paraguay, highlights how equipping teachers with the right tools and training enables them to deliver more effective learning. Building on this success, in 2017 the Paraguayan government announced plans to expand funding for Tikichuela at a national scale.
2. ‘Poverty Spotlight’ – Fundación Paraguaya
Social innovator Martin Burt developed Poverty Spotlight, a self-assessment tool that helps families, organizations and NGOs to assess their poverty levels on a holistic level. This innovation uses a metric of 50 indicators across six dimensions including: Income & Employment, Health & Environment, Housing & Infrastructure, Education & Culture, Organization & Participation and Interiority & Motivational. This creates a personalized ‘life map’ for individuals to understand their state of poverty and how best to overcome it.
The system uses a traffic-light color code: Red (extreme poverty), Yellow (poverty) and Green (not poverty). Staff works directly with the people, designing tailored plans to overcome their challenges. Families and individuals track their progress over time, moving from red to green with the support from local mentors and community. Since 2013, 100 public and private businesses in Paraguay have adopted the tool to improve employee well-being, reaching more than 15,000 workers and their families.
In 2021, the United Nations awarded Poverty Spotlight the ODS Recognition (Sustainable Development Goals) for its work dedicated towards ending poverty.
3. Creating Job Opportunities
Fundación Paraguaya runs several programs to help individuals gain key skills and find secure work. Here are some of its innovative programs that are aiding poverty eradication in Paraguay:
Unemployment hit a record high of 8.55% in June 2021, but has since fallen to 5.7%. These innovations support Paraguay’s broader goal of eradicating poverty by fostering entrepreneurship and expanding economic participation.
4. Investing in Climate Resilience
Paraguay is one of the world’s leaders in clean energy production, generating 99.9% of its electricity from zero-carbon hydropower infrastructure. Thanks to its efficient dams, the country is able to produce more than it consumes. It exports the surplus to its neighboring countries Argentina and Brazil. These exports account for 7.1% of Paraguay’s net GDP, serving as a major source of public funding revenue that can be put towards social programs aimed at further reducing poverty.
However, a Berkeley study warns that the country’s climate shocks affect the success of its electricity export. A previous drought reduced export revenues by 12%, reducing the funds available for infrastructure, education and job creation, all of which are critical in reducing poverty in Paraguay.
Looking Ahead
Paraguay’s combination of education reform, innovative poverty measurement, job creation programs and climate conscious economic infrastructure shows how targeted strategies can reduce poverty in sustainable ways. The four key innovations in poverty eradication in Paraguay are key players in bringing the country forward.
– Ashley Pfeifer
Photo: Unsplash
UAE Sends Aid To Help in Fight Against Cholera in Chad
However, to put them in perspective, the number of infections is nearly four times the capacity of Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the U.S. The death toll is equally staggering, approaching one and a half times the number of lives lost in the September 11 attacks.
What is Cholera?
Cholera is a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mild cholera cases can be easily treated with oral rehydration solutions, which replace lost fluids and electrolytes. More extreme cases may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Cholera can be fatal if not treated quickly, though if caught in time, treatment is very effective.
Cholera is a waterborne disease, meaning it is primarily spread through contaminated water sources. This fact is particularly sobering in Chad, where only 52% of the population can access clean drinking water. The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where that number drops to just 43.8%.
Cholera in Chad
This global outbreak has hit Chad, a country in north-central Africa, especially hard. Chad has a population of more than 19 million, with 44.8% living on an income below the national poverty line. From July 13 to August 19, Chad recorded 776 cholera cases and 53 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 6.8%.
The disease is believed to have entered Chad from its eastern neighbor, Sudan. Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a violent civil war that has devastated the country. According to the United Nations (U.N.), the ongoing conflict has triggered a massive refugee crisis, forcing approximately 1.2 million Sudanese to flee across the border into Chad in search of safety and stability.
The cholera outbreak has been further worsened by these cross-border movements and the instability caused by the war. Armed conflict often exacerbates disease spread, making it essential to focus on this region now to prevent outbreaks and further human suffering.
UAE Involvement
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small but wealthy country on the Arabian Peninsula. In August 2025, its government sent 30 tons of lifesaving medical supplies to Chad to combat the cholera outbreak.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, the chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, confirmed that Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s priority is to continue the country’s “international humanitarian commitment to address health challenges wherever they arise.”
In 2025 alone, the UAE has distributed more than $80 million in health-related aid worldwide, with the primary beneficiaries in West Asia and Africa.
Conclusion
Efforts to contain cholera in Chad are critical. The UAE’s contribution is a meaningful step in the fight against cholera, offering critical relief to one of the regions hit hardest by the outbreak. However, millions remain at risk due to limited access to clean water, basic health care and humanitarian support.
– William Brentani
Photo: Flickr
Addressing the Gender Wage Gap in Azerbaijan
Decline of the Amazons-women
The history of Azerbaijan reveals that the country was once home to “Amazons-women,” a term used to describe women who possessed the best qualities traditionally attributed to men. Monuments in Azerbaijan commemorate successful women such as Queen Tomris and Queen Nushaba.
However, as history unfolded, Soviet rule suppressed women’s voices. Authorities pushed women into traditional household roles, primarily as mothers and caretakers. Today, men hold an overwhelming 90% majority in positions such as ministers, chairs of state committees and heads of large enterprises, while women hold the majority in supporting roles at 63.6%.
Poverty and the Gender Wage Gap in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, the contrast between urban and rural women’s opportunities remains stark. Baku showcases women in leadership roles and thriving businesses, while rural areas, especially in the south, remain trapped in cycles of poverty, early marriage and economic exclusion. Many rural women lack access to education, pushing them into low- or no-income roles that cement financial dependence and limit future earning potential. This systemic lack of skills and access to better-paying jobs directly feeds into the national gender wage gap in Azerbaijan, as rural women often work in informal, low-paying sectors or perform unpaid household labor. Even with initiatives like UNDP–EU resource centers enabling small business creation, structural inequalities and limited market access keep rural women’s wages far below those of their urban counterparts, perpetuating poverty across generations.
Lag in Pay Parity
According to a 2023 report from the Azerbaijan Statistical Committee, female students make up 52% of higher education enrollment. However, this growth does not translate into equal remuneration. Women primarily work in health care and teaching, yet earn roughly half of what men in these professions receive. Workplace segregation remains a key driver of the wage gap. Social norms expect women to serve as mothers and limit interactions with men, which restricts professional networking opportunities necessary for career advancement. As a result, many women stagnate in low-paying jobs, constrained by societal expectations and fear of condemnation. Thus, many women continue to live under a figurative veil.
Reforms Open Doors, Yet Hurdles Remain
Gender wage disparity contributes to an estimated $160 trillion loss in human capital wealth globally. McKinsey reports that if women participated in the labor market at the same rate as men, global GDP could rise by $28 trillion.
Azerbaijan’s Parliament implemented a law called On amendments to the Labour code of Azerbaijan, which aims to reduce the number of prohibited professions from 674 to 204 for women. In contrast, the professions that continue to be prohibited are for pregnant women and women with children under the age of 1.
The World Bank has been collaborating with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population (MoLSPP) to help women access STEM. The World Bank held a stakeholder roundtable on aiding the increase in the participation of women in the field of STEM. It also developed E-learning courses on occupational health and safety, violence and harassment, along with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, including representatives from MoLSPP. However, deep-rooted patriarchal social norms continue to persist, which hinders progress.
Initiatives to Promote STEM for Women
Women today are significantly underrepresented in fields like STEM, comprising only 30.1% graduates. A handful of institutions have made progress in addressing this including:
Looking Ahead
While policy reforms have begun to address Azerbaijan’s gender wage gap, sustainable change will depend on dismantling entrenched social norms and ensuring equal access to all levels of the labor market.
– Chhahat Kaur Gandhi
Photo: Unsplash
Solar Microgrids in Uganda Powering Progress
Poor and unequal access to electricity prevents rural residents from having core services like refrigeration, the ability to study in the evening or even powered medical tools. This lack perpetuates poverty through low productivity, poor health and limited education.
The introduction of solar microgrids in Uganda provides efficient and more affordable methods of increasing access to electricity. Here is some information on how solar microgrids operate in Uganda.
Background
In rural Uganda, studies estimate that 26 million people live without electricity as the grids are often limited to towns. This is partly because grid expansion is expensive due to long distances and low density. Hence, off-grid solar microgrids have become a cheaper option that is much quicker to install.
Solar microgrids are localized energy systems incorporating features like solar panels, batteries or small distribution lines. In Uganda, they have been used to great success. For example, in The Lamwo District, 25 solar mini-grids provide electricity to more than 15,000 residents and 100 businesses. In Kiwumu, a 40 kW system provides electricity to 360 homes, 60 companies and a maize mill. On Bunjako Island, eight grids serve more than 3,300 people.
Microgrids as a Tool To Reduce Poverty
Investing in Uganda’s solar microgrids has been crucial in bolstering poverty reduction efforts. It has increased the income for rural Ugandans as it provides a boost for buildings like shops, mills, salons and charging kiosks. In Kiwumu, businesses saw an increase of 68% in their revenue. This also helps women’s businesses as they grow with powered sewing machines and food processors.
In the health care sector, solar microgrids have also made an impact. There is now proper refrigeration for vaccines in the regions with these microgrids. Hospitals can now better provide nighttime emergency care. Likewise, diagnostic equipment is now powered more reliably.
Solar microgrids in Uganda have also improved the education effort in rural areas. Evening study is now possible with the lighting produced by electricity. Students and learners in the region can also now use computers and printers more consistently. This has also bolstered efforts to provide digital literacy training.
Conclusion
Some barriers to expanding solar microgrids in the region remain, such as complex regulations and licensing delays. However, more support must be given as expanded microgrid access for rural Uganda reduces energy poverty. It also means the growth of small businesses, better health care and stronger education outcomes: all crucial features in the fight against poverty.
– Seun Adekunle
Photo: Flickr
Maya Pedal: Bikes Transforming Lives in Guatemala
The name refers to the significant Indigenous population in Guatemala, who are primarily of Mayan descent, whilst ‘pedal’ has the same meaning in English. Mayans made up just under half of the national population, but studies suggest they remain one of the poorest and most oppressed groups in the country.
Local Projects
Not only do the bicimaquinas save local people money, time and effort, they also help some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the area by providing work and a sense of purpose.
Women for Development in Action is a local organization that enables women to grow their own aloe plants before using the bicimaquina as a blender and producing shampoo. As Ana María Guch explains, “First, we cut the aloe, then we take off the skin, cut it into little pieces and put it in the blender. Next, we pedal!” The profits they make from selling their shampoo go towards supporting their families and funding their reforestation project.
Another organisation, Women’s Group for AZUCENA, supports women as they produce their own animal feed by using the bicimaquina as a corn degrainer. Aside from their agricultural projects, the organisation also runs Spanish literacy classes for Indigenous women, giving them a better chance of integrating into society and improving their social mobility, Maya Pedal reports on its website.
Mario Juarez, Director of Maya Pedal, also explains the environmental benefits of creating the bicimaquinas: “I believe with what we do we contribute a little to reduce the damage that as human beings we do to the planet.”
International Impact
Maya Pedal has received international acclaim for its innovative bicimaquinas – as Carlos Enrique Marroquin, Head of Maya Pedal, outlines: “We do not have to do any advertising, because the machine speaks for itself – and as such, the NGO receives volunteer engineers, translators and bike mechanics from all over the world.”
It has also made its machine designs free and available to download anywhere in the world, so that anyone can access them and learn to build and use them themselves, creating a brighter, more environmentally friendly future for everyone, starting with the Maya community in San Andrés Itzapa.
– Elsa Tarring
Photo: Flickr
Planting Prosperity: The Green Wall of China Combats Poverty
On November 28, 2024, the final stretch of the desert met its match. The last 100 meters of shifting sand along the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert was planted with various seedlings like red willows, saxaul and desert poplar, sealing the gap in what is now a 3,046-kilometer-long green barrier. With that, the Green Wall stands as a living shield against desertification and poverty.
Drivers of Desertification in China
Desertification is “the transformation of fertile land into desert or arid waste” due to a combination of natural and human factors. Shifting climatic and weather patterns can intensify wind speeds and soil erosion, accelerating the spread of desertification. Human-driven climate change has intensified the problem. Specifically, China’s rapidly growing population has placed immense pressure on natural resources, with rising consumption leading to land degradation and creating conditions that allow desertification to swiftly creep up.
The Three North Shelterbelt System
Otherwise known as the Green Wall of China, the Three North Shelterbelt System is one of China’s most significant ecological and economic initiatives. The project carries calculated responsibilities such as improving the ecological environment, mitigating natural disasters and expanding habitable and arable land. These activities have led to its recognition as a key national project.
Beyond environmental goals, it also plays a role in enhancing production conditions, reducing regional disparities and fostering shared prosperity among all ethnic groups. Additionally, the Green Wall of China combats poverty by supporting the restructuring of rural industries, accelerates poverty alleviation among farmers and contributes to long-term sustainable economic and social development.
After generations of sustained effort, the Three North Shelterbelt System has completed afforestation and conservation work across 31.7429 million hectares. As a result, forest coverage in the project area increased from 5.05% in 1977 to 13.84% by 2020.
The initiative created the “Great Green Wall” along China’s northern frontier— serving as a barrier against wind and sand, conserving water and soil, protecting agriculture and supporting animal husbandry and has achieved ecological, economic and social benefits.
Protecting the People and Lands
According to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Forestry and Grassland Bureau, the successful completion of the Green Wall along the Taklimakan Desert will enhance the region’s ecological barrier, stabilize agricultural production, improve urban living conditions and support both economic and social development.
Expanding tree cover helps stabilize water supplies, absorb carbon dioxide and offer communities sustainable access to resources like timber and other forest products. China has adopted scientific sand control technologies, including engineering sand fixation, biological sand control and photovoltaic sand control. While stabilizing and preventing the spread of sand, these efforts have also supported the development of local, sand-based industries– helping to improve lives and boost regional economies.
Looking ahead, Xinjiang plans to further build upon and strengthen the “edge-locking” efforts, contributing to the construction of a robust ecological security barrier in northern China.
How The Green Wall of China Combats Poverty
Along with the hardships of desertification, farmers were uneasy about losing their sole source of income and falling into poverty as the desert expanded. Their fears have been eased through local government subsidies and additional employment opportunities.
The Chinese government launched the “Returning Farmland to Forest Program,” also known as “Grain for Green.” This initiative provided financial incentives to farmers to cease cultivation on vulnerable land and instead plant trees. The program has a dual purpose: first, to reduce soil erosion and prevent further flooding; and second, to ensure that farmers’ quality of life continues to improve, even with the loss of arable farmland. In return for the protection of the newly planted trees, farmers received subsidies, as well as land rights to the fields and terraces that they managed.
The amount of compensation varies based on location and the type of land cultivated; however, according to the State Forestry Administration, the average household receives no less than 9,000 yuan, or $1,253. Households engaged in the program receive payments directly to their bank accounts after forestry officers conduct annual inspections of their forest plots.
Employment Diversification
In addition to providing subsidies, the Returning Farmland to Forest Program has helped diversify employment opportunities and broaden the industrial base in impoverished areas. A study conducted by four Chinese universities examining the program’s long-term impact on rural economic development found that there was a 10.9% increase in the value generated by local primary sectors, compared to similar counties that did not participate. Furthermore, rural employment in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishing rose by 8.2%.
The Three-North Shelterbelt System holds the title of the Green Wall of China and with it, the aid for poverty. The project has enhanced the region’s ecological environment, boosted grain production and achieved progress in developing forest product bases. Through the growth of forest and fruit-related industries, the project has helped lift tens of millions of local residents out of poverty.
The project has generated a wide range of job opportunities in areas such as tree planting and land maintenance, offering stable sources of income for local communities. This rise in employment has elevated living standards and stimulated economic growth in rural and impoverished regions.
The restoration of arable land has revitalized agriculture, allowing farmers to improve crop yields and diversify their production. The benefits of the Green Wall are evident in the rise of agricultural productivity, which has bolstered food security and aid for poverty. In 2023 alone, forest-related industries in China generated an annual output of 8.04 trillion yuan, exceeded $180 billion in forest product trade and directly employed 60 million people across the country.
Other Poverty Alleviation Initiatives
The Green Wall of China was among the first large-scale projects to link environmental restoration with poverty reduction, but it is not the only one. The following are other poverty alleviation initiatives:
Looking Ahead
The Green Wall of China shows how large-scale environmental projects can restore fragile ecosystems while improving livelihoods. By combining ecological restoration with poverty alleviation, China’s afforestation programs have created jobs, strengthened food security and offered long-term stability to millions. As these efforts expand, the Green Wall stands as a model of how investment in nature can build resilience against both environmental and economic challenges.
– Gabriella Luneau
Photo: Flickr
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Books Redefining Poverty
Alongside influencing readers and raising awareness, these books have also prompted policy executives to cite these works in designing aid strategies; NGOs have adopted their approaches; and readers have been moved to volunteer, donate and advocate.
Three landmark works in the world of literature, among the millions of others that this article is going to discuss, have played an enormous role in transforming how the world thinks about poverty, catalyzing public awareness and lacing it with public policy influence.
The End of Poverty
When economist Jeffrey D. Sachs published “The End of Poverty,” it was written with the primary purpose and goal of being a rally cry as well as a detailed blueprint for eradicating extreme poverty by 2025. Drawing on his experience advising governments and the United Nations (U.N.), Sachs argued that targeted investments in health, education and infrastructure could break the “poverty trap” for the world’s most impoverished nations.
The book popularized the Millennium Development Goals to audiences beyond policy circles, bringing them into mainstream discourse. By weaving the threads of real-life case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America with the needle of economic theory, Sachs portrayed the fight against poverty.
This fight has plagued our world since time immemorial, with a raging urgency. He also portrayed it as a fight that is plausible and winnable. Its influence extended to advocacy campaigns like the ONE Campaign. It encouraged donor nations to re-examine their foreign aid commitments.
Poor Economics
Whereas on one hand, Sachs envisioned large-scale macroeconomic interventions, on the other, “Poor Economics” brought the conversation down to the micro level, to the average person’s household. Drawing on more than 15 years of field experiments in developing countries, Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, a duo who would go on to win the Nobel Prize in 2019, challenged conventional wisdom about people with low incomes.
They poignantly display that people living in poverty make rational choices within the constraints they face and that well-intentioned policies can fail if they ignore behavioral realities and societal factors. Their research pushed governments and NGOs to incorporate approaches rooted in evidence, such as small-scale randomized controlled trials, into program design. In doing so, the book shifted development economics toward a more empirical, human-centered methodology, one that prizes adaptation over a ubiquitous solution.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
While Sachs and Banerjee and Duflo wrote from the perspective of economists, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Katherine Boo brought the indescribable power of narrative nonfiction to the issue. “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” follows the lives of residents in Annawadi, a makeshift settlement near Mumbai’s airport. Over three years, Boo documented the daily struggles and moral dilemmas of families navigating corruption, caste prejudice and economic precarity.
The book stripped away the ubiquitous and abstract notions of “the poor.” It replaced them with deeply personal stories of people, stories of ambition, betrayal, resilience, injustice and most of all, humanity. The success of “Behind the Beautiful Forevers”, including a National Book Award, brought slum realities into the consciousness of readers who might never, without it, have considered the human cost of urban inequality. The work spurred into motion discussions in classrooms, book clubs and policy panels about the lived experience of poverty and the invisible barriers to upward mobility.
Conclusion
Individually, “Behind the Beautiful Forevers”, “Poor Economics” and “The End of Poverty” speak in different realms of writing: macro solutions, micro interventions and human narratives. Together, they form a powerful triad that has altered the global poverty discourse.
The books remind us that awareness is the first step toward change and that stories, whether told in any manner, can transform not just how we think, but how we act in the grand scheme of the world.
– Ruhani Rahul
Photo: Pxhere