In 2021, the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) recorded more than 32 million adults living with diabetes in Pakistan, accounting for 26.7% of the population. However, this number has since risen.
Due to Pakistan’s unaffordable and lacking health care system, the country has the highest proportion of diabetes-related deaths among under 60-year-olds globally at 35.5%, particularly in areas suffering from poverty. Despite this, Pakistan spends less than 1% of its GDP on its health care system. Several organizations are working to address the diabetes crisis in Pakistan.
The Cause
As of April this year, the World Bank predicted Pakistan’s poverty rate would reach 37.2% of the population. The rate has decreased since 2018. However, due to the extensive population growth in Pakistan, the number of Pakistanis living below the poverty line has increased by 3 million.
Poverty primarily occurs among women and children, with malnourishment a vital factor in the diabetes surge in Pakistan. The influx of malnourished expectant mothers has led to an increase in the risk of and number of children born with Type 1 diabetes, an issue that has risen in line with Pakistan’s population increase.
As a result of Pakistan’s high poverty rates, there are high levels of illiteracy in rural areas. Many areas are not educated about the dangers of diseases like diabetes and its treatment and, therefore, are not able to recognize the issue until the severity has reached amputation or worse.
The lack of access to sporting facilities and public spaces for exercise, particularly in schools, has further progressed obesity across the population and, therefore, those at risk of diabetes. This progression has been worsened by Pakistan’s recent surge in consumption of fast and ultra-processed foods.
Although diabetes remains a preventable and manageable disease, the severe lack and unequal dispersion of health care and medication has heightened the impact and outcome of diabetes across Pakistan. As a result, health care and medicine often cost significantly more than the $3 average most earn in a day.
Pakistan’s Medical System
Pakistan spends less than 1% of its GDP on the health care system. The country runs a health care system comprising both public and private sectors; however, as much of the country is still developing and lives in poverty, the private sector is largely inaccessible.
The public sector is suffering under surging population growth, which has led to inadequate health infrastructure, including accessible hospitals and doctors. The sector is inadequately equipped due to shortages of medicine within the country and an uneven distribution of doctors – with many traveling overseas once qualified or into the private sector.
Pakistan imports more than 95% of its active pharmaceutical ingredients; however, the rupee’s highest inflation in decades has made purchasing and importing such products nearly impossible, and a massive decline in medicine production and availability has been seen since January.
As the diabetes crisis in Pakistan continues to grow, 30% of health care facilities have run out of life-saving insulin, and many of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturers have closed and left the country.
The availability of insulin is now inconsistent and unreliable, and the price has tripled for both hospitals and individuals.
Many Pakistanis have simply stayed at home, stuck living in poverty and unable to afford medicine or transport to hospitals that are inaccessible and inadequately stocked. As a result, death rates from diabetes have surged.
The Diabetes Association of Pakistan (DAP)
Since 1966, the Diabetes Association of Pakistan (DAP) has served Pakistan and prioritized and addressed the nationwide diabetes crisis. As a member of the International Diabetes Federation, it “strives to raise the quality of life in Pakistan through raising awareness of healthy lifestyles, management and prevention of diabetes.”
It provides education and support for all Pakistan residents at risk of or suffering from diabetes, as well as health professionals and children, to improve and reduce diabetes’ future impact. Its cost-free services include these efforts to address the diabetes crisis in Pakistan:
- Diabetes Awareness Programs at schools and workplaces.
- Supporting families directly to improve surroundings.
- Training for medical professionals to support and improve diabetes treatment.
- Insulin pump support and education.
- Diabetes Prevention Camps and Diabetes Support Camps.
The World Diabetes Foundation
The World Diabetes Foundation ran another project addressing the issue of diabetes in Pakistan from 2015 to 2018. The project set out to improve accessibility to Diabetes Clinics and treatment across the country, including rural areas with mass poverty. Within the project, it was able to open up three clinics across Islamabad and Rawalpindi and offer training on diabetes to:
- three hundred and fifteen nurses
- six doctors
- five paramedic staff
The project conducted 110 awareness and screening camps, and screened 12,699 across these areas with a mere budget of $134,739.
Although both were able to improve health care accessibility and diabetes education in Pakistan, resources and access are limited. With the Pakistani government’s support and funding, true change and improvement can be most impactful and widespread, especially in rural areas with high poverty levels.
By prioritizing education, affordability and accessibility to diabetes support and medication across Pakistan, the country’s health and economy have the potential to improve significantly in the future.
– Lucy Blake
Photo: Flickr
3 Ways to Tackle Energy Poverty in Africa
Increasing Efficiency
Poor energy infrastructure is a significant factor in energy poverty in Africa. Inefficient transmission means energy is lost between power plants and homes and businesses. The African Energy Efficiency Programme is a joint project by the African Energy Commission and the UN seeking to solve this problem. The Programme aims to provide electricity for millions of additional consumers by providing more efficient lighting and appliances.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards are also emerging to support African states in providing reliable electricity to consumers. By increasing efficiency, Africa’s existing energy will reach more people than it currently does and improve the lives of those living in energy poverty.
Renewable Energy
Energy sources such as wind and solar are abundant across Africa but are under-used across the continent. Africa can unlock its full potential by constructing new wind or solar farms. For example, the AMAN Project in Mauritania is an ongoing development of large-scale solar and wind farms. The mega project should provide 110 terawatt-hours of electricity and energy available for export, boosting Mauritania’s GDP by as much as 60%.
Kenya’s Garissa solar plant is East Africa’s largest. It produces 50 megawatts of energy, equivalent to 2% of Kenya’s energy mix.
The Garissa plant has made energy more affordable for Kenyans, and proposals to ensure 50% of new energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa are renewable by 2040 mean this trend is likely to continue.
There are plans to construct 35 solar projects in Kenya, with six already underway. Kenya has around 15,000 megawatts of solar potential, with only 52 megawatts harnessed so far. By increasing the number of solar farms, Kenya will make energy more available and affordable, helping tackle energy poverty in Africa.
Technology
Many areas of rural Africa are inaccessible or unsuitable for grid electrification, meaning that residents cannot benefit from energy in their homes. One can see solutions to this problem in using local power sources, such as solar-powered lights, which do not require a connection to an electric grid. Let There Be Light International is an organization that provides solar lights to 1.2 million vulnerable people, including mothers, children and the elderly.
By providing a source of energy that can operate even in off-grid rural communities, health clinics can remain open throughout the night, and students can study after school. Solar lights also eliminate the risks of kerosene lamps, such as pollution or fire hazards. These benefits significantly improve the lives of people living in energy poverty in Africa.
Energy poverty seriously impacts hundreds of millions of lives in Africa. Challenges such as poor infrastructure and untapped energy potential deprive people living in poverty of access to essential services such as electricity. However, more efficient power transmission, the expansion of renewable energy sources and modern innovations are all helping alleviate energy poverty in Africa.
– Jamie Paterson
Photo: Flickr
Improving Life for Those with Disabilities in Brazil
Life for Those with Disabilities in Brazil
In Brazil, there is a strong social stigma surrounding people who have a disability. Investigative research carried out in Rio de Janeiro revealed poor living conditions of organizations that housed those with mental and physical impairments. Referred to as ‘institutions’ by Human Rights Watch, individuals were subject to inhumane conditions, little to no education and inadequate sanitary standards. In some situations, it was reported that individuals were tied to their beds or left outdoors for prolonged periods.
These shocking living conditions demonstrate how people living with a disability are far more likely to be classified as living in poverty. For example, persons with a disability average a monthly salary of R$1,639, while the average salary is R$2,619 a month for those without a disability. Furthermore, a survey in 2019 revealed that 18.2% of people with a disability live below the poverty line.
Although not representative of the living standards of the entire disabled Brazilian population, it highlights the demand for greater government intervention. In a 2010 demographic, around 26% of the population declared that they had some kind of disability, around 46 million people. And yet, health systems within the country have faced severe funding cuts in previous years. Under the rule of Jair Bolsonaro, budgeting and the COVID-19 pandemic hit the health sector hard.
The 2023 budget that Bolsonaro’s government left proposed a USD $4.2 billion reduction of investment within the health sector. Research carried out in 2022 determined that the political climate in previous years in Brazil impeded the aims and progress of the National Health Policy for Persons with Disabilities (PNSPCD). This organization focuses on the inclusion of disabled people by encouraging and promoting effective participation in society for people with disabilities.
Employment and Education
There are still inequalities within employment and education that prohibit the improvement in the lives of those with disabilities in Brazil. As of 2023, only one in four persons with a disability completed mandatory basic education. Of the 99.3 million employed people in 2022, only 4.7% were persons with a disability. However, there has also been greater involvement of inclusive organizations such as Rede Empresarial de Inclusão Social (REIS) and the Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons With Disabilities and their Families (RIADIS).
Looking toward the future of inclusivity for the disabled in Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged to enact social reform. In a meeting with the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in July 2023, the Brazilian President discussed the importance of improving access to health products and systems for all at affordable prices. Indicative of a greater focus on the more vulnerable in society, disability accessibility in Brazil is gradually becoming more inclusive and less stigmatized. With the contribution of organizations and programs such as Inklua, an online database to find employment for disabled persons, the lives of those with disabilities in Brazil is improving.
Brazilian job search engine Catho has the largest database of candidates with disabilities, aiding in bridging the gap between monetary income and physical impairment.
The Future
With a new president and greater awareness of inclusivity and access to health care, Brazil’s post-pandemic social policy looks hopeful. Following a period of divide regarding health care, corruption and the environment, Brazil has the opportunity to turn its attention to its own people and improve the lives of its poorest and most vulnerable.
– Sophie Butts
Photo: Flickr
Reducing Poverty Among Women in the Dominican Republic
Poverty Among Women in the Dominican Republic
According to the UNDP, the most prominent problems that Dominican women encounter include the lack of housing and the inaccessibility to the internet, affecting 50.6% and 66.3% of Dominican women respectively. As a whole, 40.4% of the population in the country is impacted by poverty as of 2022.
Moreover, poverty among Dominican women is also a result of the gender barriers that are not only present in the country but remain a major concern in the Caribbean region. According to data that the World Bank published, while adult literacy is nearly the same between men (95.1%) and women (95.3%) in 2021, the gap between employment for men and women remains disproportionately high in 2022. In the Dominican Republic, while 76.5% of men enter the labor force, the participation of women is only 52.5%. Furthermore, nearly 79% of women in the Dominican entered university as opposed to 38% of men. However, only 40% of STEM graduates in the Dominican Republic are women.
Taking Action
The United States Agency of International Development (USAID) aims to address gender inequality with the hopes of reducing poverty among women in the Dominican Republic. USAID introduced the Engendering Industries program in 2015 to tackle gender inequality in industries where the problem is prominent while promoting economic empowerment for women. In their recent partnership in 2021 with Dominican government organizations such as the Instituto Nacional de Aguas Potables y Alcantarillados (INAPA), a water utility company, USAID aims to establish gender equality in the industry.
Since their collaboration, INAPA has developed an extensive gender equality strategy that saw new training programs to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. Moreover, as of 2022, the company saw an increase in female hires, with 300 new female employees and the promotion of 75 existing employees to senior positions. This results in women making up 30% of new hires, 10 times more than the previous year.
Looking Ahead
By addressing gender inequality in the workplace, the Dominican Republic takes a crucial step in reducing poverty among women by ensuring that women are economically stable and self-sufficient. Moreover, the work of philanthropic organizations such as Food For The Poor (FFTP) aims to reduce the impact of poverty on Dominicans by providing support for essential needs. As of 2023, the charity has built 1719 housing units and 50 water projects to provide safe drinking water. FFTP has also supported improvements in education by constructing rural schools as well as developing a vocational training program specifically for women to increase their chances of employment.
The work of these public and private organizations helps to address the feminization of poverty in the Dominican Republic by supporting women to overcome gender barriers.
– Remigius Kim
Photo: Pixabay
Updates on SDG 5 in Namibia: Setting the Standard
In 2012, the United Nations (UN) created a list of 17 interconnected goals to act as the blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for people and the planet by 2030. These “global goals” cover many issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water and more.
SDG 5: Empowering Women and Combating Gender Discrimination
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 specifically targets ending discrimination against women and girls through a comprehensive approach that encompasses the following:
Gender Equality and Economic Growth
Gender equality is not only a matter of human rights but also a driver of poverty reduction and good governance. The World Bank’s Gender Employment Gap Index (GEGI) predicts that closing all gender gaps would result in a 20% increase in GDP across all countries.
Namibia’s Commitment to SDG 5
Working on SDG 5 in Namibia achieved the following:
These accomplishments are a testament to the influence SDG 5 has had on local and national legislation, education and public awareness in Namibia. The Namibian government has implemented and enforced legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in the workforce and public campaigns promoting positive gender roles while eradicating harmful practices such as female genital mutilation. These efforts have facilitated women’s transition from the informal to the formal economy, giving autonomy to women and bringing them into the workforce. As of 2023, more than 50% of women are in the workforce, and 80% of Namibian women hold a bank account through an institution or online platform.
Critical Success Factors: Collaboration
Namibia’s success in meeting SDG 5 goals is due to a cooperative effort between international organizations led by the UN, local Namibian government institutions and citizen-led movements. Namibia achieved a remarkable 91.7% implementation of the SDG 5 programs through this collaborative effort.
Participation of the UN has been vital to meeting SDG 5 in Namibia. Particularly noteworthy was the support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women. Furthermore, local and governmental institutions within Namibia played crucial roles. In fact, the Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Namibia Ministry of Gender Equality played essential roles in following these advancements.
Another notable role involved Namibian citizens. The “ShutItAllDown” movement in October 2020 propelled the country into action, calling for the protection of women against gender violence. Protests in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, began in response to gender-based violence following the femicide of Shannon Wasserfall as a result of protesters’ demands. Namibia implemented security measures to enhance women’s protection. The government implemented a school curriculum focused on gender-based violence and enhanced training for police officers.
The Way Forward
To address poverty among women in Namibia, a robust political movement has emerged, accompanied by increased budgetary allocations for gender mainstreaming. National initiatives focus on preventing and educating against gender-based violence, and a recent positive step involves the elimination of the “tampon tax.” Legal foundations, such as The Namibian Constitution (1990) and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act (2003), along with affirmative action, contribute significantly to gender equality and poverty reduction.
Despite commendable progress, challenges persist, necessitating continued efforts. Achieving gender equality is an enduring process demanding sustained commitment across various sectors. Notably, Namibia’s significant strides in fulfilling SDG 5 exemplify the attainability of such goals. Also, Namibia’s progress could serve as an inspiration for neighboring countries.
– Isabella Oliver-Steinberg
Photo: Flickr
5 Charities Operating in Kenya
Between 2015 and 2019, Kenya experienced a 4.8% economic growth rate per year, reducing the percentage of people living on less than $2.15 per day from 36.5% to 27.2%. In light of these trends, the following charities operating in Kenya focus on poverty eradication by working with and empowering individuals to realize their full potential.
5 Charities Operating in Kenya
Looking Ahead
These five charities operating in Kenya substantially support citizens experiencing poverty throughout the nation. In addition to the organizations, several other charities and nonprofits are dedicated to eradicating poverty and empowering communities in Kenya. The work of these organizations continues to provide Kenyans with access to quality education and health care, and greater crop yield for farmers, supporting communities with the necessary toolkit to prosper.
– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr
Everything To Know About Hunger In Uganda
Organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) and Action Against Hunger are making amazing progress in the fight against poverty and are working to reduce the hunger problem in Uganda. Many factors contribute to the hunger crisis, and there is no quick solution to this global issue. Here are some factors contributing to the hunger crisis in Uganda.
Landscape
An outstanding natural landscape surrounds Uganda, and the climate is harshly impacted by its beautiful mountains, lakes and hills. Uganda’s tropical climate means it has plenty of fertile agricultural land that can feed 200 million people. Unsurprisingly, Uganda’s soil has captured the interest of many foreign investors, with the land’s potential for plentiful crop growth. While this may seem like a beneficiary for Uganda, it can also contribute to the problem of uneven distribution of produce amongst the population and Uganda’s overreliance on crop produce.
Climate
Uganda’s tropical climate has proven to be an issue for crop growth, which can lead to the spread of hunger. Its climate is known to often switch from prolonged torrential rain to extreme drought, thus making it difficult for agriculture to provide for families. This climate often results in a lack of surplus produce from farms, and many in Uganda remain hungry and unable to obtain sufficient food to sustain their families. This situation leads to many families lacking access to basic essentials such as cooking oil, fuel, beef, bread and rice.”
Agriculture
Given the climate’s impact on creating fertile and prosperous land, it is no surprise that agriculture significantly impacts the population’s prosperity and hunger rates. Approximately 84% of the population lives in rural areas, meaning that agriculture significantly impacts Uganda’s economy, as this overwhelming part of the population is over reliant on agriculture.
An overreliance on subsistence farming makes it difficult for families dependent on products grown on their land, leaving them vulnerable to the country’s tropical climate.
The unequal distribution of food and other essential goods greatly impacts hunger in Uganda. Limited infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, causes this unequal distribution, leading to food surpluses in some regions and food shortages in others.
Health Care
Malnutrition is a prevailing concern among women and children who cannot obtain reliable health care. Almost 30% of children in Uganda suffer from malnutrition, which leads to life-threatening conditions and stunting. The reality for many families, particularly those in rural areas, is that there is not enough education surrounding proper health care, thus leading to malnutrition and the spread of disease.
Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger fights against the hunger crisis in Uganda by educating families about proper health care and providing life-saving nutritional programs to those living in extreme poverty. This process includes educating mothers about proper nutrition. Action Against Hunger is helping decrease malnutrition rates in young infants and their mothers. The organization aims to reach as many individuals as possible, impacting 1,084,743 people in Uganda last year.
Action Against Hunger reaches out in Uganda through five refugee settlements that work towards preventing and treating malnutrition in young infants, children, pregnant women and mothers. They achieve this through educating the people on how to live healthy lives, helping create access to clean water and sanitation, and even assisting farmers to improve their yields.
The World Food Programme (WFP)
The World Food Programme (WFP) offers school meals to 418 million children around the world, guaranteeing them one nutritious meal a day. This aid has had a groundbreaking impact on the health of schoolchildren. By establishing a sustainable school meals program, WFP improves the lives of children around Uganda and creates a market for local smallholder farmers.
There is no quick solution to fix the problem of hunger in Uganda. However, by taking the necessary steps, initiatives like WFP and AAH continue to make a massive impact on the lives of many. These organizations have improved the standard of living for many by helping to reduce levels of malnutrition and by educating those living in poverty about proper health care and nutrition. While the battle against hunger continues to be a long and challenging path, these issues have decreased significantly over the past decade.
– Éadaoin O’Leary
Photo: Flickr
The Link Between Drugs and Poverty in Afghanistan
The Origins of the Drug Epidemic
Historically, Afghanistan has been one of the world’s largest producers of opioids, heroin and methamphetamines. However, the Taliban banned opium poppy farming in July 2000, and a UN report in May 2001 stated that there had been a “near total success of the ban.”
After the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, there was a notable spike in opium production, with a high of 8,750 tons of opium produced in 2017. Currently, Afghanistan is responsible for more than 80% of global opium production.
Despite most of the drugs being smuggled outside, Afghanistan is home to nearly 4 million drug users, amounting to 10% of the population.
Decades of war have fueled the link between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan. The return of the Taliban worsened the humanitarian crisis as major donors, such as the U.K. and the U.S., froze Afghan assets and refused to hand over billions of dollars worth of aid. Two-thirds of the population do not know where their next meal may be coming from, and it is the dire circumstances that have pushed people into both drug production and consumption.
Food Poverty
Poverty is impacting more than 90% of Afghan people, with more than half relying on humanitarian aid. About 91% of the average Afghan household’s income goes toward food expenditure, primarily due to the increased inflation levels.
Around 17.2 million Afghans are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and nearly 3.4 million are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification categorized.
In an alarming report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in June 2010, an estimated 50% of drug users also gave their children the same narcotics. Many argue that the substances prevent hunger and remove starvation pain.
It has been reported that drugs not only create both behavioral and social problems but increase the likelihood of petty crime. In addition, there are also growing concerns about the risk of HIV spreading, as the sharing of contaminated needles used to inject drugs can cause diseases to spread.
There have also been reports of sex being traded for drugs, and the stigma within the conservative country has led to fears of many of these cases going under the radar.
The Scale of the Damage
Ultimately, Afghanistan’s drug problem is a lucrative business for many. The country itself has good connections to regional and global markets, and drugs that people manufacture in Afghanistan can end up all over the world.
Despite the Taliban enforcing a theoretical ban on the growing of opium poppy which helps synthesize the drugs, there has been a lack of practical enforcement as the sector generates around $2.7 billion annually for the Afghan economy. At a time when the country is on the brink of economic collapse, farmers who would otherwise have no source of income to feed themselves and their families desperately need the money.
For many Afghan farmers, if they can produce more money from growing opium poppy rather than traditional crops, it does appear to be the more obvious answer. While farmers can earn only 30 cents from 7 kilograms of tomatoes grown, they can earn almost $360 from selling 1 kilogram of opium, the United Nations reported in June 2023. The money that people earn from selling the drugs is what keeps families from falling deeper into poverty.
According to the UN, drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in major cities, including Kabul, have been overrun with recovering addicts and are struggling to cope. Kabul’s main treatment facility has 1,000 beds, and since the arrival of the Taliban, international funding has disappeared, and staff have poor training. A lack of food and medication has also meant that addicts have been shocked into detoxing, which can be catastrophic for recovery.
The UNODC’s Efforts
Given the fragile political climate, it has been difficult for developmental organizations to enter Afghanistan. However, in May 2023, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brought professionals together in neighboring Uzbekistan to establish its Information Centre for Researching and Analysing Transnational Threats Related to Drugs and Crime. Salome Flores heads the Centre. Flores told the UN her team’s mission is “to produce knowledge that is objective, impartial and well-integrated for the right people at the right time.” Using satellite imagery and other tools, the Center aims to build an accurate picture of the scale of Afghanistan’s drug problem, which will help relevant parties to make informed decisions.
The Centre receives data from governments, social media, academic research and counterparts on the ground in Afghanistan to build an accurate picture of the scale of poppy farming in the country. In addition, the team combines ground surveys with satellite imagery to pinpoint where people are producing and cultivating the opium poppy.
The Centre is working to build the capacity of farmers and vulnerable communities in Afghanistan through partners and highlighting the importance of providing farmers with sufficient alternative income-generating crops and activities to ensure they do not turn to farming other illicit crops.
Looking Ahead
While the link between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan remains rife, there remains hope that the work of the Information Centre for Researching and Analyzing Transnational Threats Related to Drugs and Crime Centre can reduce the scale of the problem. Amid the rule of the Taliban, hope remains that with collective help, the international community can help address the issues plaguing Afghanistan and other countries impacted by the drug trade while bearing in mind the links between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan.
– Maryam Rana
Photo: Flickr
Tackling the Diabetes Crisis in Pakistan
Due to Pakistan’s unaffordable and lacking health care system, the country has the highest proportion of diabetes-related deaths among under 60-year-olds globally at 35.5%, particularly in areas suffering from poverty. Despite this, Pakistan spends less than 1% of its GDP on its health care system. Several organizations are working to address the diabetes crisis in Pakistan.
The Cause
As of April this year, the World Bank predicted Pakistan’s poverty rate would reach 37.2% of the population. The rate has decreased since 2018. However, due to the extensive population growth in Pakistan, the number of Pakistanis living below the poverty line has increased by 3 million.
Poverty primarily occurs among women and children, with malnourishment a vital factor in the diabetes surge in Pakistan. The influx of malnourished expectant mothers has led to an increase in the risk of and number of children born with Type 1 diabetes, an issue that has risen in line with Pakistan’s population increase.
As a result of Pakistan’s high poverty rates, there are high levels of illiteracy in rural areas. Many areas are not educated about the dangers of diseases like diabetes and its treatment and, therefore, are not able to recognize the issue until the severity has reached amputation or worse.
The lack of access to sporting facilities and public spaces for exercise, particularly in schools, has further progressed obesity across the population and, therefore, those at risk of diabetes. This progression has been worsened by Pakistan’s recent surge in consumption of fast and ultra-processed foods.
Although diabetes remains a preventable and manageable disease, the severe lack and unequal dispersion of health care and medication has heightened the impact and outcome of diabetes across Pakistan. As a result, health care and medicine often cost significantly more than the $3 average most earn in a day.
Pakistan’s Medical System
Pakistan spends less than 1% of its GDP on the health care system. The country runs a health care system comprising both public and private sectors; however, as much of the country is still developing and lives in poverty, the private sector is largely inaccessible.
The public sector is suffering under surging population growth, which has led to inadequate health infrastructure, including accessible hospitals and doctors. The sector is inadequately equipped due to shortages of medicine within the country and an uneven distribution of doctors – with many traveling overseas once qualified or into the private sector.
Pakistan imports more than 95% of its active pharmaceutical ingredients; however, the rupee’s highest inflation in decades has made purchasing and importing such products nearly impossible, and a massive decline in medicine production and availability has been seen since January.
As the diabetes crisis in Pakistan continues to grow, 30% of health care facilities have run out of life-saving insulin, and many of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturers have closed and left the country.
The availability of insulin is now inconsistent and unreliable, and the price has tripled for both hospitals and individuals.
Many Pakistanis have simply stayed at home, stuck living in poverty and unable to afford medicine or transport to hospitals that are inaccessible and inadequately stocked. As a result, death rates from diabetes have surged.
The Diabetes Association of Pakistan (DAP)
Since 1966, the Diabetes Association of Pakistan (DAP) has served Pakistan and prioritized and addressed the nationwide diabetes crisis. As a member of the International Diabetes Federation, it “strives to raise the quality of life in Pakistan through raising awareness of healthy lifestyles, management and prevention of diabetes.”
It provides education and support for all Pakistan residents at risk of or suffering from diabetes, as well as health professionals and children, to improve and reduce diabetes’ future impact. Its cost-free services include these efforts to address the diabetes crisis in Pakistan:
The World Diabetes Foundation
The World Diabetes Foundation ran another project addressing the issue of diabetes in Pakistan from 2015 to 2018. The project set out to improve accessibility to Diabetes Clinics and treatment across the country, including rural areas with mass poverty. Within the project, it was able to open up three clinics across Islamabad and Rawalpindi and offer training on diabetes to:
The project conducted 110 awareness and screening camps, and screened 12,699 across these areas with a mere budget of $134,739.
Although both were able to improve health care accessibility and diabetes education in Pakistan, resources and access are limited. With the Pakistani government’s support and funding, true change and improvement can be most impactful and widespread, especially in rural areas with high poverty levels.
By prioritizing education, affordability and accessibility to diabetes support and medication across Pakistan, the country’s health and economy have the potential to improve significantly in the future.
– Lucy Blake
Photo: Flickr
3 Ways Scotland’s Fight Against Poverty Is Benefitting People in Need
Scotland, with a population less than London’s, is one of the four nations comprising the U.K. While the British Government in Westminster has its own foreign aid budget, the Scottish Government based in Edinburgh has approved additional funding for its own international development program. Here are three ways Scotland’s fight against poverty benefits people in need.
1. International Development Fund
Scotland’s fight against global poverty is demonstrated through its International Development Fund (IDF). The IDF provides £10 million in development assistance and capacity strengthening across countries the Scottish Government has partnered with Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and Pakistan.
The Scotland-Malawi Partnership receives a significant portion of its funding from the IDF, enabling it to promote development in Malawi. More than 300,000 people are involved across Scotland and Malawi to provide much-needed aid, such as raising £40,000 for emergency oxygen supplies and supporting Malawi through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several high-profile figures, including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the leaders of other major Scottish political parties, have also praised the partnership. The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, commended the Scotland-Malawi Partnership for its work raising funds and coordinating efforts, which he said showed the impact that Scotland’s fight against poverty can have in partner countries.
2. Humanitarian Emergency Fund
Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is a £1 million package aimed at helping people that natural disasters, disease and war endanger. Beginning in 2017, the HEF has helped support people during crises. People received help during famine in East Africa, floods in Pakistan and war in Ukraine.
Scotland pledged half a million pounds in 2023 to combat hunger in East Africa by improving access to vital food and water. This support is invaluable to the poorest people globally. For example, 5,000 people in Ethiopia’s Afar region received food aid after locusts destroyed their crops.
3. Funding Safeguards
The Scottish Government has a strict safeguarding policy for all its international development funding. Extremely high ethical standards are in place for the Scottish Government and its partner organizations. These standards prevent abuse and exploitation in the international development sector.
Research suggests that political elites in recipient countries can siphon money away from donations. Devastatingly, this would prevent efficient aid from reaching vulnerable populations. A strong safeguarding policy will help Scotland’s fight against poverty to have a positive impact where it is most needed.
While the funding Scotland allocates to international aid may be small compared to the amount needed to eradicate global poverty, it is refreshing to see the Scottish government increase its International Development Fund budget while the British government is cutting its foreign aid budget.
Scotland’s fight against poverty may seem like a small effort on the international scale. However, for the thousands of vulnerable people it has aided, it will be a crucial way to help them improve their lives.
– Jamie Paterson
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Child Marriage in Nigeria
Political Efforts
Child marriage remains prevalent in Nigeria due to the federal and state governments not implementing proper laws to prevent it. Passed in 2003, the federal Child Rights Act (CRA, 2003) prohibits marriage under the age of 18. Child marriage blatantly violates Nigeria’s constitution as well as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Human Rights Watch says the states using Islamic legal systems have failed to execute the Child Rights Act and continue endangering young girls. In Sharia-legislated states, child marriage is justified through their traditional grounds, meaning they believe that adulthood begins with puberty. “It is disturbing that almost two decades after the Child Rights Act was passed, Nigerian girls are still being forced into child marriages,” said Mausi Segun, Africa director at Human Rights Watch on the HRW website.
External Influences
Married girls within the Imo and Kano states face heavy influences from traditional practices and family relations. In August and September 2021, Human Rights Watch discovered that child brides in this northern Nigerian region are “denied their fundamental rights to education, a safe dwelling, freedom from violence and often do not have access to adequate health care.”
Due to the lack of protection for adolescent females, their families force them into marriages, leaving these young girls with little bodily autonomy or individual rights. Global Citizen states that overall, Nigeria’s child marriage crisis stems from gender inequality, religious practices, patriarchal authority, family poverty, stigma around teenage pregnancy and a lack of enforcement of legal protections.
Positive Changes
The Spotlight Initiative, an active partnership between Europe and the United Nations (UN), supports ending all forms of harmful gender-based practices globally. Between 2019 and 2020, the European Union (EU) invested $35 million which was distributed to developing countries through five main categories: policy, institution, prevention, data and women’s movement and civil society. Additionally, in 2020, the Katsina State House Assembly passed the Child Protection Bill which ensures commitment and improvements towards ending child marriage. In November 2022, the Katsina State House Assembly eventually voted to adopt the Child Protection Bill, guaranteeing girls the necessary protection against sexual violence.
Organizations Fighting to End Child Marriage in Nigeria
Created in 2000, the Bella Foundation for Maternal and Child Care is a community-focused grassroots organization in Imude, Ojo, in Logos State. Bella Foundation decided to focus its work on ending child marriage in the Ojo Local Government because “it is one of the places in Lagos State with the highest number of cases,” founder Bella Akhagba reports. Akhagba believes that the solutions start with educating and empowering women, which is why the Bella Foundation trained 10 women specifically to speak as advocates to young girls in Nigerian schools. The team has received training in various skills so that “they are empowered to generate income for themselves and their families since poverty is one of the greatest causes of child marriage in South West.”
Bella Foundation advocates for policy changes and promotes the improvement of female health by spreading awareness within schools and communities. “Through mentorship meetings with the girls of Ojo, we have been able to change their mindsets and attitudes,” Akhagba added.
It’s Never Your Fault is another organization making efforts to end child marriage in Nigeria. Started by a group of friends in 2018, this nonprofit is attempting to ban child marriage in all 36 states across Nigeria by advocating for a change in legislation, since it is a loophole in their constitution’s legal jargon that allows it. Susan Ubogu, Kurdirat Abiola and Temitayo Asuni felt compelled to take action against child marriage in Nigeria and created their campaign #BanChildMarriageNigeria with hopes of changing the law via a Change.org petition. Since creating the petition on December 18, 2018, it has obtained 473,640 of its 500,000 needed signatures.
The organization petitions as a way to campaign for change, raise awareness, and “give a voice to girls who couldn’t speak for themselves.” From its platform, it began a #RaiseTheAge petition to try and urge the government to amend the constitution. Ubogu, Kurdirat and Asuni have begun focusing on workshops surrounding gender equality and partnering with Nigerian celebrities to raise awareness. In the future, it plans to work directly with victims of social injustice and find ways to rehabilitate or reintegrate these women back into society ethically.
Looking Ahead
The current trends suggest that there is a need for Nigeria to address contributing factors to child marriage to achieve positive change. Efforts could involve advocating for and implementing laws and policies that safeguard girls’ rights. Prioritizing the protection of children’s rights, fostering gender equality and empowering communities to challenge entrenched cultural norms are essential steps. By cultivating a society that values the well-being of its youth, Nigeria can potentially pave the path to a brighter future.
– Samantha J. Rentfro
Photo: Flickr