While Cameroon has abundant natural resources, historically, it has depended on wheat imports to sustain its population and prevent food insecurity. However, exacerbated by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, Cameroon is experiencing severe wheat shortages, threatening to push many households into poverty. With many local food producers now seeking alternatives to wheat, a solution may be on the horizon as more and more are turning to locally produced flour like sweet potato flour. This article will, therefore, examine how the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon.
What is the Problem?
Cameroon is a large Central African country situated on the Gulf of Guinea. An ethnically diverse place, its population stands at around 27 million people, almost half of whom live in rural areas. While Cameroon has experienced moderate growth since its Independence, it has been beset by economic stagnation and high inflation in recent years.
A major importer of essential resources such as wheat, vegetable oil and meat, this crisis is due to disruption to these global value chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Rising food prices and stalling wages mean that many Cameroonians face the prospect of falling into poverty. As a result, 11% of the population faces acute food insecurity; worryingly, this number will likely increase by 45% compared to last year.
For many Cameroonians, wheat is a dietary staple consumed in high volume as pasta and bread. However, as a non-wheat-producing country, Cameroon completely depends on imports, 46% of which come from Russia. However, the war between Russia and Ukraine has severely affected global exports. This has created wheat shortages around the world and pushed up its price.
In Cameroon, for example, the cost of a kilogram of wheat flour rose from 500 FCFA in February to 600 FCFA in May, an increase of 69% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Not only has this meant businesses are struggling with increased production costs, but the government has also needed to raise the price of bread (a commodity that the government tightly regulates). These price increases will reduce the purchasing power of many Cameroonian households and increase poverty.
An Alternative
However, as the government has sought to contain the volatility in the wheat market, many are turning to an alternative form of flour made from sweet potato. Already an essential crop in many East African countries, the sweet potato has received significant attention as a cheap, easy to grow and sustainable food source due to its high yield in various climates and ability to withstand drought. However, it is nutritionally rich in carbohydrates, vitamins A, B and C, and minerals like phosphorus, iron and calcium. On a continent plagued with Vitamin A deficiency (which can lead to blindness, disease and premature death), it is hoped that the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon as it offers promising solutions to malnourishment, food insecurity and poverty.
What Has Been Happening?
With wheat prices rising to unsustainable levels, the crisis reached breaking point when the Cameroonian Association of Millers suspended deliveries of wheat flour. However, stepping in to quell the fears of many business owners and consumers, in 2011, the President of the National Union of Bakery Owners, Jean Claude Yiepmou Kapwa, pointed out that sweet potato flour can replace wheat in 80% of everyday recipes. Local entrepreneurs successfully producing flour from wheat alternatives such as sweet potato and cassava have now been adopting this idea. While flour makes baked products that taste sweeter and are slightly dryer, overall, its production has been praised by some government ministers supporting the diversification to alternative forms of flour.
A great example of where sweet potato flour is successfully replacing wheat is through Yaoundé baker Guy Marcel Ngata. Ngata has been making baguettes with sweet potato, cassava and other legumes for the past 13 years. Ngata points out that switching wheat to local flour alternatives has kept his production costs down and increased his profits. Importantly, like other bakeries in Cameroon, the switch has also kept him solvent. But bakers have not been the only ones to feel its benefits. As Adeline Pelage, owner of Bobo Biscuiterie in Douala, explains, sourcing flour from local cooperatives and farms supports agriculture in areas of the country that traditionally have been very poor. This demonstrates how the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon.
Conclusion
As Cameroon, like many other wheat-importing, developing nations, struggle to contain the volatility of the wheat market, it can take encouragement from the initiatives of many Cameroonians who are actively seeking alternatives to wheat to ensure they can still receive a livelihood. Moreover, by turning to locally sourced flour, many food producers are ensuring that bread prices will remain low and that important income sources reach the country’s poorest parts. This helps show how the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon.
– Cameron Mason
Photo: Flickr
How the Sweet Potato Can Relieve Poverty in Cameroon
What is the Problem?
Cameroon is a large Central African country situated on the Gulf of Guinea. An ethnically diverse place, its population stands at around 27 million people, almost half of whom live in rural areas. While Cameroon has experienced moderate growth since its Independence, it has been beset by economic stagnation and high inflation in recent years.
A major importer of essential resources such as wheat, vegetable oil and meat, this crisis is due to disruption to these global value chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Rising food prices and stalling wages mean that many Cameroonians face the prospect of falling into poverty. As a result, 11% of the population faces acute food insecurity; worryingly, this number will likely increase by 45% compared to last year.
For many Cameroonians, wheat is a dietary staple consumed in high volume as pasta and bread. However, as a non-wheat-producing country, Cameroon completely depends on imports, 46% of which come from Russia. However, the war between Russia and Ukraine has severely affected global exports. This has created wheat shortages around the world and pushed up its price.
In Cameroon, for example, the cost of a kilogram of wheat flour rose from 500 FCFA in February to 600 FCFA in May, an increase of 69% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Not only has this meant businesses are struggling with increased production costs, but the government has also needed to raise the price of bread (a commodity that the government tightly regulates). These price increases will reduce the purchasing power of many Cameroonian households and increase poverty.
An Alternative
However, as the government has sought to contain the volatility in the wheat market, many are turning to an alternative form of flour made from sweet potato. Already an essential crop in many East African countries, the sweet potato has received significant attention as a cheap, easy to grow and sustainable food source due to its high yield in various climates and ability to withstand drought. However, it is nutritionally rich in carbohydrates, vitamins A, B and C, and minerals like phosphorus, iron and calcium. On a continent plagued with Vitamin A deficiency (which can lead to blindness, disease and premature death), it is hoped that the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon as it offers promising solutions to malnourishment, food insecurity and poverty.
What Has Been Happening?
With wheat prices rising to unsustainable levels, the crisis reached breaking point when the Cameroonian Association of Millers suspended deliveries of wheat flour. However, stepping in to quell the fears of many business owners and consumers, in 2011, the President of the National Union of Bakery Owners, Jean Claude Yiepmou Kapwa, pointed out that sweet potato flour can replace wheat in 80% of everyday recipes. Local entrepreneurs successfully producing flour from wheat alternatives such as sweet potato and cassava have now been adopting this idea. While flour makes baked products that taste sweeter and are slightly dryer, overall, its production has been praised by some government ministers supporting the diversification to alternative forms of flour.
A great example of where sweet potato flour is successfully replacing wheat is through Yaoundé baker Guy Marcel Ngata. Ngata has been making baguettes with sweet potato, cassava and other legumes for the past 13 years. Ngata points out that switching wheat to local flour alternatives has kept his production costs down and increased his profits. Importantly, like other bakeries in Cameroon, the switch has also kept him solvent. But bakers have not been the only ones to feel its benefits. As Adeline Pelage, owner of Bobo Biscuiterie in Douala, explains, sourcing flour from local cooperatives and farms supports agriculture in areas of the country that traditionally have been very poor. This demonstrates how the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon.
Conclusion
As Cameroon, like many other wheat-importing, developing nations, struggle to contain the volatility of the wheat market, it can take encouragement from the initiatives of many Cameroonians who are actively seeking alternatives to wheat to ensure they can still receive a livelihood. Moreover, by turning to locally sourced flour, many food producers are ensuring that bread prices will remain low and that important income sources reach the country’s poorest parts. This helps show how the sweet potato can relieve poverty in Cameroon.
– Cameron Mason
Photo: Flickr
Unraveling the Complex Tapestry of Poverty in Niger
Examining the Stark Realities of Poverty in Niger
Projections for 2023 from the World Bank estimated that levels of extreme poverty in Niger were to reach 44.1%, that is, more than 12 million people living below the poverty line. Simultaneously, figures from the World Bank also indicate that by September 2023, Niger had been host to more than 700,000 displaced people. Providing provisions and sanctity for the likes of refugees and asylum seekers is not uncommon in Niger, since the country shares borders with some seven other countries, notably Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali. Niger has always been a popular crossroads for migrants. In addition to the overwhelming pressures of providing for foreign migrants, Niger holds one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, with 6.8 births per woman, and comprises a populace that youth dominates.
Niger’s geography not only leaves it exposed to migration but also vulnerable to the extremities of natural disasters. Niger’s land is largely infertile, a state dictated by savanna and deserts, leaving little room for agricultural development. Despite this, agriculture still contributes to more than 40% of the national GDP — an indication of the frailty of their economy. Flooding in September 2023 caused the collapse of more than 14,000 homes, taking 51 lives in the process. Niger also currently ranks 120th of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index, which notes a 16.1% rate of Child Wasting, i.e., children under five that are underweight, and a 47.7% rate of Child Stunting (children under five with low height for their age due to chronic undernutrition).
Unpacking the Aftermath: Coup d’État and Its Impact on Poverty in Niger
On July 26, 2023, a military coup led by the now self-proclaimed Head of State Abdourahamane Tiani overthrew Niger’s government. The immediate aftermath witnessed a pause, then suspension, of international aid from the U.S., condemnation and threat of military intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and further financial aid was halted from the EU, France, Germany and more. Deteriorating relations with such significant foreign powers will inevitably have a catastrophic impact on Niger’s economy, with France having committed as much as €120 million in 2022 (a figure that was anticipated to be exceeded in 2023), the U.S. suspending nearly $200 million in foreign assistance programs, and the EU having allocated more than €500 million of its budget between 2021-24 to development in governance, education and sustainable growth.
The military coup in Niger is the third in the Sahel region in as many years, following on from similar revolts in Burkina Faso and Mali. Consequently, in 2023 Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States with Burkina Faso and Mali, unifying against the potential for a military intervention from ECOWAS. This, accompanied by the announcement that France will begin to withdraw its military presence from Niger, has led to growing skepticism over whether a way back can be found.
Catalyzing Change: Progress and its Challenges in Niger
Despite circumstances seeming especially dire in Niger, there are initiatives in place and positives to be taken in the fight for social and economic resurgence. Although suspending significant funding to foreign assistance programs, the U.S. has committed to maintaining its humanitarian presence by facilitating food and health assistance to benefit the people of Niger. The World Bank has established clear aims that can rebuild the Nigerian economy, although this heavily relies upon a resolution being met with ECOWAS and key International benefactors.
The UN has proven determined to maintain its humanitarian capacity in Niger, providing as many as 22,000 persons with food and cash assistance weekly This commitment does not, however, come without challenge, evidenced by the expulsion of its Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator in early October. Alliances with neighboring states Burkina Faso and Mali provided the means for Niger to open its borders not long after the siege.
However, sanctions that ECOWAS placed upon Niger have largely inhibited its means of trade. So much so that Members of the House of Representatives have posed the question to the Nigerian government to reopen borders with Niger amid growing concerns over the consequential hardship faced by Nigerians. Ultimately the means for prosperity and development are readily available, to attain this Niger and its counterparties must come to a resolution that puts the needs of Nigerien people first.
– Ruairí Greene
Photo: Flickr
Plastics For Change
Air pollution and water pollution have a strong negative impact on communities that are living in poverty. With fewer resources available to combat the problem, 92% of pollution-related deaths occur in middle and low-income countries. Children are even more likely to be impacted by the adverse effects of pollution, most commonly from chemicals in the air and water.
Many plastic products that people purchase are created by companies to be used once and then thrown away; consider water bottles and shampoo containers. In middle and low-income communities, it is more likely for people not to have access to solid waste management services. That lack of access leaves these communities with no choice but to burn garbage or dump it into waterways.
Burning plastic often releases toxic fumes, which have been linked to rendering neurological development. By dumping plastic into waterways, the water is at a higher risk of flooding, increasing the possibility of diseases spreading. Standing water also attracts mosquitoes, which tend to carry parasites responsible for the fatal disease malaria, which is most commonly found in impoverished countries.
Plastics For Change
The World Bank estimates that 1 in 10 people exposed to unsafe air pollution live in poverty. If someone living in poverty-like conditions does not have adequate access to health care, pollution can have a detrimental effect on the person, especially when other poverty conditions are present.
A man named Andrew Almack traveled through South Asia in 2011. Upon visiting, he was shocked to see how many people lived in extreme poverty and how much plastic waste was present throughout the region. After visiting, Almack saw the great need for something to be done to reduce plastic waste and pollution. This same year, Almack founded Plastics For Change.
Plastics For Change strives to fight poverty and provide jobs for people in poor communities. The organization also strives to reduce plastic waste by creating and spreading ways to dispose of waste properly. Andrew Almack believed that there was a vast opportunity to use recycling as a way to reduce poverty. The organization encourages companies to switch to recycled plastic in hopes that even more brands will be involved in reducing pollution and fighting poverty.
Reducing Pollution To Fight Poverty
While pollution and poverty may seem unrelated, pollution often harshens the effects of already impoverished communities. Many believe that clean air and clean water shouldn’t be a privilege but that it should be a necessity. Plastics for Change, among many other organizations and nonprofits, has made reducing pollution to fight poverty a means of importance with the hopes that the world will see great change one day.
– Alesandra Cowardin
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Barbie Movie and Save the Children Empower Girls’ Dreams
Empowering Girls Through Film
Movies have the power to shape perceptions, influence beliefs and inspire action. The Barbie movie franchise, with its diverse characters and captivating storytelling, has been a source of entertainment for generations of children. Through this initiative, Save the Children is grasping the reach and impact of the Barbie movies to convey powerful messages of self-belief, courage and determination internationally.
The Social Impact Solutions team at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) implements impactful cause marketing campaigns that engage viewers, advertisers and business partners to address significant social issues. Leveraging WBD’s influential brands, franchises and global platforms in collaboration with NGOs and charitable organizations, this team delivers vital resources and support to communities worldwide.
The Barbie movie series has evolved significantly in recent years, featuring strong, independent female characters who defy stereotypes and embrace their individuality. The franchise is using its platform to champion girls’ rights around the world by aligning with Save the Children’s programs that focus on empowering girls, spanning education, health, justice and child protection sectors. These movies emphasize the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness, pursuing dreams and encouraging girls to embrace their full potential.
Addressing Key Issues
The collaboration between Save the Children and the Barbie movie also addresses critical issues that hinder girls’ empowerment. One such challenge is the limited resources that girls need to excel. Through their partnership, they aim to challenge these gender norms and inspire young girls to aspire to any role they desire.
Moreover, the partnership emphasizes the importance of education and literacy in girls’ empowerment. By highlighting the value of education and showcasing the journey of characters overcoming obstacles to achieve their dreams, this collaboration promotes the idea that knowledge is critical to unlocking opportunities.
The Impact of Barbie
When girls are empowered, they become catalysts for change in their communities and beyond. Empowered girls grow into empowered women, ready to challenge the status quo, contribute to society and effect positive change. In 2018, Mattel partnered with Save the Children and launched the Dream Gap Project to empower girls and bridge existing inequalities worldwide. Recognizing the need for collective action, Mattel and Warner Bros. Discovery have joined forces with Save the Children to enable girls to achieve their maximum potential by providing them with education and learning opportunities.
By collaborating with Barbie, Save the Children aims to instill a sense of self-worth, resilience and ambition in young girls, empowering them to overcome barriers and fearlessly pursue their dreams. This dynamic group’s impact extends far beyond the confines of the movie theater. By combining entertainment and education, the collaboration promotes gender equality, challenges stereotypes and fosters inclusivity. It encourages young girls to be confident in their abilities, to support one another and to actively participate in shaping a more equitable world.
Dreams Do Come True
Save the Children’s collaboration with the Barbie movie franchise represents a significant step toward empowering girls and creating a more inclusive society. By leveraging the influence of popular culture, this partnership strives to inspire young girls to dream big, challenge limitations and confidently pursue their goals. Together, they encourage girls to become the architects of their success and equip them with the tools they need to thrive.
“From astronaut, journalist, entrepreneur, and now movie star,” said Louise Soper, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Partnerships for Warner Bros. Pictures, “Barbie’s over 250 inspirational careers remind us that you can be whatever you want to be, and give back to your community too.”
– Dunia Matta
Photo: Unsplash
Everything To Know About Poverty in Armenia
Agriculture
While 35% of Armenia’s workforce is in agriculture, most farms are smallholder-based, and dividing food crops among the nation becomes difficult. As of March 2023, 23% of Armenian households are food insecure.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been working to limit the food insecurity rates in Armenia, implementing grants and low-interest loans to help vitalize a country’s resilience in agricultural contexts. Poverty in Armenia commonly hits those in rural areas with unfavorable agricultural land — IFAD seeks to limit the disparity that food insecurity inflicts on those already suffering from poverty.
IFAD offers Armenian people loans for small subsistence farmers to expand their growth and increase surplus for sale. They can support the diversification of the agricultural market, a vital point in expanding food security to rural areas, and encourage those suffering from poverty to start businesses and enhance the Armenian economy.
In 2017, agriculture generated 15% of Armenia’s GDP and is vital to the livelihood of those in rural areas suffering from extreme poverty. Policies and grant support like that of IFAD’s programs work to enhance the lives of those affected by a lack of arable land and an unsteady farming environment.
Unemployment
Armenia’s high unemployment rate of 16% has been a persistent factor in poverty levels. Access to jobs that are well-paying and accessible is vital to maintaining the lifeblood of an economy. They are essential to declining poverty rates — providing people with an income that can spread across a household and afford necessities.
Not only does Armenia have poor employment rates, but also low labor participation due to poor working conditions and a lack of opportunity for women — 45% of working-age women do not have employment. A quarter of jobs offered are low-wage, which keeps workers under the poverty line despite having an income, leaving several working poor.
Those who find work in Armenia tend to be more highly educated. Urban areas have a high percentage of workers with tertiary education degrees, but rural areas have significantly lower levels of upper-level education. Even despite upper-level educational achievements, workers are not saved from the risk of poverty and often still work low-wage jobs that inhibit their growth in the economy.
Enhancing labor laws that protect workers will provide better working conditions for the Armenian people. Policy improving health and safety standards is vital to bettering the general well-being of workers and, thus, their ability to continue working. Education standards and improving access to quality education are also vital to a thriving workforce.
Education
Low-quality education — especially in rural areas — has exacerbated poverty in Armenia. Accessible and advanced education is vital to maintaining steady economic growth as it equips workers with vital critical thinking and resources to be continuously learning post-schooling age.
Education has been a priority in Armenia since it deviated from the Soviet Union in the early 90s. Still, it lacks the quality necessary to equip its youth effectively for the workforce. Armenian children learning with current Armenian education standards are 58% less productive than those who received higher-quality education.
Education is a necessary step in laying the foundational knowledge needed for higher-paying jobs that will allow for more opportunities for those facing poverty in Armenia to raise themselves above the line.
The World Bank’s Efforts
The World Bank is currently helping to support and improve the Armenian education system through systems like the Education Improvement Project, a project that aims to tackle financial barriers to Armenian education by covering lab fees and equipment costs.
The organization granted a $25 million loan to fund the Education Improvement Project in Armenia on May 20, 2022. The project functions to improve multiple scales of education within Armenia; it funds the development of new schools while also providing supplies and enhanced training to Armenia’s educators. It also funds development in higher education institutions: the project focuses on creating improved STEM programs to open students to a higher-paying labor market. It creates opportunities for inclusion programs incentivizing young women to enter STEM-related fields.
Moving Forward
Armenia only gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, so the struggle to steady its economic, social and political environment continues to slip through the cracks. Still, Armenia continues to show steady growth. Poverty levels have steadily declined since 2010, from 35.8% in 2010 to 23.5% in 2018. The strength of the Armenian people has persisted through the years, and poverty in Armenia will continue to decline with continued agricultural and educational advancements.
– Eden Ambrovich
Photo: Unsplash
Harnessing Wastewater: Achieving SDG Target 6.3
One of these targets, SDG Target 6.3, aims to address the issue of untreated wastewater while promoting recycling and safe reuse practices on a global scale by 2030.
SDG Target 6.3 Overview
SDG Target 6.3 comprises two indicators, 6.3.1 and 6.3.2, providing specific measurements to monitor progress. Indicator 6.3.1 assesses the proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows that undergo safe treatment. By monitoring this indicator, the UN can evaluate the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment process to protect public health and the environment. Indicator 6.3.2 measures the proportion of bodies of water that demonstrate good ambient water quality. This indicator helps the UN gauge water sources’ overall health and cleanliness, indicating progress in reducing pollution and preserving aquatic ecosystems.
Botswana Case Study
Effective wastewater management plays a pivotal role in mitigating water scarcity issues in water-stressed countries. Botswana, renowned for being one of the most drought-prone countries globally, presents a compelling case study with its recurrent and extended periods of drought dating back to the 1950s. These droughts have severely affected food security, leaving more than 10% of the population grappling with chronic food insecurity. Moreover, the agricultural sector, upon which 70% of the rural population depends for their livelihoods, suffers greatly as irrigation and crop production primarily rely on rainfall. The adverse impact is exemplified by the staggering number of cattle deaths, with nearly 40,000 recorded during the 2018-2019 drought.
To underscore the severity of the situation further, the World Bank’s calculations in 2020 revealed that Botswana’s freshwater withdrawal ratio stood at 2.31, indicating that the country consumes more freshwater than it has available.
Recognizing the need to tackle these challenges and foster economic growth, the government of Botswana conducted a case study. The case study addresses how standards can be used for wastewater treatment and reuse, aligned with SDG Target 6.3, by improving water quality through pollution reduction. The government of Botswana developed national water standards based on international standards developed by the Water Quality Technical Committee through the Botswana Bureau of Standards.
The government of Botswana involved its Department of Water Affairs in this case study by implementing these standards to treat wastewater discharged from its Headquarters through a constructed wetland system. The study then tested samples from this system for effluent quality in accordance with drinking standards, irrigation standards and wastewater discharge requirements.
The results from the case study demonstrated that the constructed wetland system effectively treated wastewater for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation, construction and dust suppression. Emphasizing the potential impact of wastewater management, adequately treated wastewater can contribute 16% of Botswana’s available water resources.
Implications for Developing Countries
The success of this case study demonstrates that other institutions in Botswana can replicate the use of constructed wetlands for on-site wastewater treatment and reuse for non-drinking purposes. However, the implications extend beyond Botswana. Globally, 80% of wastewater is released into the environment without adequate treatment. Jennifer Garner, Global Director of the World Bank Global Practice, emphasizes the crucial role of water treatment and reuse in addressing water scarcity and pollution issues, particularly considering that 36% of the global population resides in regions with limited water access. Properly treated wastewater can substitute fresh water in multiple applications, such as irrigation, industrial processes and recreational activities. Furthermore, it contributes to preserving natural ecosystems’ flow, while the by-products generated during the treatment process can be utilized to generate energy and nutrients.
Access to water is essential for driving economic growth, supporting healthy ecosystems and sustaining life. Approximately 3.6 billion people worldwide lack safely managed sanitation services, disproportionately affecting developing countries. Developing countries can access clean water for irrigation, health and sustainable living by working towards SDG Target 6.3 and halving the proportion of untreated wastewater by 2030.
– Clara Swart
Photo: Flickr
Enhancing Mental Health Care in Laos
Despite a decade of overall health improvements, mental health services in Laos have not progressed at the same pace. A mere 0.3% of the total health budget is allocated to mental health, starkly illustrating the challenges, with 95% of individuals with serious mental illnesses left untreated. However, transformative collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) signify a positive shift, empowering health care providers and scaling up mental health initiatives nationwide. This evolving landscape reflects a nation committed to addressing mental health as a core component of overall well-being, marking a promising turning point for mental health care in Laos.
Strengthening Mental Health Services
Efforts to address these challenges are underway through collaboration with the WHO under the UHC Partnership. This joint initiative sees mental health and psychosocial support integrated into the general health system, with a focus on primary health care as a pivotal platform for community-level intervention. Extensive training programs have been implemented, targeting central- and provincial-level health care workers, including those directly affected by events such as the Attapeu dam burst. This strategic training equips primary care providers to offer essential mental health support, fostering a deeper understanding of mental disorders and addressing associated stigma.
A crucial step has been taken by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO, in developing and field-testing National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Counseling Guidelines. This significant undertaking involves training by district health officers and village committees, ensuring a grassroots approach to mental health care. The goal is to create an inclusive action plan for scaling up initiatives nationwide, ensuring accessibility to mental health care for all, including those residing in remote areas.
Mental Health Amid the Pandemic
The compounding effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Laos is underscored by the WHO. Increased distress, particularly in rural areas, where an estimated 75% of the population lacks access to mental health care services, is contributed to by economic hardships and direct illness from COVID-19.
UNFPA has implemented youth-focused interventions, providing psychosocial support through initiatives such as helplines, personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and online resources, underscoring a comprehensive approach to address the mental health implications of the pandemic.
Laos faces significant challenges in mental health care due to limited resources, geographical disparities and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborative initiatives led by international organizations like the WHO and UNFPA, along with the commitment of the Lao government, are systematically addressing these challenges. Positive strides, including the strengthening of mental health services, integrating training into primary care and developing comprehensive guidelines, signify progress toward a more inclusive and accessible mental health care system. While challenges persist, there is hope for a future where mental health care in Laos is prioritized and reaches every individual, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
– Marnie Woodford-Venables
Photo: Flickr
Gender Equality in Scandinavia Creates Happy Countries
The Impressionable Statistics in Scandinavia
Gender equality in Scandinavian countries Norway and Iceland are examples of progressive gender equality in action. Both countries have been voted as the happiest places in the world and this is in part due to their attitude to gender equality. The World Happiness Report states that Norway and Iceland have the ‘six key indicators’ to an abundant lifestyle — GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and corruption.
Norway and Iceland see women as a factor that is beneficial to their society. Although the pay gap has lessened over the past decade, women still earn less than men — even in countries like Iceland & Norway. In 2023, the World Economic Forum stated that Iceland had closed more than 90% of the gender pay gap.
Social Support in Iceland and Norway
Women in Scandinavia are considered not only a part of the makeup of Iceland and Norway but are a fundamental part of the country’s workforce.
Iceland is voted number one for gender equality in the world. 66% of graduates are women and 30 of 62 parliamentary seats are held by women. 80% of women in Iceland are a part of the workforce and 50% of the attendees of the GMAT business school entrance exam are women.
The World Economic Forum states that Norway’s ”Fostering and developing of female talent has the potential to accelerate the growth, competitiveness and future-readiness of economies and businesses worldwide.”
Healthy Life Expectancy in Norway
Much work goes into researching women’s livelihoods and what can improve them. Norway’s ‘Women’s Public Health Association’ is an example of betterment for women, as they focus on housing women for domestic violence recovery and women’s overall health.
The Women’s Public Health Association states: “We are equally committed to contributing to research on women’s health working on behalf of women who have been exposed to violence and minority women and more generally, to improving women’s rights in society.”
Freedom in Norway & Iceland
Scandinavian countries like Norway and Iceland say that “their social contracts thrive because their community is strong.’ This community is made up of citizens, residents and visitors. Focus on gender equality in Scandinavia encourages freedom for all, as women’s rights are extended to immigrants.
Anthropologist Thomas Hylland-Eriksen states “What may be peculiar about the Nordic way of dealing with immigrants is the great emphasis placed on equality, including gender equality.” Minorities are considered a part of the fundamental system that makes up Nordic countries.
Furthermore, Iceland holds the Gender Equality Act, last updated in 2021, its main aims are to: prevent discrimination based on gender, as well as maintain gender equality and equal opportunities for the genders in all spheres of society. This means that it is by law unadvised to discriminate in the workplace.
What Is the Takeaway?
Gender equality is at the heart of human rights and United Nations values. Gender-based discrimination is prohibited under almost every human rights treaty. Yet globally, millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence — being denied their equality, dignity, autonomy and even life.
These influences and examples of equality allow for the gender gap to be discussed in the future. It will take almost 140 years for women to stand equal with men globally. However, gender equality in Scandinavia serves as inspiring progress. The female rights and attitude towards gender is a great example of a nation wanting to move forward on equal footing.
– Anastasia Brown
Photo: Flickr
Reflecting Back on Global Citizen Festival 2022
Festival Tickets
The festival’s ticketing system offers a unique approach to engage attendees in positive actions against poverty. “Global Citizen attendees can earn free tickets by signing petitions, taking quizzes, uploading videos and completing other tasks relative to the festival’s causes – ‘actions’ equate to entries in drawings for tickets,” Forbes explains. To participate, individuals can download the Global Citizen app, accumulate points and enter ticket drawings for a chance to claim two free tickets.
The Role of Performers
Liz Agbor-Tabi, the Vice President for global policy at Global Citizen spoke of the instrumental role of the A-list performers, “We believe that music is the universal language of humanity, and so through our unique model of pop and policy, we’re able to drive policy and advocacy. And we do that working with artists, with performing artists, visual artists, culinary artists, etcetera …It’s really a moment for the creatives to express through their artistic gifts and to be able to project five robust policy agendas.”
The absence of a paid fee for the artists who performed emphasizes the genuine and compassionate drive behind the festival and the aim of performances by such high-esteemed artists as a means to use their platform to simply spread the word on how the international community can tackle extreme poverty.
The Impact
The Global Citizen Festival in 2022 made a significant impact, hosting events in both New York City and Accra, raising a total of $2.4 billion. Notably, $440 million of this fund is dedicated exclusively to initiatives aimed at ending extreme poverty in Africa. During the festival, there were announcements about committing more than $800 million to combat extreme poverty. Additionally, as part of the seventh replenishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the European Commission and Canada pledged a substantial $1.6 billion to support these critical health initiatives.
The festival brought attention to pressing global concerns, including the impacts of COVID-19 and Russia’s actions in Ukraine, shedding light on their effects on poverty. According to the Global Citizen website, the event emphasized the need for leaders to urgently regain progress lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also addressed the ongoing crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, impacting both the Ukrainian people and exacerbating global hunger.
Moreover, the festival spotlighted the persistent issue of period poverty, affecting more than 500 million individuals who lack access to essential menstrual supplies and proper hygiene facilities. During the New York event, Global Citizen announced the launch of the Global Menstrual Equity Accelerator, aiming to tackle this widespread challenge.
Looking Ahead
The performers at the Global Citizen Festival 2022 used their platforms to educate and inspire people worldwide to address extreme poverty. The hope is that the results of the Global Citizen Festival 2023 will demonstrate an enhanced commitment from the international community to work toward putting an end to global poverty.
– Camryn Vodden
Photo: Flickr
These 5 Agricultural Technologies Are Eradicating Global Poverty
Here are five agricultural technologies that will help fight back against these threatening projections and statistics.
Looking Ahead
These agricultural technologies, despite facing criticism, exhibit significant promise and are currently implemented successfully worldwide.
By empowering farmers and local communities, these technologies provide better financial prospects and agency. Simultaneously, on a global scale, they contribute to a more stable food supply, preventing a rise in poverty rates.
– Piper Jenkins
Photo: Unsplash