In Uganda, women continue to find their capacity to materialize their potential hampered by deeply entrenched inequalities despite considerable political progress. The 1995 constitution rendered men and women equal before the law. Since then, numerous governmental initiatives have sought to eradicate gender-based discrimination. This includes the 2007 establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission, a statutory authority that works to enforce anti-discrimination laws and equalize opportunity.
However, the United Nations (U.N.) has identified a chasm between this politically decreed equality and the living reality of Ugandan women, social mores frequently limiting their engagement in the public sphere. The result is a gaping monthly gender wage disparity of 32.3% and a mammoth loss in human capital and, thus, national wealth. Organizations of varying scales are, therefore, working to foster the economic inclusion of women in Uganda.
Resilient Women Uganda
Established in 2016, Resilient Women Uganda is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that helps vulnerable girls and women escape cyclical poverty by creating spaces where they can blossom unimpeded by patriarchal beliefs that undervalue them.
Harmful practices mar the economic inclusion of women in Uganda. A massive 45% of female Ugandans have suffered physical abuse at the hands of their partner. Additionally, more than one in five have experienced sexual violence. Moreover, child marriage is rampant, with 34% of girls entering unions before they turn 18 and 7% before the age of 15.
Seeking to limit the effect that these breaches of basic rights have on girls’ development, Resilient Women Uganda operates a shelter for those in immediate danger of violence or exploitation, where they can access food, medical treatment and pastoral care.
Furthermore, the organization offers vocational training in various sectors, supporting its beneficiaries in sculpting a future. Through the program, at-risk girls aged between 13 and 19 can develop skills that will lead them to secure employment and become economically self-sufficient members of society. In 2023, 55 young women trained by the program found jobs in hairdressing and fashion design.
The Women’s Microfinance Initiative
The Women’s Microfinance Initiative (WMI) empowers female entrepreneurs from impoverished rural communities by providing them with microloans and increasing their financial literacy. Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2008, the organization operates through hubs across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
The “Transition to Independence” program gives women access to four consecutive loans at a 10% flat interest rate, which they can use to propel their businesses into economic self-sufficiency. The program also provides a holistic support system that seeks to mold its beneficiaries into well-rounded participants in the economy. At the community-level hubs, operated by local women, the borrowers receive training in business and marketing, ongoing mentoring and free bookkeeping resources such as calculators and notebooks. They also open bank accounts as part of the program and develop a strong grasp of financial processes.
WMI combats exploitative lending practices through its woman-centered approach, which is reflected in an impressive loan recovery rate of 98%. Its borrowers experience a monthly income growth rate of between 100% and 400%. The organization’s impact is as far-reaching as it is remarkable; in 2023 alone, it provided 12,000 loans and it has served more than 28,000 women since its inauguration.
Moreover, WMI estimates that its loans impact an additional 20 people for every borrower. This considers the effect of increased household income on family members and the reach of each business’s roots within the community’s economic network. According to the U.N., self-employed women in Uganda face heightened vulnerability to poverty due to limited access to services and capital. WMI is working to remove these barriers and allow female entrepreneurship to flourish.
Women in Technology Uganda
Women in Technology Uganda (WITU) is an NGO that has supported girls and women from underprivileged communities with training programs in technology and entrepreneurship since 2014. The “Code Girls” program operates across primary, secondary and tertiary education to bring ICT training to young people, especially girls, who are otherwise unlikely to access STEM resources. In 2022, the program bridged the technological divide for 1,354 students.
WITU also offers talented young women the opportunity to complete a two-year diploma in Computer Science and Entrepreneurship through the Women’s Institute of Technology and Innovation. In 2022, 33 girls excluded from tertiary education because of a lack of financial means received scholarships.
Moreover, the 12-week “Elevate” program fosters economic autonomy by training young women from marginalized backgrounds in ICT and providing them with various marketing and employability skills. As of 2022, the program had served more than 6,000 women. Given that just 31% of Ugandan women have access to the internet, compared with 69% of men, WITU’s work represents a vital pathway toward improved economic inclusion of women in Uganda.
Moving Forward
Although significant challenges remain, numerous organizations are working to strengthen Uganda’s social fabric by fighting for a future where its women are free to incorporate their unique and colorful threads. Their efforts demonstrate what WMI aptly calls “a long-term investment in human potential” and their shared vision is one of a nation that holds equal promise for all of its people.
– Leila Powles
Leila is based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Pexels
3 Nonprofits in Timor-Leste
Oxfam
Oxfam is a nonprofit global organization that works to fight poverty and injustice. Its mission is to provide worldwide equality and give everyone a fair chance at life. Oxfam Australia has been working with Timor-Leste for more than 40 years to help those living in rural areas escape poverty.
There is a significant inequality between those living in rural and urban areas and Oxfam Australia is working to address this issue. One of its ongoing initiatives is the “HAKBIIT Project,” which aims to combat gender inequality in Timor-Leste, particularly in rural areas. The HAKBIIT Project supports women in gaining equal opportunities for education and employment.
Ba Futuru
Ba Futuru is a nonprofit organization based in Timor-Leste that was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is to reduce violence in Timor-Leste, making it a country that is safer for everyone, especially women and children. It has provided successful training to more than 40,000 people. It has also conducted behavior change programs, which have impacted more than 100,000 Timorese. Currently, Ba Futuru is working to provide improved early childhood education.
Early childhood education in Timor-Leste is rare, with only about 10% of children receiving it. Ba Futuru’s Early Childhood Development Initiative aims to change this by establishing preschools for children ages 2-6, including creating facilities and training educators. These schools will focus on health, safety, language, literacy, science, mathematics, technology and sustainability. The long-term goal of this program is to create a strong foundation for the future of children in Timor-Leste.
CARE
CARE is a 78-year-old nonprofit organization that works to provide humanitarian aid, fight poverty and bring equality. The organization has been involved in Timor-Leste since 1994 and its focus with Timor-Leste has been on long-term changes. As Timor-Leste is susceptible to natural disasters, a big focus of CARE is to aid in reducing the impact of disasters. This is done by supporting improved infrastructure in rural areas and helping with employment for those affected.
It also works to reduce violence and improve education and health. In addition to these long-term goals, CARE has aided in the past with humanitarian crises. In 1999 and 2006, there were violent outbreaks in Timor-Leste. CARE responded with emergency aid to people caught up in the fighting.
Conclusion
Timor-Leste, a nation that gained independence in 2002 after being a Portuguese colony, is still recovering and grappling with numerous challenges, such as poverty, gender inequality and lack of education. Despite these issues, the country is gradually progressing and improving over time.
Organizations such as Oxfam, Ba Futuru and CARE are among the many nonprofits working tirelessly in Timor-Leste. These groups are committed to the betterment of the country and will persist until their goals are achieved. While these goals will take time to realize, it is clear that nonprofits in Timor-Leste have already made significant strides and will continue to play a crucial role in improving the nation.
– Tyra Brantly
Photo: Flickr
Women in Turkmenistan
Restrictions on Women’s Freedoms
The restrictions on women in Turkmenistan extend beyond health care and organizational rights. Recently, a “Taliban-style ban” has been imposed, prohibiting women from wearing tight clothing and using beauty enhancements such as hair dye, fake lashes and nails. Additionally, the ban extends to cosmetic surgeries, including popular procedures like lip fillers and eyebrow microblading. Women who previously had these enhancements or who attempted to bypass these restrictions are facing severe consequences, including job loss and police detention.
Enforcement and Consequences
Turkmenistan has further curtailed women’s freedoms by restricting their transportation options, barring them from sitting in the front seats of cars or being picked up by male drivers who are not relatives. These regulations were not formally announced but are strictly enforced. Authorities rigorously inspect women in both private and public settings to ensure compliance with these transportation and beauty standards. Women found violating these rules face severe penalties, including arrest, job termination and fines that are substantial relative to their monthly income.
International Aid and Women’s Advocacy
Despite numerous challenges, women in Turkmenistan can find support from international organizations aiming to improve their futures. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations (U.N.) Population Fund are actively involved in this mission. The U.N. Population Fund, in collaboration with state parties, is providing housing, shelter and work opportunities for women affected by violence in Turkmenistan. Simultaneously, UNDP initiatives are enhancing local infrastructure, supplying clean resources and energy and bolstering peace efforts. Additionally, USAID supports women by equipping national civil servants with the skills necessary to promote gender equality, offering a critical platform for change in the lives of Turkmen women.
Looking Ahead
International organizations like USAID, UNDP and the U.N. Population Fund continue to provide crucial support to women in Turkmenistan, despite the severe restrictions they face. These ongoing efforts include providing shelters, work opportunities and essential resources, along with promoting gender equality and peace initiatives. By equipping local civil servants and enhancing infrastructure, these organizations aim to create a more equitable and supportive environment for Turkmen women, offering hope amid challenging conditions.
– Yeliz Turkdil
Photo: Flickr
5 Ways Young People Are Making a Difference in Global Poverty
Young people make a difference in global poverty in many creative and innovative ways.
Advocacy and Awareness
One way that young people make a difference is through advocacy, as seen in grassroots movements such as Why Hunger. This organization works with young people at the local level to change their food systems. It has connected 932,000 people to nutritious food and services.
Another way they advocate is by raising awareness, often by using social media. For example, Joshua Heart’s Foundation, started when he was just 4 years old, has raised more than $1 million to help end hunger worldwide. This highlights how young people use their tools to effect change in the world.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
A second way that young people can positively impact global poverty is through entrepreneurship and innovation. This is exemplified by social enterprises such as the Solar Sisters, which enable young women seeking work to become entrepreneurs and create sustainable energy alternatives. This innovation helps provide technological solutions to global poverty issues. The Solar Sisters and other entrepreneurs develop technological solutions that address existing problems with power in the world, offering new ways to combat poverty.
Volunteering
Young people also make a difference through both local and international volunteering. The New York Times found that one initiative in New York managed to serve up to 1,000 people in a food bank, highlighting the impact of young volunteers. It also found that the young people involved wanted to make a change and felt good about it. This demonstrates how they are making a difference now and see the benefits of volunteering, which encourages them to continue supporting the goals of ending world hunger and addressing global poverty.
Education
A penultimate way for young people to make a difference is through education, which can be seen in both educational initiatives and skills training. For example, SEED, a British organization, has significantly impacted global poverty goals through education, with young people leading the charge. SEED aims to enhance young people’s learning to help eradicate global hunger and address global poverty. One study found that SEED improved access to water, sanitation, hygiene and education for more than 400 students at Sainte Luce Primary School. This demonstrates how educational initiatives can significantly influence global poverty outcomes.
Leadership and Governance
Finally, young people can make a difference through leadership and governance. This is most evident through youth representation in groups and at government meetings, such as the Global Food Summit, which led to discussions surrounding policy. Young people put pressure on decision-makers and push the conversation forward. Additionally, governance can involve them in policy development that directly affects those suffering from global poverty. This direct involvement has a positive impact on laws that benefit those in need.
Young people have a significant impact on addressing global poverty. In many different ways, they are one way forward in tackling global poverty and similar issues. They benefit both these goals and provide new and innovative ways of solving problems.
– Rosie Miller
Photo: Pexels
Updates on SDG 1 in Sudan
Updates on SDG 1 in Sudan
The United Nations SDG index ranks Sudan 159th out of 166 countries included in the index analysis. The U.N. identifies that Sudan has major challenges remaining with decreasing trends in terms of achieving no poverty. This indicates that poverty in Sudan is not only extreme but continues to worsen every day. Based on data analytics from the United Nations SDG Index, the percentage of the population in Sudan living in extreme poverty has been steadily increasing from 12.5% in 2016 to 26.98% in 2024, the highest rate since 2000, according to the Sustainable Development Report.
According to the World Poverty Clock, 29% of people in Sudan are living on $2.15/day or less. On top of that, 52% of the population lives on $3.65/day, at or below the poverty line. https://worldpoverty.io/ Furthermore, according to a 2021 UNICEF analysis child poverty rates increased from 12% to 85% between 2014 and 2020.
GDP and Poverty Rates
A 2024 World Bank datasheet on poverty in Sudan explains that GDP could decrease by 3.5% after decreasing by 12% in 2023 due to the collapse of government institutions and conflict throughout the country. The conflict has disrupted public spending and reduced the country’s tax base which has consequently increased poverty rates as data from the World Poverty Clock and the SDG Index indicate. Thus the progress toward SDG 1 in Sudan has seen a negative impact from economic instability and conflict.
Life in Poverty
The interconnectedness of each of the SDGs brings about the discussion of how poverty impacts other aspects of life and development. Life in poverty heavily influences all other aspects of living and is reflected in the progression of many other SDGs.
Education in Sudan is an example that is largely related to patterns of poverty. As of 2018, only 77% of children of the official school age are enrolled in primary education and the participation rate in pre-primary organized learning is just 38.63%. Such information indicates the relationship between poverty and education thus deepening the importance of tackling global poverty as taking action towards one SDG will positively impact others.
The Future
To combat the rising poverty rates, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), along with many other NGOs and foreign aid programs, have identified Sudan as a high-priority concern. As an NGO dedicated to supporting developing countries and their citizens, the IRC has set up and strengthened operations in the Blue Nile, White Nile, and Gaderef states in Sudan to support and bring humanitarian aid to the 25 million Sudanese that need humanitarian aid, the 8.2 million that have been forcibly displaced and the 18 million that are facing crisis levels of food insecurity.
In 2021, the Commission on Social Safety and Poverty Reduction under the Ministry of Social Development launched the Mothers and Child Cash Transfer Plus Program (MCCT+) to support mothers and children affected by poverty. The flagship program in Sudan actively supports those in need with cash provisions, sharing information, and care of women and children and has supported 50,000 pregnant women in just the first phase of the program.
Overall, these updates on SDG 1 in Sudan highlight the troubling situation for the Sudanese people. Poverty rates across the country have continued to rise along with growing economic instability, a declining GDP and its negative influence on education. However, it is with support from foreign aid, government initiatives like the Mothers and Child Cash Transfer Plus program and NGO’s like the IRC that bring hope to Sudan and make progress possible.
– Juliana Granville
Photo: Flickr
Using Renewable Energy in Chad to Combat Poverty
The source of this increase derives substantially from the innovation and expansion into renewable energy. Utilizing Chad’s high levels of solar irradiation, The Djermaya Solar Project is paving the way for socio-economic prosperity that can combat the rising poverty levels. Here is information about renewable energy in Chad.
The Djermaya Solar Project
Initiated in 2015, the Djermaya Solar Project has two stages. Firstly, a 36 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Djermaya will be constructed, 30km north of N’Djamena, Chad’s capital. Following this, there will be a 24 MWp phase. This will gradually integrate renewable power into Chad’s national grid, according to InfraCo Africa.
Chad’s first renewable energy project is jointly developed by InfraCo Africa and Denham Capital, as well as supported by government agencies, including the African Development Bank Group (ADB).
The European Investment Bank (EBI) described the solar PV plant as a “pioneering project” that “will help liberalise the energy sector, and mobile private investment in Chad.” It is calculated that the cost of electricity will be less than half the current cost of power following the project.
Catalyzing Chad’s Socio-Economic Prosperity
The Djermaya Solar Project will significantly improve Chad’s socio-economic prosperity. Not only will the project provide lower cost energy, increasing accessibility across the country, but it will also create 250 jobs during construction, as well as 12 permanent positions during the operational phase.
Once online, the Djermaya solar project could power 60,000 households and reduce the overall cost of electricity generation. USAID’S Power Africa has guided tariff approaches, indicating that the Djermaya plant will produce electricity at a cost that is 40% less than existing sources. Overall, Chadians will have an increased access to cleaner, sustainable energy.
In the long term, this project will provide a sustainable and reliable source of energy for the Chadian electricity distribution network. Subsequently, this increases high-speed internet access and improves the transport routes used for business.
People across Chad have to use conventional energy resources, such as biomass and charcoal in order to cook, light their house and other economic activities. In particular, it is women and children who spend a lot of time sourcing the biomass materials, which increases their risks of harmful respiratory diseases. Therefore, this creation of renewable energy in Chad offers a new alternative to the old conventional way of energy production. Women and children could then dedicate this time to income-generating activities instead.
A Pathway Out of Poverty
Investment director at Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, Paromita Chatterjee, emphasizes that The Djermaya project is the key to “unlock the country’s economic potential and to fly the flag for more green energy projects”.
The Djermaya Project will help alleviate poverty, as well as foster universal economic activity across Chad. This is because the solar project provides lower cost power to the grid, in comparison to the current fossil fuel-fired generation. This is a fundamental step in achieving Chad Vision 2030’s target of becoming an emerging country.
Resultantly, this will enable the government to reduce its current subsidies to the energy sector, and instead, focus its limited resources on other essential services, such as education and health.
In addition, the Djermaya Project is a pioneer in liberalizing Chad’s energy sector, encouraging independent power producers. This mobilizes private investment across Chad, spurring sustainable economic prosperity. Alongside this, this is a crucial development into renewable energy within Chad, adding to the sustainable eradication of poverty.
Looking Ahead
Overall, the Djermaya Solar Project yields a significant role in the alleviation of poverty across Chad, on both a small and large scale. Not only does Chad’s renewable energy project maintain its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, but, crucially, it offers a solution to the destitute poverty suffered by millions of Chadians. As development begins, this is an exciting and prosperous project for the long term socio-economic success of Chad.
– Sian Ameer-Beg
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting Tanzania
The decrease in poverty has also meant that increased funding can go into health care facilities, for example, the 2.22 trillion Tanzanian Shillings (Tsh) allocated to health care in Tanzania in 2017-2018, an increase of 34% from that in 2016-2017. However, communicable diseases in Tanzania remain a threat to public well-being, and without a fast diagnosis and access to correct treatment, they can often be fatal. Here is information about three diseases impacting Tanzania.
Malaria
Malaria, a disease carried by mosquitoes, is one of the most common communicable diseases in Tanzania. In 2022, there were an estimated 7,960,000 confirmed cases of malaria in the United Republic of Tanzania, making Tanzania the country with the sixth highest number of cases. In response to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) began offering training for district vector surveillance (and control) officers (DVSOs), who collect samples of vectors from around Tanzania that can be analyzed.
This training then saw the certification of 56 new DVSOs, who now play a vital role in malaria prevention and elimination as mosquitos and other disease vectors often tend to behave based on human interaction, and the study of how they behave would help in creating new strategies that align with recent changes in vector behavior. With access to the correct resources, malaria is incredibly preventable. For example, the use of mosquito nets in sleeping areas helps to keep mosquitoes from biting citizens, and even just wearing protective clothing can minimize the spread of malaria in Tanzania.
HIV and AIDs
In 2021, the United Nations states began to work towards the 95-95-95 targets for HIV/AIDS, which aim to ensure at least 95% with HIV know their status, 95% of those with HIV are undergoing treatment and 95% of those undergoing treatment are virally suppressed. In Tanzania, as of 2019, there were 1.7 million people who had confirmed cases of HIV, and in line with the 95-95-95 goals, 83% of those suffering from HIV knew that they had it, and of these, 92% were virally suppressed and receiving treatment.
The National AIDS Control Programme in Tanzania has worked to ensure that condoms are readily available to the Tanzanian population, to prevent the spread of HIV and age-appropriate messages to educate about HIV prevention and myths young people may encounter surrounding it are distributed, in hopes of minimizing the disease and its impact in Tanzania.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Estimates currently indicate that there are around 208 cases of TB for every 100,000 people in Tanzania, and the country is currently on a watchlist for its high TB burden rates, according to the WHO’s Country Outlook. Because of the high rates of HIV and AIDs in Tanzania, this immediately puts anyone impacted at higher risk of contracting TB, due to the compromise in their immune system. In 2021, The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC), Directorate of Preventive Services through the National TB and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) launched a StopTB Partnership that works to end TB in Tanzania by 2030.
So far, it has been working on raising awareness about TB, by holding workshops to educate local journalists about TB and calling for increased funding towards TB diagnosis and treatment in Tanzania. It has also enforced a framework which ensures that treatment in the form of antibiotics is free to all TB patients through public and private health care systems and that TB notifications are mandatory, according to its 2023 report. This increased access to treatment for Tanzanian citizens could hopefully lower infection rates and decrease its impact in Tanzania.
Looking Ahead
While these diseases impacting Tanzania still have a large impact on the population of the country, the work of these organizations has significantly decreased its impact and improved the lives of many. With continued funding and work from these organizations, Tanzania will likely be able to meet health targets, such as those set by the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, and move towards eliminating these diseases impacting Tanzania in the future.
– Freyja Stone
Photo: Flickr
Youth Innovation Hubs: Fostering Entrepreneurship in Uganda
Agriculture and the Rise of Innovation Hubs
According to the UNDP, estimates indicate that Uganda’s agriculture sector contributes 37% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 72% of Uganda’s workforce and contributes 80% to the export base. Obstacles such as poor agronomic practices, limited stock of quality agro-inputs and limited access to timely and quality market information continue to undermine the sector’s potential to create jobs and entrepreneurship ventures.
Youth innovation hubs in Uganda are collaborative spaces where young people access resources, mentorship and training in technology and business. These innovation hubs aim to empower youth with entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to create their own employment opportunities instead of relying on traditional job markets. A notable example, the Outbox Hub in Kampala, offers co-working spaces, funding opportunities and training programs for young entrepreneurs. For instance, Outbox recently launched a three-day hackathon to help local Ugandan entrepreneurs develop skills using new technologies.
Government Initiatives
The Ugandan government, recognizing the potential of innovation hubs, has launched several initiatives to support their growth. Youth Innovation Hubs, first introduced in 2016 and renewed in 2024, have organized 2,825 events and 751 business meetings, equipping 6,531 individuals with digital skills, capacity building and mentorship. Additionally, the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), launched in 2014, targets youth unemployment by providing funding to young entrepreneurs across the country to establish various youth-led enterprises.
Impact on Poverty Reduction
The correlation between youth unemployment and poverty is stark. Around 9.3 million youth in Uganda are disconnected from the workforce. Innovation hubs address this by equipping youth with skills to start and sustain their businesses, which in turn generates employment and stimulates local economies. For instance, the Agripreneurship Alliance has programs that train youth in modern farming techniques and agribusiness management, which are helping to revolutionize Uganda’s agricultural sector. Innovations such as mobile apps for market information and sustainable farming practices have enabled young farmers to increase productivity and incomes.
Looking Ahead
Youth innovation hubs in Uganda are proving effective in tackling unemployment by equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills and resources. These innovation hubs foster self-employment opportunities and stimulate local economies, as evidenced by initiatives like the Outbox Hub and the Youth Livelihood Programme. The focus on modern farming techniques and agribusiness management is particularly impactful, helping to revolutionize Uganda’s agricultural sector and increase productivity and incomes among young farmers. As these innovation hubs continue to expand, they can potentially reduce poverty and drive sustainable economic growth in Uganda.
– Jennifer Lee
Photo: Flickr
Economic Inclusion of Women in Uganda
However, the United Nations (U.N.) has identified a chasm between this politically decreed equality and the living reality of Ugandan women, social mores frequently limiting their engagement in the public sphere. The result is a gaping monthly gender wage disparity of 32.3% and a mammoth loss in human capital and, thus, national wealth. Organizations of varying scales are, therefore, working to foster the economic inclusion of women in Uganda.
Resilient Women Uganda
Established in 2016, Resilient Women Uganda is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that helps vulnerable girls and women escape cyclical poverty by creating spaces where they can blossom unimpeded by patriarchal beliefs that undervalue them.
Harmful practices mar the economic inclusion of women in Uganda. A massive 45% of female Ugandans have suffered physical abuse at the hands of their partner. Additionally, more than one in five have experienced sexual violence. Moreover, child marriage is rampant, with 34% of girls entering unions before they turn 18 and 7% before the age of 15.
Seeking to limit the effect that these breaches of basic rights have on girls’ development, Resilient Women Uganda operates a shelter for those in immediate danger of violence or exploitation, where they can access food, medical treatment and pastoral care.
Furthermore, the organization offers vocational training in various sectors, supporting its beneficiaries in sculpting a future. Through the program, at-risk girls aged between 13 and 19 can develop skills that will lead them to secure employment and become economically self-sufficient members of society. In 2023, 55 young women trained by the program found jobs in hairdressing and fashion design.
The Women’s Microfinance Initiative
The Women’s Microfinance Initiative (WMI) empowers female entrepreneurs from impoverished rural communities by providing them with microloans and increasing their financial literacy. Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2008, the organization operates through hubs across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
The “Transition to Independence” program gives women access to four consecutive loans at a 10% flat interest rate, which they can use to propel their businesses into economic self-sufficiency. The program also provides a holistic support system that seeks to mold its beneficiaries into well-rounded participants in the economy. At the community-level hubs, operated by local women, the borrowers receive training in business and marketing, ongoing mentoring and free bookkeeping resources such as calculators and notebooks. They also open bank accounts as part of the program and develop a strong grasp of financial processes.
WMI combats exploitative lending practices through its woman-centered approach, which is reflected in an impressive loan recovery rate of 98%. Its borrowers experience a monthly income growth rate of between 100% and 400%. The organization’s impact is as far-reaching as it is remarkable; in 2023 alone, it provided 12,000 loans and it has served more than 28,000 women since its inauguration.
Moreover, WMI estimates that its loans impact an additional 20 people for every borrower. This considers the effect of increased household income on family members and the reach of each business’s roots within the community’s economic network. According to the U.N., self-employed women in Uganda face heightened vulnerability to poverty due to limited access to services and capital. WMI is working to remove these barriers and allow female entrepreneurship to flourish.
Women in Technology Uganda
Women in Technology Uganda (WITU) is an NGO that has supported girls and women from underprivileged communities with training programs in technology and entrepreneurship since 2014. The “Code Girls” program operates across primary, secondary and tertiary education to bring ICT training to young people, especially girls, who are otherwise unlikely to access STEM resources. In 2022, the program bridged the technological divide for 1,354 students.
WITU also offers talented young women the opportunity to complete a two-year diploma in Computer Science and Entrepreneurship through the Women’s Institute of Technology and Innovation. In 2022, 33 girls excluded from tertiary education because of a lack of financial means received scholarships.
Moreover, the 12-week “Elevate” program fosters economic autonomy by training young women from marginalized backgrounds in ICT and providing them with various marketing and employability skills. As of 2022, the program had served more than 6,000 women. Given that just 31% of Ugandan women have access to the internet, compared with 69% of men, WITU’s work represents a vital pathway toward improved economic inclusion of women in Uganda.
Moving Forward
Although significant challenges remain, numerous organizations are working to strengthen Uganda’s social fabric by fighting for a future where its women are free to incorporate their unique and colorful threads. Their efforts demonstrate what WMI aptly calls “a long-term investment in human potential” and their shared vision is one of a nation that holds equal promise for all of its people.
– Leila Powles
Photo: Pexels
5 Charities Operating in Croatia
In 2021, the poverty risk rate for a single-person household was 3,000 Kuna per month ($435) and 6,300 Kuna per month ($913) for a two-adult, two-child household. This is why the charities operating in Croatia are important to the Croatians experiencing or at risk of poverty. Charities operating in Croatia provide safety for those experiencing domestic violence, shelter for those who are homeless and humanitarian aid after war or disaster are essential to those who otherwise cannot afford to seek the services they need.
DOMINE
Established in 2002, the nonprofit organization DOMINE focuses on promoting women’s rights and the development of society. DOMINE focuses on economic and political empowerment of women, prevention of gender-based violence, health care for women and more. In Split-Dalmatia, a county of Croatia in which DOMINE was established, it developed and published the first feminist library. Two of the ongoing projects by DOMINE are “COVID-19: helping women victims of violence” and “Safe housing for women victims of violence.”
Caritas Croatia
In response to the Croatian Homeland War of the early 1990s, Caritas Croatia was founded in 1992, providing victims clothing, shelter, food and medicine. Caritas Croatia continues its work today to end poverty and provide humanitarian aid. Caritas does advocacy work in poverty reduction as well as providing disaster response both domestically and internationally. It works globally and collaborates with Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis.
In 2002, Caritas Croatia sent money and volunteers to help with disaster response to a flood in the Czech Republic and assisted the U.S. in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Domestically, Caritas Croatia works with the diocesan offices to strengthen family counselling centres and advocates for those who have disrupted education due to social stigma, from having diseases such as HIV.
Krug Ijubavi (Circle of Love)
Established in Croatia in 2017, Circle of Love provides children with education, shelter, health care and more, in Croatia and globally. It advocates for children’s rights and safety in family homes and organizations. Circle of Love in Croatia started with the goal of providing 40 children with education, surpassing the goal by more than 600 children. It also provides support and training to families who have children with disabilities to help them, the children, live the most fulfilling life they can. It also has taken the endeavors of building schools and constructing a safe house for abused children.
SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages has been operating in Croatia since 1992. The organization supports children who are without parental care or at risk of losing parental care. In Croatia, a fifth of all children (those under 18 years), are at risk of poverty. There are 3,500 children in SOS care, with some as young as three entering the institution’s care. SOS helps with giving early childhood education and by providing the care they need to help them transition into adulthood successfully.
Depaul Croatia
Depaul Croatia focuses on taking care of those experiencing homelessness, where in Croatia there are roughly 2,000 people who are currently homeless. The organization provides food, hygiene provisions and health care services alongside implementing programs such as rehabilitation for alcohol users. They have also implemented a program that helps increase the employability of those who are homeless. Depaul participates in outreach work, reaching the homeless through the streets, hospitals and prisons.
One of the services Depaul provides is the Haven House: a day center for the homeless as well as other marginalized groups, offering holistic help. More than 70 people use the Haven House’s daily services.
These charities operating in Croatia, along with many others, improve the quality of life for those who need the services they can provide.
– Rachel Padden
Photo: Flickr
Recent Poverty Reduction in Hawaii
The Situation
According to the United States (U.S.) Census Bureau, 10.2% of Hawaii residents live below the poverty line. This score is higher than the U.S. national average of 11.5% as of 2022. Even as Hawaii grapples with poverty, a number of local initiatives are offering hope for meaningful progress in reducing hardship.
Governmental Initiatives
One of the most important legislative actions contributing to poverty reduction is the proposed Farm Bill. This legislation aims to strengthen local agriculture while simultaneously combating hunger. By supporting local farmers and promoting healthy farming practices, the Farm Bill seeks to lower food costs and increase food security for people nationwide, including Hawaii’s residents. The Farm Bill’s approach is crucial in a state that is heavily reliant on imported goods and where high living costs disproportionately affect low-income families. Implementing the Farm Bill involves incentivizing local production through grants, reducing dependency on external food sources and stimulating economic growth.
Governor Josh Green’s administration has also taken proactive steps to address homelessness, a critical aspect of poverty in Hawaii (41% in 2022). The Governor’s office highlighted the Hoʻokahi Leo Kauhale initiative on its official website, focusing on providing affordable housing for at least 50 people experiencing homelessness. This program incorporates housing with comprehensive support services driven to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families. By providing housing along with health care access, employment resources and social services, Hoʻokahi Leo Kauhale aims to reduce homelessness and help residents rebuild their lives.
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) also plays a pivotal role in Hawaii’s poverty reduction efforts. DBEDT’s goal is to reach a globally competitive economy for Hawaii. The department has led initiatives to increase the state’s economic growth and job creation. DBEDT’s efforts contribute to reducing unemployment rates and promoting financial stability among Hawaii’s residents.
Nongovernmental Initiatives
Hawaii has also made strides in addressing local poverty apart from governmental efforts. Child & Family Service (CFS), a Hawaii-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering healthy child development, has also been working to break generational poverty throughout the state. In 2016, the organization launched a pilot program called Transition to Success (TTS). The program’s mission is to empower and guide impoverished families to success via mentorship, coaching and other resources. About 986 participants of TTS reported positive changes regarding self-sufficiency.
What This Means for the Nation
Recent efforts towards poverty reduction in Hawaii show a combination of legislative innovation, community engagement and strategic economic development. Working between government agencies and nonprofit organizations will be crucial in building upon these achievements and addressing common challenges. By continuing to evolve upon successful strategies, Hawaii can further solidify its commitment to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment, setting an example for resilience and stability nationwide.
– Christian Core
Photo: Flickr