Iraq is a major political entity in the Middle East region and its proximity to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has supported a long history of innovating civilizations. However, the aftereffects of war and political turmoil continue to threaten its population of 41 million. From 1979 to 2003, authoritarian president Saddam Hussein presided over the country until a U.S. invasion forced his removal and precipitated the Iraq War. Since then, Iraq has conducted parliamentary elections and made progress toward a transparent democracy.
However, ISIS-related conflicts and a lingering U.S. presence have hindered Iraq’s success and its governmental agencies have been slow to meet its citizens’ needs. Under Hussein, drug trafficking and recreational drug use were illegal, even punishable by death. However, since Hussein’s fall and the Iraq War, anti-drug policies have eased and the country’s economy has continued to struggle.
In 2022, according to Iraq’s Ministry of Planning, 25% of Iraqis lived below the poverty line. Similarly, the U.N. ‘s 2020 World Drug Report evidenced a steady increase in drug trafficking in Iraq since 2003, constituting a veritable crisis. Here’s what to know about drug abuse in Iraq.
High Unemployment Encourages Drug Abuse in Iraq
The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 severely disrupted its local industry. Additionally, the succeeding conflicts of the past 20 years have only further stunted economic development, private sector growth and social security reform. In 2022, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to conduct a labor force survey.
The study reported a national unemployment rate of 16.5% or one unemployed person for every five employed persons. The unemployment rate proved particularly high amongst Iraqi youth, standing at 35.8%. In Basra, a vital port city in Iraq’s southern region, its appellate court found that among arrested drug offenders, roughly 90% were unemployed. As drug officials note, traffickers often target the country’s underprivileged, encouraging addiction and participation in the drug trade.
Crystal Meth Poses the Most Serious Threat
Under Hussein, the Iraqi drug trade existed mostly underground, deterred by harsh penalties and tight border control. However, after the U.S. invasion and Hussein’s deposing in 2003, the Iraqi borders have softened, allowing an influx of drugs from neighboring countries like Iran and Afghanistan.
Since 2017, Afghani drug manufacturers have accelerated the production of methamphetamine, utilizing the ephedra plant that grows naturally on Afghan hillsides. Iraq has proven a valuable market as it battles high unemployment and political instability. Crystal meth accounts for 60% of the Iraqi drug trade and many have sought the drug as an antidote to trauma or job insecurity, hoping to score more hours and better wages.
Widespread Corruption Prevents Anti-Drug Mobilization
Since 2003, anti-crime networks have deteriorated, particularly in Basra, where religious and tribal factions continue to vie for control. Like Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, Basra is at the center of the Iraqi drug problem and its designated anti-drug units are mobilized nightly. However, lack of funding, government corruption and inadequate technology have hindered the units’ efficacy.
Additionally, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units–militia groups formed in 2014 to combat ISIS–are allegedly complicit in the drug trade, exerting influence amongst traffickers and government officials alike. Tellingly, anti-drug units have yet to capture any high-level traffickers whose identities remain unknown or protected.
The Prison System and Drug Abuse in Iraq
The government’s response to drug abuse in Iraq has mostly consisted of criminal penalties, threatening up to three years in prison for individuals who use, possess or transport illegal drugs. In 2018, 1400 people in Basra alone were convicted of sale or possession of illegal drugs, predominantly crystal meth.
In the first six months of 2022, the Iraqi government arrested 8000 people on drug-related charges, overcrowding both pre-trial holding cells and state-run prisons. After release, many offenders are discriminated against for their addiction and criminal history and often struggle to find reliable work. Without employment opportunities, some return to the drug trade, aiming to save themselves and their families from poverty.
Road to Recovery
As a predominantly Muslim country, Iraq has struggled to address addiction openly, resorting instead to police crackdowns. Drug users who voluntarily seek treatment are exempt from criminal penalties, but space in rehabilitation facilities remains limited. For instance, Basra has just one rehab center, with only 44 available beds, despite its population of 4 million.
However, in July 2023, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered the establishment of rehabilitation facilities in all Iraqi provinces except the Kurdistan region. Similarly, al-Sudani ordered Iraq’s state media to organize awareness campaigns, explaining the toll of drug use and associated criminal penalties. In expanding its rehabilitation system, the government seeks to decrease repeat offenders and challenge widespread drug abuse in Iraq.
Final Remark
Ever since 2003, Iraq has struggled to maintain a functioning economy and its poverty and unemployment rates have accordingly spiked. Coping with both financial insecurity and recurring conflict, many Iraqis have turned to drugs, especially crystal meth, to provide salvation, straining Iraqi police forces and clogging its prison system. Government officials, recognizing the danger of drug abuse in Iraq, have promised an upgrade to its network of rehabilitation centers. However, critics note that drug abuse will decrease only when Iraq improves its economic outlook and offers its citizens a chance of success outside of the drug trade.
– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr
Exploring Books on Poverty in India
Books possess the ability to confront the prejudices surrounding poverty by humanizing the experiences of the economically disadvantaged in a nation. They serve as catalyzing agents, inspiring action for poverty alleviation. Fundamentally, books facilitate the initiation of discussions on the theme and reality of poverty, engaging not only academics and policymakers but also the general public.
Everybody Loves a Good Drought
“Everybody Loves a Good Drought” serves as a wake-up call, urging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the harsh realities marginalized communities face. The book title, dripping with bitter irony, reflects Palagummi Sainat’s visceral response to the deplorable conditions witnessed during his reporting tenure for the Times of India between 1993 and 1995. This is where the heart of the narrative lies, exposing the intricate web of poverty, exploitation and resilience in some of India’s most destitute villages. The book uncovers a hidden division of labor, shedding light on occupations and practices that remain obscured even to many within India.
People Without History: India’s Muslim Ghettos
In the fabric of India’s diverse landscape, narratives of resilience and adversity often remain untold. “People Without History: India’s Muslim Ghettos,” authored by Jeremy Seabrook and Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, is one such book that unveils the intricate lives of individuals residing in the impoverished suburbs of Kolkata. This book sheds light on the challenges faced by these communities, predominantly comprising Muslims and their remarkable endeavors to carve out a livelihood amid dire circumstances. What sets this account apart is its portrayal of uncelebrated triumphs and unacknowledged tragedies that coexist within these neglected districts.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, National Magazine Award recipient for Feature Writing and MacArthur Fellow Katherine Boo’s compelling work, “Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” transcends the boundaries of traditional nonfiction and immerses the readers into the gritty realities of poverty within the slums of Mumbai, India. This book attempts to capture the essence of life in Annawadi, a small enclave inhabited by around 3,000 people, situated amid the opulence of the Mumbai International Airport and luxury hotels.
The book unfolds over a meticulous three-year study, focusing on the lives of two families. Remarkably, Boo’s storytelling places women and children at the forefront, acknowledging their pivotal roles and amplifying their voices as the most faithful and reliable sources of information. Her deliberate choice to focus on children as narrators, devoid of the adult biases of religion, caste or politics, adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. Thus, “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” compels readers to confront uncomfortable truths about societal disparities.
Conclusion
Literature serves as a powerful medium for illuminating the often unseen and ignored aspects of society and paints vivid portraits of individuals and communities living in poverty. These books do the same, allowing the reader to access an entire reality different from their own to understand the different identities existing within India and the world.
– Manasvi Kadian
Photo: Flickr
How Ultra-White Paint Is Cooling Rising Temperatures in India
The Impact of Rising Temperatures on Lower-Caste Women
For much of India, fetching water is traditionally a woman’s role. As such millions of lower caste women are made to fetch hours up to 10 times a day in extreme heat, making them ‘doubly susceptible’. This hard labor is necessary for helping their families and themselves survive extreme temperatures. These trips are made especially difficult by some upper caste communities who cut off the lower caste’s water supply, believing that Dalit and Adivasi people, who are of the lowest caste, will pollute the water by touching it. This prejudice forces Dalit women and girls to go further for water, causing potential health issues and girls to miss school.
Unaffordable and Inaccessible Water
Water is difficult to access for millions of families across India and is often unaffordable. In some communities, Dalits are charged $9 monthly to access mechanized wells. According to Oxford University Press, the average Dalit household income is between $240 and $270 annually. Therefore, water access eats up a large portion of lower caste household’s income and is completely unaffordable for many. Due to water being difficult to access and often unaffordable, many ration their daily intake, bearing the effects of dehydration like “dizziness and exhaustion.”
Caste System and Disaster Relief
India’s Heat Action Plans, which aim to reduce heath-related death and health complications, have been found by the Centre for Policy Research to be unequally implemented in lower caste communities. Unequal implementation of relief is a common experience for India’s impoverished. Caste often determines what treatment you will receive during natural disasters. During floods and cyclones, Dalit and Adivasi people are often refused shelter by temples and relief shelters due to their caste. Lower castes are also disadvantaged as their communities are often in geographically vulnerable positions, in poorly built homes that are difficult to access due to the lack of paved streets.
The Ultra-White Paint and Rising Temperatures
While increased heat in India is dire for many lower caste households, a few low-cost high-impact solutions exist. Painting lower caste homes Ultra-White is one of these solutions. The program, started by the Mahila Housing Trust aids in reducing the effects of extreme heat in India. The Mahila Housing Trust provides hundreds of impoverished families across India with cans of Ultra-White paint, which, when applied to roofs, can cool the interior by up to 8°C. In doing so, the Ultra-White paint reduces the likelihood of heat-related health complications. As many lower caste households live in brick homes with poor ventilation, the heat accumulated by these structures during the day makes them unbearable, with many resorting to sleeping outside.
Looking Ahead
With the addition of Ultra-White paint, however, indoor temperatures are much more bearable allowing people to spend more time indoors, protected from extreme heat. Likewise, lower indoor temperatures mean that households require less water to cool their homes and stay hydrated, reducing the need to fetch water as frequently. While Ultra-White paint is not a perfect solution and needs to be reapplied annually or biannually, it is the cheapest and most effective aid found by the Mahila Housing Trust, which is committed to remedying the effects of extreme heat on lower-income households. Through aid and innovation, there is hope that India’s most vulnerable can be better protected from extreme weather conditions and alleviate their dire impacts on their lives.
– Jaydin Ruch
Photo: Flickr
What to Know About Drug Abuse in Iraq
However, ISIS-related conflicts and a lingering U.S. presence have hindered Iraq’s success and its governmental agencies have been slow to meet its citizens’ needs. Under Hussein, drug trafficking and recreational drug use were illegal, even punishable by death. However, since Hussein’s fall and the Iraq War, anti-drug policies have eased and the country’s economy has continued to struggle.
In 2022, according to Iraq’s Ministry of Planning, 25% of Iraqis lived below the poverty line. Similarly, the U.N. ‘s 2020 World Drug Report evidenced a steady increase in drug trafficking in Iraq since 2003, constituting a veritable crisis. Here’s what to know about drug abuse in Iraq.
High Unemployment Encourages Drug Abuse in Iraq
The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 severely disrupted its local industry. Additionally, the succeeding conflicts of the past 20 years have only further stunted economic development, private sector growth and social security reform. In 2022, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to conduct a labor force survey.
The study reported a national unemployment rate of 16.5% or one unemployed person for every five employed persons. The unemployment rate proved particularly high amongst Iraqi youth, standing at 35.8%. In Basra, a vital port city in Iraq’s southern region, its appellate court found that among arrested drug offenders, roughly 90% were unemployed. As drug officials note, traffickers often target the country’s underprivileged, encouraging addiction and participation in the drug trade.
Crystal Meth Poses the Most Serious Threat
Under Hussein, the Iraqi drug trade existed mostly underground, deterred by harsh penalties and tight border control. However, after the U.S. invasion and Hussein’s deposing in 2003, the Iraqi borders have softened, allowing an influx of drugs from neighboring countries like Iran and Afghanistan.
Since 2017, Afghani drug manufacturers have accelerated the production of methamphetamine, utilizing the ephedra plant that grows naturally on Afghan hillsides. Iraq has proven a valuable market as it battles high unemployment and political instability. Crystal meth accounts for 60% of the Iraqi drug trade and many have sought the drug as an antidote to trauma or job insecurity, hoping to score more hours and better wages.
Widespread Corruption Prevents Anti-Drug Mobilization
Since 2003, anti-crime networks have deteriorated, particularly in Basra, where religious and tribal factions continue to vie for control. Like Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, Basra is at the center of the Iraqi drug problem and its designated anti-drug units are mobilized nightly. However, lack of funding, government corruption and inadequate technology have hindered the units’ efficacy.
Additionally, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units–militia groups formed in 2014 to combat ISIS–are allegedly complicit in the drug trade, exerting influence amongst traffickers and government officials alike. Tellingly, anti-drug units have yet to capture any high-level traffickers whose identities remain unknown or protected.
The Prison System and Drug Abuse in Iraq
The government’s response to drug abuse in Iraq has mostly consisted of criminal penalties, threatening up to three years in prison for individuals who use, possess or transport illegal drugs. In 2018, 1400 people in Basra alone were convicted of sale or possession of illegal drugs, predominantly crystal meth.
In the first six months of 2022, the Iraqi government arrested 8000 people on drug-related charges, overcrowding both pre-trial holding cells and state-run prisons. After release, many offenders are discriminated against for their addiction and criminal history and often struggle to find reliable work. Without employment opportunities, some return to the drug trade, aiming to save themselves and their families from poverty.
Road to Recovery
As a predominantly Muslim country, Iraq has struggled to address addiction openly, resorting instead to police crackdowns. Drug users who voluntarily seek treatment are exempt from criminal penalties, but space in rehabilitation facilities remains limited. For instance, Basra has just one rehab center, with only 44 available beds, despite its population of 4 million.
However, in July 2023, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered the establishment of rehabilitation facilities in all Iraqi provinces except the Kurdistan region. Similarly, al-Sudani ordered Iraq’s state media to organize awareness campaigns, explaining the toll of drug use and associated criminal penalties. In expanding its rehabilitation system, the government seeks to decrease repeat offenders and challenge widespread drug abuse in Iraq.
Final Remark
Ever since 2003, Iraq has struggled to maintain a functioning economy and its poverty and unemployment rates have accordingly spiked. Coping with both financial insecurity and recurring conflict, many Iraqis have turned to drugs, especially crystal meth, to provide salvation, straining Iraqi police forces and clogging its prison system. Government officials, recognizing the danger of drug abuse in Iraq, have promised an upgrade to its network of rehabilitation centers. However, critics note that drug abuse will decrease only when Iraq improves its economic outlook and offers its citizens a chance of success outside of the drug trade.
– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr
Social Programs Help Panama
Despite the economic growth projections, Panama suffers, like other nations, from disproportionate income distribution. This income inequality affects rural indigenous groups as well as Afro-Panamanian populations, with estimates showing that less than 15% live outside of poverty. The Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (Ministry of Social Development) assists low-income families and poor people with disabilities through financial and mental health services. These social programs help Panama receive much-needed aid for greater income equality between its socioeconomic groups.
USAID Partners With Panama to Tackle Poverty
From the mid-60s through 1982, Panama collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance the well-being of its citizens. Through initiatives focused on agricultural diversification and research, numerous families experienced a rise in income. Simultaneously, public infrastructure projects, including the development of streets, roads and water and sewage systems, were implemented, contributing to a reduction in deforestation. These changes ensure that future generations will prosper through Panama’s natural resources.
USAID assistance continued through three legacy institutions, hoping to sustain Panama’s natural resources. Of these, two have demonstrated notable success. For instance, the Chagres National Park Fund actively funds the management of the Chagres River Basin. This basin plays a critical role in supplying the necessary water required for the operation of the Panama Canal, accounting for 45% of its operational needs and approximately 80% of the water is utilized for human consumption in Panama City, home to around 1.5 million residents. The second successful initiative, the Darien National Park Fund, is dedicated to protecting the 1.4 million acres that struggled under deforestation. These social programs help Panama establish opportunities for its citizens to flourish and learn to operate with minimal external assistance.
Red de Oportunidades Provide Economic Support to Poor Households
Red de Oportunidades, aptly named Network of Opportunities, seeks to dismantle the cyclical nature of extreme intragenerational poverty in Panama. This initiative is directed towards mothers in extreme poverty with children between the ages of 0 to 18. These households will receive around 50 Panamanian Balboa per month so long as they fall under these conditions.
Guardian Angel Programme Helps Panamanians With Disabilities
In addition to assisting low-income households, the Guardian Angel Programme established an economic allowance for those with severe disabilities. Not only money transfers but the program will require participants to attend “lectures, courses and seminars for psychological and medical orientation and accession to the education system in the case of minors.” By providing these resources, social programs help Panama provide sessions to help integrate severely disabled people into their society to live healthy and balanced lives.
Conclusion
The synergy between USAID programs and Panama’s Ministry of Social Development has substantially addressed the immediate needs, leaving little room for massive overhauls. What is essentially needed now is tuning and improving the current programs. This is to ensure the indigenous people of Panama continue to receive the necessary resources to become economically stable and learn to be effective citizens of Panama.
– Luis Lujano-Garcia
Photo: Unsplash
Living Conditions and Poverty in French Polynesia
More than 100 islands make up French Polynesia, covering areas as vast as Europe. French Polynesia is home to at least 300,000 individuals, and 55% of the most populated islands live off less than $1,150 a month.
The State of Poverty
At 10%, the unemployment rate is high in French Polynesia, where 13% of the population works harvesting local agriculture such as coconuts, pineapples, cassava, sugar cane, eggs, tropical fruit and tomatoes and another 19% in the growing industry throughout the islands.
Currently, 16% of French Polynesia live below the poverty line and roughly 75,000 live on less than $600 monthly. One Pacific franc equals $0.0092 and maintains a consistent decline in exchange rates.
In correlation to being a territory of France via considerable autonomy, France subsidizes $300 million per year to French Polynesia. This money is often used to aid with the availability and purchases of everyday goods such as rice, beans, baguettes and crackers. Air Tahiti Nui is also subsidized to help boost tourism and local jobs.
Living Conditions in French Polynesia
In harsh reality, when searching “Tahiti homes,” photos indicate a false correlation between how locals truly live, often showing luxury vacation homes and beachside getaway huts. On the other hand, when searching “Tahiti homes, poverty,” these results represent the vast majority of home size, condition and expectations of how most live.
In reference to supplies mentioned earlier, only the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora have access to tap water, which is often heavily sanitized and can cause stomach sickness. Large water jugs are used throughout the island as water is collected and sealed from springs high in the tropical mountains.
“I remember walking down the streets and seeing homes that are so different from what I’d seen in America,” said Matthew Ward, former missionary and resident of two years. “I’d walk into these homes no bigger than a normal-sized American kitchen, and all they had was in that small area. Seeing the poverty in French Polynesia was a humbling experience that I’ll never forget, not only seeing it but living like them too.”
The impoverished live throughout the main islands but are particularly heavy in cities like Fa’a’ā and other poor regains near Papeete, where 20,000 remain dispossessed as large getaway homes scatter the shorelines and mountain hillsides.
“Most people would have what they needed, bare necessities, you could say,” Ward said, “I’d see rats and ants around the homes, and it was just so common. We focused primarily on helping the locals by providing service and fostering Christlike relationships with those around the island.”
In a study from IWGIA, one-fifth of the population of French Polynesia was living below the poverty line as recently as 2022.
Steps Toward Progress in Tahiti
Among the ways to aid and mitigate poverty in French Polynesia are donations. The SOS Children’s Villages of Canada has collected donations aiding French Polynesia since 1994, when it first appeared there to aid those in need.
Specific regions of aid are directed toward nutrition, quality health care and nurturing homes, to name a few. Since the beginning, SOS Children’s Villages have aided 51 orphaned and abandoned children throughout the capital region of Papeete.
– Chandler Doerr
Photo: Flickr
Unpacking Period Poverty in Liberia
Period Struggles and Poverty
Period poverty in Liberia is intricately linked to the issue of widespread poverty, with a significant portion of the population unable to afford menstrual hygiene products. UNICEF found that approximately 64% of Liberians live below the national poverty line. The financial burden of purchasing menstrual supplies exacerbates the economic challenges that women and girls in the country face. Furthermore, missed school or work days due to period-related issues directly impact their educational and income-generating opportunities, reinforcing the cycle of poverty. In addition, the lack of proper sanitation facilities further compounds the problem of period poverty in Liberia, affecting the overall health and dignity of women and girls.
Legal Reforms
Liberia is taking optimistic strides to address period poverty through specific legal reforms. Recently, the Liberian government eliminated import taxes on menstrual hygiene products, making them more affordable and accessible. The Ministry of Education has also introduced policies aimed at ensuring schools provide adequate sanitation facilities and promote menstrual hygiene education. These reforms are part of broader gender equality initiatives in Liberia, emphasizing the importance of menstrual health and dignity. By enacting these legal changes, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on women and girls and improve overall well-being.
Days for Girls Liberia
Days For Girls Liberia is an organization dedicated to tackling period poverty in Liberia with optimism. This organization is actively working to provide reusable menstrual hygiene kits and menstrual health education to underserved communities. By distributing these kits, Days for Girls Liberia empowers women and girls to manage their periods hygienically and with dignity. Moreover, the organization conducts workshops to raise awareness about menstrual health and break down the societal stigmas surrounding menstruation. The organization’s tireless efforts are contributing to improved menstrual health and overall well-being for Liberian women and girls.
Dr. Maymunah Kadree and Girls Empowerment Initiative Liberia
Dr. Maymunah Kadree, the founder of Girls Empowerment Initiative Liberia, is a driving force in the fight against period poverty in Liberia. Through her organization, Dr. Kadree has been providing menstrual hygiene education and distributing reusable menstrual products to girls in underserved communities. She hopes to empower girls to manage their periods confidently and continue their education without interruption through her efforts. Dr. Kadree’s work also aims to break down cultural taboos surrounding menstruation, promoting open dialogue and awareness about menstrual health. Her dedication and optimism have made a significant impact on improving the lives of young girls by addressing period poverty in Liberia.
– Nathaniel George
Photo: Flickr
Gross National Happiness Promotes Women’s Rights in Bhutan
Women in Society
Although Bhutanese women may be perceived as enjoying relatively free lifestyles, the social status of women remains decidedly below that of men. Perceptions that women are “less confident, capable and strong and sexually more vulnerable than men” strongly dictate the roles women hold in all areas of life, including in the workplace or even in health care. Evidence of this is seen through declining political participation from 13.8% in 2008 to 8.3% in 2013, precipitating further perceptions of women as inferior to men and greatly silencing the female voice in government areas with the potential to address the issue of women’s rights in Bhutan.
Gender-Based Violence
Despite the introduction of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA 2013), gender-based violence remains a highly prevalent issue. Even four years after the DVPA came into action, “13.9% of women faced physical violence from intimate partners in their lifetime”, equating to “more than two in every five women.” Violence against women in Bhutan exists in three main categories: sexual, emotional and physical. Shockingly, an average of “3 in 10 women aged 15-49 experience at least one of these, with 17.9% of all victims of abuse suffering all three.
Economy and Industry
Bhutanese women ‘continue to have lower labor force participation rates as compared to men,’ fuelling social stereotypes that women are ‘economic dependents.’ This is arguably a contributing factor to the disproportionate unemployment rates in Bhutan, affecting 2.9% of women yet only 2.1% of men in 2015. However, even amongst employed women, the work differs significantly between men and women, as more women work in ‘vulnerable, low paid or undervalued jobs.’ This proves how women not only have to fight harder to secure employment in Bhutan, but face challenges within industry, forced to work in underpaid and underappreciated jobs. It also highlights the need to change the attitudes of all members of society to elicit concrete social change in women’s rights in Bhutan.
Poverty Among Bhutanese Women
In Bhutan, poverty is a greater issue among women in comparison to men. With 1.1% of employed women living below the international poverty line, and only 0.8% of men, the standards of living in Bhutan are a clear indicator of gender inequality. This is arguably a result of lower adult literacy rates amongst women, at 62.8%, compared to 77.9% for men. A demographic’s literacy skills can directly influence living standards, determining employability and an awareness of one’s situation.
However, Bhutan is a leading nation in South Asia in promoting gender equality in education. The country has made basic education free and a constitutional right, “taking serious measures to implement the United Nations’ education for all agenda and millennium development Goals.” Genevieve Boyreau, the Resident Representative and Senior Country Economist from The World Bank, argues that “the quality of jobs for women is still an issue. Improving job quality and productivity for women would enhance gender equality and promote economic growth.”
Ongoing Efforts
Although Bhutan has yet to achieve gender equality, the last few years have seen the introduction of many strategies and legislations that aim to bring change.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is collaborating with the government and other external organizations and groups to develop and advocate for “gaps in policies and their implementation for the realization of gender equality,” as well as supporting women and youth-led organizations to promote the empowerment of women both from within the government and on a communal level.
Moreover, the world-famous philosophy of Gross Nation Happiness (GNH) is “integral to Bhutan’s growth process,” striving to “create an environment wherein every man, woman and child is included and benefits from development and growth,” showing how wider national programs can help to improve women’s rights in Bhutan. The health sector is also addressing the issue, as the Ministry of Health and Respect Educate Nurture and Empower Women has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dedicated to empowering women and girls.
Conclusion
The social and political work in place to promote gender equality is helping to reform social perceptions of the role of women in Bhutan, providing hope for a future where men and women are equally valued in all spheres of life.
– Chloe Thomas
Photo: Flickr
Direct Cash Transfers: Is There a Case for Giving Directly?
Conventional and Alternative Modes of ODA
Traditional foreign aid efforts often come in the form of building new schools, providing water wells in rural areas of developing countries and infrastructure projects to boost employment to kickstart economies.
However, increasingly in recent years, the case for new approaches to providing ODA has gained traction, most catalyzed by the suboptimal use of foreign aid funding.
Direct Cash Transfers as a Viable Option
Direct Cash Transfers could be one solution to this problem, an opinion held by Rory Stewart, former President and now advisor of the international non profit organization, GiveDirectly. Founded in 2009, GiveDirectly has disbursed $700M+ in cash directly to about 1.5 million people living in poverty. GiveDirectly currently has a presence in Bangladesh, DRC, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Turkey, Uganda, USA and Yemen.
According to Stewart, who is the former UK Member of Parliament (MP) for Penrith and the Border:
“Unconditional cash transfers have been proven to deliver support to those that need it with unprecedented speed and scale, meaning we now have the opportunity to do something historic.”
Assumptions are often made regarding how this money is likely to be utilized by those receiving it. GiveDirectly claims that it is most often used for “medicine; cows and goats and chickens; school fees; water; solar lights; tin roofs; irrigation; motorcycles to jumpstart taxi services; businesses to generate income; and more.” But how credible are these claims?
A Compelling Case for Direct Cash Transfers
In their efforts to demonstrate the effectiveness of their work, GiveDirectly highlights evidence from multiple sources. For example, according to research conducted in a study by ODI,
“Evidence was extracted from 165 studies, covering 56 cash transfer programs in low- and middle-income countries … There is strong evidence that cash transfers are associated with reductions in monetary poverty.”
GiveDirectly also calls upon the opinion of fellow non profit, Give Well, who dedicate their efforts to highlighting to donors the best channels for their cash. According to Give Well, “Cash transfers have the strongest track record we’ve seen for a non-health intervention, and are a priority program of ours.”
Claims of misuse for direct cash transfers are also disregarded by a paper produced by the World Bank in 2017. After reviewing quantitative evidence from 19 studies on the effect of direct cash transfers, and a further 11 studies measuring what the recipients of direct cash transfers spent the money on, the paper found that cash transfers significantly reduced spending on ‘temptation goods.’
The statistics paint only part of the picture. Many ODA projects still boast tremendous success in improving living standards in developing countries, improving education levels and boosting economic progression. However, these statistics have led many to believe that there must be a better way to allocate foreign aid budgets.
Although traditional means of providing ODA will likely continue to be allocated a significant proportion of Western foreign aid budgets, the efforts of GiveDirectly certainly provide a compelling case for direct cash transfers to take up a larger percentage of aid budgets in the future.
– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Flickr
How China’s Investment in the Middle East Is Helping Poverty
China’s investment in the Middle East is making a notable impact on alleviating poverty, particularly in the areas of trade, infrastructure and energy. With more than half of its oil supply originating from the Persian Gulf, the nation stands as the largest global importer of oil. The Persian Gulf region contributes nearly a third of the world’s oil production and hosts more than half of the global reserves of crude oil and gas.
Trade and Economic Partnerships
Initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) show China’s proactive involvement with the Middle East and highlight an attempt to strengthen economic ties. The cooperative frameworks promote economic growth and improve connectedness. The diversification of local economies helps Middle Eastern nations grow more and more integrated into China’s wider economic network. Increased trade and economic ties show how Chinese investment is helping tackle poverty by creating the foundation for equitable and sustainable economic growth.
China’s engagements with the countries involved in the initiative stood at $59.5 billion in 2021 and $60.5 billion in 2020. Additionally, the report reveals that China and Iraq are collaborating on several other projects, including the $5 billion Al-Khairat heavy oil power plant in the province of Karbala. Egypt holds a pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative, having signed multiple contracts amounting to $18 billion with China in 2018. Beijing is actively engaged in significant projects such as the new administrative capital of Cairo and the Economic-Technological Development Area within Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone in Ain Sokhna.
Infrastructure Investments
China’s involvement in infrastructure development is reshaping the landscape of the Middle East, positioning the nation as the region’s primary economic partner. Through the creation of an environment that fosters business growth, job creation and increased economic opportunities for the local population, improved infrastructure catalyzes increased trade, tourism and overall economic development. This strategic involvement highlights China’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and mutually beneficial partnerships in the Middle East.
In an official statement, a notable Chinese company proposed investing up to $10 billion in infrastructure projects in the Autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq in 2023. Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Investment Commission, stated, as cited by Aliqtisadi News and other Iraqi outlets, “This Chinese group has made an offer to invest $10 billion in projects in Kurdistan, covering rail networks, power, roads, water dams and other sectors.”
Energy Sector Investments
China’s significant energy sector investments in the Middle East, especially in gas and oil, indicate a strategic alignment of economic interests and cooperation between the two regions. Notably, China has emerged as the largest non-oil trading partner for both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a global scale. Furthermore, the UAE has maintained its position as China’s second-largest trading partner.
These investments go beyond securing a stable energy supply to offering substantial benefits to the governments and economies of the Middle East. The influx of capital into the energy industry, facilitated by joint ventures and partnerships, can lead to increased job opportunities and the growth of auxiliary sectors. Additionally, the significant profits made from these energy projects serve as a crucial source of funding for Middle Eastern governments. This financial support enables them to allocate funds for infrastructure, social programs and initiatives aimed at poverty reduction.
Future Outlook
China’s investment in the Middle East plays a vital role in addressing poverty and catalyzing revolutionary developments in the region. These investments have the potential to significantly alleviate poverty by fostering economic growth, job creation and technological advancements.
To guarantee that the advantages are equitable and sustainable, however, rigorous assessment of environmental and social aspects will be essential, along with efficient governance. Sustained observation, communication and flexible policies are necessary as China and the Middle East work together to create a prosperous future.
– Ellen Jones
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Yemen
Here is everything you need to know about poverty in Yemen.
1. The Yemeni Civil War has destabilized the government
The Yemeni Civil War is a conflict primarily between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi rebel movement, which claims its stronghold in Yemen’s northern territories. In 2011, uprisings forced Yemen’s authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to cede power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. However, Hadi struggled to address the country’s corruption, food insecurity and militant incursions. In 2014, the Houthi rebel movement, allied with former president Saleh, seized control of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital and most populous city. The Houthis are an Iranian-backed Shiite group that has long undermined Yemen’s predominantly Sunni government. In 2015, Saudi Arabia and 8 other Sunni states with the help of U.S., U.K. and French aid, launched air attacks, hoping to restore president Hadi to power. The ensuing civil war has prompted a large-scale humanitarian crisis and has claimed the lives of over 15,000 civilians. Those remaining have been challenged with famine, poverty and disease outbreak.
2. The Yemeni economy continues to fail
Even before the outbreak of its civil war, Yemen struggled to keep pace with changing markets. Political corruption hampered Yemen’s economy, while revenues from oil and gas reserves continued to decline. The civil war has further damaged economic infrastructure, contributing to high unemployment and poverty rates, while also alienating international investment. Since the conflict’s onset, the Yemeni economy has shrunk by half.
3. Many Yemenis have been displaced by conflict
Civilian vulnerability to military attack has forced an estimated 4.5 million people or 14% of Yemen’s population to flee their homes. Many Yemenis have been displaced multiple times since 2015, ranking Yemen in the top six of internal displacement crises worldwide. As Yemenis continue to live in exile, they strain already limited food, water and sanitation resources.
4. Yemen nears famine
As a food-deficient country, Yemen has often relied upon imports to nourish its population. However, its civil war has stymied international trade and weakened its access to food supplies. Food prices have soared, hindering accessibility for Yemen’s poverty-stricken population. As a result, hunger is rampant, with many Yemenis forced to skip meals or to severely restrict portion size. Some have pawned belongings and sold assets to raise money for adequate food supplies. Oftentimes, Yemeni women struggle the most, giving portions to children and family members at the expense of their own nourishment.
5. Poverty in Yemen affects women and girls disproportionately
Women and children make up 80% of Yemen’s displaced population, with women heading 26% of displaced households. In the midst of such upheaval, women and girls are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence, often falling victim to child marriage and human trafficking. Widespread food insecurity and an eroding health care system have led to a severe increase in the maternal mortality rate: one woman dies in childbirth every two hours.
6. Communities are vulnerable to infectious diseases
Both the civil war and COVID-19 have strained Yemen’s already fragile healthcare system. 46% of healthcare facilities across the country are only partially functioning or completely defunct, due to insufficient staff, funding and medical resources. Similarly, large-scale displacement and infrastructure collapse has hampered access to clean water and sanitation facilities, with 9.4 million people in acute need of water, sanitation and hygiene services. As a result, communicable diseases have run rampant, including measles, diphtheria and polio. Yemen is also reporting an unprecedented cholera outbreak. From 2012 to 2021, Yemen reported an estimated 2.5 million cholera cases, with 4,000 cholera-related deaths.
7. Humanitarian aid combats poverty in Yemen
The crisis in Yemen has caught the attention of the international humanitarian community. With 21.6 million Yemenis in need of aid, the UN has designated Yemen the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Despite Houthi attempts to block aid packages, several leading organizations have joined the effort to improve food access, water availability and medical services. For instance, UNICEF is supplying therapeutic food to treat acute malnutrition in children. Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund hopes to allocate $7 million to improve women’s access to reproductive and neonatal care, reaching an estimated 3.9 million people.
A Look Ahead
Though the civil war in Yemen continues to deny the Yemeni population economic security, adequate food supplies and basic health services, there is some chance of peace. In 2022, the UN brokered a ceasefire between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government, which was renewed to extend from April to October 2022. Though the truce has technically expired, a mutual diplomacy has slowed the conflict, allowing back-channel discussions between Saudi and Houthi representatives to continue, albeit slowly. As the negotiations unfold, civilians hope for an escape from hunger, violence and poverty in Yemen.
– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr