Somalia is a country in the Horn of Africa. Despite Somalia’s mostly homogenous cultural identity, political violence has long threatened its efforts toward stability. In 1960, territories from an Italian colony and a former British protectorate combined to form the Somalia Republic. However, not long after the republic’s inception, Mohamed Sian Barre overthrew its popularly elected president to install a socialist dictatorship, reigning until his sudden overthrow in 1991.
Despite U.S.-backed peacekeeping efforts, a bloody civil war would persist for decades, destroying Somalia’s centralized government. In 2012, an African peacekeeping mission deployed troops from neighboring Ethiopia, tentatively restoring a centralized order. However, Somalis still struggle with the far-reaching consequences of war. Among its population of 17 million, nearly 70% live below the poverty line. Children, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden, facing inadequate health care, malnutrition and ongoing conflict that threaten child mortality in Somalia. For every 1,000 births, 62 infants die prematurely and one in eight children die before reaching the age of five. Here are five facts about child mortality in Somalia.
1. Displacement Threatens Somali Families
Despite efforts towards political stability, Islamist terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to both Somalia’s government and its most vulnerable citizens. Al-Shabaab is a faction of Islamic insurgents that has been active since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War. Though primarily concentrated in Somalia, al-Shabaab has been linked to numerous terrorist attacks across East Africa, imperiling civilians and forcing their relocation.
More than 3.8 million Somalis have experienced displacement, often undertaking long journeys with their children. Many children have died along the way, often succumbing to hunger or disease. Displaced children are frequently separated from their families or willingly embark on journeys in search of essential resources or opportunities. Sadly, these children often become vulnerable to maiming, sexual violence or recruitment into military organizations.
2. Armed Forces Recruit Somali Children
In 2020, the United Nations (UN) released a report detailing the prevalence of child soldiers in various Somali military organizations. According to the report, armed groups recruited nearly 1500 children to their respective causes, with some recruits as young as eight years old.
Al-Shabaab emerged as the primary recruiter, while government organizations such as the Somali Police Force were also found to have enlisted child soldiers. According to a similar UN report released in June 2022, approximately 800 children were either killed or maimed due to their association with armed groups. Spurred to action, the Somali government has implemented anti-recruiting tactics, such as screening military personnel and organizing awareness campaigns.
3. Food Crises Increase Child Mortality in Somalia
Somalia is suffering its worst drought in 40 years. Though once agriculturally rich, five failed rainy seasons have severely hindered food production, damaging crops and killing livestock. Similarly, the war in Ukraine has stymied grain imports. The resulting food crisis has particularly endangered Somali children, with more than 1.4 million children likely to suffer from acute malnutrition. Malnourished children experience stunted growth, delayed cognitive development and weakened immune systems. Similarly, malnourished children are 11 times more likely to die of diarrhea or measles than nourished children.
4. Poor Health Care Jeopardizes Somali Newborns
Ongoing conflict and strained infrastructure have crippled the Somali health system, leaving only one-third of health facilities currently operational. This scarcity has limited new and expectant mothers’ access to trained midwives, clean water and proper postnatal care. Similarly, as extremist organizations continue to disrupt civilian life, many mothers face challenges in accessing medical facilities and ensuring proper vaccination for their infants. Unvaccinated children are vulnerable to a host of communicable diseases, including measles, polio and whooping cough. Consequently, four in 100 Somali children do not survive their first month of life.
5. Humanitarian Efforts Combat Child Mortality in Somalia
More than 8.25 million Somalis need humanitarian aid, prompting action from a broad international community. In 2023 alone, the European Union (EU) allocated €85.3 million to improve health care, facilitate cash transfers and implement disaster warning systems. Similarly, to better protect children’s health, UNICEF has partnered with WHO and the Somali government to implement vaccination programs. In offering vaccines primarily to children and other vulnerable populations, UNICEF and its partners aim to promote herd immunity over time.
Looking Ahead
Child mortality in Somalia continues to complicate its attempt toward stability. Vulnerable to routine violence, food shortages and an ailing health care system, Somali children often fail to reach adulthood or even adolescence. Though ongoing conflict has hindered improvements in civil infrastructure and quality of life, a committed international community still works to ensure each child has a chance at life.
– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Child Poverty in the Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago just east of Vietnam, comprising more than 7,000 individual islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is the second most-populated country in Asia, which tourists know as being home to a rich culture and popular cuisine. However, many Filipinos struggle with the consequences of intense wealth disparity within the Southeast Asian country, which has resulted in significant child poverty in the Philippines as well.
Child Poverty in the Philippines
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), child poverty in the Philippines is a pressing issue. UNICEF stated in its report on the Southeast Asian country that children experiencing poverty in the Philippines face “deep-rooted deprivations and vulnerabilities that impede their survival, development, protection and participation.”
Intense wealth disparity, combined with the general instability of the country’s infrastructure, has created an environment where government programs “are not enough to reduce families’ vulnerability” and do not provide enough of a foundation for these vulnerable populations “to protect themselves against risks and losses to their income.” UNICEF explained that poverty exposes children to circumstances that “threaten their survival and growth.” In the Philippines, more than one-third of Filipino children live below the poverty line and face this harsh reality day-to-day.
UNICEF described how those experiencing child poverty in the Philippines “easily end up suffering from poor health and malnutrition,” which harms their potential to thrive as adults. In turn, these factors negatively affect the overall future of the country’s workforce, and generational poverty continues.
Arms of Love International
Because of the high incidence of childhood poverty in the Philippines, humanitarian organizations working to provide aid within the country are more relevant than ever. One of these organizations is Arms of Love International or Arms of Love.
According to the Arms of Love website, Robert Benson founded it in the Philippines in 2001. Benson faced abandonment and abuse as a child and felt moved to provide the essential foundation to succeed that he received from a family that took him in during a time when he needed it most.
Benson described how he felt “the call from God to build homes for abandoned and abused children.” Arms of Love now provides “a home and a loving family for children who desperately need a safe place to live and grow” in the Philippines. The organization’s goal is to provide support now so that in the future, “communities are healthier and stronger.”
The Residential Care Program
Its website also highlighted the organization’s belief that “every child has the right to a home of safety and security.” The harsh reality is that children receiving aid from Arms of Love “share one thing in common- they have nowhere to live and no one to care for them.” Because of this, the organization’s key goal is to provide shelter, support and “a place they may always call home” when these children need it most.
Arms of Love operates two main programs to achieve its goal of alleviating childhood poverty in the Philippines. The first is the Residential Care Program. This program operates through establishing residential homes for “abandoned, abused, and orphaned” on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. Within these homes, children receiving aid from Arms of Love receive “comprehensive care, like education and health care, while living in a family environment with house-parent couples.” This care is in addition to ensuring their most basic needs are satisfied.
The Independent Living Program
Beyond its Residential Care program, Arms of Love also operates the Independent Living Program. The organization wants the children they help to “succeed in life and to ultimately be able to support themselves and have their own healthy family.” With this, the organization works to go beyond just satisfying these children’s most basic needs and seeks “to break the cycle of poverty itself” and “change the legacy” of the families it helps.
With this, its Independent Living Program completes the work that the Residential Care Program started. In this program, Arms of Love “teaches students to be responsible young adults through part-time employment, budget training,” and more to ensure those receiving aid can succeed independently. These students are then set up in independent living situations and provided aid.
Looking Ahead
Child poverty is a deep-rooted issue in the Philippines. Disparity of wealth and socioeconomic pressures are some factors contributing to this issue. Because of this, the work that Arms of Love and similar humanitarian organizations are doing to create sustainable change is much needed within the country.
– Rosemary Wright
Photo: Flickr
How An Internet Connection Can Prevent Poverty in Pakistan
Fortunately, more than 183 million Pakistanis now own smartphones with preloaded internet access. This signifies that a substantial portion of the population can connect to the internet and engage with billions of other users online. Here are 8 reasons why having an internet connection can help reduce poverty in Pakistan.
Education
The benefits of school pupils having internet access include having trackers on their phones, keeping their school informed about their attendance and online schooling for those unable to access education venues in their local areas. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial role of internet connectivity for young Pakistani students. Lack of access left them in isolation, missing out on valuable educational opportunities.
Terrorism
Poverty in Pakistan does have a link to terrorism because those from poverty-stricken areas are more likely to become involved in terrorist organizations. It is widely acknowledged that many terrorist organizations actively utilize the internet, particularly internet chatrooms, to spread their ideology and identify potential recruits. Given that social media serves as a primary platform for social interaction among young internet users, this presents a significant concern.
Given that social media serves as a primary platform for social interaction among young internet users, this presents a significant concern. Fortunately, the Violent Extremism Prevention Unit (VEPU) is dedicated to identifying potentially dangerous accounts and taking prompt action to eliminate them. In 2023, more than 700 potentially dangerous accounts were removed from the web, thus protecting Pakistani users from danger.
Food
Through a combination of education and access to updated knowledge on farming practices, the people of Pakistan can make significant strides in agriculture. A digital avenue facilitating this is the Kisan Card Scheme, a government initiative providing cards to farmers and information on successful productivity to farmers. This program aims to facilitate registered farmers to “get benefits from various government schemes like subsidies, loans, insurance, etc.”
Financial
To help those struggling financially, the World Bank initiated the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to act as a safety net for those struggling with poverty. Through the BISP program, Pakistani people can use their internet connections to perform an online banking interaction, after which funds can be transferred from the World Bank to support them in meeting their essential needs.
Domestic
Women in Pakistan face many issues, such as restricted mobility, limited lifestyle choices and the persistent threat of abuse. In 2013, recognizing the need for a supportive platform, Group Soul Sisters Pakistan was established on the social networking site Facebook. This private group chat serves as a space for women to share their stories and offer mutual support to one another.
Employment
Social networking plays a pivotal role in job or apprenticeship searches and its absence can impede employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Those with internet access can create accounts on platforms such as Rozee or Total Jobs to facilitate the exploration of professions that align with their skills and preferences, thereby enhancing their chances of securing employment.
Medicine
Telemedicine is a concept that can help treat those in poverty-stricken areas rurally. This helps prevent the patients from traveling miles to receive medical attention. As of 2022, telemedicine formats include virtual videos and text messages providing medicinal incite for patients, which are distributed out rurally.
Politics
Access to the internet provides an empowering avenue for the disadvantaged people of Pakistan to voice their concerns and challenge their government. Since the internet became widely available in the ’90s, individuals from various social classes have been able to closely monitor their political leaders, enabling a more engaged and informed citizenry.
– Phoebe Vaughan
Photo: Flickr
Empowering Women: Community Libraries in Rural Asia
Education in Rural Asia
Education in rural Asian communities often faces obstacles like limited resources and gender biases. Community libraries in rural Asia are challenging this by providing accessible educational tools and programs. In rural Bangladesh, for instance, libraries not only provide a diverse selection of books but also host computer training and literacy classes specifically designed for women. These initiatives are pivotal in enhancing women’s abilities to secure better employment and improve their living standards. The resources and learning programs available in these libraries have opened doors for women, offering them a chance to learn new skills and gain knowledge that was previously out of reach.
How Community Libraries are Helping
The transformative power of community libraries in rural India is evident through numerous initiatives aimed at revitalizing these spaces. These libraries have become more than just places for reading; they have become active centers of learning and empowerment for local communities. Through diverse programs such as adult education and digital literacy, women in these areas are acquiring invaluable skills and knowledge. This has not only created new opportunities for personal development and employment but has also played a significant role in the social and economic upliftment of their communities. The success stories emerging from these libraries are a testament to the crucial role they play in fostering a culture of continuous learning and empowerment.
The libraries are also helping to foster a sense of empowerment and community involvement among women. Empowered with newfound skills and knowledge, women are increasingly taking on more active roles within their communities. This shift is gradually altering traditional gender dynamics, allowing for greater gender equality and community development. Women’s empowerment through education can lead to broader social changes, contributing to the overall progress of these rural areas.
Despite their successes, these community libraries face challenges, such as funding constraints and cultural barriers that sometimes hinder women’s participation. However, the future seems hopeful with increased support from nongovernmental organizations and governmental initiatives aimed at expanding educational resources and opportunities in these rural areas.
Looking Ahead
Community libraries in rural Asia are much more than just book lending facilities; they play an important role in shaping the future of women’s education and empowerment in these regions. As they continue to break down barriers and open doors to new opportunities, they pave the way toward a more inclusive and equitable society. The story of these libraries is one of resilience, hope and the transformative power of education.
– Hana Al-Khodairi
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Malnutrition in Burundi
The Challenges
Food insecurity, inadequate health care infrastructure and socioeconomic challenges have long contributed to the cycle of malnutrition among the less privileged in Burundi. The Burundian government has made substantial efforts to change this status quo.
Over the years, the government has made significant efforts to bring the country’s acute malnutrition rates down to 4.8%. Recent plans, which a partnership with UNICEF facilitated, are implementing comprehensive strategies targeting the combat of chronic malnutrition in Burundi through a multisectoral approach.
Vitamin Supplements and Health Advice
UNICEF has backed several government initiatives targeting children and breastfeeding mothers, including a nationwide campaign to increase access to vitamin supplements. In 2023, 1.2 million children aged 4 to 6 received two doses of vitamin A supplements, while 500,000 children under the age of 2 received access to micronutrient powders. The supplements were accompanied by hygiene, sanitation and food care advice handed out to more than 500,000 mothers and caretakers. More than 245,000 women benefited from a targeted service aimed at reducing anemia and malnutrition rates. More than 75,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition received sufficient health care as part of the initiative. This health program aims address and improve chronic malnutrition rates in 2024.
Steering Committee (COPIL) Project
In September 2023, the second Steering Committee met to implement the third phase of a project fighting malnutrition in Burundi’s most vulnerable provinces, including Kayanza, Muyinga and Ngozi. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has invested nine million Swiss francs into the project since December 2021. The initial two phases of the project were effectively executed in Ngozi from 2013 to 2021, resulting in a notable reduction in chronic malnutrition rates among children under the age of 5 in the province. The project’s third phase intends to reduce chronic malnutrition rates to 5% across at least 60% of populations spread across Ngozi, Buye, Kiremba and Gahombo. The committee made adjustments after it examined the successes and failures of the initial phases, with the focus shifting to increasing access to basic sanitation and the production of fortified flour.
WFP Anticipatory Action
Heavy rainfall associated with El Niño in November 2023 triggered flooding, causing internal displacements and contributing to food insecurity among Burundi’s rural population. Given that 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, the country is vulnerable to experiencing a severe shortage of essential food commodities during intense climate disasters.
The World Food Program (WFP), in partnership with the Burundi Red Cross, activated the Anticipatory Action Plan to safeguard the livelihoods of those facing heightened food insecurity caused by the El Niño period. In August, the WFP assisted nearly 7,900 households in constructing resilient structures, including kitchen gardens and small animal breeding facilities, with the aim of enhancing access to nutritional food sources.
An Education and Child Nutrition Program
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated, serves as a global feeding program aimed at assisting more than 31 million children in 48 countries. In 2022, Burundi became the latest participant in the program, gaining 6,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities and 2,000 metric tons of local commodities to assist in school meal provisions. More than 80,000 Burundian children were predicted to benefit from the aid.
While these initiatives demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to battle malnutrition, significant challenges continue to persist. Issues such as persistent poverty, lack of awareness and limited access to health care continue to hinder progress. Therefore, additional evaluation mechanisms must undergo development to ensure the effective implementation of these programs and extend their reach to a larger segment of the population, thereby building upon the progress the country has initiated. The government must continue to focus its efforts on new, modified programs to alleviate the suffering among all men, women and children enduring the effects of chronic malnutrition in Burundi.
– Megha Gupta
Photo: Flickr
5 Innovative Solutions for Global Water and Sanitation Crises
1. Lifestraw
This product enables the conversion of any contaminated water source into clean, safe drinking water. The small, portable filtration device removes about 99% of contaminants, such as bacteria, parasites, chemicals, microplastics and pesticides.
For every 500 LifeStraw products that consumers buy, LifeStraw donates a LifeStraw Community Purifier to a school in need, ensuring safe drinking water for 100 kids for five years. By the end of 2022, the innovative solution had provided safe water to more than 7 million kids and 2,500 schools.
2. Peepoo Bag
The Peepoo bag is a portable, self-sanitizing and biodegradable toilet. It comprises a thin film for people to use in the absence of clean facilities. The bag includes a layer of urea that helps sanitize and break down human waste into fertilizer that individuals can then use for up to a month.
Previous studies of the Peepoo bag in Bangladesh and Kenya found the product to be especially useful to women and children due to its usefulness in situations when it was difficult to leave the house. Mothers with access to the bag also report their children were sick less often. Almost 90% of users in the study said the bag was better than their normal sanitation practices.
3. Bottle Bright
Bottle Bright, the company, offers all-natural, biodegradable cleaning tablets designed for thorough cleaning of drinking containers. These tablets use effervescent technology, enabling foaming and dissolving in water without the need for chlorine or harsh chemicals.
With each Bottle Bright package sale, the company commits to donating an equal amount of tablets to people in developing countries facing challenges in transporting water and maintaining cleanliness. Bottle Bright has distributed more than 60,000 tablets to developing communities to date.
4. Waterstep Bleachmaker
The BleachMaker utilizes electrolysis to purify large quantities of drinking water quickly, producing chlorine through the combination of salt, water and electricity to effectively eliminate harmful bacteria. The portable device can produce up to five liters of bleach every hour, providing quantities that can be used for water disinfection and medical sanitation.
In 2022, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Governments of Japan and Malawi worked together to install BleachMakers in 46 hospitals and health facilities across Malawi, empowering “public institutions to locally produce chlorine bleach more cheaply within the convenience of their facilities’ budgets.”
5. Everly
Through the creation of flavored drink mixes with clean ingredients and crucial electrolytes, Everly demonstrates a commitment to ending dehydration and waterborne diseases. For every pouch of Everly drink mix sold, the company donates a pouch of rehydration salts to ColaLife, a nonprofit committed to improving access to essential medicines and health products in developing countries.
ColaLife gained attention for its innovative approach to utilizing the existing networks of companies like Coca-Cola to distribute health products. Specifically, they focus on oral rehydration salts and zinc supplements, which are vital in treating dehydration caused by diarrhea, a leading cause of child mortality in many developing regions.
Through Everly’s commitment to partnering with ColaLife, more than 1.5 million packets of rehydration salts have been donated to help mothers and their children in countries like Zambia gain access to life-saving nutrients.
The Importance of These Innovative Solutions
These innovative solutions for global water and sanitation crises are advantageous in that they are non-infrastructure solutions, meaning they can be implemented to help people in developing areas without political support or pushback.
While implementing policy and investments that safeguard necessary human health needs is the key to long-lasting progress in developing communities, these technological innovations are evidence of convenient, immediate opportunities for positive change.
– Bella Simokaitis
Photo: Flickr
How the Tourism Boom in Cambodia Has Impacted Urban Poverty
The Economic Impact
In the first seven months of 2023, Cambodia welcomed 409% more international visitors, a significant growth compared to the same period in 2022. The tourism boom in Cambodia has caused a significant economic boost in the urban centers, particularly in cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. The rise in tourist arrivals has led to a surge in demand for services, creating employment opportunities in many sectors, such as hospitality, transportation and retail.
Employment Opportunities
One of the most visible impacts of the tourism boom in Cambodia is the increase in job opportunities. Specifically, the hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants and tour guides, has experienced significant growth, providing jobs for a large portion of the urban workforce. Due to the growth of this sector, there was an increased demand for specialized training. In 2023, the Ministry of Tourism responded by providing hospitality training to approximately 4,106 young people from economically disadvantaged families. These trainings took place across 10 Cambodian provinces and helped to strengthen the hospitality sector.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Beyond traditional employment, the tourism boom in Cambodia has spurred entrepreneurial activities. Many individuals have taken the opportunity to establish small businesses catering to the needs and preferences of tourists. In fact, in the first 11 months of 2023, the Ministry of Commerce recorded 11,056 new businesses. This number showed an increase of about 15% in new businesses compared to the previous year.
Infrastructure Development
Recognizing the potential of tourism as a cause of economic growth, the Cambodian government has invested significantly in infrastructure development. Remote communities, previously isolated due to inefficient transportation networks, are now much better connected. As a result, economic development is fostered with new markets for local products and creating trade opportunities.
Community Development
The positive impact of the tourism boom in Cambodia goes far beyond the economic realm, benefitting community development and social welfare. As tourism revenue flows into the country, the Cambodian government and local authorities have increasingly directed these profits toward needed services, such as education and health care.
Tourism revenue has been channeled into building schools, providing scholarships and improving educational infrastructure. Similarly, the health care sector has received much-needed attention. Medical facilities in regions with a high influx of tourists have been enhanced, ensuring that both local residents and visitors have access to quality health care services.
Overall, the boom in Cambodia tourism has generated a large profit. This revenue has helped create new job opportunities, enhance infrastructure and improve the quality of life for impoverished communities in the country.
– Trisha Borde
Photo: Flickr
SAP Launches Educate to Employ Initiative in South Africa
Unemployment in South Africa
Although South Africa the most industrialized country in Africa, it ranks among countries with the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, with a reported 51.25% of its youth facing unemployment. According to the Republic of South Africa’s Quarterly Labor Force Survey in 2023, individuals aged 15 to 34 experience particularly high levels of unemployment. Notably, 60% of those between 15 and 24 years old are without employment and around 34% of young people in this age group are not engaged in employment, education or training.
How SAP is Helping
SAP will work towards granting equal opportunities for “underrepresented individuals, including minorities from diverse ethnic backgrounds, women, differently abled individuals, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged.” It will select about 100 applicants from a pool of 18,000 across the continent. The selected individuals will undergo remote training over a six to 12-month period.
The SAP Student Zone Portal allows students to learn about the latest SAP solutions for free. “The curriculum also encompasses employability skills, technology in the workplace, business foundation knowledge, SAP foundational knowledge and SAP skills certification.” Upon completion of the course, they will have the opportunity to secure various IT internships in departments such as consulting, development, analysis and support within the SAP ecosystem.
Businesses alone cannot close the age gap in the workforce. According to a study that the National Research Foundation conducted, “the education system fails to adequately provide youth with even basic skills, such as literacy and numeracy, that employers require.” Studies show that although multiple factors are at play when it comes to youth’s access to the job market, they mainly suggest interventions that can address and offer “skills, social capital and information gaps that young people face.”
Focus on Socio-emotional Skills
Programs like this initiative focus on socio-emotional skills, also referred to as “soft skills.” These skills include emotional intelligence, problem-solving and critical thinking. Businesses that participate in programs like Educate to Employ will also have the opportunity to gain access to certified and diverse talent and help “bridge the demand and supply gap for SAP skills and accelerate digital transformation within their respective countries through a digitally skilled workforce.”
“We welcome SAP’s continued investment into skills development for the youth and extend our congratulations to UNICEF and SAP on their partnership. The South African government is encouraged by the initiative and we look forward to supporting efforts to scale the SAP Educate to Employ initiative,” expressed Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, at an event that showcased the SAP Educate to Employ initiative in Johannesburg.
Eugene Ho, the Global Corporate Social Responsibility Director for Future Skills at SAP, said the company is not focusing on bridging the gap between education and the world but rather finding a solution “to global unemployment, increasing the competitiveness of economies and enhancing their attractiveness to investors, all of which are essential for growth.”
– Noura Dakka
Photo: Flickr
Eliminating Gender-Based Violence in Uganda
Angela Muhindo
Angela Muhindo, a resident of Kasese District in Western Uganda, has had a physical disability since childhood, exacerbating the gender-based violence and exclusion she has faced throughout her life. In her community and many others, this is simply the norm and these same women and girls face much difficulty accessing proper health care, education and employment. Without income and land, they are even more vulnerable to exploitation. Being female and having a disability makes one “two to three times more likely than other women to experience violence.”
After Muhindo inherited her mother’s land, her uncles attempted to steal the land from her with force, believing that as a woman with a disability, she had no right to the land. To better understand her rights, she attended a Spotlight Initiative-supported training course that the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU) ran through UN Women, where she learned about inheritance rights and realized that she had legal rights to the land. With this information, she stood up to her relatives and fought for what was rightfully hers. She now lives on her land, speaks about gender-based violence in Uganda and advocates for those living with disabilities on a local radio station.
Timothy Mbene Masereka
Timothy Mbene Masereka, a village health team member in Kasese District, Western Uganda, treated community members with various illnesses. However, he felt helpless in one major health issue he witnessed over and over again: violence against women and girls, especially during his house calls. Acknowledging the predominantly male-centric nature of his community, he grappled with a deficiency in the expertise required to address this pervasive problem in a locality where discussions about gender-based violence were deemed taboo and shameful. In Uganda, 95% of women and girls experience some kind of gender-based violence after the age of 15.
Masereka attended Spotlight Initiative training sessions where he learned how to talk to men and boys about such violence, teaching them to be part of the solution and not the problem. He learned how to coach couples in resolving disputes using conversation and how to identify and support women experiencing violence, finding ways to remove them from such situations.
Lilian Nakayingo, Chantal Mukeshimana and Marcyline
Lillian Nakayingo, Chantal Mukeshimana and Marcyline, all living in Kasese District, Western Uganda, have escaped violence and become activists in their community. They all attended Spotlight Initiative-supported training courses, which equipped them with the knowledge they needed to help themselves and other women in their community. Their efforts, combined with many others, will continue the civil society efforts and create this sustainable and transformative change in ending gender-based violence in Uganda and other low-income and middle-income countries.
Other Impacts of the Initiative
One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence and in Uganda, nearly every woman or girl will experience gender-based violence at some point. However, these small and large targeted efforts made by activists worldwide and Spotlight Initiative’s global reference groups are creating transformative and sustainable change to bring an end to one of the most pervasive issues in human rights today.
The program has also supported the change in legislation that advantaged male children in inheritance and land issues. With its support, the Ugandan Parliament passed the Succession (Amendment) Bill in March 2021, formally recognizing women’s rights in owning land. Additional efforts that the initiative has made include supporting the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) to advocate for an end to discriminatory policies preventing pregnant women and girls from their right to education. Spotlight Initiative’s dedication to the “Leaving No One Behind” principle and their dedication to representing groups in other intersecting forms of discrimination sets them apart, creating a positive impact in developing nations and ending gender-based violence.
– Aadya Deepak
Photo: Flickr
Mobile Money for Remittances
Although this level of mobile access has been rapidly growing in Sub-Saharan Africa, the trend does not apply to financial services. As of 2021, only 40% of adults had a bank account, with banks being located predominantly in cities. The wake of mobile money has transformed the financial landscape and has allowed for financial inclusion for the most impoverished. In particular, mobile money for remittances is removing obstacles to remittance aid.
Costly Financial Transactions
Transferring money to and within Africa poses several challenges.
For those living in rural communities, money transfers are almost always cash-based and require either in-person delivery or an intermediary, such as bus drivers. These processes are time-consuming, often costly and involve high levels of risk.
Essentially, many African migrants sending money (known as remittances) home to their families face significant challenges. Even if they themselves have access to mobile money for remittances, transferring them is extremely costly. The cost of sending money to some African countries is as high as 20% of the transferred amount. To avoid paying such high fees, migrants often resort to more informal means, thus exposing themselves to theft or fraud. This often results in them losing money to fraud or transactional costs, and their intended recipients never receiving the hard-earned money.
Establishing a stable system and lowering the cost of sending remittances to Africa is of even greater concern when considering its significance as an aid source for African families. As of 2022, remittance flows to Africa stood at $100 billion. It therefore accounts for more financial aid than either Official Development Assistance (ODA) or Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
It is therefore evident that the costs of financial transactions are hampering Africa’s growth.
Mobilizing Money
A recent study by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the U.K. government has cited that “it is possible that mobile money opens the door to structural change and economic development.” The study took place in Mozambique and focused on rural households since most poverty in Africa is in rural areas.
By closely monitoring the process of introducing mobile money to an area that had previously only operated on a cash basis, the study yields significant findings. The findings focus on how mobile money could increase migration and therefore is likely to drive urbanization.
Moreover, improving mobile money for remittances is key to the process of empowering individual households. By increasing the stability and safety of such platforms, and closely managing these services, financial transactions have the potential to become cheaper and easier for those sending money back to their families.
The FCDO report also finds that having the stability of mobile money access, there is a higher probability of a migrant emerging from the household, and thus of receiving remittances. It concludes, “the expansion of mobile money services should be a priority for policy.”
Multiplying the Effects of ODA
The FCDO’s research into this topic is promising as an area of government interest. In the most recent White Paper for International Development, the U.K. Foreign Office stated that ODA budgets strategically “unlock larger volumes from other sources.” Investing in lowering the cost of using financial services can decrease obstacles for migrants who are using mobile money for remittances and sending money to their households. It is, therefore, one such source of multiplying the effect of ODA spending and grants households in Africa the autonomy to achieve financial stability and rise out of poverty.
– Luke Gouldson
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
5 Facts About Child Mortality in Somalia
Despite U.S.-backed peacekeeping efforts, a bloody civil war would persist for decades, destroying Somalia’s centralized government. In 2012, an African peacekeeping mission deployed troops from neighboring Ethiopia, tentatively restoring a centralized order. However, Somalis still struggle with the far-reaching consequences of war. Among its population of 17 million, nearly 70% live below the poverty line. Children, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden, facing inadequate health care, malnutrition and ongoing conflict that threaten child mortality in Somalia. For every 1,000 births, 62 infants die prematurely and one in eight children die before reaching the age of five. Here are five facts about child mortality in Somalia.
1. Displacement Threatens Somali Families
Despite efforts towards political stability, Islamist terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to both Somalia’s government and its most vulnerable citizens. Al-Shabaab is a faction of Islamic insurgents that has been active since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War. Though primarily concentrated in Somalia, al-Shabaab has been linked to numerous terrorist attacks across East Africa, imperiling civilians and forcing their relocation.
More than 3.8 million Somalis have experienced displacement, often undertaking long journeys with their children. Many children have died along the way, often succumbing to hunger or disease. Displaced children are frequently separated from their families or willingly embark on journeys in search of essential resources or opportunities. Sadly, these children often become vulnerable to maiming, sexual violence or recruitment into military organizations.
2. Armed Forces Recruit Somali Children
In 2020, the United Nations (UN) released a report detailing the prevalence of child soldiers in various Somali military organizations. According to the report, armed groups recruited nearly 1500 children to their respective causes, with some recruits as young as eight years old.
Al-Shabaab emerged as the primary recruiter, while government organizations such as the Somali Police Force were also found to have enlisted child soldiers. According to a similar UN report released in June 2022, approximately 800 children were either killed or maimed due to their association with armed groups. Spurred to action, the Somali government has implemented anti-recruiting tactics, such as screening military personnel and organizing awareness campaigns.
3. Food Crises Increase Child Mortality in Somalia
Somalia is suffering its worst drought in 40 years. Though once agriculturally rich, five failed rainy seasons have severely hindered food production, damaging crops and killing livestock. Similarly, the war in Ukraine has stymied grain imports. The resulting food crisis has particularly endangered Somali children, with more than 1.4 million children likely to suffer from acute malnutrition. Malnourished children experience stunted growth, delayed cognitive development and weakened immune systems. Similarly, malnourished children are 11 times more likely to die of diarrhea or measles than nourished children.
4. Poor Health Care Jeopardizes Somali Newborns
Ongoing conflict and strained infrastructure have crippled the Somali health system, leaving only one-third of health facilities currently operational. This scarcity has limited new and expectant mothers’ access to trained midwives, clean water and proper postnatal care. Similarly, as extremist organizations continue to disrupt civilian life, many mothers face challenges in accessing medical facilities and ensuring proper vaccination for their infants. Unvaccinated children are vulnerable to a host of communicable diseases, including measles, polio and whooping cough. Consequently, four in 100 Somali children do not survive their first month of life.
5. Humanitarian Efforts Combat Child Mortality in Somalia
More than 8.25 million Somalis need humanitarian aid, prompting action from a broad international community. In 2023 alone, the European Union (EU) allocated €85.3 million to improve health care, facilitate cash transfers and implement disaster warning systems. Similarly, to better protect children’s health, UNICEF has partnered with WHO and the Somali government to implement vaccination programs. In offering vaccines primarily to children and other vulnerable populations, UNICEF and its partners aim to promote herd immunity over time.
Looking Ahead
Child mortality in Somalia continues to complicate its attempt toward stability. Vulnerable to routine violence, food shortages and an ailing health care system, Somali children often fail to reach adulthood or even adolescence. Though ongoing conflict has hindered improvements in civil infrastructure and quality of life, a committed international community still works to ensure each child has a chance at life.
– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr