After the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, the country was left with fractured public institutions such as the higher education system. The power vacuum gave rise to clan-based militias, violence and an absence of an effective national government. In the wake of this upheaval, universities closed, lecturers left the country and thousands of Somalis lost the opportunity to pursue a higher education. However, more than 30 years later, despite ongoing challenges, higher education in Somalia looks very different. Private and public universities have opened, new institutions have emerged and international organizations have invested thousands into the futures of young Somalis to help rebuild the country. Below are three key ways that higher education in Somalia has transformed since 1991.
Private Universities Emerged
To address the absence of a higher education system, Somali educators, business leaders and community organizations established private universities to meet the country’s urgent educational needs. Universities like Mogadishu University, Indian Ocean University and SIMAD University were established during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and collectively they helped provide opportunities to thousands of students at a time when the government could not. They were instrumental in training much of the country’s post 1991 professional workforce and laid important foundations for the recovery of higher education in Somalia.
However, while they addressed an important gap, people still had challenges accessing university. For many Somali families living in poverty – something which worsened in the aftermath of the civil war – education expenses like the high tuition fees associated with private universities left significant barriers to enrollment. Private universities provided important opportunities for the students who could afford to attend, but their expansion did not fully address the financial barriers that faced many Somalis. What they did do for these students, however, was highlight the need for more affordable and state-supported alternatives.
Today, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education regulates universities and has continued its efforts to create a state-supported system of higher education in Somalia, but in the immediate years following 1991, private universities that developed were undoubtedly the backbone of Somalia’s higher education system for those who could afford to benefit.
Somali National University Reopens
One of the biggest milestones for higher education in Somalia was the re-opening of Somali National University (SNU) after more than two decades. During the civil war, the campus suffered extensive damage with many buildings destroyed or abandoned, and in 2007, the African Union Mission occupied the site and turned it into a military base. In 2017, however, the campus was officially returned to the Somali government, allowing plans for rehabilitation to begin, and the start of a state governed higher education system. This was a historic moment, as though private universities had filled an important gap, the re-establishment of SNU symbolized that the government was once again capable of providing a public service.
Since gaining back the site, continued improvements to the campus have reinforced higher education in Somalia. In April 2026, for example, the government launched the reconstruction of the Gaheyr Center, which aims to improve infrastructure and student services. Phase one of the reconstruction plan includes rebuilding the perimeter wall, followed by the construction of new academic buildings, laboratories, student facilities and modern administrative infrastructure. This will strengthen the university’s research and teaching capabilities, and serves further as a demonstration of stability and hope for young people in Somalia seeking higher education in the wake of a devastating conflict.
International Aid Expands
Alongside work done by people in the country, international donors have become key partners in rebuilding higher education in Somalia, particularly with helping bridge the gap between university attendance and poverty in the nation.
International scholarships have helped address the financial barriers that prevent many Somali students from accessing higher education. For students from low-income families, the costs of tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses can make study impossible without financial support, and this is where the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has stepped in.
As one of the IsDB’s classified “Least Developed Member Countries,” students in Somalia are eligible for scholarships that help to fund undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees and PhD programs. In 2024, 474 scholarships were awarded across member countries like Somalia and the money covered tuition, living costs, health insurance and travel costs where applicable. This has allowed many Somali students to pursue advanced degrees abroad, and return home with expertise in high demand fields like medicine, engineering and education, areas that will be key in the economic development of Somalia.
International organizations have also contributed to reducing gender disparities in university enrollment. Women and girls in Somalia have historically been at a disadvantage when trying to receive an education, but in 2022, the World Bank Group sought to change this by committing an additional $52 million to the Rajo Kaaba project.
This donation helped to expand access to education and skills training for 30,000 women and girls in Somalia, and though not directly linked to universities, the project helps strengthen the pipeline into higher education for women by funding skills training, improving access to postsecondary education and supporting childcare services so that young mothers can continue to study.
Looking Ahead
Higher education in Somalia has come a long way since 1991, indeed the World Bank Group reports that today, Somalia has more than 100 higher education institutions, far more than existed before the civil war. What was once a sector devastated by conflict has become a strong sign of the country’s resilience and recovery.
Though improvements have occurred, prolonged investment from the Somali government and international donors will be key to addressing challenges that still remain, including graduate unemployment, limited funding and continued unequal access to university for those in poverty and for women and girls.
As Somalia continues to rebuild its nation, universities are not only educating students, but they are also training the teachers, doctors, engineers and public servants who will shape Somalia’s future.
– Amber Bannon
Amber is based in High Wycombe, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Gender Wage Gap in the Marshall Islands
About the Gender Wage Gap in the Marshall Islands
The gender wage gap is most evident when looking at the facts. Women working in similar occupations earn about 14% less per year than men. This is due to various factors: limited workplace protections, limited education and high unemployment rates among women. Many of these disparities are rooted in traditional social structures.
The Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands helps protect traditions and customs, granting protection to laws that contribute to discrimination against women. While women still inherit the land, discrimination against women is still present in various ways.
Traditional customs do not grant women chiefly positions; consequently, only 12 women serve on the Council of Iroji. Although it is not prohibited, the council has just started to promote it.
Additionally, women have the highest unemployment rate compared to men; in part, this is due to the low labor force that women comprise, but it’s also due to the lack of opportunities. When employers hire women for paid employment, they often receive fewer hours than men.
How the Marshall Islands Is Addressing the Gender Wage Gap
The government has recently begun implementing solutions to bridge the gender wage gap. While these initial efforts represent an important step forward, further policies and reforms are needed to achieve meaningful progress. The following section outlines three key solutions that could help reduce the gender wage gap in the Marshall Islands.
1. Strengthening the Gender Equality Act
Since 2019, the Gender Equality Act in place in the Marshall Islands, making this part of national law. However, due to traditions, what the act represents tends to clash with cultural values.
The Marshall Islands government has begun taking steps to strengthen nationwide implementation of the Gender Equality Act. Expanding enforcement mechanisms and ensuring employers comply with the legislation could further reduce gender discrimination in employment by requiring equal treatment between men and women and equal pay.
2. Ratify the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention No.100
The ILO Equal Remuneration Convention is an international treaty adopted by the International Labor Organization (ILO). It is an agreement in which countries commit to meeting international standards on equal pay for work of equal value.
Although the Marshall Islands has not yet ratified the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention No. 100, doing so would build on its existing commitment to gender equality by bridging domestic and international law through the alignment of domestic legislation with international labor standards.
Ratifying the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention would strengthen the Marshall Islands’ commitment to internationally recognized standards of equal pay and encourage further reforms to continue to reduce the gender wage gap in the Marshall Islands.
3. Strengthening Workplace Protection
The Marshall Islands has already begun addressing gender inequality through legal reforms. In 2022, the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law report identified development opportunities, stating that “When it comes to laws affecting women’s decisions to work, laws affecting women’s work after having children, gender differences in property and inheritance, and laws affecting the size of a woman’s pension, the Marshall Islands could consider reforms to improve legal equality for women.”
The World Bank recommends workplace protections such as maternity protection, paid parental leave, protection from discrimination and harassment and improvement in working conditions.
These policies help women not only remain in the workforce but also progress into higher-paying roles, which would increase the number of women in high-paying positions by reducing career interruptions that contribute to the gender wage gap in the Marshall Islands.
Looking Ahead
While the gender wage gap remains a persistent challenge in the Marshall Islands, a combination of policies and targeted initiatives could help reduce inequality. The country’s recent efforts to strengthen gender equality represent promising first steps toward more equitable economic opportunities for women.
– Clara Iglesias Romero
Photo: Unsplash
Tackling Superbugs: Nanotechnology in India and Brazil
The economic effects may cause significant losses globally. As the World Bank reported, by 2050 AMR is expected to lower the global gross domestic product (GDP) by around 3.8% annually, with 28 million people potentially slipping into poverty.
In biotechnology, nanotechnology promises new avenues for tackling superbugs in high-risk countries such as Brazil and India. By specifically targeting infections, nanoparticles can bypass resistance. This approach can reduce medication costs for low-income populations, positively affecting economic development.
Health Crisis in India and Brazil
India and Brazil are among the G20 countries with the highest proportion of people living below the extreme poverty line. Antibiotic resistance is disproportionately high among these populations. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, antibiotic resistance in India has caused 300,000 deaths annually since 1990, placing the country among those with the highest numbers.
In Brazil, approximately 32,000 deaths each year are attributed to antibiotic resistance, the highest rate among Latin American countries. The situation in both countries places enormous strain on their health care systems. Experts believe antibiotic resistance could trigger a serious health crisis, accompanied by rising public costs and a decline in GDP. For Brazil, the World Bank estimated a loss of 4.4% to 5.1%.
Poor hygiene standards, high settlement density, particularly in slums, contaminated water, and a lack of access to adequate medical care and infrastructure put people living in poverty at a higher risk of developing antibiotic resistance than those with higher incomes.
The situation worsens with the misuse of antibiotics. Individuals from low-income groups often take underdosed medications due to financial difficulties. Additionally, they share drugs with family or neighbors, resulting in insufficient doses. This allows stronger bacteria to survive and multiply with more resistance.
Furthermore, regulations in many regions encourage the misuse of antibiotics. Vendors often sell these medications over the counter as substandard or counterfeit products. This market promotes the growth of resistant bacteria and accelerates their spread.
Nanotechnology in India and Brazil
To counter the threat of antibiotic resistance in Brazil and India, cost-effective nanoparticles may provide promising solutions. Materials are used on a very small scale, allowing them to develop unique properties. Nanotechnology is used either as an antibiotic itself or as a carrier for antimicrobial agents to combat infections more effectively.
Nanoparticles, classified into metallic, organic, carbon-based, and hybrid systems, can bypass mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Their mode of action resembles a Trojan horse: transporting and protecting the antibiotic, they smuggle the active ingredient into the infected cell. Additionally, they can destroy biofilms, slime layers formed by resistant bacteria, penetrating the pathogen and damaging its proteins, enzymes and DNA.
Although India and Brazil lead in nanoparticle research, they face challenges in implementing nanotechnology to tackle superbugs in their health care systems. Besides concerns about environmental and biological risks, which require further research, developing countries face financial hurdles. Insufficient production capacity, supply chain difficulties and regulatory barriers hinder the fight against antibiotic resistance, trapping people below the poverty line in a cycle of illness and financial hardship.
Research and Development of Nanotechnology
Nonprofit organizations such as the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH) aim to tackle superbugs by providing financial support to biotech startups and fostering scientific collaboration. For example, the startup Module Innovations developed an ultra-fast diagnostic method using “Size Dependent Signal Amplification of Nanoparticles” (SDSAN). This method can detect urinary tract infections within 15 minutes. Over the next five years, the India AMR Innovation Hub plans to move 10 to 15 biotechnology projects, including nanotechnology initiatives, from the laboratory stage to the development phase.
The Brazilian National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LNNano) provides facilities and technical and scientific support for research into the effects of nanomaterials on biological systems and the environment. The development of nano-based drug delivery systems and nanoparticles with modified surfaces makes the fight against drug-resistant bacteria 10 times more effective.
Looking Ahead
To reduce the negative global impacts of antibiotic resistance in heavily affected countries such as India and Brazil, international development aid and policy initiatives are crucial for improving the health of people living in extreme poverty. By promoting the development of appropriate infrastructure for production and distribution and supporting governments in establishing regulatory frameworks, nanotechnologies in India’s and Brazil’s health care systems could create millions of jobs worldwide and boost global GDP. Moreover, millions of lives can be saved.
– Oliwia Kowalak
Photo: Pixabay
How Biofortified Beans in Rwanda Are Fighting Hidden Hunger
One of the most common nutrient deficiencies is iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, fatigue, impaired cognitive development and reduced productivity. To address this issue, researchers, government agencies and international organizations have introduced biofortified beans in Rwanda, a nutrition-focused agricultural innovation that is helping improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
What Are Biofortified Beans?
Biofortification is the practice of boosting crops’ nutritional content through traditional plant breeding. Biofortified crops are created by choosing and developing plants that naturally contain increased quantities of nutrients, in contrast to genetically engineered crops. Scientists developed iron-rich bean varieties that contain approximately 40% to 60% more iron than conventional beans while maintaining the taste and cooking qualities consumers prefer.
As beans are already one of Rwanda’s most widely consumed staple foods, they are a good candidate for biofortification. Improving the nutritional value of a food that people already eat regularly allows families to increase their iron intake without changing their diets. When consumed consistently, iron-biofortified beans can provide up to 80% of the daily iron requirements for women and children, making them one of the most effective food-based approaches to reducing iron deficiency, according to HarvestPlus. Biofortification provides a workable solution to lower iron deficiency without necessitating significant dietary adjustments by increasing the nutritional content of a frequently consumed item.
Why Iron Deficiency Matters in Rwanda
One of the main causes of anemia in the world is iron deficiency, which has serious health impacts. In Rwanda, anemia remains a widespread public health concern, affecting about 37% of children under 5 and 20% of women of reproductive age, according to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. In addition to promoting healthy pregnancies and child development, these advancements can help people perform better at work and in school.
Regular consumption of iron-rich beans has been shown to improve iron status, memory and attention among women of reproductive age. Studies supported by HarvestPlus also found that women who regularly consumed iron beans experienced significant improvements in iron status and cognitive performance, demonstrating measurable health benefits beyond improved nutrition.
Increasing the iron content of beans, which are already widely consumed across Rwanda, offers an affordable approach that benefits both rural and urban populations. Families can obtain additional nutrients from crops they already grow and eat instead of relying solely on supplements or commercially fortified foods.
Expanding Access Through Partnerships
The Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), HarvestPlus and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) collaborated to develop and distribute iron-rich bean varieties across Rwanda.
According to HarvestPlus, partners have concentrated on bolstering seed systems, educating farmers and establishing dependable markets for iron beans. By 2018, more than 420,000 smallholder farming households were growing iron beans, while approximately 1.8 million people consumed them regularly. The partnership also trained more than 1,000 agricultural extension workers and 5,000 lead farmers to support cultivation and community awareness.
These collaborations have made it possible for farmers to not only obtain better seeds but also understand the financial and nutritional value of cultivating the crop. Although expanding access to improved seeds and educating farmers requires continued investment, Rwanda’s success demonstrates that biofortification can be effectively scaled through strong partnerships and government support.
Benefits for Farmers and Families
The benefits of biofortified beans in Rwanda go beyond their nutritional value. In addition to improving nutrition, farmers have widely adopted iron-rich bean varieties because they often produce higher yields than conventional beans. According to HarvestPlus, some iron bean varieties increase yields by 17% to 22%, giving agricultural households more chances to make money.
Additionally, the beans have qualities that farmers find appealing, such as resistance to disease, drought tolerance and difficult growing circumstances. Families may increase food security and make extra money from surplus sales when productivity is higher.
Improved nutrition can also help children do better in school and lower health-related costs. These combined advantages show how agricultural innovation may enhance public health and reduce poverty.
A Solution for the Future
The ongoing expansion of these beans serves as an example of how straightforward agricultural fixes may assist in resolving difficult development issues. Iron-rich beans are now a viable tool for battling hidden hunger due to strong government funding, continuous research and collaborations with organizations like HarvestPlus and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
As more countries search for affordable and sustainable ways to combat malnutrition, Rwanda’s success demonstrates that improving the nutritional qualities of staple crops can have lasting impacts on both public health and economic development. By combining scientific innovation with strong partnerships and farmer participation, biofortified beans in Rwanda are helping thousands of Rwandan families build healthier and more secure futures.
– Avery Hoadley
Photo: Unsplash
The Exploitation of Agricoltural Refugee Labor in Italy
Thousands of refugees arrive in Italy every year, hoping for safety and economic stability, only to struggle against poverty, insecure employment, and exploitation. Many flee conflict, persecution, or extreme poverty in their countries, only to find themselves trapped in another cycle of deprivation in Europe. Without legal documents, stable housing, and access to regular employment, refugees are particularly vulnerable to abuse in sectors such as agriculture.
How Poverty Fuels Refugee Labor Exploitation
Agriculture is one of the sectors where the exploitation of refugee labor in Italy is most widespread due to the phenomenon known as Caporalato. This illegal system relies on intermediaries, known as caporali, who recruit vulnerable workers for farms while charging illegal fees, withholding wages, threatening workers, or exposing them to unsafe conditions.
Refugees and undocumented migrants often accept these conditions because they have few alternatives. Without residence permits or formal employment contracts, they are excluded from labor protections, health care, and social security. Fear of deportation or losing future opportunities to regularize their status discourages many workers from reporting abuse.
This exploitation reinforces global poverty rather than reducing it. Refugees seeking better economic opportunities often remain trapped in low-paid informal work, making it difficult to escape poverty, support their families, or build long-term stability. The result is a cycle in which vulnerability continues across borders.
Organizations Mobilizing for Migrants’ Rights
The situation of refugees is challenging, but some organizations work to improve their conditions and offer solutions to break the poverty cycle.
SIPLA (Integrated Protection System for Agricultural Workers) focuses on protecting migrants from Caporalato in Italy. It is divided into SIPLA North and SIPLA South to address slightly different needs. SIPLA operates locally, creating projects for assistance and training on workers’ rights, and nationally by promoting agreements with companies and large-scale distribution.
By the end of 2022, the Sipla North project reached 1,829 agricultural workers, opened 45 new help desks to assist migrants, and employed over 100 workers to assist exploited refugees. The project fostered collaboration between organizations with the same objective of ensuring respect for agricultural workers.
MILMAT, co-founded by the European Union, promotes labor and social integration on farms and ensures workers’ rights. The project fosters knowledge of rights and promotes the recruitment and respect of migrants. It also creates channels of communication between employers and workers to control discrimination and ensure commitment to work.
Government Action Against Exploitation
Italy has promoted the Decree Primo Maggio to address labor exploitation. Recent government initiatives include regulations aimed at combating digital forms of Caporalato, increasing transparency in recruitment processes, and simplifying access to legal work permits through digital platforms.
Although these reforms alone cannot eliminate exploitation, they represent important steps toward improving oversight and making legal employment more accessible for migrant workers.
– Ilaria Alberti
Photo: Unsplash
Solar-Powered Water Solutions in Djibouti Provide Clean Water
Droughts in Djibouti lead to displacement and food insecurity. Poor Djiboutians already have little access to clean water and food, and droughts exacerbate these struggles, especially in rural areas (pp. 1, 3). More than 80% of those in urban areas have access to clean drinking water, while that portion is less than 50% in rural areas. However, recent developments in solar-powered water solutions have the potential to provide dependable, clean water to many regions.
Innovative Desalination Technology
Lake Ghoubet and Lake Holhol are two prominent examples of solar-powered water solutions in Djibouti. After experimentation, the solar-powered desalination plant at Lake Ghoubet proved much more effective than the solar-powered water pump at Lake Holhol. Arid land makes it difficult to pull water from the ground, and it is more efficient and effective to use solar power to desalinate abundant seawater.
In less than a year, the solar-powered desalination plant at Lake Ghoubet produced 10 million liters of fresh water, enough to meet basic needs in a small area.
Romain Sormani, director of Impact Water Solutions, said, “We are particularly proud of the success of this impact project, which on its own meets no less than five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” a reflection on the potential that this technology has in improving the lives of those struggling with access to clean water.
Impact Water Solutions continues to focus on communities with limited support to create sustainable water purification systems to alleviate issues with access to water in Djibouti.
Benefits of Solar-Powered Water Solutions in Djibouti
Solar-powered desalination offers several benefits for Djibouti, including:
Droughts are a significant factor of poverty in Djibouti. They cause crop shortages so severe that Djibouti has to import 90% of its food from other countries. Furthermore, market fluctuations in foreign countries, over which Djibouti has no control, mean that the prices of imported food change unpredictably.
However, solar-powered desalination provides clean water for Djiboutians without much dependence on international markets to provide food and water, turning Djibouti into a more independent and stable society.
Funding and Chinese Involvement
UNICEF and the Chinese government have partnered to execute a project to create water purification facilities in Djibouti, which they expect to benefit more than 120,000 people in rural and peri-urban areas of Djibouti.
The project will produce dependable and safe water resources for Djibouti, especially those in rural areas, who suffer most from water scarcity. UNICEF will train local people to maintain facilities to allow Djibouti to remain independent and self-sufficient after the project finishes in 2028.
Looking Forward
Nascent efforts demonstrate the powerful potential of this technology. With stable funding and continuous support from foreign countries, Djibouti can develop dependable and effective technology to minimize water issues within the entire country. With mitigated water concerns, Djiboutians can live more stable lives and turn their attention toward intellectual advancements and international presence rather than only survival.
– Amber Mantiply
Photo: Flickr
Traditional Ukrainian Weavers Combat Poverty Amidst War
Rising Poverty Amid War
A staggering number of Ukrainians have been disabled or displaced by Russia’s invasion. This, combined with the increasing household income inequality rate, has left Ukraine in a more severe state of poverty since the start of the war. World Bank microsimulation-based estimates indicate that poverty rates in 2025 had doubled since 2021, reaching an estimated 41.6% in 2025, a considerable increase from 37.0% in 2024. A notable percentage of households living beneath the poverty line include members from increased risk groups, such as young children, the elderly, and those permanently disabled by Russia’s invasion. About 30% of households with children under age 6 are in the bottom income quintile, a statistic indicating a general trend that leaves the most vulnerable populations of Ukrainians and their families at heightened risk of poverty, starvation, and death.
Traditional Ukrainian Weavers
One key factor contributing to the disproportionate poverty of households with vulnerable members is their ability to participate in Ukraine’s wartime labor market. Ukrainian women have identified one key means of revenue that allows them to remain close to their families while simultaneously strengthening the bonds they hold with their culture, community, and country. Centuries-old Ukrainian textile crafts such as weaving have given families a way to keep their ethnic traditions alive and support themselves during this time of hardship.
One pillar of Ukrainian textile art is Vyshyvanka, the traditional embroidery adorning hand-woven shirts. Its origins can be traced back to the early medieval era, meaning the practice is at least 10 centuries old. Vyshyvanka has blended spiritual, cultural, artistic, and practical elements for as long as it has existed. Slavic historians at the University of Kansas describe Vyshyvanka as functioning like “a second skin,” believed by Ukrainians to offer protection from misfortune. The spiritual protection offered by Vyshyvanka and, relatedly, the link it provides Ukrainians to their ancestors and cultural history is still a powerful force of resilience to this day.
Another prominent Ukrainian textile art, known as Vybiyka, uses natural paints and carved wooden block stamps to apply traditional ornamental patterns to goods and clothing. Vybiyka also dates back to the 11th century. The art form has historically used wooden stamps carved from pear or linden wood, which were used to print plant dyes onto shirts woven from hemp. Since its inception, Vybiyka has been tightly interwoven with cultural and social significance. According to Histrov, a traditional Ukrainian clothing brand, printed fabrics in rural Ukrainian communities carried deep meaning, serving as festive dress, a symbol of dignity, and “a mirror of the inner self.”
A Weaver’s Perspective
The Borgen Project contacted Yuliia Riabchun, a woman living in Kyiv, Ukraine, who runs the Etsy page “HeritageBloomGifts.” Riabchun told The Borgen Project that traditional Ukrainian textiles are “much more than just decorative items,” explaining that each piece carries a story and preserves a craft passed down through generations. She said she is especially drawn to how each pattern, color, and technique connects people to their family and cultural roots, and that traditional Ukrainian weavers are safeguarding an important part of Ukraine’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Ukraine’s Etsy Success
For over a decade, Ukrainian artists have dominated the global marketplace on Etsy. According to Koalanda, an Etsy statistics tracker, Ukraine boasts north of 34,500 stores today, despite being in the midst of ongoing conflict. Total sales for these stores amount to over 39 million, meaning that each store has brought in an average of 6,600 sales. Other top-selling countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Germany, average about 500 sales per shop. These considerable sales margins can be attributed to the centuries-long traditions upheld by traditional Ukrainian weavers and artisans, as well as strong demand in the West for authentic Ukrainian handmade goods.
Ukrainian Etsy stores additionally host over double the listings per capita of competitor countries such as Spain and Italy. Etsy sales provide better pay and more work flexibility given favorable currency conversion for international sales. Considering Ukraine boasts the highest sales-to-store ratio globally, it can be estimated that the country brings in tens of millions annually from Etsy revenue alone.
Support From Etsy and Nonprofits
The platform itself has made efforts to alleviate some of the strain put on Ukrainian sellers by the ongoing war with Russia. Etsy waived fees for all Ukrainian stores across its three platforms, which include Depop and Reverb, amounting to approximately $4 million. In addition, the website has maintained a curated list of Ukrainian sellers since early 2022 in an effort to increase traffic and revenue in this time of continued and escalating conflict. Moreover, organizations like the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine provide mini-grants and sewing and weaving equipment to help IDPs and refugees acquire new textile skills that translate into sustainable careers. The RPCV was founded in 2018 and serves as a country affiliate group to the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). By providing these grants, the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine empowers Ukrainians to practice, share, and monetize one of their most sacred cultural arts.
Looking Ahead
Numerous platforms, including the Goodness Exchange, report that traditional crafts and weaving have helped the Ukrainian people decrease their risk of poverty. While Etsy may be an unexpected venue for preserving cultural history, it has become an important part of many Ukrainian families’ livelihoods and a way of telling the story of their culture. The recent uptick in traditional Ukrainian weavers selling and sharing their art online through Etsy serves a double function: to soften the economic burden presented by Russia’s ongoing invasion and to keep traditional Ukrainian culture alive and strong.
– Natalie Naylor
Photo: Flickr
Technical Vocational Education Training Centers in Botswana
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the unemployment rate among young Botswana is nearing 40%, with 52.1% of this demographic not engaged in any form of education, employment or training. Technical vocational education training centers in Botswana offer hands-on learning and prioritizes hard skills, creating faster routes into employment compared to a more general academic course. Programs target key industries such as engineering, construction, hospitality, business, agriculture, fashion and information and communications technology. However, historic barriers have proven hard to overcome.
Barriers to Vocational Training Education Centers in Botswana
About 26% of Batswana live in rural areas, making it difficult to access vocational training education centers in Botswana. Those from low-income families may struggle to afford the course fees. Technical vocational educational training has also long been hindered by the perception that it is less valuable than academic education and primarily intended for students who struggle academically.
But that is starting to change thanks to fresh government support for TVET programs and accompanying awareness campaigns. In April 2026, Parliament adopted the revised National Youth Policy, which targets five strategic areas: digital transformation, economic inclusion, STEAM/TVET education, AI innovation and rights-based empowerment. A Tertiary Education Students Sponsorship program now covers tuition expenses and provides a monthly living allowance (P2,200/$162) for eligible students, such as orphans or rural residents.
A Student’s Perspective
The Borgen Project interviewed Warona Baboloki Kabelo, who studies welding and fabrication at Maun Technical College. A typical day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., and combines both classroom learning and practical workshop experience. His curriculum includes welding theory, technical drawing, engineering, mathematics and business enterprise.
“TVET has changed my life,” he told The Borgen Project. “Before studying welding and fabrication, I depended on other people to make or repair things. Today I have practical skills that allow me to solve problems independently.” In the future, Kabelo aims to establish his own engineering company, but his ambition doesn’t stop there: “I have an even bigger dream of helping develop locally designed vehicles. TVET gives young people the confidence and technical ability to dream beyond simply finding employment.”
Kabelo’s passion led him to found The Plug TVET, an advocacy platform dedicated to promoting TVET as a respected career pathway. “For many years, many people believed TVET was only for students who did not perform well academically,” he says. “I wanted to challenge that mindset.”
From Student to Lecturer: a Success Story
In an interview with The Borgen Project, Oagile Ompatile talked about his experience as a construction lecturer at Selebi Phikwe Technical College. It offers hands-on programs leading to a National Craft Certificate (NCC), covering courses in automotive mechanics, plumbing, carpentry, electrical installation, information technology, dressmaking and more. About 75% of the students here are male, though females account for the bulk of the textile and industry department. For many of these individuals, study is only possible due to governmental financial assistance.
“Many students are very much on their own financially. They only became interested in training when the government started providing a monthly allowance and covering tuition,” he explained.
Ompatile points to himself as proof of the transformative power of technical vocational educational training in Botswana: “My family is not rich. I had failed my Junior Certificate [the national exam students sit at the end of lower secondary school, required for anyone wishing to pursue upper secondary education], and decided to do a trade certificate in plastering. After that, I began doing piece jobs.” When the government introduced an initiative sponsoring NCC holders for a diploma course, Ompatile jumped at the chance. He completed a diploma in architectural technology and secured an architectural post before going on to teach at Selebi Phikwe Technical College.
Improving Lives
Today, Botswana has a number of public and private TVET institutions, offering certificate- and diploma-level programs. Among the larger public providers are Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education, Gaborone Technical College, Palapye Technical College, Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology, Maun Technical College, Selebi Phikwe Technical College and Jwaneng Technical College.
Centers like these stand to benefit from increased government funding. The 2026/27 budget allocated P678 million ($49.9 million) under the Department of Skills Development to support skills training institutions and the coordination of TVET programs. A further P60 million ($4.4 million) will support the TVET Development Programme specifically.
Measuring the return on investment with TVET is extremely complex, and Botswana doesn’t offer any single quantifiable figure. However, the 2020 report by UNESCO and National Centre for Vocational Education Research, “Understanding the return on investment from TVET,” broadly estimates that every AU$1 ($0.70) invested in TVET produces a AU$0.31 ($0.21) societal benefit (after the investment is deducted).
Numbers aside, the citizens of Botswana can testify in their own words to the transformative power of this training. “We see a lot of young people on the streets, harassing members of the public and drinking alcohol,” notes Ompatile. “Many of the women quickly become mothers. This sort of training keeps them busy and improves their lives. Every student who completes a course, even those from poor families, can put something on the table with their own hands. In this way technical vocational educational training is a big success story.”
– Megan Sansom
Photo: Warona Baboloki Kabelo
Higher Education in Somalia Since 1991
Private Universities Emerged
To address the absence of a higher education system, Somali educators, business leaders and community organizations established private universities to meet the country’s urgent educational needs. Universities like Mogadishu University, Indian Ocean University and SIMAD University were established during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and collectively they helped provide opportunities to thousands of students at a time when the government could not. They were instrumental in training much of the country’s post 1991 professional workforce and laid important foundations for the recovery of higher education in Somalia.
However, while they addressed an important gap, people still had challenges accessing university. For many Somali families living in poverty – something which worsened in the aftermath of the civil war – education expenses like the high tuition fees associated with private universities left significant barriers to enrollment. Private universities provided important opportunities for the students who could afford to attend, but their expansion did not fully address the financial barriers that faced many Somalis. What they did do for these students, however, was highlight the need for more affordable and state-supported alternatives.
Today, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education regulates universities and has continued its efforts to create a state-supported system of higher education in Somalia, but in the immediate years following 1991, private universities that developed were undoubtedly the backbone of Somalia’s higher education system for those who could afford to benefit.
Somali National University Reopens
One of the biggest milestones for higher education in Somalia was the re-opening of Somali National University (SNU) after more than two decades. During the civil war, the campus suffered extensive damage with many buildings destroyed or abandoned, and in 2007, the African Union Mission occupied the site and turned it into a military base. In 2017, however, the campus was officially returned to the Somali government, allowing plans for rehabilitation to begin, and the start of a state governed higher education system. This was a historic moment, as though private universities had filled an important gap, the re-establishment of SNU symbolized that the government was once again capable of providing a public service.
Since gaining back the site, continued improvements to the campus have reinforced higher education in Somalia. In April 2026, for example, the government launched the reconstruction of the Gaheyr Center, which aims to improve infrastructure and student services. Phase one of the reconstruction plan includes rebuilding the perimeter wall, followed by the construction of new academic buildings, laboratories, student facilities and modern administrative infrastructure. This will strengthen the university’s research and teaching capabilities, and serves further as a demonstration of stability and hope for young people in Somalia seeking higher education in the wake of a devastating conflict.
International Aid Expands
Alongside work done by people in the country, international donors have become key partners in rebuilding higher education in Somalia, particularly with helping bridge the gap between university attendance and poverty in the nation.
International scholarships have helped address the financial barriers that prevent many Somali students from accessing higher education. For students from low-income families, the costs of tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses can make study impossible without financial support, and this is where the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has stepped in.
As one of the IsDB’s classified “Least Developed Member Countries,” students in Somalia are eligible for scholarships that help to fund undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees and PhD programs. In 2024, 474 scholarships were awarded across member countries like Somalia and the money covered tuition, living costs, health insurance and travel costs where applicable. This has allowed many Somali students to pursue advanced degrees abroad, and return home with expertise in high demand fields like medicine, engineering and education, areas that will be key in the economic development of Somalia.
International organizations have also contributed to reducing gender disparities in university enrollment. Women and girls in Somalia have historically been at a disadvantage when trying to receive an education, but in 2022, the World Bank Group sought to change this by committing an additional $52 million to the Rajo Kaaba project.
This donation helped to expand access to education and skills training for 30,000 women and girls in Somalia, and though not directly linked to universities, the project helps strengthen the pipeline into higher education for women by funding skills training, improving access to postsecondary education and supporting childcare services so that young mothers can continue to study.
Looking Ahead
Higher education in Somalia has come a long way since 1991, indeed the World Bank Group reports that today, Somalia has more than 100 higher education institutions, far more than existed before the civil war. What was once a sector devastated by conflict has become a strong sign of the country’s resilience and recovery.
Though improvements have occurred, prolonged investment from the Somali government and international donors will be key to addressing challenges that still remain, including graduate unemployment, limited funding and continued unequal access to university for those in poverty and for women and girls.
As Somalia continues to rebuild its nation, universities are not only educating students, but they are also training the teachers, doctors, engineers and public servants who will shape Somalia’s future.
– Amber Bannon
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
How a Twice-Yearly Shot Is Transforming HIV Prevention in Kenya
HIV and Poverty in Kenya
Nearly 45.5% of Kenyans live below the international poverty line of $3 a day, according to the World Bank. For low-income communities, HIV carries consequences that extend well beyond health. At the household level, the cost of care depletes savings, reduces economic productivity and can trap families in cycles of intergenerational poverty. Preventing new infections is therefore not only a public health priority, it is an economic one.
Why a Twice-Yearly Shot Matters
For years, the primary tool for preventing HIV in people at high risk had been oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a pill that must be taken every day. Consistent use is a genuine challenge for many people, particularly in communities where irregular health care access and demanding daily routines make routine medication difficult to maintain. In many communities, carrying daily HIV medication can lead others to assume a person is HIV-positive, a stigma that drives some people to stop taking the pill altogether.
Lenacapavir addresses this challenge directly. A single injection provides six months of protection, removing the need for daily pills. The World Health Organization endorsed the drug in July 2025, making it the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP option to be officially recommended for global use.
Kenya’s Rollout: Fast and Phased
Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board completed its regulatory review and registered lenacapavir for national use in January 2026. The first consignment of 21,000 doses arrived in Nairobi on Feb. 17, 2026, delivered through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Global Fund coordinated procurement and negotiated access pricing, while the Ministry of Health managed regulatory approval and national distribution strategy. An additional 12,000 doses followed in April, and the U.S. government pledged a further 25,000 to support early implementation.
The Ministry of Health launched Phase 1 in March 2026, targeting 152 health facilities across 15 high-burden counties, with an estimated 58,000 individuals expected to receive the injection in the first phase alone. Two additional phases are planned, with the aim of reaching nationwide coverage by 2027. Health officials say this milestone reflects the country’s readiness to integrate modern prevention tools through its Universal Health Coverage framework.
Making It Affordable
Cost has historically been one of the biggest barriers to equitable HIV prevention in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa. Lenacapavir carries a global list price exceeding $42,000 per patient per year, but the Ministry of Health is offering it free of charge at selected public health facilities. For the health system, the estimated annual cost is approximately $60 per patient. This dramatic price reduction was made possible through licensing agreements and Global Fund procurement support.
Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, described the moment as one requiring urgency and ambition. “Long-acting lenacapavir could reshape HIV prevention by overcoming the structural challenges that have long constrained uptake,” Sands said. He added that the task is now to translate scientific progress into rapid, broad and equitable access.
The Road Ahead
Kenya has approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV. The national rollout directly supports prevention of mother-to-child transmission, a stated priority of the Ministry of Health, with the overarching goal of ensuring every child born in Kenya is HIV-free.
Generic versions of lenacapavir are expected to reach markets by 2027 at an estimated yearly cost of $40 per person. This development could open access far beyond Kenya’s borders. The phased, data-driven structure of Kenya’s rollout has positioned the country as a model for how HIV prevention can evolve to be accessible and equitable and for how protecting public health and reducing poverty can go hand in hand.
– Gonzalo Rodriguez Da Fonte Martins
Photo: Pexels
K-Pop Fandoms in Southeast Asia and Public Health
K-Pop Fandoms in Southeast Asia
Nowhere has this shift been more visible than in the recent mobilization efforts of certain K-pop fandoms in Southeast Asia. BTS, a South Korean boy group whose global rise effectively ignited the modern K-pop fandom era, commands one of the most organizationally sophisticated fan bases worldwide. In Indonesia alone, the group amasses roughly 6 million self-identified ARMYs.
Since BTS’ meteoric surge in 2013, their fan communities have been labeled online as commercially manufactured obsessions, dismissed for their association with a toxic, image-policing idol culture. As idols struggled publicly with their mental health, these fandoms began recognizing that their substantial organizational power could help mobilize resources for change without requiring institutional leeway. Their initiatives increasingly support low-income communities across the region, where poverty and limited access to mental health services often reinforce one another. In Indonesia and the Philippines, where millions still live below national poverty lines, fan-led initiatives have evolved into grassroots forms of both public health advocacy and poverty alleviation.
From Fandom to First Responders
When the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy killed at least 125 people in Malang, East Java, in October 2022, fans mobilized faster than most formal relief structures. Using the Kita Bisa crowdfunding platform, Indonesian ARMY raised more than Rp 447 million, approximately $29,000, in just over a day, surpassing their initial fundraising goal of Rp 75 million nearly six times over. Funds were then directed to victims’ families as business capital for those who lost their household providers and as educational support for children left behind.
The initiative directly assisted low-income households suddenly deprived of income earners and helped reduce the risk of families falling deeper into poverty. It was not the first mobilization of this kind. Indonesian ARMY had previously organized food aid for motorcycle taxi drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, many of whom experienced severe financial hardship due to lockdown measures and reduced demand for work.
Fandom for Change
In the Philippines, K-pop fandom philanthropy has moved beyond spontaneous fundraising into something more institutional. World Vision Philippines, the Philippine branch of the international humanitarian organization established in 1957 and operating in nearly 100 countries, launched Fandom for Change, a platform that enables fans to donate directly in the name of their favorite artists, channeling enthusiasm into support for children’s education, health, nutrition, clean water access and disaster relief.
BTS ARMY Philippines has been among its most active participants. Following Typhoon Rolly in 2020, Filipino ARMYs organized relief efforts for affected communities and later launched a fundraising campaign tied to BTS’s ninth anniversary in partnership with World Vision. A separate fandom alliance donating in actor Ji Chang Wook’s name contributed half a million pesos, equivalent to approximately $28,500, toward FAITH Garden Kits for pandemic-affected families. The kits provided low-income households with vegetable seedlings and resources to supplement food supplies and generate additional income. The platform simply formalized what fans were already doing organically, giving a structured, measurable outlet to their collective energy.
These efforts demonstrate how such fan communities are increasingly also functioning as grassroots anti-poverty actors, directing resources toward vulnerable communities through highly responsive networks.
The Ripple Effect Across the Region
At the root of much of this fandom-driven public health action is BTS’s own decade-long engagement with mental health advocacy. In November 2017, BTS launched the Love Myself campaign in partnership with UNICEF, built around the principle that self-love is the foundation of well-being. Since then, the campaign has raised nearly $3 million globally for UNICEF’s child protection and mental health programs, generating almost 5 million tweets and more than 50 million social media engagements worldwide.
In April 2024, marking the campaign’s sixth anniversary, UNICEF renewed its collaboration with BTS to support the #OnMyMind initiative, focused specifically on the mental health of children and young people. Across Southeast Asia, where fan communities first witnessed their idols openly discuss burnout from industry pressure, that messaging translated into fan-led awareness campaigns extending well beyond streaming charts.
A New Model of Grassroots Health Advocacy
Popular culture has always shaped how societies talk about what matters, but rarely has it moved people to act at this scale. What K-pop fandoms demonstrate is that personal attachment to a figure generates a quality of motivation that policy campaigns and public health messaging rarely achieve on their own.
This matters enormously in a region where, according to ASEAN Magazine, nearly 90% of people living with mental health conditions receive no formal care. Mental health stigma remains highly prevalent due to cultural norms that discourage discussing psychological distress and seeking professional help. The consequences are particularly severe for low-income populations, who often face additional financial and geographic barriers to accessing care.
The positive trickle-down effect of idol-driven mental health advocacy is quietly normalizing help-seeking among teenagers for whom these topics have long been taboo, reshaping norms at a societal level. In doing so, these K-Pop fandoms in Southeast Asia illustrate how digital fan communities can evolve into unexpected engines of both public health advocacy and poverty reduction.
– Estelle Aubry
Photo: Flickr