In the heart of Lesotho’s Likhoele region, a dire concern grips the community council. Their daughters are missing school, not due to a lack of interest or ability, but because of period poverty in Lesotho. Mathabo Ralengau, a mother in the community council, voices how periods are uncomfortable and humiliating, as even if you do not bleed in public, “you would think people next to you could smell something bad from you.” The potential humiliation faced by girls who attend school while on their periods, unable to afford sanitary products to hide their bleeding, is too profound to bear, placing them at risk of dropping out and being forced into child marriages. Period poverty in Lesotho is rife, due to economic and educational factors.
Economic Factors
Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in the world, with just under 50% of the population living below the national poverty line. While Lesotho has made progress in reducing poverty for those in urban areas — down from 41.5% to 28.5% — they have struggled to make any impactful change in rural areas, as poverty remains at over 60%. As a result, families living in poverty struggle to make ends meet, leaving little to no resources for menstrual hygiene products.
Educational Factors
Periods have long been considered taboo in Lesotho, preventing schools from implementing education on menstruation and consequently generating feelings of shame for their girls facing period poverty. In Lesotho, the average girl misses 50 days of school every year, as they lack access to sanitary products and education about menstruation. Consequently, their education suffers, and with it their chances of escaping poverty; in 2017, 61.3% of households led by individuals lacking primary education were considered poor, while only 24% of households led by individuals with a secondary education were poor.
Menstrual hygiene is essential in reaching the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. Without a solution to period poverty, girls and women are excluded from society, as they cannot work or remain in school. Fortunately, the Lesotho government and charitable organizations are working to reach those facing period poverty.
The Vodacom Dignity Campaign
Since 2019, The Vodacom Dignity Campaign (VDC), a vital initiative under the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation (VLF), has been committed to ending period poverty and tackling the stigma around menstruation. Through implementing education on periods, raising awareness of the obstacles to accessing sanitary products, and providing period-friendly sanitary facilities and products, the VDC has already made huge progress. By Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2022, the VDC had already distributed “ecologically sustainable, reusable, washable, modern, eco-friendly sanitary pads” to 2,500 schoolgirls.
World Vision Lesotho
On February 1, 2022, World Vision Lesotho (WVL) and the VLF pledged to provide reusable sanitary pads to the most vulnerable and isolated girls from Leribe, Thaba-Tseka and Mokhotlong, aiming to reach 600 girls by the end of 2023. While celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2022, the WVL promoted its goal of “making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.” Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso attended the celebration as the World Vision child protection champion in Lesotho.
Her Majesty addressed the people, calling for an end to the discrimination of women due to their menstruation, saying, “It is high time that we should have the conversation with the boys… We have to do away with the stigma around menstruation.” While promising to urge the government to end period poverty in Lesotho, Her Majesty also highlighted the disparity in providing free condoms but not free sanitary pads: “This is an emergency, this is urgent, and a natural biological process [but] those ones [condoms] are not emergency.”
Motion on the Provision of Free Sanitary Towels in Schools
In 2019 Mr. Kose Makoa, a Member of Parliament representing the Alliance of Democrats in the National Assembly, proposed the motion of free sanitary pads in schools, suggesting they should be included in the national budget. He recognized the taboo surrounding menstruation was “impacting negatively to their [schoolgirls] normal schooling as they miss classes or end up dropping out of school.”
The motion received support and was passed, urging the government to provide free sanitary products to schools, ending period poverty in Lesotho for good. Although the government responded by occasionally providing free sanitary products to schools and ditching the 15% tax on sanitary products to make them more affordable, they are still too expensive for many families in poverty, and more help is needed, such as implementing the motion of free sanitary pads in schools full-time.
As these organizations and initiatives work toward destigmatizing menstruation and providing free sanitary pads, there is hope that girls in Lesotho will have the opportunity to stay in school and ultimately break free from the cycle of poverty.
– Alice Isola
Photo: Flickr
Boosting Agriculture in Afghanistan With USAID Support
Changing Weather Patterns in Afghanistan
In June 2021, Afghanistan officially declared a national drought. Over 50% of water points across all Afghanistan provinces have dried up, leaving 80% suffering extreme to severe drought conditions. In addition, 30 out of 34 provinces in Afghanistan report extremely poor water quality. The proportion of households feeling the impact of drought in 2022 is six times greater than in 2020. These changing weather patterns are the worst the country has seen in over three decades and have devastated local agriculture. The United Nations has reported that 9 out of 10 Afghani citizens do not have enough food to eat.
Foreign Aid Saving Afghanistan’s Agriculture
Back-to-back droughts and economic crises have taken their toll on Afghanistan. Still, recent foreign aid funding is laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow by attempting to save Afghanistan’s agriculture. Since 2002, the FAO has had boots on the ground rebuilding the irrigation infrastructure, creating new dairy and wheat seed industries, assisting in crop diversification, introducing high-yield crops and improving livestock production.
When the drought in Afghanistan began to cripple the existing agricultural systems in 2021, the FAO’s Drought Response Plan started focusing on the winter wheat season. The region relies heavily on winter wheat; over half of an Afghani’s daily caloric intake comes from wheat. The 2021 winter wheat crop was 20% below the 2020 pre-drought harvest. Since local government seed distribution systems were greatly disrupted by the recent droughts and associated economic crises, FAO funding and assistance are more critical than ever.
The FAO’s standard wheat cultivation package consists of high-quality seeds, fertilizers and training. Foreign funds enable the FAO to distribute these wheat cultivation packages across areas of need in Afghanistan so that each package can support the cereal needs of an average household for an entire year. Thanks to foreign aid funds and coordinated efforts by the FAO Drought Response Plan, Afghanistan’s important cereal requirements – wheat and flour – are projected to be about 28% higher than last year’s yield. “This next winter wheat season is a tipping point. If we miss it, disaster looms,” said Richard Trenchard, FAO’s Representative in Afghanistan.
While the drought has been particularly difficult for farms in the region, livestock owners also need assistance. Over 3 million livestock animals were at risk during the escalating drought, putting critical protein sources for the region at risk. The projected increase in winter wheat yields will help livestock owners, providing critical feed for these animals.
“FAO and its partners are already supporting millions of rural people. But far more needs to be done,” Trenchard said.
– Ann-Jinette Hess
Photo: Flickr
3 Free Apps Improving Digital Health Care in Brazil
To help ease access to health care services, Brazil has prioritized digital healthcare in advancing its medicinal practices. Telemedicine, prescription services and electronic health records are the main focus of Brazil’s goals for digital health care. Increased convenience and accessibility are important to maintaining a relationship between patients and health care providers, and Brazil wants to bring this relationship right to its people’s fingertips. Here are three free apps currently working to improve digital health care in Brazil.
3 Free Apps Improving Digital Health Care in Brazil
Looking Ahead
One of the challenges of online, digital health care apps is that they are not accessible to all socioeconomic statuses. Those who cannot afford a smartphone or personal computer may struggle to access these applications, and they become barred from the relief of having consistent, frequent health advice at the tips of their fingers.
As the digital age continues to take over the globe, the online world and all its facets are increasingly becoming available to the public. With this, medical care and assistance also is increasingly becoming more accessible. Libraries and public-use electronics are also an option for increasing the reachability of medical care for lower-income families, and an increase in public digital access can relieve some of the stress of those who may not be able to afford the latest updates in technology.
Digital health care in Brazil has been a main priority of health agencies. The past few years have seen an increase in digital health care use, offering both mental and physical well-being improvements and an increase in preventative care. Digital health care is improving the overall well-being of the people in Brazil, and it will only continue to grow with governmental support efforts.
– Eden Ambrovich
Photo: Unsplash
The Role of Home Gardens in Cambodia in Alleviating Food Poverty
The Face-to-Face Victory Garden Campaign: A Lifeline for Food Poverty
The Face-to-Face Victory Garden Campaign represents a beacon of hope for Cambodian families grappling with food poverty. This initiative, predominantly led by women, aims to establish home gardens that provide nutritious food for families and contribute to land restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
Empowering Women and Breaking the Cycle of Food Poverty
Over 80% of those participating in the Victory Garden Campaign are women who play a vital role as caregivers for their families. These gardens have become an empowering resource for them, allowing them to stay home, grow their own food and generate income. This shift significantly reduces their vulnerability to food poverty. The added confidence and resilience gained from this initiative better equipped them to break free from the cycle of food poverty.
Before the establishment of these gardens, many of these women traveled long distances to procure food, heightening their risk of food poverty. Now, with Victory Gardens in their own backyards, they can provide food for their families, ultimately improving their overall safety and quality of life.
Improved Nutrition and Reduced Food Poverty
Cambodian diets are heavily centered on rice, resulting in a lack of dietary diversity and a critical deficiency in essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals, with shortages of iodine, iron and vitamin A. This deficiency crisis is further exacerbated because 15.4% of Cambodia’s population is undernourished.
However, in the ongoing battle against food poverty, gardens stand as a symbol of resilience and a strategic solution to break free from the reliance on rice, diversifying crops and mitigating the risks associated with a single-crop diet. By fostering this diversification, Victory Gardens bolsters nutrition and combats food poverty effectively, as 10,000 people in 2,200 Cambodian rural households will benefit from increased food access and improved nutrition, crucial aspects of the well-being of those susceptible to malnutrition.
Confronting Food Poverty and Climate Challenges
With nearly 80% of the population residing in rural areas, the country’s inadaptability, inadequate infrastructure and limited institutions make it susceptible to climate variability and change. These disasters exacerbate food poverty, making it imperative to support communities in preparing for and responding to these crises.
The Face-to-Face Project believes that breaking the cycle of food poverty hinges on nurturing self-reliance, with food security as the foundational step toward this goal. Through creating high-yield, cost-effective Victory Gardens, Cambodian families can reduce their reliance on a single crop, learn to cultivate enough food for sustenance, increase their income by selling surplus produce and lead healthier lives with reduced food poverty.
A Promising Future in the Fight Against Food Poverty
Organizations like Face-to-Face, in partnership with entities like the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, which joined forces with Face-to-Face in September 2023, pave the way for a brighter future for Cambodian families grappling with food poverty. As they collaborate to impact the lives of over 3,000 women and girls across 1,000 families, villagers can cultivate up to 25 different vegetables, ensuring sustenance for future generations. The vision of a more self-reliant and food-secure Cambodia has become increasingly achievable.
Final Thoughts on Home Gardens in Cambodia
The Face-to-Face Victory Garden Campaign is a potent tool against food poverty in Cambodia. By empowering women, enhancing nutrition and fostering self-reliance, these gardens make significant strides in the battle against food poverty. With continued support from organizations like the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, Victory Gardens offers hope for a future where food poverty is no longer a pervasive issue in Cambodian communities.
– Marnie Woodford-Venables
Photo: Unsplash
Rights and Realities: A Closer Look at Human Rights in India
The provision of basic human rights in India at the national level is growing increasingly vulnerable, with credible reports indicating instances of “extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by police and prison officials; political prisoners or detainees; and unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists.” This article investigates the extremities of these circumstances, the facts behind the crisis and the efforts and commitments being made nationally and internationally for eradication.
Navigating the Concern: The State of Human Rights in India
In 2023, India officially became the World’s most populous country per UN estimates, knocking China off the top spot for the first time since 1950 when UN records first began. With a population of around 1.4 billion people, the protection and development of systems that effectively endorse human rights are critical. Indications of the severity of the crisis were only amplified when in early 2022 the U.S. Secretary of State publicly declared the nation was monitoring the rise in human rights abuses in India. This was significant due to the United State’s close economic ties, and relations regarding China, with India.
The U.S. Department of State produced a comprehensive report on the state of human rights in India for 2022, which vividly articulates the extent and severity of the problem. A lack of an effective system for accountability has allowed for the erosion of rights for minorities and human rights defenders, with peaceful protestors being treated as threats to public order; businesses and family homes being unapologetically ransacked without impunity; public officials going unchecked when explicitly advocating discriminatory hate; and unlawful means of surveillance being applied to activists and protestors through Pegasus spyware.
Unveiling the Data: Human Rights Statistics in India
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) came into being in 1958 and essentially grants the Indian Armed Forces to take the “necessary” means to maintain public order. Despite the Indian government reducing the number of districts subject to this act in March 2023, 43 of the 90 northeastern districts remain monitored. Consequently, “the National Human Rights Commission registered 147 deaths in police custody, 1,882 deaths in judicial custody, and 119 alleged extrajudicial killings in the first nine months in 2022.”
From 2021 to June 2022, India’s anti-corruption ombudsman reported receiving 169 formal corruption complaints. Often these complaints concerned the payment of bribes for benefits such as water supply, police protection and school admission per NGO reports. Women and children remain especially vulnerable with National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) data reporting north of 1,000 cases registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and at least 428,000 crimes against women being reported in 2021. The NRCB also documented 50,900 against Scheduled Castes, i.e., officially designated groups of people among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups in India, for the same period.
Time for Change: Indications of Progress
Despite the onslaught of seemingly perpetual human rights frailties in India, there are signs of promise. In September 2023, the Indian Supreme Court directed the Union of India and the government of Manipur to distribute basic supplies of food materials, medicines and other essentials to regions most vulnerable to violence so that “there is no denial of basic human facilities.” Human Rights organizations and NGOs worldwide continue to show determined support for India’s struggle, with the likes of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN regularly advocating demands for considerable improvement.
Despite these efforts, ultimately it is the responsibility of the Modi government to enforce real change and uphold the founding principles of democracy. Instead, it has become commonplace for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to actively work against these criticisms, noted on such occasions as in 2021 when speaking in parliament he described peaceful protestors as “parasites” and downplayed international criticism of growing authoritarianism in India as “foreign destructive ideology.” Until proper measures of accountability are imposed on the Modi administration and incorporated into India’s political culture more generally, means for real change will remain finite.
– Ruairí Greene
Photo: Flickr
Unearthing the Challenge: Child Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
In the modern world, few countries suffer as harshly as those in sub-Saharan Africa when it comes to child poverty. Per a 2023 UNICEF-World Bank Report, more than 40% of children in sub-Saharan Africa live below the extreme poverty line, i.e., living on less than $2.15 a day, accounting for more than 70% of the children living in poverty worldwide.
Despite every effort at the international level, epitomized by the United Nations’ promise to end extreme child poverty by 2030 in their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, sub-Saharan Africa’s share of the world’s children in poverty rose from 54.8% in 2013 to 71.1% in 2022. The focus of this article is to decipher the key driving factors influencing this crisis, illustrate the extent of the issue and its impact on children in sub-Saharan Africa and discuss the actions taken to stifle it from the ground level up.
A Multifaceted Conundrum: The Key Factors at Play
Child poverty in this region is not a singular problem but a multifaceted challenge rooted in historical, economic, social and political contexts. The consequences of such have left local communities with limited access to effective means of health care, education and basic services, facilitating an insurmountable cycle of poverty. Corruption, unstable governance and conflict in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa hinder economic development and divert resources away from poverty-alleviation efforts, with the UNICEF report estimating one in three children in conflict-torn states living in extreme poverty compared to one in 10 in non-fragile states.
High levels of unemployment and underemployment, coupled with a largely informal economy, mean that many families struggle to earn a reliable income. Climate shocks are one of the leading factors for concern, with data suggesting at least 1.85 million children were displaced from their homes by the end of 2022 due to natural disasters, up from only 1 million in 2021. But a primary component fuelling this child poverty crisis in sub-Saharan Africa is rapid population growth and inadequate access to family planning further strains the already limited resources of family households.
Innocence Lost: The Devastating Consequences of Child Poverty
The effects of poverty are most damaging for children, hindering their social development and education and potentially their physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. Deprived of sufficient provisions in health care, education and often shelter and dietary needs, the likelihood of a reasonable upbringing is scarce. Limited nutrients can lead to malnutrition and stunted growth. Underdeveloped shelter leads to exposure to environmental hazards and increases the risk of illness. Children subject to poverty will typically see limited career opportunities and be subject to manipulation from criminal groups. This likelihood only further fuels poverty’s perpetual cycle by impeding intellectual development that would otherwise seed the basis for reform and development.
Hope in Action: A Look Into Poverty Relief Efforts
Child poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is a multifaceted issue, demanding a versatile approach to relief. Various NGOs, government bodies and IGOs are investing considerable time, resources and work into relief efforts, exemplified by the Irish Government’s Official Development Aid (ODA) initiative that has surmounted more than €1.233 billion in provisions for 2023 — noting a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.
There are countless international initiatives pushing to overcome these crises, such as Feed the Future, and spurring economic growth in states such as Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya and more. In Fiscal Year 2021, “USAID and the U.S. Department of State provided $8.5 billion of assistance to 47 countries and eight regional programs in sub-Saharan Africa.” In addition to this aid, the IMF has reported providing more than $50 billion between 2020 and 2022 while maintaining lending relationships with 21 Sub-Saharan African countries as of March 2023.
However, despite considerable investment from foreign aid, economic growth is expected to slow to 3.6% — below the global recovery rate. According to an IMF report, foreign aid accounts for just 2.5% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, down from 4% in the early 2000s due to the continued trimming of Western aid budgets. With the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and regular natural disasters causing panic, as seen in Morocco and Libya, conditions are unlikely to improve anytime soon.
Addressing child poverty is not only a moral imperative but also an investment in a more equitable and prosperous future for societies where every child has the chance to thrive.
– Ruairí Greene
Photo: Flickr
Empowering the Future: Vocational Training in Bulgaria
Bulgarian Vocational Training Centers: A Hub of Skill Development
Vocational training in Bulgaria has been made substantial through dedicated centers. The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), a prominent player in the country’s industrial landscape, has been instrumental in advancing vocational training. Their Vocational Training Center offers a diverse range of programs, equipping individuals with practical skills and knowledge essential for a variety of careers.
Vocational training centers serve as crucial platforms for nurturing a skilled workforce. By providing relevant vocational training, they empower individuals to enter the job market with competence and confidence. The programs offered align with the evolving needs of the job market, ensuring that trainees possess skills that are in high demand.
The Committee of the Regions of the European Union emphasizes Bulgaria’s commitment to enhancing vocational training. By focusing on vocational training and skills development, Bulgaria aims to address unemployment and skill mismatches, thus promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.
Government Initiatives and European Collaborations
The Bulgarian National Agency for Vocational Education and Training has been actively involved in shaping policies and strategies to enhance vocational training in the country. Working closely with stakeholders and European institutions, Bulgaria is committed to aligning its vocational training systems with European standards and best practices.
Collaboration with the European Union and institutions like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been crucial in enhancing the quality and relevance of vocational education in Bulgaria. By adopting international best practices, Bulgaria is better positioned to address the global challenge of poverty through skill development and employment opportunities.
Addressing Global Poverty Through Vocational Training
One of the most effective ways to reduce global poverty is to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed for gainful employment. Vocational training directly addresses this need by providing practical education that is directly applicable to the job market. This is particularly significant in the context of Bulgaria, where a well-skilled workforce can contribute significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction.
The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) further highlights the importance of vocational education and training in fostering employment and reducing poverty across the European Union. The skills acquired through vocational training can elevate individuals from poverty by enabling them to secure stable employment and access to better wages and living conditions.
A Poverty-Free Future
Vocational training in Bulgaria is becoming a potent tool that not only uplifts individuals but also plays a significant role in reducing global poverty. Bulgaria, by investing in its vocational training infrastructure and collaborating with European partners, is aligning itself with a global movement to eradicate poverty through skill development and employment. As the nation continues to evolve its vocational training landscape, it sets an example for the world to follow in the pursuit of a poverty-free future.
– Valentin Lyazov
Photo: Flickr
How MIET AFRICA Is Making a Difference
History
While it is a nonprofit today, the MIET AFRICA organization began as a research initiative funded by the Independent Development Trust that aimed to understand the use of popular culture and media in learning and education. The organization specifically focused on schools in the rural parts of what is now KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
In 1996, the Media in Education Trust (MiET) was established. Under the leadership of Thuli Dlamini, Wilna Botha and Lynn van der Elst, MIET AFRICA came to be soon after. While MIET AFRICA is based in South Africa, its reach expands throughout and beyond the African continent. Two of the organization’s primary funders are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE).
Who They Help
When it comes to the people they are looking to provide support to, MIET AFRICA’s target population is youth from the SADC region, the area of the Southern African Development Community, which extends from the DRC in the north to South Africa in the south. MIET AFRICA has currently partnered with 15 African countries and impacted the lives of over 200,000 children.
Oftentimes, many of the children who MIET AFRICA helps are living in poverty. About one-third of the people in the SADC region live in poverty. The connection between poverty and education is quite strong.
Areas of Focus
MIET AFRICA has several focus areas:
From health issues to high unemployment rates, MIET AFRICA aims to provide children with the best opportunities in order to advance their development.
Programs
In order to fulfill the goals of each focus area, MIET AFRICA has developed a total of 37 programs since its founding. At the moment, 12 programs are still running:
Here is some information about a few of these programs.
These are just a few of the many excellent programs MIET AFRICA has implemented in order to directly impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in the SADC region.
Looking Ahead
Many approaches are being taken to make education accessible to all children. Hopefully, the work of organizations such as MIET AFRICA can work as a catalyst for change in the circumstances many children must endure.
– Nicole Alexander
Photo: Wikimedia
8 Facts About Poverty in Burundi
8 Facts About Poverty in Burundi
Fighting poverty in Burundi is an uphill battle that requires patience and a long-term outlookTfter decades of chaos, real efforts are being made domestically and internationally to counter all the damage that was done. Children feel the full force of problematic conditions such as severe poverty. Food insecurity remains a crucial issue as the population continues to grow very quickly. However, sustainable farming methods are being taught and implemented. The opportunity for positive change is there — if Burundi leaders are able to learn from the country’s past.
– Benett Crim
Photo: Pixabay
Empowering Lesotho’s Girls: The Fight Against Period Poverty
Economic Factors
Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in the world, with just under 50% of the population living below the national poverty line. While Lesotho has made progress in reducing poverty for those in urban areas — down from 41.5% to 28.5% — they have struggled to make any impactful change in rural areas, as poverty remains at over 60%. As a result, families living in poverty struggle to make ends meet, leaving little to no resources for menstrual hygiene products.
Educational Factors
Periods have long been considered taboo in Lesotho, preventing schools from implementing education on menstruation and consequently generating feelings of shame for their girls facing period poverty. In Lesotho, the average girl misses 50 days of school every year, as they lack access to sanitary products and education about menstruation. Consequently, their education suffers, and with it their chances of escaping poverty; in 2017, 61.3% of households led by individuals lacking primary education were considered poor, while only 24% of households led by individuals with a secondary education were poor.
Menstrual hygiene is essential in reaching the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. Without a solution to period poverty, girls and women are excluded from society, as they cannot work or remain in school. Fortunately, the Lesotho government and charitable organizations are working to reach those facing period poverty.
The Vodacom Dignity Campaign
Since 2019, The Vodacom Dignity Campaign (VDC), a vital initiative under the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation (VLF), has been committed to ending period poverty and tackling the stigma around menstruation. Through implementing education on periods, raising awareness of the obstacles to accessing sanitary products, and providing period-friendly sanitary facilities and products, the VDC has already made huge progress. By Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2022, the VDC had already distributed “ecologically sustainable, reusable, washable, modern, eco-friendly sanitary pads” to 2,500 schoolgirls.
World Vision Lesotho
On February 1, 2022, World Vision Lesotho (WVL) and the VLF pledged to provide reusable sanitary pads to the most vulnerable and isolated girls from Leribe, Thaba-Tseka and Mokhotlong, aiming to reach 600 girls by the end of 2023. While celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2022, the WVL promoted its goal of “making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.” Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso attended the celebration as the World Vision child protection champion in Lesotho.
Her Majesty addressed the people, calling for an end to the discrimination of women due to their menstruation, saying, “It is high time that we should have the conversation with the boys… We have to do away with the stigma around menstruation.” While promising to urge the government to end period poverty in Lesotho, Her Majesty also highlighted the disparity in providing free condoms but not free sanitary pads: “This is an emergency, this is urgent, and a natural biological process [but] those ones [condoms] are not emergency.”
Motion on the Provision of Free Sanitary Towels in Schools
In 2019 Mr. Kose Makoa, a Member of Parliament representing the Alliance of Democrats in the National Assembly, proposed the motion of free sanitary pads in schools, suggesting they should be included in the national budget. He recognized the taboo surrounding menstruation was “impacting negatively to their [schoolgirls] normal schooling as they miss classes or end up dropping out of school.”
The motion received support and was passed, urging the government to provide free sanitary products to schools, ending period poverty in Lesotho for good. Although the government responded by occasionally providing free sanitary products to schools and ditching the 15% tax on sanitary products to make them more affordable, they are still too expensive for many families in poverty, and more help is needed, such as implementing the motion of free sanitary pads in schools full-time.
As these organizations and initiatives work toward destigmatizing menstruation and providing free sanitary pads, there is hope that girls in Lesotho will have the opportunity to stay in school and ultimately break free from the cycle of poverty.
– Alice Isola
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Water Sanitation in Timor-Leste
Current Data
To date, 80% of the population is deemed to have access to ‘basic’ water facilities. This should not be confused, however, with safe water for drinking and sanitation purposes. In fact, the World Health Organization has reported that only 54% of Timorese civilians have access to “safely managed” sanitation facilities, and only 28% of the population are safely using hand washing services with soap and water.
These numbers have had severe health implications nationwide. As of 2016, 29.9% of infant deaths were a result of diarrheal disease, which typically occurs as a result of poor sanitation and lack of potable water. As many as 65 children are dying annually from diarrhea in Timor-Leste to date. A UNICEF report has suggested that as many as 94% of locals are failing to wash their hands in critical moments, for example after changing diapers or before breastfeeding. With roughly 31% of Timor-Leste living below the international poverty line, such health factors can lead to malnutrition, especially in children.
Several reports have noted a marked rural-urban disparity concerning access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Rural hygiene coverage in 2021 stood at only 22% compared to 42% in urban areas. Implementation of septic tanks and latrines has shown little increase, despite aims to halve numbers without access to safe water. The use of “unimproved” water sources is still being used by 17% of the rural population, with the nearest access points being on average more than 30 minutes away.
Gendered Aspects of Water Sanitation
Continued challenges to improve water sanitation in Timor-Leste have had adverse effects on local women. Multiple national and international groups have expressed concern at the reliance upon adolescent girls and young women in collecting water for households. These societal norms have had several knock-on effects, the most notable of which being female absence from school and a subsequent lack of engagement in public life.
Nonprofit group Water for Women has introduced projects that aim to improve women’s rights associated with water sanitation in Timor-Leste. Their latest scheme, Beyond Inclusion, has a twofold objective of providing sustainable WASH facilities while improving the well-being of women through “gender dialogue modules.” The team is also actively working to refocus Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) at the center of national and municipal concerns. So far, 61,200 people have benefitted from the program, of whom half were women.
The Benefits of Investing in WASH Services
Improving water sanitation in Timor-Leste will have benefits that transcend health advances and gender equality. As a developing nation, investment in WASH services will reduce medical expenditures and absences from school for health-related issues. It will also promote the expansion of the tourism sector, which would amplify revenue and diversify the economy.
In view of this, the Timorese government has allocated a significant amount of funding and regulatory measures to improve WASH facilities. After establishing the public utility company Bee Timor-Leste (BTL), budgets of $36 million and $17 million were provided in 2021 and 2022 respectively to implement sustainable water sanitation measures.
Legislative efforts have culminated in a package of regulations that will mitigate problems surrounding water sanitation in Timor-Leste. As of 2021, the government has promulgated a Law for Quality Control of Water for Human Consumption, a National Public Water Supply Policy and more.
NGOs and Aid Groups Supporting WASH in Timor-Leste
In April 2020, the World Bank approved a landmark Water Supply and Sanitation Project, aimed at providing solutions to inadequate WASH facilities in the rural Baucau municipality. The project involves the construction and installation of a “centralized water supply system,” combined with a robust series of sewage treatment plans. The aim is to provide access to potable drinking water to at least 25,000 more Timorese.
WaterAid Australia has enacted several projects targeted at rural mountainous areas which are particularly affected by a lack of accessibility and ongoing risks of natural disasters. The group has partnered with various local authorities to deliver WASH services in over 180 communities in Likisà and Manufahi. Community-led sanitation projects supported by WaterAid engage with locals and promote long-term autonomy.
– Cara Jenkins
Photo: Flickr