Mosquitoes, a group of approximately 3,500 species found in every continent except Antarctica, are infamous for spreading diseases through their bites to humans, making them one of the most hated insects. These diseases cause significant global issues, with approximately 700,000 people dying yearly from mosquito-borne diseases.
Some common diseases affecting humans include Dengue, Yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya; all viral diseases capable of causing debilitating symptoms and, in severe cases, death. At any moment, an estimated 3.9 billion people are susceptible to Dengue fever globally, with 96 million cases reported yearly. In response to these prevalent and dangerous diseases, one NGO, The World Mosquito Program, has decided to take action.
The World Mosquito Program employs different strategies to combat diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, with the goal of protecting millions of people from these deadly illnesses.
The Potential of Wolbachia
The World Mosquito Program has adopted an innovative scientific method to decrease the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. This method involves using Wolbachia, a common bacterium found in more than 50% of insect species. The charity is utilizing this bacterium to reduce the prevalence of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Wolbachia outcompetes harmful viruses like Dengue, leading to a decreased probability of mosquito bites spreading illnesses to humans.
Over time, releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes leads to their mating with the native population, passing Wolbachia onto the next generation. As a result, this significantly decreases the chances of native mosquitoes carrying life-threatening illnesses in a local area, allowing those surrounding it to live free of fear of mosquito-borne illness.
The best part is that Wolbachia has no negative impact on human lives and using it does not tamper with the ecosystem where Anopheles mosquitoes occur.
This revolutionary method has undergone trials globally, leading to highly promising results. In Cairns, Australia, the first-ever introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes led to such a low incidence of Dengue fever that the area is now considered a Dengue-free zone. The charity has already released these mosquitoes in 10 countries, with Laos and New Caledonia in line to join shortly. effectively protecting approximately 10 million people from diseases like Dengue and Zika, with plans to help even more in the coming years.
Empowering and Listening to Communities
While the World Mosquito Program primarily operates on scientific initiatives, it recognizes the importance of community cooperation. The charity strives to build connections with the local communities in which it operates, hosting meetings where it can explain methods and answer any questions people may have.
The World Mosquito Program adheres to a strict ethical policy that involves gaining community approval before releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes, engaging communities wholeheartedly to help them understand the overall benefits of the program.
In addition to being open to local communities, the World Mosquito Program also actively encourages the public to participate in its work. The organization offers opportunities for people to grow mosquitoes in their gardens, which can then be released, significantly aiding their efforts. Community members are also given the option to host bug traps, which the World Mosquito Program can use for long-term monitoring and making improvements.
The World Mosquito Program’s intent to involve local community groups, health officials and the general public in its research demonstrates its transparency as an organization, as many people might not initially understand how releasing more mosquitoes would help address the issue. However, with the implementation of local education programs and Q&A-type sessions, the public can easily understand and support the organization’s work.
Partnerships With Global Organizations
As a charitable non-government organization, the World Mosquito Program values the importance of cooperation between themselves and health officials, other charities and global governments. Therefore, when it extends its projects, it prioritizes reaching out to leaders for backing and funding.
To date, many well-known charities have funded the World Mosquito Program’s crucial work, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Save the Children and USAID. This funding has facilitated mosquito releases, local education programs and crucial research efforts. Since 2010, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed AUD$185 million to the World Mosquito program to continue its work.
In addition to funding, the World Mosquito Program collaborates with charities and governments to implement its methods on a large scale. The organization operates in close collaboration with the governments of the 12 countries it aids, seeking endorsement from global health authorities.
The program also has strong ties with the Australian government, working globally on projects not only in Australia but also in Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu. Over the years, the Australian government has given the organization AUS$ 14.5 million, enabling crucial research and the spread of Wolbachia mosquitoes.
Looking Ahead
The World Mosquito Program’s innovative approach using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes shows great promise in combatting mosquito-borne diseases. With successful trials in various countries, including Cairns, Australia, where Dengue fever incidence was drastically reduced, the program aims to protect millions from these deadly illnesses. The organization’s focus on community engagement and partnerships with global entities demonstrates a transparent and collaborative approach to achieving its mission, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
– Annabel Kartal-Allen
Photo: Flickr
Small Microbuses are a Big Way to Reduce Elderly Poverty in Chile
For many people unfamiliar with Chilean micros (tiny, public-private microbuses, the most popular form of transportation in Chilean cities), they might appear overwhelming. It is not uncommon to see bus drivers racing at Formula One speeds, smoking cigarettes and sorting coins handed to them by riders into trays, all while cumbia villera music blasts at deafening decibel levels. However, for the elderly residents of Valparaíso, these micros serve as a lifeline, connecting working-class individuals from the poverty-stricken hills (cerros) to the city center.
Cars are too expensive, Ubers avoid the steep trek up the unforgiving hills and public four-person taxis (colectivos) are rare. Micros are the reliable mode of transport that the people can depend on and its intentional focus on serving older porteños (Valparaíso natives) helps to alleviate elderly poverty in Chile. The Borgen Project conducted an interview with Aracelli Urquieta Marambio, a beneficiary of the micro’s transformative benefits, to delve deeper into the matter.
Elderly Poverty in Chile’s Valparaíso Region and Gentrification
Chile’s millennial generation currently enjoys the benefits of a 21st-century copper and lithium boom, leading to increased investment, development and improved quality of life. In fact, Chile has now become the second wealthiest country in South America in terms of GDP per capita. However, for the older Chileans who are no longer earning incomes, a different reality unfolds. Many of them experienced the ruthless 17-year dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) during their prime working years and now face financial struggles as Chile becomes increasingly more expensive to live in. The pensions the elderly receive are not high enough to keep up with the runaway inflation, which the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated. This has resulted in a significant 38% rise in elderly poverty in Chile between 2017 and 2021.
Nowhere is the process of gentrification more apparent than in the coastal city of Valparaíso, a historically working-class city that has witnessed an influx of international tourists and affluent “cuico” (upper-class) Chileans after receiving UNESCO’s World Heritage Site designation in 2003. This has had a tangible impact on the elderly population of Valparaíso, with the region having the highest (6.3%) percentage of people aged 75 or older.
This rapidly changing environment is evolving too quickly for the elderly residents, many of whom have called “The Jewel of the Pacific” their home for more than 50 years, just like Aracelli Urquieta. For her, Valparaíso is unrecognizable compared to what it was just 15 years ago. However, amid the changes, her trips on the micros in the port city have remained a calming constant in her life.
Making the Micros a Safe Space for the Impoverished Elderly
Recognizing that owning cars is simply not feasible for most Valparaíso natives, especially for senior citizens who rely on pensions earned during times when inflation rates were significantly lower, Valparaíso’s municipal government made a decision during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to introduce a 60% discount on micro fares for the elderly.
Aracelli Urquieta, in her interview, praised this discount as a heaven-sent help for those with low-paying pensions. She emphasized the convenience of only paying 40% of the actual fare, greatly benefiting the grandparents of Valparaíso. She also highlighted the micro’s advantages, enabling the elderly to run errands for their working children during the day. Additionally, in her own case, the micros have been invaluable in aiding her with the care of her mother and aunt.
In combination with informal rules reserving the best seats for seniors, this senior discount has turned the micros, which are already predominantly used by the elderly, into a significant tool in reducing elderly poverty in Chile. When asked why so many older people prefer micros over other transport options, Urquieta provided insights: rideshares and colectivos (taxis) are too low to the ground for easy boarding, making micros more comfortable and community-oriented, which is why many elderly passengers prefer them.
Mass transit systems, especially buses, serve as vital community spaces, reducing poverty and allowing independence and mobility not only for Chile’s elderly but for senior citizens worldwide. Microbuses offer better accessibility for the elderly compared to car-centric infrastructure designed for young professionals and daily commuters. Urban transportation worldwide should prioritize the most vulnerable groups by considering affordability and accessibility.
– Ethan Clark
Photo: Courtesy of Ethan Clark
Combatting Fast Fashion With Nikki Reed
“I think what initially made me want to start Bayou was the desire to find products in the fashion industry that were ethically made, sustainable and chemical-free, and I couldn’t find any,” Reed said in an interview on her website. “I thought, ‘If I’m looking for them, other women must be too.’”
Fashion trends are constantly changing — driving consumers to frequently purchase new products.
And there’s a term for this: Fast fashion.
What Is Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion is an approach to the design, creation and marketing of clothing that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers. This might seem ideal, but it causes a host of ethical and environmental concerns.
Ethical Concerns
Many prominent fashion brands, such as Forever 21 and H&M, contract with suppliers in underdeveloped countries to receive high quantities of clothing for a low price. Oftentimes these suppliers are unregistered, meaning they do not have to abide by any laws to provide safe working conditions for employees.
To keep up with big-brand demands, sweatshop workers are often forced to work 14 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Further, their salaries do not align with the extreme hours. For example, in Bangladesh workers are paid around 33 cents an hour.
Sadly, this is often their best option. Unethical clothing manufacturers typically target the poor — specifically women and children.
Working conditions in these sweatshops are toxic. Without proper ventilation, employees inhale toxic substances, like fiber dust and sand.
Additionally, the infrastructure of these buildings is often unsafe. A devastating incident in 2013 revealed the extreme danger of these sweatshops. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Rana Plaza sweatshop collapsed and killed 1,134 garment workers. The building could not support the number of people and generators that were packed in at once.
Environmental Concerns
The pace at which the fast fashion industry produces clothing pushes consumers to buy new products — often, this means discarding old ones. According to reports, the average person buys 60% more items of clothing than they did 15 years ago but only keeps them for half the time.
Many of these discarded clothing items are in great condition but head straight to landfills. More than 100 billion garments are produced each year, but 87% end up in landfills or incinerators — emitting toxic gasses into the atmosphere.
On the bright side, brands like Bayou with Love and thrift stores are working toward sustainability in the fashion industry.
Bayou’s Sustainability Efforts
Bayou with Love’s partnership with Dell is one of the unique ways that it practices sustainability. By extracting gold from e-waste like old computer motherboards, Dell and its partners help Bayou with Love create recycled jewelry ranging from engagement rings to everyday necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. The process is more environmentally friendly than extracting gold from the earth.
Bayou with Love also uses environmentally friendly materials for its clothing. These include cupro, recycled cotton canvas, tencel, post-consumer plastic, low-chemical-content chambrays and dyeing techniques and organic cotton to name a few.
Thrifting
The idea of thrifting or buying second-hand items is not new but is rapidly growing for a variety of reasons — TikTok among them. Many fashion and lifestyle creators post videos on the app of different outfits they created completely from thrift stores. For example, @halleykate rose to popularity on the app by posting “thrift hauls.” Now with more than 1 million followers on the platform, Halley’s videos promote sustainable yet trendy shopping habits.
Online thrift stores are a relatively new concept, too, with the launch of eBay and Craigslist in 1995. Since then, sites such as ThreadUp, Poshmark, DePop and others have made second-hand shopping easier. ThreadUp’s annual resale report for 2022 showed that thrift shopping is expected to grow 127% by 2026.
The push for sustainable fashion choices could play a vital role in protecting both the environment and people working in unsafe conditions. By combatting the fast fashion industry with Bayou with Love, Nikki Reed is promoting a new, healthier way to shop and be stylish.
– Taylor Barbadora
Photo: Unsplash
Solar Energy in Mauritania
Klima Solar Power Project
Klima is a Germany-based mobile app that allows users to monitor and manage their own climate footprint. The app allows users to make donations to support international efforts aiming to offset humans’ environmental impact on the Earth. The app highlighted various efforts, including a successful solar farm project in Mauritania announced in July 2020. Covering an area of 600,000 square meters, this solar farm now supplies 15% of the country’s energy requirements. Klima’s statement revealed that more than 100,000 individuals now have access to electricity due to this solar farm, a significant improvement for those who were previously without power. This achievement is particularly notable given that many in the country lack access to electricity. Although the company hasn’t released an official update on the solar farm since its initial announcement, it has continued to raise money for it through blog posts, earning the title of “energy project to watch.”
Toujounine Solar Plant
The Toujounine project was the first major low-carbon-power project to use solar energy in Mauritania. Completed in 2017 and sponsored by Solemec, Mauritania’s national electric company, the project is an impressive $53 million solar farm boasting 53,000 solar panels. Aera, a French company supporting carbon footprint-lowering projects, stated in an archived release that the plant effectively offsets 57,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually – equivalent to the emissions from burning more than 6.4 million gallons of gasoline. By harnessing solar power instead of non-renewable energy sources, Mauritania can potentially experience improved air and water quality, leading to longer life expectancies and enhanced overall health. Ongoing success is evident, as a 2022 research paper validates the plant’s performance across various weather conditions.
Looking to the Future
While Mauritania has not outlined significant solar energy plans, the nation is actively pursuing other forms of renewable energy. Project AMAN, among the largest green energy initiatives in Africa, is focused on harnessing green hydrogen as a renewable energy source. Additionally, the Boulenouar Wind Farm, considerably larger than the nation’s previous largest wind farm, is in line to become Mauritania’s largest wind farm.
The potential of solar energy in Mauritania extends to enhancing the lives of impoverished communities by providing electricity access to those previously without it. This move not only addresses the energy gap but also improves raw material quality by curbing the use of pollutants. Mauritania’s continued investment in renewable energy signifies a crucial stride toward both citizen well-being and planetary health.
– Aidan Johnstone
Photo: Flickr
Elderly Care in Costa Rica: A Beacon of Hope for Aging Populations
After the 1948 Costa Rican civil war, as the world balked at the horrors of the Second World War and grappled with human rights, the Costa Rican government made a bold decision. It abolished its military and, instead, began establishing an inclusive and comprehensive social welfare program. Today, 96% of the population is covered by the government’s universal health care, including nearly all older adults.
While 17% of older adults are impoverished, Costa Rica is one of the few Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) states where people aged 65 and above are less likely to face poverty compared to the average citizen. Moreover, Costa Rica boasts one of the smallest gender disparities in old-age poverty rates within the OECD.
Supporting Costa Rica’s Elderly: A Three-Pronged Approach
Elderly individuals in Costa Rica receive support from three main sources: their families, nonprofit organizations and the state. Together, these systems form a safety net that makes elderly care in Costa Rica uniquely dignified and effective.
Older adults’ families are their primary caregivers, with 85% of people above the age of 65 living with two or more other people in 2017. This reflects the cultural norms of inter-generational households and familial support. However, the American Association of Retired Persons reports that the rate of elderly Costa Ricans living alone increased by 36% between 2011 and 2017. This suggests that there could be a need for nonprofit and government programs to expand to sustain the country’s older adult population.
Ongoing Efforts
The Yamuni Tabush Foundation, for example, has been promoting healthy aging in Costa Rica since its founding in 2013. A partner of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the foundation played a crucial role in securing protective medical supplies for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation also trained community health workers in high-risk areas and staff working in elderly residences, protecting vulnerable aged populations when they needed it most.
Legislative support has also shaped the landscape of elderly care in Costa Rica, guided by the values of human rights and equality. In 1999, the government passed the Comprehensive Law for Older Adults, the first piece of national legislation specifically aiming to improve older adults’ quality of life. Demonstrating its support for this vulnerable group, Costa Rica ratified the Inter-American Convention on the Protection of the Human Rights of Older Adults in 2016. In 2020, the country criminalized the abandonment of older adults on the grounds that it infringed upon their human rights. The government also showed its commitment to older adults when, in 2015, it increased funding to the National Council for Older Adults (CONAPAM) and its associated care network, Red Cuido.
CONAPAM partners with community homes, daycare centers and churches to aid exceptionally vulnerable or impoverished older adults. This government program impacts more than 15,000 people annually and has played a significant role in the implementation of The First National Alzheimer Plan of Costa Rica. This plan, the first of its kind in a low or middle-income country, focuses on improving the quality of life of dementia patients, who make up some 10.7 per 1,000 Costa Ricans.
Looking Forward
The quality of life of older Costa Ricans is not all perfect. Only 22% of the elderly population have been able to find employment, out of which 70% are working in the informal sector. The situation worsens as 43% of older adults have reported experiencing violent encounters, and almost 10% have faced age-based discrimination.
Nonetheless, Costa Rica has robust support structures within families and the nonprofit and government sectors. For decades, elderly care in Costa Rica has led both Latin America and the world in protecting the rights and dignity of older adults. As its older population continues to grow, its next steps may pave the way for a brighter future for older adults both inside and outside its sunny borders.
– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr
How the World Mosquito Program Tackles Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Some common diseases affecting humans include Dengue, Yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya; all viral diseases capable of causing debilitating symptoms and, in severe cases, death. At any moment, an estimated 3.9 billion people are susceptible to Dengue fever globally, with 96 million cases reported yearly. In response to these prevalent and dangerous diseases, one NGO, The World Mosquito Program, has decided to take action.
The World Mosquito Program employs different strategies to combat diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, with the goal of protecting millions of people from these deadly illnesses.
The Potential of Wolbachia
The World Mosquito Program has adopted an innovative scientific method to decrease the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. This method involves using Wolbachia, a common bacterium found in more than 50% of insect species. The charity is utilizing this bacterium to reduce the prevalence of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Wolbachia outcompetes harmful viruses like Dengue, leading to a decreased probability of mosquito bites spreading illnesses to humans.
Over time, releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes leads to their mating with the native population, passing Wolbachia onto the next generation. As a result, this significantly decreases the chances of native mosquitoes carrying life-threatening illnesses in a local area, allowing those surrounding it to live free of fear of mosquito-borne illness.
The best part is that Wolbachia has no negative impact on human lives and using it does not tamper with the ecosystem where Anopheles mosquitoes occur.
This revolutionary method has undergone trials globally, leading to highly promising results. In Cairns, Australia, the first-ever introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes led to such a low incidence of Dengue fever that the area is now considered a Dengue-free zone. The charity has already released these mosquitoes in 10 countries, with Laos and New Caledonia in line to join shortly. effectively protecting approximately 10 million people from diseases like Dengue and Zika, with plans to help even more in the coming years.
Empowering and Listening to Communities
While the World Mosquito Program primarily operates on scientific initiatives, it recognizes the importance of community cooperation. The charity strives to build connections with the local communities in which it operates, hosting meetings where it can explain methods and answer any questions people may have.
The World Mosquito Program adheres to a strict ethical policy that involves gaining community approval before releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes, engaging communities wholeheartedly to help them understand the overall benefits of the program.
In addition to being open to local communities, the World Mosquito Program also actively encourages the public to participate in its work. The organization offers opportunities for people to grow mosquitoes in their gardens, which can then be released, significantly aiding their efforts. Community members are also given the option to host bug traps, which the World Mosquito Program can use for long-term monitoring and making improvements.
The World Mosquito Program’s intent to involve local community groups, health officials and the general public in its research demonstrates its transparency as an organization, as many people might not initially understand how releasing more mosquitoes would help address the issue. However, with the implementation of local education programs and Q&A-type sessions, the public can easily understand and support the organization’s work.
Partnerships With Global Organizations
As a charitable non-government organization, the World Mosquito Program values the importance of cooperation between themselves and health officials, other charities and global governments. Therefore, when it extends its projects, it prioritizes reaching out to leaders for backing and funding.
To date, many well-known charities have funded the World Mosquito Program’s crucial work, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Save the Children and USAID. This funding has facilitated mosquito releases, local education programs and crucial research efforts. Since 2010, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed AUD$185 million to the World Mosquito program to continue its work.
In addition to funding, the World Mosquito Program collaborates with charities and governments to implement its methods on a large scale. The organization operates in close collaboration with the governments of the 12 countries it aids, seeking endorsement from global health authorities.
The program also has strong ties with the Australian government, working globally on projects not only in Australia but also in Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu. Over the years, the Australian government has given the organization AUS$ 14.5 million, enabling crucial research and the spread of Wolbachia mosquitoes.
Looking Ahead
The World Mosquito Program’s innovative approach using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes shows great promise in combatting mosquito-borne diseases. With successful trials in various countries, including Cairns, Australia, where Dengue fever incidence was drastically reduced, the program aims to protect millions from these deadly illnesses. The organization’s focus on community engagement and partnerships with global entities demonstrates a transparent and collaborative approach to achieving its mission, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
– Annabel Kartal-Allen
Photo: Flickr
Addressing the System’s Biggest Flaws: Health Care Reform in Indonesia
July 2023 Policy
In its latest act of health care related legislation, Parliament addresses several weak spots in the country’s health care system, including funding difficulties, staffing shortages and improving medical services. The policy removes mandatory government health care spending budgets in favor of more adaptable, targeted spending. This change would help ensure the efficient allocation of funds within the health care sector.
In addition, the new law also enables more foreign doctors to practice in Indonesia. Currently, Indonesia has only seven doctors for every 10,000 people. This law would help to address issues of understaffing in medical facilities and meet the demands of the Indonesian people.
Health Care in Indonesia
This new policy reform is just one example of health care reform in Indonesia aiming to increase the capacity of medical services amidst a growing population. Like many countries, the pandemic highlighted some widespread insufficiencies in the Indonesian health care system. Since 2020, the country’s parliament has implemented several policies designed to help ease strains on the health care system related to the pandemic.
These issues worsen in more rural areas, where there is less access to medical facilities and care. This new policy aims to improve health care accessibility in these remote regions. Additionally, this law aims to reduce strain on the health care industry and enhance the quality of medical service for patients.
The Road to Universal Health Coverage
Health care in Indonesia is seeing improvements not only in terms of physical access but also in financial accessibility. Since its introduction in 2014, the government’s Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) insurance program has expanded health insurance coverage to approximately 90% of the country’s population.
This coverage has significantly reduced out-of-pocket expenses among Indonesians, from 47% down to 32% of health care spending. JKN is intended to help pave the way toward universal coverage for all Indonesians.
Technology and Health Care
Indonesia has unveiled a 2021 initiative aimed at boosting health care access by leveraging technology. The plan seeks to digitalize medical care in the country, thereby expanding health care services and bridging gaps in care provision for remote regions.
The Blueprint of Health Digital Transformation Strategy 2024 aims to support Indonesia’s health care infrastructure development through digital technologies. This strategy also aims to enhance the quality and convenience of medical services by optimizing administration and patient data.
This program benefits not only Indonesia’s patients but health care workers as well. The integration of patient information will serve as a major convenience for the country’s doctors. The use of technology also allows for more room to monitor the effectiveness and quality of treatment in areas that need it most.
This program benefits both patients and health care workers in Indonesia. The integration of patient information provides significant convenience for the country’s doctors. The use of technology also enables better monitoring of treatment effectiveness and quality in areas that require it most.
Looking Ahead
Although there is still room for progress, especially in the areas of women’s health care and maternal mortality, the results so far represent a significant step toward achieving universal and quality health care in Indonesia. The health care reform efforts in the country have worked to address disparities in access to health care among the population, leading to tangible improvements in the medical infrastructure.
– Mary Burke
Photo: Flickr
The Gender Wage Gap in Estonia
In 2022, the gender wage gap in Estonia increased to 21.1% and, despite numerous efforts to address the issue, women in Estonia continue to earn less than their male counterparts for equivalent work. As women are 38% more likely to live in poverty than men, addressing the gender wage gap is crucial for fighting poverty. In fact, closing the gender wage gap can cut the poverty rates of working women in half, and this can create a more stable economic environment for Estonian families.
Causes of the Gender Wage Gap
Multiple factors contribute to the gender wage gap in Estonia. One major factor is occupational segregation, with women being more likely to work in lower-paying sectors such as education, health care and social services. The undervaluation of these traditionally female-dominated fields perpetuates the wage disparity. Additionally, women often face challenges in career advancement, encountering barriers such as limited access to higher-ranking positions or being disproportionately affected by breaks in employment due to family obligations.
Societal attitudes and biases also play a role in perpetuating the wage gap. Deep-rooted gender stereotypes and unconscious biases often result in unequal pay negotiations and hinder the recognition of women’s contributions in the workplace. These biases can also influence hiring decisions and career progression opportunities, further exacerbating the wage disparity.
Efforts to Address the Gender Wage Gap
Estonia has implemented various measures to tackle the gender wage gap and promote equal pay. The Estonian Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner’s Office has been instrumental in raising awareness about the issue and advocating for change.
In 2016, Estonia established the Welfare Development Plan for 2016-2023, which strives to assist employers in implementing equal pay policies. The standard provides guidelines for assessing and addressing the economic independence of men and women and pay gaps within organizations, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation based on skills, responsibilities and qualifications rather than gender. The plan intends to implement various measures from raising awareness to legislative initiatives.
Other Measures
Firstly, fostering a culture of pay transparency helps unveil wage disparities and encourages employers to rectify them. Estonia has taken steps to improve pay transparency, with requirements for employers to provide annual reports on the wages of men and women under the 2008 Equal Treatment Act and the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner’s Office. The culture of pay transparency promotes fairness and equity while encouraging accountability for employers’ pay practices.
Promoting women’s representation in leadership positions is another crucial step toward reducing the wage gap. Estonia’s new government has set a milestone for women as the country is one of 10 in the world with a female head of state. Furthermore, women hold 49% of the leadership positions in Estonia, representing the second-highest percentage in the EU. Encouraging gender diversity on corporate boards and implementing policies that support women’s career progression can dismantle the barriers hindering their advancement.
Furthermore, Estonia has one of the most affordable full-time childcare systems that cost less than €20 a week. Investing in affordable childcare and implementing family-friendly policies alleviates the burden on women, enabling them to balance work and family responsibilities more effectively.
Equality for All
Although the government has made strides in addressing the gender wage gap in Estonia, there appears to be room for more efforts. Recognizing and confronting the systemic and cultural factors that contribute to the disparity could play a vital role. And ongoing trends suggest that reforms in pay transparency, promoting women’s leadership and implementing family-friendly policies are some of the measures that pave the way for true pay equity, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender, receive fair compensation for their work.
– Valentin Lyazov
Photo: Flickr
Improving Mental Health in Tunisia
Factors Impacting Mental Health in Tunisia
Over the last 10 years, Tunisia has been hit by social, economic and political turmoil that has led to a decline in mental health. Mental disorders are responsible for 98% of extended sick leaves among public service sector employees in the country. Yet, many Tunisians suffering from mental illnesses and disorders do not seek help due to persistent “stigma and discrimination against people with mental disorders,” which the WHO has identified as “a significant public health issue in Tunisia.”
Such stigma is prevalent, not only among the general public but also across the country’s health care systems and among health care providers, who receive limited training in mental health diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Similarly, there are limited public programs in place to raise awareness of mental health disorders and promote intervention, prevention and treatment, causing many to feel shame for seeking help for themselves or their loved ones.
Additionally, there are limited resources for those struggling with mental health issues in Tunisia. For instance, as of 2020, Tunisia had only 2.89 psychiatrists, 3.36 mental health nurses and 0.23 social workers for every 100,000 Tunisian citizens, according to the WHO’s 2020 Mental Health Atlas report. The lack of mental health care workers has been compounded by a lack of mental health care facilities across the country, which has only one mental health hospital and 10 psychiatric units in general hospitals.
Consequently, even those who want to seek help often lack access to it. Untreated mental illness can have detrimental consequences for individuals, families, communities and societies as a whole. It often results in unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse and incarceration, profoundly diminishes the quality of life and increases the risk of suicide.
Current Solutions
Fortunately, there is hope for strengthening mental health care in Tunisia and eradicating the barriers that prevent people struggling with mental illness from obtaining help.
With support from the WHO, a group of psychiatrists from Razi Hospital is now working to implement changes that will advance mental health care in Tunisia to a level consistent with its general health care system.
The only public hospital completely dedicated to mental health in Tunisia, Razi Hospital has launched the country’s first anti-mental-health-stigma training for medical students at Tunis Medical School. Introduced in 2017, the program called Responding to Experienced and Anticipated Discrimination (READ), centers on educating future doctors about mental-health-related stigma in order to reduce it and improve the quality and accessibility of mental health care. The program has already shown positive results. In Tunisia, the number of mental health workers per 100,000 citizens increased from 0.20 in 2017 to 8.77 in 2020. Additionally, there was a 1.31% increase in expenditures on mental health research between 2016 and 2019.
The Tunisian authorities are stepping in to improve mental health in Tunisia, as well. In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government implemented a Psychological Assistance Unit to address the growing need for mental health support. It also established a toll-free hotline that allowed people struggling with mental health issues to remotely access the services of 240 mental health professionals.
Looking Ahead
In the face of rising mental health challenges, Tunisia is taking significant steps to improve mental health care and reduce stigma. The implementation of the Responding to Experienced and Anticipated Discrimination (READ) program at Tunis Medical School has shown promising results, increasing the number of mental health workers and research expenditures. Additionally, the government’s establishment of the Psychological Assistance Unit and toll-free hotline during the pandemic demonstrates a commitment to providing accessible mental health support to those in need. These efforts offer hope for a brighter future where mental health resources are readily available to all Tunisian citizens.
–Paige Falk
Photo: Pxfuel
Midwives in Bangladesh: A decade of Success in Saving Lives
The Program
The National Midwifery Programme is a three-year diploma course currently offered by 60 different nursing colleges and 105 private midwifery institutes across the country. According to MD Saiful Hassan Badal, the Honorable Secretary of the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this program has created “a cadre of international standard professional midwives.” It equips midwives with training in technology and counseling skills preparing them to provide excellent service both during the delivery but also pre- and post-natal care.
Successes
Community trust in public sector midwives has significantly increased, with people now choosing to have a midwife present rather than a traditional birth attendant during delivery.
Funding and Key Actors
The National Midwifery Programme is largely funded by the U.K. government, which maintains a strong bilateral aid partnership with Bangladesh. The U.K. supports a total of 38 midwifery colleges and provides financial and technical assistance to the Fourth Health Sector Programme of the Government of Bangladesh. This program aims to improve health care in Bangladesh, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to end preventable deaths of newborns and reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
The implementation of the Fourth Health Sector Programme is overseen by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh. During a seminar held in March 2022 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Representative of UNFPA, Dr. Eiko Narita, personally thanked the U.K. Government for its “generous support” of Bangladeshi midwives. She acknowledged that this support “has enabled [UNFPA] to train thousands of midwives over the past decade and integrate their life-saving services into the national health system.”
Empowering Women
The impact of the midwifery program goes beyond safe maternal care and deliveries; it empowers women and provides them with a new career path. The program offers free training, making it accessible to all and aligning with the U.K.’s priorities in their International Development Strategy to “provide women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed.” The Midwifery Newsletter in Bangladesh serves as a platform for midwives to share experiences and stories. One such story is that of Tanjina Akter, a Bangladeshi midwife based in Baharchara who successfully delivered a baby girl to a Rohingya refugee couple. The baby presented in breech, making for a possibly complex birth. Akter handled the complications independently, as she was the only midwife on duty, and the parents decided to name their daughter Tanjina in honor of the midwife who brought her into the world. This newsletter serves as tangible evidence of the program’s success and its impact on lives across the nation.
The Future
Looking ahead, Bangladesh still requires more than 20,000 midwives to meet the country’s needs. The government is already taking steps and making plans to create an additional 5,000 midwifery posts. Some nursing colleges are also offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifery as an alternative to the diploma course, which elevates the program to a higher education level, providing greater opportunities for participants.
Conclusion
The Bangladeshi midwifery program has achieved remarkable success over the past decade, saving lives and improving maternal and child health care. Through effective training and deployment, support from the U.K. government and collaboration with the UNFPA, this program has not only reduced infant mortality rates but also empowered women and created new career paths. With continued efforts and expansion, Bangladesh is on track to further enhance its health care system and save even more lives in the future.
– Danielle Chorley
Photo: Flickr
Coconut Hounds: Caring for Stray Dogs in the Dominican Republic
From Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic, stray dogs wander the streets of both urban and rural areas. While these dogs are laid-back, relaxed and rarely aggressive, they dominate entire neighborhoods. Tourists see stray dogs in the Dominican Republic, dubbed “Coconut Hounds” by locals, as a concern and a major problem.
Contrary to the fears of tourists, Coconut Hounds are friendly animals that have decent lives roaming the streets of urban areas, such as Santo Domingo. The pet culture of the Dominican Republic is dissimilar to that of other nations like the United States. While tourists believe these dogs are in danger and need help, organizations such as Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic ensure these pooches are well cared for. On the island, it is normal for pets to roam around during the day to visit friends or their favorite food spots and then return home to their owners at night.
How Stray Dogs Become an Issue
Despite Coconut Hounds’ friendly nature, stray dogs in the Dominican Republic are unfortunately impacting the tourism industry. With street dogs roaming around resort areas, websites such as Trip Advisor advise foreigners to not vacation in the Caribbean due to the unpleasant animal presence. As a result, the Dominican Republic loses millions of dollars as first-time visitors are told to avoid the island and returning tourists do not want to come back and see the strays.
As the economy takes a hit, the number of street dogs amplifies. Poverty directly links to more abandoned animals because owners lack the money to properly care for their pets. Not only can people in poverty not afford the supplies, food, shelter and health care for their pets, but underserved communities also have a lack of access to veterinary services and pet-care information.
Animal resource deserts appear in impoverished towns. Not only can owners not provide their pets with services to aid in their well-being, but there are also no veterinarians, spay and neuter clinics, groomers or supply stores. As impoverished individuals unable to care for their pets increasingly neglect their dogs, nations like the Dominican Republic face issues with their stray dog populations.
Dedication to Care, Dignity and Rescue
Fortunately, the organization Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic (DCDR) is making strides in providing Coconut Hounds with proper care. Managed entirely by volunteers, the non-profit runs programs in impoverished communities where animal neglect is prevalent.
To mitigate the effects of poverty on pet well-being, DCDR works with volunteer veterinarians who provide free medical services for both strays and dogs belonging to impoverished owners. Through spay and neuter clinics, the organization can prevent overpopulation and reduce the number of strays on the streets. Their outreach programs involve volunteers going into underserved neighborhoods and handing out tick, flea and parasite medication. While DCDR cannot house all the Coconut Hounds of the Dominican Republic in their shelter, they focus on providing vet services, such as x-rays and surgeries, to any dog in need.
Besides expanding the accessibility of animal well-being services, DCDR is also committed to educating impoverished individuals on proper pet care. The organization runs classes on proper treatment of pets, animal rights laws and what to do in an encounter with a stray. Along with providing pet owners with advice and information, DCDR also educates tourists on the pet culture of the island and encourages them to support stray dogs in the Dominican Republic by staying in hotels that embrace the animals.
Through the effort of the locals of the Dominican Republic, visitors and organizations like Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic, the beloved Coconut Hounds will continue to live happy lives on the island.
– Meilyn Farina
Photo: Flickr