In a leap toward ending child marriage in Pakistan, the Islamabad Capital Territory government passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2025. This new legislation is the first legal precedent in Pakistan to illegalize child marriage and set the legal minimum for marriage to at least 18 years of age for girls. Under the previous Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, the legal minimum age for marriage was 14 for girls, later amended to 16.
The new act also entails harsher punitive measures than the outdated law. For example, a man who marries an underage girl will now be looking at up to three years in prison. Anyone who facilitates or forces marriage onto a child can face up to seven years in prison, including marriage registrars, religious clerics or family members.
Child Marriage and Poverty
In Pakistan, 20.5 million or 18% of girls are married before they reach the age of 18. Approximately 5 million girls or 4%, are married before the age of 15. Poverty is the driving factor behind child marriage, along with gender inequality and cultural customs.
Child brides usually come from impoverished families who sell them to older men for a price as high as 2.5 million Pakistani rupees, which is more than $8,000. Child marriage tends to spike in regions prone to natural disasters, which displace families, destroy homes and overall increase poverty in the area. The lack of education and access to health facilities in some parts of Pakistan further reinforces the tradition of child marriage.
Although the updated Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2025 is a significant step toward ending child marriage, the law does not address the other factors contributing to the issue. However, below are three organizations raising awareness of the dangers of child marriage in Pakistan by educating the public.
UN Women
In 2024, U.N. Women partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to organize informational sessions across rural villages in Pakistan. These sessions showed parents the negative consequences of marriage for an underage girl, including health risks and limited access to education. They also sparked dialogue on women’s rights, inclusion in the agricultural industry and involvement in decision-making.
The awareness-raising program reached 1,732 people living in rural villages, as more families allowed their daughters to attend their local schools rather than keep them at home. One woman, Yasmin Gul and her husband attended an information session on child marriage in Pakistan’s Mohmand. Gul married young herself and married off two of her daughters when they were 14 and 15.
After the session, Gul and her husband decided against marrying off their youngest daughter until she is at least 18 years old. Until then, she would be allowed to grow and pursue an education — opportunities her older sisters never had. U.N. Women also launched a campaign where it hand-delivered wedding cards for a fictitious child marriage to Pakistani lawmakers and leaders, each card designed entirely by children.
The invitations displayed colourful artwork illustrated with crayons and markers. Some even included time for “games” in the itinerary. The children in the campaign were between 5 and 15 years old and one was an actual child bride. The invitations caught nationwide media coverage and inspired discussion across Pakistan.
The campaign also had a significant legislative impact, as lawmakers brought the wedding cards to parliamentary meetings to underscore the severity of the issue.
Pathfinder International
With a slightly similar approach, Pathfinder International launched the “End Early Child Marriage” campaign in partnership with the BPG advertising agency. The organization published an invitation to a fictitious wedding between a 13-year-old girl and a 56-year-old man across several media outlets in Pakistan, in English, Sindhi and Urdu. The goal was to reach a diverse audience covering varying demographics.
At the bottom of the card, it says, “This is not an actual event, but a metaphorical stand against the injustice of child marriage. Child marriage is synonymous with the premature ending of a child’s future.” The wedding invitation was published in two newspapers: The Express Tribune, with more than 25,000 readers and the Daily Express, with more than 350,000 readers.
The Express Tribune also shared the campaign on its YouTube podcast, which gained more than 100,000 views. The campaign circulated across popular radio stations, such as CityFM89 and FM100 Karachi, which garnered more than 1.5 million listeners. Express News TV also broadcast the campaign on-air, reaching more than 10 million viewers.
UNICEF Pakistan
UNICEF Pakistan launched its National Gender Strategy for 2024 to 2027. This involves a strategy to address gender inequalities and overall improve girls’ lives, especially when it comes to child marriage in Pakistan. The strategy entails investing in girls’ leadership, voice and agency.
It addresses traditional cultural attitudes perpetuating gender inequality as well as plans to work with leaders, religious figures, boys and men to change harmful beliefs. The strategy also outlines providing girls with greater accountability, social protection and reliable services in education, health care and nutrition.
In Pakistan, 54% of girls become pregnant before turning 18, 88% of girls between 10 and 17 live in poverty and 46% of girls have no education, employment or training. Pregnancy in underage girls poses a range of life-threatening health risks for both the mother and the baby. When paired with poverty and a lack of education or training, this also becomes detrimental to Pakistan’s progress as a country, highlighting the need for UNICEF’s strategy in Pakistan.
Ending Child Marriage For Good
Lawmakers and leaders establishing new legislation to restrict child marriage is a powerful stride. However, child marriage in Pakistan will not end for good until the government addresses the push behind it: poverty, inadequate facilities and a lack of education. Organizations must continue to focus on empowering girls and enabling a brighter future for Pakistan.
– Umaymah Suhail
Umaymah is based in Karachi, Pakistan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Pexels
Community Health Workers in Sierra Leone Save Mothers’ Lives
UNICEF reported that Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality ratio reached 1,360 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015. Approximately one in 17 women faced a lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes at that time. However, national and partner-led investments have contributed to measurable improvement.
The World Bank modeled estimates show that Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality ratio declined to about 354 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, reflecting substantial progress over the past decade.
How CHWs Work
Community Health Workers in rural Sierra Leone reduce maternal risk by reaching women earlier, identifying warning signs during pregnancy and helping families reach health facilities quickly during emergencies. They usually conduct home visits throughout pregnancy and for up to a year after delivery, providing referrals and accompanying women to care when complications occur. They also serve as a first point of contact at the community level.
Key ways local health workers support safer pregnancy and childbirth include:
Partners In Health’s Work in Sierra Leone
Partners In Health began working in Sierra Leone during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, after the government requested support and committed to strengthening the health system beyond the emergency response. In partnership with Sierra Leone’s government, the organization supports 11 health facilities across eight districts and combines community outreach with strengthened maternity wards and emergency referral systems.
As Kono District’s only hospital, Koidu Government Hospital now provides safer maternal care after Partners In Health introduced essential services, including running water and 24-hour electricity. The organization also expanded clinical capacity through oxygen production and a functioning blood bank. These upgrades allow clinicians to respond to obstetric emergencies that once proved fatal, including hemorrhage and obstructed labor.
Partners In Health also employs the district’s only specialized obstetrician-gynecologist and pediatrician. It has expanded services to include an emergency room, a special care baby unit and 24-hour access to C-sections and other surgeries, ensuring women receive timely, skilled care during complications.
Beyond the hospital, Partners In Health operates Wellbody Clinic, a model primary health facility providing maternal care alongside services for infectious and chronic diseases. It also partners with smaller public primary health clinics across the district to extend access to care before and after childbirth.
Measured Gains in Maternal and Newborn Care
From 2020 to 2025, Koidu Government Hospital saw a 69% increase in the number of women delivering there. In 2025 alone, more than 2,700 deliveries occurred at Koidu Government Hospital and 44% were C-sections. The program attributes this to the hospital’s role as a key referral facility for pregnancy complications.
Partners In Health also reported an 8% decrease in maternal deaths at Koidu Government Hospital from 2020 to 2022. The organization also reported broader gains across its supported system, including a 73% increase in mothers served at its supported facilities and a 49% increase in patients supported by CHWs. These figures indicate both stronger facility capacity and more consistent outreach in communities with historically limited access to skilled care.
Traditional Birth Attendants and Emergency Referrals
CHWs in rural Sierra Leone strengthen maternal care by working alongside trusted community figures who already support women during pregnancy and childbirth. Partners In Health Sierra Leone trained 191 traditional birth attendants and integrated them into the formal health system. They provide health education, accompany women to clinics and help families navigate care.
In 2025, these traditional birth attendants made more than 110,000 visits, connecting pregnant women to health services. They also helped reduce obstetric complications, stillbirths and maternal deaths across Kono District. When complications escalate, Partners In Health Sierra Leone supports Sierra Leone’s National Emergency Medical Services with fuel for ambulances, enabling rapid referrals.
In 2025 alone, 562 pregnant women reached Koidu Government Hospital through this emergency pathway, turning community-level care into timely, lifesaving treatment.
Expanding Capacity in 2026
Partners In Health and the Ministry of Health plan to expand maternal and newborn services through the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence. The center is scheduled to open in February 2026 on the Koidu Government Hospital campus in rural Kono District. The new center will add 120 beds across four modern buildings and include three operating theaters, significantly increasing capacity for complex deliveries and emergency obstetric care.
As the first facility outside Freetown with a piped medical gas system, the center will allow clinicians to deliver oxygen and anesthesia directly at the bedside, reducing delays during critical interventions. Alongside expanded clinical care, the center will function as a rural training hub. It will equip the next generation of health care workers with the skills needed to sustain maternal and newborn services in underserved settings.
Why the Approach Matters
Community Health Workers in rural Sierra Leone improve maternal survival by shortening the time between the first signs of complications and skilled medical care. UNICEF has found that many women never reach a health facility to give birth and that expanding training, equipment and medical supplies plays a critical role in increasing access to skilled care. By pairing community outreach with better-equipped hospitals and clinics, Partners In Health and government partners now reach women earlier in pregnancy and respond more quickly when complications arise.
This system depends on CWHs, who bring care closer to mothers while linking families to facilities that can deliver lifesaving treatment during emergencies.
– Kira Dosanjh Rai
Photo: Flickr
Youth Skills Projects in Kenya: Employment and Economic Mobility
Youth skills projects in Kenya are increasingly tailoring training to corporate demands, entrepreneurial opportunities and emerging industries. These programs are helping reduce poverty by creating stable income opportunities for vulnerable households.
Youth Unemployment in Kenya Limits Economic Mobility
According to Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, the bulk of young people employed are in low-wage, informal jobs. Youth unemployment remains close to 13%, with young women facing higher rates at around 18%. These labor inequities undermine long-term economic resilience and exacerbate household poverty.
To address this issue, Kenyan youth skills programs increasingly focus on hands-on training that leads directly to employment and the establishment of businesses.
Government Training Programs Expand Workforce Readiness
Kenya’s government boosted Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to align classroom better learning with labor market demands. Enrollment at public TVET institutions has increased from more than 345,000 to more than 565,000 trainees between the academic years 2022–2023 and 2024–2025. This represents a 63.8% increase as the Ministry of Education improved access, quality and industry alignment.
Officials are also implementing a Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework that closely aligns courses with real-world, industry-relevant skills. This method aims to help graduates enter the workforce with the skills businesses require and focuses on practical training valued by employers. The government announced plans to boost the number of young people participating in TVET programs to two million by the end of 2025.
To broaden access, it allocated additional funding for facilities, equipment and the recruitment of trainers. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce poverty by equipping youth with marketable skills that generate sustainable income.
Digital Skills Programs Connect Youth to Global Markets
The Kenyan government’s Ajira Digital Program, which collaborates with partners such as eMobilis and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, provides free digital and online job training. The initiative has trained more than 250,000 young people in Kenya, with modules covering digital marketing, transcribing and other internet skills. According to a tracking poll commissioned by Ajira, nearly one-third of participants report earning money online after completing the course.
By connecting youth to online income streams, the program tackles poverty and expands economic opportunity nationwide.
Green Energy and Agribusiness Training Create Local Jobs
Kenya’s renewable energy expansion has boosted demand for solar technicians and electrical installers. Training facilities like Strathmore Energy Research Center offer solar certification courses to prepare young people for jobs installing and maintaining off-grid energy systems. Moreover, TechnoServe Kenya funds youth agribusiness training and market access programs.
The training has helped tens of thousands of young farmers boost productivity and incomes, particularly in rural areas. These initiatives reduce poverty by increasing household earnings and fostering entrepreneurship in local communities.
Conclusion
Kenya’s youth skills programs show how coordinated investments in technical education, digital training, renewable energy and agriculture can transform classrooms into economic growth engines. Youth skills projects in Kenya, government initiatives and nonprofit partnerships are helping young people gain practical skills, income opportunities and entrepreneurship pathways. They are now providing young people with practical skills, income opportunities and entrepreneurship pathways.
These initiatives improve household stability, lower unemployment and increase Kenya’s long-term economic resilience.
– Madison Brown
Photo: Flickr
Inside the Project Designed To Improve Thai Infrastructure
In a press release, the World Bank’s Division Director for Myanmar and Thailand, Melinda Good, said, “This project marks a significant milestone in our renewed partnership with Thailand—bringing critical infrastructure to local communities while protecting the country’s unique natural assets that support local economies.”
Connecting Communities
TRIP promises to connect communities in the Songkhla Lake region through the construction of two new, crucially weather-resistant bridges. According to plans, the new Songkhla Lake Bridge will link Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces via a seven-kilometer roadway across Songkhla Lake. At present, an 80-kilometer or roughly two-hour, detour stands in the path of travelers between the two regions.
TRIP aims to reduce this journey to a mere 10 minutes. Additional plans include the construction of the Kho Lanta Bridge, a two-kilometer roadway connecting Krabi on the mainland to Koh Lanta, a Songkhla Lake island. Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, a senior officer for Thailand at the World Bank, stressed in a social media post last month that plans consider the region’s environmental challenges and draw on examples of past natural disasters.
Indeed, southern Thailand’s climate dictates that both bridges incorporate weather-resilient engineering in their design. Floods, storms and sea-level rise all pose distinct threats to communities around Songkhla Lake in the coming years. The presence of the Kho Lanta and Songkhla Lake bridges strengthens future evacuation routes for local communities.
Economic Importance
On the project, Suddhi-Dhamakit said, “Improved connectivity is expected to support job creation during construction and long-term employment through tourism and local economic activity.” In this way, TRIP holds significant economic importance for the areas surrounding Songkhla Lake. Southern Thailand’s economic growth trails behind that of the rest of the country.
The poverty rate there is 7.4%, more than double the national average. Connectivity plays an important role in the job market because transportation bottlenecks can impede the ability of residents to attend markets and access services and other employment opportunities. The construction of the two new bridges stands to benefit the local population initially by providing construction jobs.
It will later allow easier access to other employment through improved transportation infrastructure. Three million tourists also pass through the region each year, a number experts expect to rise with the area’s improved travel connections.
Final Thoughts
While the project remains in its infancy, support from the World Bank represents a monumental step toward its eventual realization. Negative environmental trade-offs often materialize in large-scale infrastructure development, such as what TRIP proposes. Nonetheless, the project aims to bridge the gap by simultaneously developing Thai infrastructure and protecting local biodiversity.
– Louis Sartori
Photo: Unsplash
Women’s Cooperative Farming Combating Poverty in The Gambia
Agriculture contributes about 20% of the country’s GDP. Approximately 74% of rural residents live below the poverty line, which increases vulnerability for farming households. Many women rely on small-scale farming for food and income; however, limited access to land, resources and markets often restricts their economic opportunities.
Barriers Faced by Women Farmers
There are unspoken barriers that Gambian women face, limiting their ability to increase income and reduce poverty. They have limited opportunities for education, land ownership or access to productive inputs, reducing both productivity and household income. Limited access to seeds, tools, fertilizers and financial services further slows agricultural productivity for women farmers.
These obstacles contribute to persistent poverty and food insecurity among women and their households.
Women’s Cooperative Farming Projects as a Solution
Women’s cooperative farming has become an effective solution to the economic challenges faced by women farmers in The Gambia. Cooperatives are the means by which women have accessed resources, such as seeds, tools and fertilizers. These collective structures allow them to sell their produce in local and regional markets and negotiate fairer prices.
For example, a program aims to reach about 40,000 households (more than 10% of the population). Women account for about 80% of participants, boosting productivity, food availability, market access and income stability. Women’s cooperatives have become a key asset in improving household livelihoods and reducing poverty in rural Gambian communities.
FAO Climate-Smart Agriculture Programs
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) strengthens the resilience of women farmers through sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. Through these initiatives, training is provided in sustainable farming techniques and soil management. This helps women gain the knowledge and support to increase productivity while adapting to climate challenges.
Hands-on workshops are key to improving practical skills and food security. Women who participate in these programs receive education and guidance on generating a stable income and reducing poverty.
IFAD-Supported Women’s Cooperatives
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supports women’s cooperative farming in The Gambia by helping create community gardens, develop value chains and provide inclusive access to microloans. IFAD programs help women secure better prices for their products in the market. Through these initiatives, participating communities experience increased household income and a sustainable reduction of poverty.
To help protect rural households, IFAD has been funding the National Agricultural Land and Water Management Development (NEMA) project through its Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Program (ASAP). It aims to increase the climate resilience of smallholder farmers and improve local climate emergency management.
NEMA has increased agricultural productivity and household income by improving access to irrigation, land and markets. Also, FAO-supported horticulture projects provide training, tools and seeds, strengthening food security and income generation for rural communities.
ActionAid SAPOF Project
ActionAid International The Gambia, has a project named Strengthening Civil Society Organizations Support and Advocacy for Sustainable Production (SAPOF), funded by the European Union. SAPOF has established women’s vegetable gardens in several communities. It has trained more than 100 women, youth and persons with disabilities in organic/compost fertilizer production and sustainable farming practices.
Thanks to these gardens, many women farmers benefit from agricultural production and training in climate-resilient practices. Participants from across the nation have reported that gardens have improved their quality of life and household nutrition and have helped reduce economic dependency and food insecurity.
Impact on Women, Households and Communities
These farming initiatives have a huge impact on poverty reduction in The Gambia by increasing women’s economic participation in the household income. Women involved in such initiatives report improved nutrition, stable income and even greater decision-making power within their communities. This is a way of strengthening women’s role in farming projects, which also contributes to the local food supply chain and benefits households where poverty and food insecurity remain highest.
Why Women’s Cooperative Farming Matters
Women’s cooperative farming projects in The Gambia play a key role in addressing poverty and food insecurity. Supporting women farmers is essential to improve households’ well-being, nutrition and sustainable development and to reduce poverty across rural regions of The Gambia. All of this is possible with access to resources, markets and land.
– Numahaiseta Sillah
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Rights Initiatives in India: The Tamil Nadu TiC Council
Over the years, the Indian government has become sensitive to the multidimensional aspects. It has worked to introduce solutions which address not just the issue but also encompass all its nuances. The Tamil Nadu government’s multistakeholder TiC is one such initiative launched in association with the U.N. Women.
The government announced the Council in February 2024. Through this initiative, the state aims to create a safe, secure workspace for women in the textile industry.
What Is the Tamil Nadu TiC?
The TiC, as described by U.N. Women, brings together personnel from multiple sectors with a single goal: women’s safety. It involves brands, textile manufacturers, policymakers, the Tamil Nadu Department of Textiles, service providers and researchers to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace.
Tamil Nadu’s textile industry is vast and includes more women in lower-skilled positions. The state hosts nearly 70% of the country’s fabric knitting capacity and 46% of the loom capacity. In fiscal year 2025, the state contributed 26.81% of the national market share. In this booming sector, Tamil Nadu women also account for 40% of the national workforce.
Owing to this high concentration and the existing gender disparity in wages and benefits, solutions seemed necessary. As a result, the government departments of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment and the Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles & Khadi, introduced this solution. The TiC holds a zero-tolerance policy toward the mistreatment of women in the workplace.
On initiation, the TiC planned to introduce standard industry guidelines which ensure implementation of stated measures.
TiC’s Vision for Women’s Rights in India
During its launch in 2024, the Tamil Nadu TiC Council members presented several aims for the committee to focus on. First, they planned to conduct safety audits across textile factories in major cities throughout Tamil Nadu. These cities are key textile hubs in the state and are home to the majority of textile factories and production units.
The initiative aimed to reach more than 16,000 factory workers and more than two million “linked community members.” The council plans to educate textile industry workers and members about women’s rights through outreach initiatives. The program is designed to empower girls and women by promoting safe and sustainable livelihoods.
Transforming policies, increasing the number of female workers in the industry and raising awareness are among the council’s primary implementation methods. At the July 2025 committee meeting, members of the Tamil Nadu TiC discussed the council’s accomplishments. According to the press release, it undertook interventions including safety audits, the distribution of training materials and tools and community engagement.
TiC & The PoSH Act Review
Another key component that the TiC prioritizes is the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act. Over the past year, the TiC has introduced PoSH compliance across diverse textile work centers, including factories, units and small-scale industries. Through its inter-departmental collaboration with global brands such as the H&M Group and nonprofits such as U.N. Women, the council draws on diverse sources and has varied impacts.
The TiC utilizes this sectoral convergence to expand its sphere of influence. It does so by reaching out to more women in need and by working to reduce gender disparity in the textile industry. Geetha Jeevan, the committee’s chair, in the July 2025 meeting, emphasised zero tolerance toward violence against women. She also spoke about how the Tamil Nadu government aims to empower women by prioritizing their needs and safety in the workforce.
Women’s Rights Initiatives in India
While the TiC stands out prominently in the present, India has seen several such initiatives in the past years. Many women-centric government schemes and programs exist. However, only a small portion of the general public is aware of them.
These schemes focus on girls’ education, maternity-related financial support, accommodation for working women and more. Additionally, under the PoSH Act, the government has established Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in every state. Tamil Nadu has 5,493 ICCs in government organizations and more than 10,000 ICCs in private establishments.
Final Thoughts
The existence of initiatives such as the Tamil Nadu TiC underscores the commitment of global and particularly Indian lawmakers to addressing women’s rights issues in the country. However, limited public awareness of these programs remains a significant barrier preventing women and girls from benefiting from them. As a result, the TiC and similar initiatives require greater visibility and education efforts, especially for communities living below the poverty line.
Increased funding and targeted support could help address the multidimensional nature of gender disparity. Given how deeply rooted these challenges are, modern solutions are essential, chief among them being sustained advocacy, visibility and widespread awareness.
– Shafika Fathima
Photo: Flickr
How Proactive Aid Can Mitigate Droughts in Somalia
Drought in Somalia
Somalia is ranked the seventh most climate-vulnerable country in the world. A drought lasting from 2020 to 2023 in Somalia resulted in thousands of Somalis relocating to camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Many IDP camps in southern Somalia are located in climate-vulnerable areas, forcing IDPs to relocate more than once after drought or floods deplete the camps’ resources.
Dried-up water sources forced people to drink contaminated water, causing outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. Outbreaks led to further displacement, as sick people without access to local health facilities traveled up to 1,000 km for treatment.
Depleted food stores and arid farmlands caused food prices to increase by 160% since 2020. Simultaneously reducing incomes and job security resulted in rising levels of malnutrition and food insecurity. More than 4.4 million Somalis faced acute food insecurity in December 2025, and 1.85 million children under five years old are projected to be afflicted with acute malnutrition through mid-2026.
Between 2022 and 2024, approximately 71,100 Somali deaths occurred due to drought. An estimated 40% of these excess deaths were children under five years old.
Anticipatory Action: What Is It?
Anticipatory action in Somalia uses weather forecasting to predict droughts and their projected humanitarian impact in the indicated regions. This system allows forecasters to identify and warn at-risk regions early. Pre-planning and allocating appropriate resources before humanitarian needs reach severe levels mitigates the effects of drought and prevents potential crises and mass displacement.
Activities for drought preparation occur between the trigger activation and the forecasted peak of humanitarian need during the drought. The interventions proceed in phases over a two- to nine-month period, so activities may be adapted to the trajectory of the drought’s predicted timeline and impact.
Benefits of Anticipatory Action
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) uses anticipatory action in Somalia to mitigate the effects of droughts. After weather forecasters predict a drought, the IRC provides families in the specified areas with several rounds of cash assistance to prepare.
Anticipatory action proves advantageous compared to traditional aid delivered after a crisis for multiple reasons. Farmers and pastoralists can purchase supplementary water and feed beforehand to reduce the death of livestock and crops. Proactive cash assistance is cost-effective by preventing the need for costly humanitarian aid following a crisis. It also prevents families from selling their animals or land and removing children from school.
A recipient of cash assistance from the IRC in Somalia named Mohamud said, “The droughts used to kill many of my animals. This time around, the money came when our livestock were still alive, and that’s how the animals ended up being saved. It has really helped us and preserved our dignity.”
Challenges of Anticipatory Action
Anticipatory action programs exist in challenging, climate-vulnerable environments. Many Somalis living in at-risk regions experience multiple and overlapping crises, including conflict, increasingly frequent droughts, floods and desert locust swarms, reducing affected communities’ ability to prepare for an anticipated drought.
Early warning systems face challenges in effectively and efficiently communicating directly with farmers and pastoralists living in rural areas. The information must reach them early enough to provide time to prepare, but not so early that the forecast is unreliable. Additionally, the warning information must include actionable advice and explain what supplies will be available.
Looking Ahead
Anticipatory action in Somalia is a preventive warning system designed to reduce the humanitarian impacts of droughts. This proactive approach provides a multitude of advantages compared to the traditional humanitarian response following a crisis. Climate-vulnerable communities benefit from early preparation, comprehensive interventions included in Somalia’s Anticipatory Action Framework and early cash assistance from the IRC. These programmes continue to expand and adapt to challenges to reduce human suffering from droughts and build long-term community resilience.
– Sarah Merrill
Photo: Flickr
The Hear, Listen and Speak Program: Hearing Care in Bhutan
Poverty and Health Care Disparities in Bhutan
In 2022, 10.1% of Bhutanese people lived below the national poverty line, with 87% of this population residing in rural areas. About 62% of Bhutan’s total population lives in rural areas, where access to services is more limited and socioeconomic conditions are generally poorer than in urban areas. Significant disparities in health care access exist between rural and urban populations, with rural residents having 3.4 times higher odds of using primary health centers rather than outpatient hospital services.
Socioeconomic Position and Hearing Loss
People with hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed, attain lower levels of education and earn lower wages. Meanwhile, people in lower socioeconomic positions are less likely to use hearing aids or access hearing care. Children in lower socioeconomic positions are less likely to receive early diagnosis and intervention.
They also have lower levels of device use and generally attend schools with fewer resources or rehabilitation programs. If hearing loss in childhood goes untreated, it can permanently impair speech and language acquisition, reducing a child’s likelihood of completing their primary education.
The Hear, Listen and Speak Program
The Ministry of Health of Bhutan launched the HLS Program in 2021 to address gaps in pediatric ear and hearing care for children ages 0-14 years with hearing loss and ear disorders. The national program provides early screening, diagnosis and intervention services. The HLS Program increases accessibility for rural populations by delivering the necessary technology, including hearing aid fittings, surgical capabilities and aftercare rehabilitation, at all levels of the health care continuum.
By equipping primary health centers with the technology to treat ear and hearing disorders, these services become decentralized and more accessible to rural communities.
HLS Program Goals:
Program Results
By June 2025, the program had screened more than 104,746 children and identified ear and hearing conditions in 14,003 children (13% of those screened). By strengthening referral pathways and continuum-of-care camps, 32% of the children identified with ear and hearing conditions were registered for treatment. About 87% of those registered received care, including 81 hearing aid fittings and 73 surgeries.
Furthermore, the HLS Program established the first earmold lab in the country at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), revolutionizing hearing care in Bhutan. Earmold impression and hearing aid services for children are now available at the JDWNRH through the earmold lab.
Conclusion
Bhutan is making significant strides to upgrade its pediatric hearing care system across all levels of care through the HLS Program. The program ensures the sustainability of ongoing prevention and treatment for hearing loss and ear disorders in children by establishing the country’s first earmold lab. It also builds capacity through training and by empowering health workers, schools and communities across Bhutan.
With a strong focus on early detection and intervention, the program improves treatment for the estimated 60% of pediatric hearing loss that is preventable with timely intervention.
– Sarah Merrill
Photo: Flickr
Bridges to Prosperity: Tackling Rural Isolation in East Africa
Despite being historically underestimated, rural isolation is a root cause of poverty. Approximately 1 billion people are considered rurally isolated, meaning they live more than two kilometers from an all-season road and 80% of people living in extreme poverty reside in rural areas. A significant proportion of these populations live in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring that no long-term impact can be achieved without first addressing rural isolation in East Africa.
Fika’s Impact So Far
Over the past few years, Fika has had its greatest impact in Rwanda. Since partnering with the Rwanda Transport Development Agency in 2019 and building 200 bridges, the organization has reached more than 800,000 people nationwide. Fika estimates that each bridge results, on average, in a 75% increase in farm profits and a 30% increase in household income.
This impact benefits local communities and demonstrates a strong return on investment for a trail bridge. In fact, Fika calculated that each trail bridge returns 49% of its cost in increased economic activity annually, meaning each bridge essentially pays for itself within two years of operation. Even when considering nonmonetary factors, connecting communities to critical services has led to a 200% increase in school attendance among girls and improved access to health care in Rwanda.
These outcomes show a clear correlation between poverty and rural isolation in East Africa, meaning one cannot be addressed without the other. Furthermore, after years of research and testing, Fika designed a trail bridge model that is both cost-effective and sustainable. When the project began, the founders had limited access to heavy, durable materials.
As a result, it developed a system that uses repurposed and locally sourced materials to construct the trail bridges. These bridges are now simple to build and highly resilient, capable of withstanding the volatile climates of the countries in which they are built.
Vision for the Future
While many people have already benefited from the organization’s work, millions remain isolated from critical services. Fika aims to expand into other East African countries and broaden its reach into Central Africa; its newest program is launching in Zambia, with the goal of connecting 500,000 people by 2030. Most importantly, Fika is working to move away from philanthropy toward a more sustainable model in which governments or the private sector fund these projects.
The trail bridges built so far are owned by local governments, which makes them responsible for maintenance rather than Fika and helps ensure long-term upkeep without relying on the organization’s resources. Fika is still trialing partnerships with local governments, as each country requires a different cooperation model.
Final Thoughts
Although trail bridges are not the most traditional form of foreign aid or poverty alleviation, Fika represents a shift toward more permanent and sustainable solutions. Quick relief aid is essential and has helped millions in the past. However, organizations that address the root causes of poverty, such as rural isolation in East Africa, are more likely to achieve long-lasting impact and support future development without relying on continued foreign aid.
– Vittoria Cortese
Photo: Unsplash
Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2025: End Child Marriage in Pakistan
The new act also entails harsher punitive measures than the outdated law. For example, a man who marries an underage girl will now be looking at up to three years in prison. Anyone who facilitates or forces marriage onto a child can face up to seven years in prison, including marriage registrars, religious clerics or family members.
Child Marriage and Poverty
In Pakistan, 20.5 million or 18% of girls are married before they reach the age of 18. Approximately 5 million girls or 4%, are married before the age of 15. Poverty is the driving factor behind child marriage, along with gender inequality and cultural customs.
Child brides usually come from impoverished families who sell them to older men for a price as high as 2.5 million Pakistani rupees, which is more than $8,000. Child marriage tends to spike in regions prone to natural disasters, which displace families, destroy homes and overall increase poverty in the area. The lack of education and access to health facilities in some parts of Pakistan further reinforces the tradition of child marriage.
Although the updated Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2025 is a significant step toward ending child marriage, the law does not address the other factors contributing to the issue. However, below are three organizations raising awareness of the dangers of child marriage in Pakistan by educating the public.
UN Women
In 2024, U.N. Women partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to organize informational sessions across rural villages in Pakistan. These sessions showed parents the negative consequences of marriage for an underage girl, including health risks and limited access to education. They also sparked dialogue on women’s rights, inclusion in the agricultural industry and involvement in decision-making.
The awareness-raising program reached 1,732 people living in rural villages, as more families allowed their daughters to attend their local schools rather than keep them at home. One woman, Yasmin Gul and her husband attended an information session on child marriage in Pakistan’s Mohmand. Gul married young herself and married off two of her daughters when they were 14 and 15.
After the session, Gul and her husband decided against marrying off their youngest daughter until she is at least 18 years old. Until then, she would be allowed to grow and pursue an education — opportunities her older sisters never had. U.N. Women also launched a campaign where it hand-delivered wedding cards for a fictitious child marriage to Pakistani lawmakers and leaders, each card designed entirely by children.
The invitations displayed colourful artwork illustrated with crayons and markers. Some even included time for “games” in the itinerary. The children in the campaign were between 5 and 15 years old and one was an actual child bride. The invitations caught nationwide media coverage and inspired discussion across Pakistan.
The campaign also had a significant legislative impact, as lawmakers brought the wedding cards to parliamentary meetings to underscore the severity of the issue.
Pathfinder International
With a slightly similar approach, Pathfinder International launched the “End Early Child Marriage” campaign in partnership with the BPG advertising agency. The organization published an invitation to a fictitious wedding between a 13-year-old girl and a 56-year-old man across several media outlets in Pakistan, in English, Sindhi and Urdu. The goal was to reach a diverse audience covering varying demographics.
At the bottom of the card, it says, “This is not an actual event, but a metaphorical stand against the injustice of child marriage. Child marriage is synonymous with the premature ending of a child’s future.” The wedding invitation was published in two newspapers: The Express Tribune, with more than 25,000 readers and the Daily Express, with more than 350,000 readers.
The Express Tribune also shared the campaign on its YouTube podcast, which gained more than 100,000 views. The campaign circulated across popular radio stations, such as CityFM89 and FM100 Karachi, which garnered more than 1.5 million listeners. Express News TV also broadcast the campaign on-air, reaching more than 10 million viewers.
UNICEF Pakistan
UNICEF Pakistan launched its National Gender Strategy for 2024 to 2027. This involves a strategy to address gender inequalities and overall improve girls’ lives, especially when it comes to child marriage in Pakistan. The strategy entails investing in girls’ leadership, voice and agency.
It addresses traditional cultural attitudes perpetuating gender inequality as well as plans to work with leaders, religious figures, boys and men to change harmful beliefs. The strategy also outlines providing girls with greater accountability, social protection and reliable services in education, health care and nutrition.
In Pakistan, 54% of girls become pregnant before turning 18, 88% of girls between 10 and 17 live in poverty and 46% of girls have no education, employment or training. Pregnancy in underage girls poses a range of life-threatening health risks for both the mother and the baby. When paired with poverty and a lack of education or training, this also becomes detrimental to Pakistan’s progress as a country, highlighting the need for UNICEF’s strategy in Pakistan.
Ending Child Marriage For Good
Lawmakers and leaders establishing new legislation to restrict child marriage is a powerful stride. However, child marriage in Pakistan will not end for good until the government addresses the push behind it: poverty, inadequate facilities and a lack of education. Organizations must continue to focus on empowering girls and enabling a brighter future for Pakistan.
– Umaymah Suhail
Photo: Pexels
How Nutrition Policy Shapes Health Equity in South Africa
How Economic Pressure Fuels Food Insecurity in South Africa
Economic pressures, rather than food availability, drive food insecurity in South Africa, pushing many families to struggle to access nutritious diets. Low-income individuals and households often choose cheaper, energy-dense alternatives that provide calories but few essential nutrients. High unemployment, structural poverty and rising living costs have made food increasingly inaccessible across South Africa.
The national energy crisis, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town, has further driven widespread hunger. In 2021, roughly 80% of South African households had adequate access to food, 15% had inadequate access and 6% had severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was more prevalent in urban areas, with the highest concentrations in Cape Town (241,000 households) and Johannesburg (239,000 households).
Households with young children are disproportionately affected. An estimated 683,221 households with children under age 5 experienced hunger and malnutrition. This has contributed to higher rates of stunting and impaired physical and cognitive development.
The highest prevalence is found in KwaZulu-Natal (20.1%), Johannesburg (13.6%) and Cape Town (12.4%). Since April 2021, 323 child deaths linked to malnutrition and hunger have been reported in the Eastern Cape.
Unequal Cities, Unequal Health: The Cost of Urban Planning Failures
As South Africa rapidly urbanizes, with more than 72% of the population projected to live in cities by 2030, food security policies remain inadequate. Low-income households in informal settlements and townships often lack access to affordable supermarkets. This forces them to rely on higher-priced spaza shops with limited access to fresh produce, directly deepening nutrition-related health inequities.
These failures in the urban food environment directly undermine health equity in South Africa. Energy and infrastructure instability disrupt cooking, refrigeration and food storage. This reduces households’ ability to consume fresh foods, increasing reliance on processed and street foods.
Despite social grants such as the Child Support Grant and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD), many households earn too much to qualify for assistance yet too little to afford adequate food. Even among households that do qualify, grant amounts are insufficient to cover the cost of a nutritious diet, particularly amid rising food inflation in South Africa. The criminalization of street vendors and restrictions on trading spaces undermine the informal food system.
In turn, this reduces access to affordable food for low-income households and pushes many into more severe food insecurity.
National and International Initiative To Improve Health Equity in South Africa
To address persistent nutrition-related health inequalities, the South African government uses initiatives such as the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (NFNSP). It also implements the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) to improve food security and child nutrition among disadvantaged populations. In 2018, South Africa introduced the NFNSP (2018–2023) to address nutrition-related health inequities by strengthening food security for low-income and vulnerable populations.
The plan aims to reduce childhood obesity and cut adult obesity by 15% by 2023. Similarly, in October 2023, the Department of Basic Education reaffirmed its commitment to the NSNP. The program feeds more than nine million learners annually and reduces child hunger.
Beyond national initiatives, the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) underscores the urgency of addressing child poverty, as many children continue to experience deprivation despite broader social assistance programs. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also supports South Africa by strengthening child poverty measurement. It also helps guide policies that direct government spending toward services benefiting the most impoverished children.
Additionally, in 2025, World Health Organization Member States extended the Global Nutrition Targets to 2030 and aligned them with the Sustainable Development Goals. The updated framework maintains targets to reduce stunting, anemia, low birth weight and wasting, while strengthening goals to reduce childhood overweight and increase exclusive breastfeeding. This extension reinforces global commitment to accelerating action on maternal and child nutrition and reducing nutrition-related health inequities.
Final Thoughts
Addressing health equity in South Africa requires coordinated action on the social and structural drivers of health, including poverty, inequality, limited access to primary health care and food insecurity. Strengthening primary health care, expanding universal health coverage and sustaining programs such as NSNP and NFNSP are essential to protecting vulnerable populations and reducing nutrition-related health disparities.
– Yuhan Rong
Photo: Unsplash