Gabon is a Central African nation with an abundance of culture, wildlife and landscapes. However, the country faces a range of challenges, including its continuous and worsening struggle with human trafficking. Gabon finds itself in a challenging predicament as it has become a popular location for human trafficking, especially child trafficking. Mélanie Mbadinga Matsanga, Gabon’s social affairs director-general, even referred to Goban as an Eldorado for human trafficking.
There has been a steady decadence in the severity of human trafficking in Gabon. The nation has witnessed unrestrained and swiftly burgeoning growth of trafficking with no rigorous systemic mechanisms to tackle the issue.
Between 2003 and 2010, there were no trafficking-related convictions in Gabon, while the nation has downgraded to a Tier 2 Watch List in the U.S. Department of State’s 2022 report.
The Reality of Gabon’s Human Trafficking
Gabon has become a popular transitory or final destination for human trafficking victims of West and Central Africa. Gabon both receives and sources trafficked people. Those who end up trafficked often by force become street vendors, transportation assistants, mechanics, fishermen, domestic servants, illicit gold miners, wildlife trafficking or sex workers, according to the Department of State.
The state of human trafficking in Gabon is due to its inadequate systems to prevent and address the issue at hand. A glaring indicator of this absence of systemic instruments is the nation’s inability to adopt an anti-trafficking national action plan (NAP) for the third consecutive year. To compound the issue, the federal government has neglected to create a functioning anti-trafficking coordination system within the national inter-ministerial commission.
Moreover, the lack of national coordination has also made data collection and usage immensely more complicated, thereby hindering the ability to properly understand, investigate and prosecute. For instance, the Gabonese authorities claim to have begun 10 human trafficking-related investigations, while there were zero in 2020 and only three in 2019, according to the Department of State.
Corruption and Collusion
To aggravate the situation, there have been persistent accusations and a scarcity of inquiries for governmental corruption and collusion in human trafficking. Experts have alleged that there has been intentional postponement or dismissal of trafficking cases that bribed judges cause. The Department of State suggests that while the government contends that delays stem from legal inadequacies and the absence of knowledge, the lack of concrete action against corruption accusations foments concerns.
Furthermore, Gabon’s existing anti-trafficking programs and committees lack transparency and commitment. The government has not disclosed the funding for the nation’s anti-trafficking programs and the government’s interministerial committee against trafficking has not convened since 2019. There is a discouraging aura of depreciation and inconsequence to solving these heinous crimes.
Gabon’s Poverty and Human Trafficking
In the shadows of human trafficking in Gabon lies a root catalyst of systemic inequalities and disparities. Poverty renders certain groups significantly more susceptible to exploitation and possible trafficking. Conflict, lack of access to professional and educational opportunities and mass displacement all have poverty as a central element that leaves individuals especially vulnerable.
U.N. Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons Joy Ngozi Ezeilo emphasizes how poverty, some traditional Western African and domestic work’s high demand in high Gabonese society are the foundation for the nation’s human trafficking issues. The dire conditions people face in extreme poverty leave them desperate and more likely to accept risky jobs or sell their daughters into marriage. Traffickers meticulously scout potential victims who live in a cycle of poverty, miseducation, unemployment, desperation and violence.
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
While the concerns and shortcomings of Gabon’s handling of its human trafficking situation, the national government and international institutions have made genuine efforts to tackle the issue.
One of the institutions that has been playing a vital role in the fight against human trafficking is the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM assists the Gabonese government in managing migration-related issues, emphasizing mixed population movements, migration governance and migration flows.
The return and reintegration of migrants, including minors in reception centers and adult migrants, is a crucial component of IOM’s activity in Gabon. IOM helped 143 migrants, the majority of whom were trafficking victims, return safely and integrate into their communities in 2020 and 2021 alone.
In addition, IOM Gabon works to advance the goals outlined in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The organization helps to ensure that migration is secure, effectively managed and advantageous for both migrants and the societies they join by cooperating with this global endeavor.
Future Hopes
Gabon is in dire need of action and attitudinal change in order to properly solve trafficking in its nation. “I am confident that Gabon can become a model for other countries in the region and beyond in the fight against trafficking,” said Joy Ngozi Ezeilo
With the appropriate mechanisms in place that strengthen prevention, ensuring the protection and reintegration of victims, paired with the support of international organizations, there is a genuine possibility of amending human trafficking in Gabon and creating a brighter future for its people.
– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr
The Ongoing UK Strikes Indicate Greater Aid Needs Abroad
Record Strike Action in Over 30 Years
Strikes seem to have almost become part of normal life in the U.K., with sectors engaging in industrial action ranging from public transportation to education, post services and health care. February’s strike of ambulance staff, nurses and physiotherapists marked the National Health Service’s most dramatic strike since its beginning 75 years ago. Yet, there is still no lasting solution in sight. Insufficient pay is the biggest reason for those taking part in strikes, as public-sector wages have not kept up with record-high inflation, which makes disposable income much tighter for those who work for government-controlled entities.
A Global Crisis
The ongoing cost of living crisis in the U.K., including sharp increases in the price of energy bills and food now at a 45-year high, is causing a lot of unrest within the country, but these problems are not unique to the developed world. If communities in one of the world’s wealthiest countries are struggling, it points to the harshness of the situation for those in low-and-middle-income countries. Inflation has been surging abroad also and is more likely to have devastating effects on communities that were struggling to attain basic life necessities before the price hikes. The U.N. estimated in the summer of 2022 that the increase in costs of food and energy will plunge an additional 71 million people into poverty, with forecasts suggesting that Sub-Saharan Africa and the Balkans could be two of the worst-affected regions.
The Bleak Situation Abroad
In 2022, strikes in developing countries’ health sectors were also widespread, including in Zimbabwe, where the government passed a controversial bill limiting workers’ ability to strike in 2023. Poor pay and working conditions were the underlying reasons for the strikes, with similar situations in Asian countries such as Sri Lanka where poverty levels continue to increase.
Why Maintaining Aid Is Essential
Delivering aid helps reduce political insecurity and the chance of conflict, which benefits all countries. Improving health standards abroad is also crucial for preventing the rise of global epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also the potential for new markets to open in countries assisted by aid in the future. This is another economic opportunity for developed countries like the U.K. Finally, there is the opportunity to gain more soft power, or global political influence, through the maintenance of foreign aid. Improving existing friendships and partnerships can potentially result in positive outcomes for the countries involved. And developed countries working with less-developed nations in economically challenging times could be crucial for geo-political relations.
Looking Ahead
In the face of ongoing strikes and rising living costs, the need for aid becomes evident not only within the U.K. but also in low-and-middle-income countries facing similar challenges. Reports suggest that providing foreign aid is essential for reducing political insecurity, preventing global epidemics and fostering economic opportunities for both developed and developing nations. It also presents an opportunity to strengthen global partnerships and promote positive geo-political relations in economically challenging times.
– Hannah Naylor
Photo: Unsplash
Improving Housing in Liberia
The Issues at Hand
Liberia’s history has been tumultuous, with a series of civil wars throughout the 1990s and early 2000s that left the country economically devastated. Around 50.9% of the total population in Liberia lived under the poverty line as of 2016, with many urban areas suffering from overcrowding. This problem has continuously affected the state of housing in Liberia for years.
Inadequate infrastructure and a lack of proper services play a big part in exacerbating many of the existing issues. A severe lack of sanitation and water services has contributed to several health and safety issues over the years. Many houses don’t have proper access to water or sewage, and those that do are damaged or lack maintenance. The Ebola crisis in 2014 spread rapidly through major urban areas such as Monrovia and proved a major health risk. COVID-19 followed this in 2020, where 70.6% of COVID-19 cases in Liberia were in Montserrado County as of August that year.
The common building materials also contribute to poor conditions. Some of the common resources in extensive use throughout urban areas for housing are concrete, cement and zinc for roofing. All of these are time-consuming to make, contribute to pollution levels and in the case of zinc, can heat up the inner spaces of houses. Many of these housing materials are also put together in a ramshackle way, leaving many houses in danger of damage.
Making the Housing Sector Better
Despite the many issues Liberia faces, there are entities willing to make efforts to improve the housing situation in Liberia for all. The Liberia National Housing Authority (NHA) is one of the leading forces pushing for progress in this regard. The NHA has signed memorandums with groups like Habitat for Humanity International to improve housing policies and build more homes to alleviate overcrowding. The NHA reached another recent agreement to construct 5,000 housing units in 2019 to alleviate the problem.
Other groups are investing in building up the housing market, particularly through improving Liberia’s infrastructure. UNICEF, with its focus on improving the lives and rights of children, works to provide sanitation for the country. The organization does this by strengthening WASH institutions, supporting surveillance of water quality and borehole maintenance. USAID also works to improve water sanitation, taking such actions as fixing and expanding three water treatment plants across Liberia.
U.N. Habitat has pushed for the use of better building materials to construct housing in Liberia. One primary focus is on pushing for the use of local building materials, including using more natural, mud-based resources as building materials and developing a self-sustaining industry for local materials. An emphasis on Liberia’s National Urban Policy (NUP) goals also points to ongoing research into providing affordable local building materials.
A Future of Improved Living
Significant improvements in housing conditions in Liberia are still a long-term endeavor, with several issues to be addressed along the way. Nonetheless, the collaborative efforts of multiple organizations are gradually propelling Liberia toward progress. Through continued dedication and concerted actions, the housing situation in Liberia can be steadily enhanced, ultimately positively impacting the lives of numerous individuals for years to come.
– Kenneth Berends
Photo: Flickr
Combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi
Malawi aims to have 95% of people living with HIV aware of their status by 2025. Despite the reduction in AIDS-related deaths, the country still has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates among adults aged 15 to 49.
With 13 million people living below the poverty line out of a population of 21 million, STD-related health care is often unaffordable for those facing financial hardships. Moreover, disparities in health care resources contribute to the lack of a rapid HIV/AIDS response, with rural areas having limited access to treatment compared to urban areas.
Prioritizing Testing and Treatments
According to 2017 data, out of the 1 million individuals who live with HIV/AIDS in Malawi, 90% receive antiretroviral therapy. However, a 2020 study revealed that antiretroviral therapy failure and drug resistance are common among those undergoing HIV treatment.
A 2020 observational study led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Malawi College of Medicine and the University of Cambridge found that antiretroviral therapy failure and drug resistance are common among those receiving HIV treatment.
Recent research published in the Lancet found more than 80% of patients have resistance to two or more HIV antiretroviral drugs and 95% of patients have undetectable HIV loads as of 2020. The study also revealed that patients with resistance to multiple HIV drugs were 70% more likely to experience a clinical death within two months of checking into the hospital compared to those without drug resistance.
With one-third of patients failing to receive therapy fast enough, timely diagnosis and switching patients to alternative antiretroviral therapies have contributed to better patient outcomes in Malawi.
Barriers to HIV/AIDS
Despite significant reductions in HIV infections, individuals living below the poverty line in Malawi continue to face the greatest impact. Malawi is one of the poorest countries across the globe.
As one of the poorest countries globally, Malawi’s higher HIV prevalence may be attributed to inconsistent detection rates stemming from differences in surveillance and registration centers. This marked difference may also be related to Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and limited emphasis on screening programs and public health services such as the NHS, which contribute to health inequalities.
The unequal distribution of health care resources exacerbates the challenges in combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi. Urban areas, where individuals are more likely to afford private health care systems, have better access to resources compared to rural areas, resulting in lower treatment rates for the latter.
However, barriers to HIV-related health care extend beyond poverty and finances. Stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV deter individuals from seeking care and concerns about confidentiality at testing sites further discourage communities from accessing services.
Gay men in Malawi experience a disproportionate impact from HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health estimated that 35% of men in Malawi had not been tested for HIV/AIDS in 2017. Addressing this disparity requires additional support and funding for home testing initiatives.
Progression in Malawi
Awareness surrounding sexual health and faster screening techniques has improved the health of Malawians with HIV/AIDS over the last two decades. Antiretroviral therapy coverage has significantly increased, with an estimated 91% of those living with HIV receiving treatment in 2021 compared to only 43% in 2012. There were 78,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2005 compared to 13,000 in 2020, a decline of around 83%. Overall, increased funding and implementation support has resulted in a marked improvement in HIV in Malawi from previous years.
Helping the Cause
While Malawi’s government has continued to provide treatments and support for HIV/AIDS, an organization founded in 1972 named Action Aid helps those from marginalized groups across rural and urban communities in Africa. Action Aid works alongside local communities, governments and institutions for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The organization advocates for improved access to HIV/AIDS-related health care, including antiretroviral drugs and good nutrition. Through partnerships with local communities, governments and institutions, Action Aid advocates for improved access to HIV/AIDS-related health care, including antiretroviral drugs and good nutrition. Collaborations with organizations like the Makerere Women’s Development Association (MWDA) and the Kuluhiro (Hope) support group ensure psychosocial therapy, counseling and access to antiretroviral treatments, as well as economic opportunities through farm projects.
What is Next?
An Oxford Academic report suggests that continued foreign aid is essential for widespread testing and comprehensive HIV/AIDS programs, as 99% of HIV funding comes from international financial support. Foreign aid plays a crucial role in sustaining and expanding efforts in combating HIV/AIDS in Malawi.
– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Rawpixel
Striving for Societal Freedom in Indonesia
Indonesia, renowned for its diverse population and rich cultural heritage, has faced and continues to grapple with challenges in pursuit of transformation. The country has remarkably transformed over six decades, transitioning from the tumultuous era of Sukarno’s “guided democracy” to becoming a thriving democracy and a regional powerhouse. It has grown from a near-failed state and regional pariah to a successful economy with a 25 million-strong middle class. Here is some information about societal freedom in Indonesia.
Progress in Indonesia’s Societal Freedom
A 2007 report by the Asian Studies Association highlights that Indonesia has witnessed extraordinary changes, highlighting the expansion of democracy, economic advancements and social development.
From the start of the study in 1997 to the publication of this article in 2007, the Indonesian population experienced a surge from approximately 200 million to more than 236 million — resulting in the rapid construction of homes and buildings, and the expansion of cities. Rice fields have given way to urban development, and forests have been cleared for agricultural purposes.
Indonesia has also made strides in political freedom through democratic elections and an active civil society. Women now enjoy full political rights and political parties must adhere to 30% gender quotas.
Education has also made progress in Indonesia, with an increase in school participation rates and longer durations for children staying in school. At present, approximately 90% of all Indonesians aged 15 or older possess the ability to read and write.
NGOs are currently working to drive societal freedom in Indonesia. Currently, there are efforts underway to address social issues, promote equality and empower marginalized communities.
Kopernik
Kopernik, an influential NGO, actively contributes to societal freedom in Indonesia by finding innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. Kopernik’s remarkable distinction lies in its application of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
For 13 months, the organization actively partnered with the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (MAMPU) program. This collaboration prioritized women’s empowerment while simultaneously strengthening sustainability objectives.
During the project, Kopernik actively collaborated with five women’s empowerment organizations to establish a financial sustainability framework. The initiative produced promising outcomes as it trained women homeworkers and women-led microbusinesses, empowering them to sell their products online. Consequently, by the end of 2020, these women achieved an impressive 74% increase in their profits.
YCAB Foundation
The recently published YCAB Foundation Impact Report for 2022 shines a light on the organization’s remarkable accomplishments in empowering underprivileged youth and communities. Since its establishment in 1999, the foundation has made a significant impact on the lives of 5 million underprivileged youths and low-income families.
YCAB actively prioritizes the empowerment of mothers, student learners and youth earners, as well as fostering a thriving social enterprise ecosystem. Its impact report for 2022 demonstrates how the foundation actively empowered the next generation of youths through ongoing education. It successfully reached 3.7 million youths, resulting in an impressive 86% employment rate among graduates.
A significant number of Indonesia’s 30 million women entrepreneurs continue to encounter challenges in expanding their businesses. The foundation empowers Indonesian women by promoting economic independence and fostering sustainable businesses for their well-being. YCAB initiated the Indonesia Women Empowerment Fund (IWEF), which has invested in nine women-led start-ups and facilitated additional private capital investments.
The report highlights YCAB’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion. In 2021-2022, YCAB embarked on a digital approach to foster societal freedom in Indonesia, reaching a total of 2.4 million Indonesians through digital outreach. The organization launched the nationwide movement Do Something Indonesia, engaging more than 20,000 youths aged 16-24 to support social actions through digital platforms, introducing more than 100 campaigns.
NGOs Involved in Anti-Corruption Endeavors
Transparency International is currently working on eliminating corruption in Indonesia. Its findings present a positive outlook on Indonesia’s political anti-corruption efforts.
Scoring 40 out of 100, Indonesia has achieved a two-point improvement on the CPI (Corruptions Perception Index), reaching its highest score since 2012. This signifies the country’s progress in combating corruption within its government, including through the efforts of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Civil society organizations and citizens actively engage in supporting anti-corruption measures, showcasing a growing awareness and support. International cooperation and partnerships strengthen these efforts, contributing to the progress made by Indonesia in eradicating corruption and fostering a transparent and accountable governance system.
The Road Ahead for Indonesia
As Indonesia moves forward, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The government has implemented constitutional reforms aimed at protecting human rights, religious freedom, freedom of expression, media and women’s rights. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, particularly in ensuring freedom of expression and promoting equality for minority groups.
– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr
Fighting Generational Poverty with Trust Funds for Babies
The immensity of the wealth gap in both developing and developed nations is a daunting and cyclical contributor to global poverty. Without an influx of capital, those who have lived in generational poverty lack the fiscal autonomy and security to climb upwards. However, trust funds can make a difference.
Statistics suggest that hard work and luck are not enough to escape generational poverty. In the United States (U.S.), for example, only 4% of poor Americans climb the rungs of the economic ladder toward wealth. The majority of Americans born into the lowest income bracket remain there for life. Economist Darrick Hamilton confidently stated in The Journal that “Wealth is the paramount indicator of economic security and wellbeing.” Accepting this philosophy, the key question becomes: How does a society accumulate and distribute wealth to people born into the throes of poverty? And the answer just might be establishing trust funds for babies.
Looking to Babies to Address Generational Poverty Through Trust Funds
In 2002, the United Kingdom (U.K.) piloted a long-term savings account for minors called the Child Trust Fund (CTF). CTF was a tax-free savings account parents could open for their kids without facing any decrease in government benefits or tax credits. The parents of any child born in the U.K. between 2002 and 2011 received a £250 voucher to launch a CTF — they could then contribute an additional £9,000 per year. Once the child turned 18, they could access the funds in their account for any combination of reinvestment and spending they saw fit.
The government knew this was a small step in the direction of addressing generational poverty — a £250 stipend would not be enough to solve the nation’s fiscal inequity — but the hope was that a tax-free savings account for children would promote the possibility of home ownership, higher education and healthy investment practices for many who never thought such would be attainable.
Beyond the UK: Child Trust Funds in Canada
In Canada, every family is eligible to open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP): a low-tax, long-term saving account to help guardians save for their child’s future education. RESP funds can go toward any post-secondary education including colleges, trade schools, universities and formal apprenticeship programs.
While Canadians from all income brackets are encouraged to open an RESP for their children, Canada provides direct capital to low-income families’ RESPs. Any Canadian child born into a low-income family after 2004 is eligible for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The Canadian government provides an initial payment of $500 in the child’s first year and continues to add $100 each year until the total governmental contribution hits $2,000.
The Canada Learning Bond, much like the U.K.’s CTF, aims to chip away at the generational wealth gaps that prevent low-income youth from actualizing their full intellectual and economic potential.
Extrapolating the Baby Bonds Model to the US
In Connecticut, nearly 15,000 children are born into poverty each year. To help close the state’s wealth gaps and encourage innovation, investment and long-term economic growth, Connecticut recently implemented a Baby Bonds program modeled on the U.K. and Canada’s previous successes.
Any child who is born into a family on Connecticut’s public health insurance — on or after July 1, 2023 — will be automatically enrolled in CT Baby Bonds. The government will contribute up to $3,200 to each child’s trust, and at 18, after completing a financial literacy course, the child can claim their capital. The funds are to be used for home ownership, business investment, education or retirement planning. Despite the program name, CT Baby Bonds, Governor Ned Lamont backed off of the original idea to fund the program using money from investors in exchange for bonds. He worried about debt accumulation. Instead, the state will be funding the program through a deposit of $381 million of state budget surplus — meaning there will be no inflated state debt or increased tax.
The Potential Impacts of CT Baby Bonds
While a leg-up of a few thousand dollars is certainly not the end-all-be-all for leveling the playing field, it is a powerful tool in revolutionizing saving philosophies in low-income communities. “You’re more focused on possibly going to college if you see a pathway, if there’s a fund,” Former Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden shared. “You’re more focused on one day owning a home, which some people in poverty never aspire to because they don’t think it’s ever achievable.”
Shondell Vann, a mother living in Bridgeport, Connecticut with a two-year-old daughter, sees earnest hope in the Baby Bonds program. “I feel like the program would give her a little bit more of a leg up,” she said of her daughter, Maria, in an interview with The Journal. “If she wanted to have a business just like me, she would be able to fund it with no problem. Just anything she wanted to do with that money to be able to be a little bit more successful than she was or just be a little bit better off than she was, is better than nothing.”
– Elena Unger
Photo: Flickr
6 European Nations Providing Aid to Ukrainian Refugees
The 2022 Russian invasion and assault have resulted in the emergence of Ukrainian refugees. The majority have stayed in Europe, with almost every country taking people in. All these individual nations have been different in regard to dealing with Ukrainian refugees. Here is a brief look into what six European countries have done for Ukrainian refugees.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges posed by the Ukrainian refugee crisis resulting from the 2022 Russian invasion, several European countries have shown commendable efforts in providing support and assistance. Nations like Poland, Romania, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Germany and Finland have taken various measures to accommodate and aid Ukrainian refugees, including setting up special schools, addressing health care needs and implementing specific schemes. Although some challenges and concerns have emerged, the commitment of volunteers and international collaborations is indicative of the collective commitment to assisting those affected by the conflict.
– Josh Sobchak
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know About Women’s Rights in Gabon
Historical Discrimination
Historically, Gabon is a country with limited women’s rights. Gabonese women experience inequalities in marriages, such as husbands having control of their wives’ ability to work and women not being allowed to have their own bank accounts. Women also faced gender-based discrimination in financial services, and this made it difficult for them to access credit. Although domestic violence is illegal, it is still prevalent, and authorities rarely intervene to stop it. Female domestic workers often face sexual harassment with minimal resources to obtain legal support.
Gabonese women disproportionately suffer from poverty compared to their Gabonese male counterparts. According to the United Nations Women Count for Gabon, 3% of employed women in Gabon live below the international poverty line compared to 1.3% of employed men. Additionally, 28.5% of women in Gabon above the age of 15 are unemployed, which is 14.1% higher than the unemployment rate for men.
Progress for Women’s Rights
In recent years, lawmakers made several legislative strides to improve women’s rights in Gabon. In 2021, Gabon passed new legislation to prevent discrimination against women in the economy and financial institutions and decrease violence against women.
The Gabonese government also changed laws concerning marital rights. In the past, the government required women to get the permission of their husbands to administer marital assets. With the passing of these new shared marital assets laws, women now have equal rights to administer those assets. Women can also open bank accounts separate from their husbands, own property and be the official heads of their households.
Barriers Against Women in Gabon
According to the U.S. State Department’s 2022 Human Rights Report for Gabon, societal barriers prevent women from reporting sexual assault and rape. Although the law criminalizes rape, victims are typically unwilling to testify. Researchers found that almost half of Gabonese women experienced domestic violence.
Women and girls in poverty continue to endure exploitation in various areas, including restaurants, servitude and the commercial sex trade. Their conditions include forced labor, little pay and long hours. There are still no laws that require equal wages for men and women. As things stand, women earned lower wages compared to men for performing equivalent work.
Looking Ahead
Key women leaders, such as First Lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, Minister of Social Affairs and Women’s Rights Prisca Raymonda Nlend Koho and Vice President Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda continue to fight for the improvement of women’s rights in Gabon. In 2020, they began implementing a strategy to promote women’s rights. Their efforts contributed to the passing of a new labor code that grants women access to employment in all jobs and sectors of work.
Gabon also implemented new legislation which better protects women from violence. With research showing that 90% of sexual violence victims in Gabon affect women, this legislation is an important step in protecting women from violence. Gabon’s new law establishes criminal penalties for violence against women. It also requires protection orders to be given to victims of violence within two days of receiving a report of violence occurring.
These advancements are just a few crucial actions taken to improve women’s rights in Gabon. And the country’s leaders continue to fight for more rights and equal treatment for Gabonese women.
– Marisa Del Vecchio
Photo: Flickr
The Use of Child Soldiers in Palestine
According to the Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP), between 2011 and 2020, both Israeli and Palestinian armed groups recruited Palestinian children for use in combat. Israeli forces allegedly recruited Palestinian children, defined as anyone under the age of 18, as informants using torture and other forms of coercion. Israeli troops jailed Palestinian youngsters in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories under military regulations that did not adhere to international norms for treating detainees and juvenile justice. According to reports, the Palestinian Authority hired minors to work in its security forces on non-combat missions. Palestinian armed organizations used children in combat and suicide bombings. Here is some additional information about child soldiers in Palestine.
Recruited Child Soldiers in Palestine
Though there was no proof that Palestinian armed factions who openly opposed using minors in warfare routinely recruited youngsters, many under the age of 18 receive military training. Multiple children become messengers and couriers. Children occasionally deploy suicide bombs and fight in attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. Moreover, all major political parties, including Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, involve youngsters in this way. Between October 2000 and March 2004, at least nine children sacrificed themselves in suicide bombings in Israel and the Occupied Territories. According to Palestinian non-governmental organizations, from September 2000 to March 2004, 30 youngsters actively participating in organized military activity died. Most of the fatalities happened as a consequence of explosive mishaps or during violent encounters with Israeli soldiers.
Youths from the most challenging socioeconomic backgrounds testified that they were freely recruited and often the readiest to participate. It was alleged that children were occasionally used unintentionally or under coercion in attacks. Reports state that armed groups distributed explosives to children. In January 2004, improvised bombs were used in Gaza, where at least three children died and four more became injured.
Jihad and its Influence on Palestinian Children
On numerous instances, Fatah denounced the use of kids in suicide missions. However, its military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, had links to at least four of these operations, involving four young men aged 16-17. Additionally, three 13-15-year-old boys allegedly attempted to attack an Israeli village in March 2004 with the help of Al-Aqsa and Islamic Jihad. Islamic Jihad stated that it opposed the use of children in combat. In April 2002, it said, “We refuse any encouragement given to young people that might drive them to act alone or be pushed by others into action. They are not ready and not able to do so.” Nonetheless, Islamic Jihad was responsible for at least three suicide bombs by 17-year-olds between 2002 and 2004.
Hamas has repeatedly demanded an end to the use of youngsters in violent attacks and suicide missions. In April 2002, Hamas urged schools “to address this issue without sacrificing the enthusiasm or spirit of [the] martyrdom of our youth” and imams “to mention this issue in their sermons.” The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed only one child died committing himself to their cause.
The Palestinian Economy Suffers in Poverty
The Palestinian economy faces significant challenges as a result of Israeli limitations on the free flow of people and goods. The unemployment rate in 2012 was 27%, and the latest data indicates that 26% of Palestinians live in poverty. Just one in two teenagers in Gaza, the country’s most impoverished region, had the opportunity to work.
The negative effects of poverty on children’s lives are numerous. For example, because kids frequently drop out of school at a young age to work and support their families, they are usually unable to finish their education. Poverty fuels teenage criminality and early marriages of young girls aged 15-19. In addition, reports of Israeli soldiers killing children have caused rising fear, especially in war-torn places like the Gaza Strip.
Optional Protocol
The Optional Protocol, also known as the Gaza-Israel ceasefire agreements, refers to a series of agreements between the State of Israel and the Palestinian organizations that control the Gaza Strip, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. These agreements aim to reduce hostilities and end violence between the two sides. The Optional Protocol includes several key elements, including a cessation of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel and a halt to Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. It also endorses the reopening of border crossings. The Palestinian Authority favored the Optional Protocol during the U.N. Special Session on Children in May 2002. It repeated in 2004 that it denounced the exploitation of minors and the targeting of civilians and children by all parties. “Our children should have hope and a future and should not be suicide bombers,” said Palestinian Minister Saeb Erekat. “We want them to be doctors and engineers.”
Looking Ahead
Israeli occupation forces allegedly use Palestinian youths as informants under torture and other types of coercion. Israeli soldiers imprisoned Palestinian children in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories under military rule. The soldiers did not follow standards set forth by the international community for the treatment of detainees and juvenile justice. Through the use of Islamic Jihad, recruiters can compel children to fight for their cause.
A global initiative called PCS Week aims to stop the exploitation of Palestinian children as child soldiers. It is inclusive, political and nonpartisan. The movement seeks to compel and humiliate the guilty groups into stopping their crimes. Causes such as PCS are available to end the use of child soldiers in Palestine, raising awareness of the issue.
– Dalia Hasan
Photo: Flickr
Mental Health in Serbia
The Impacts of the War and Poverty
Serbia’s historical stressors have impacted the mental health of individuals. A research article by Dusica Lecic Tosevski and others explains these stressors as “civil war in neighboring countries, United Nations (U.N.) economic sanctions, which lasted for 3.5 years and 11 weeks of NATO bombing in 1999.” As a result, Serbians grappled with damaged/destroyed infrastructure, significant populations of refugees and internally displaces persons, financial struggles, social unrest and a failing health care system. The same research article highlights that the existence of mental health conditions rose by 13.5% between 1999 and 2002 alone.
Poverty and unemployment also impact mental health in Serbia. The at-risk-of-poverty rate stands at 21.2% in Serbia, meaning that one-fifth of Serbians have a monthly income of just above €200. The populations most vulnerable to falling into poverty are children/youth and the elderly. According to the National Employment Service data, at the close of February 2023, about 430,000 people faced unemployment, although this number has visibly decreased over the years.
Furthermore, Serbia is among the 10 European countries with the highest rates of income inequality, according to UNICEF. The most affluent 20% of the Serbian population had six times more proceeds compared to the most impoverished 20%. Unfortunately, enduring poverty or the risk of poverty places stress on a person that could contribute to mental health deterioration.
Mental Health in Numbers
According to the World Health Organization Mental Health Atlas 2020, Serbia has a distinct piece of mental health legislation published in 2013 that aligns with all human rights covenants. Individuals are also fully insured for mental health services and associated medicines and treatments. Serbia has about 492 psychiatrists and 1,875 mental health nurses. The country also has seven mental health hospitals and 36 psychiatric units in general hospitals.
Advancing Mental Health in Serbia
The mental health and well-being of children and youth in Serbia stand as one of UNICEF’s priorities. According to UNICEF, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health conditions across populations, particularly among the younger generation. UNICEF’s assessment shows that about 4% of the general population in Serbia showed signs of depression while almost 11% of students experienced negative moods and about 22% felt anxiety and nervousness at least weekly.
“Mental health services are not well connected with other systems, and therefore on a practical level are unable to provide timely and adequate response and referral to prevent minor mental health issues from developing into conditions,” says UNICEF.
In response, UNICEF will be supporting the Serbian government and other key players to increase access and availability of mental health and well-being initiatives for young people, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Through a collaborative approach involving “awareness-raising campaigns, online tools development, mental health education in schools and youth centers and strengthening capacities of professionals,” UNICEF aims to advance mental health in Serbia.
In October 2022, UNICEF Serbia revealed its plans to create a support system for the young in the country who face mental health issues by cooperating with the private and business sectors.
Unbreakable Campaign
The Hemofarm Foundation and the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade with the support of the Ministry of Health created the Unbreakable campaign in April 2021 to address the growing mental health needs of people, raise awareness of the mental health issues impacting populations and provide information and resources for people seeking help. The campaign used billboards, its website, email helplines and an anonymous SOS hotline to provide support and information and raise awareness.
The campaign creators estimate that within the first nine months, the campaign had reached more than 1 million individuals and received close to 9,000 inquiries and requests for help or more information.
The Serbian telecommunications operator company, Telekom Srbija, supported the establishment of the free SOS hotline, which operated 24/7 and ran with the assistance of 40 mental health professionals.
Through ongoing efforts and collaborative partnerships, there is hope for mental health in Serbia to improve. And initiatives that prioritize the mental health and well-being of the country’s people hold the potential to ensure lasting change.
– Klaudia Laura Sebestyen
Photo: Unsplash
Unmasking Human Trafficking in Gabon
There has been a steady decadence in the severity of human trafficking in Gabon. The nation has witnessed unrestrained and swiftly burgeoning growth of trafficking with no rigorous systemic mechanisms to tackle the issue.
Between 2003 and 2010, there were no trafficking-related convictions in Gabon, while the nation has downgraded to a Tier 2 Watch List in the U.S. Department of State’s 2022 report.
The Reality of Gabon’s Human Trafficking
Gabon has become a popular transitory or final destination for human trafficking victims of West and Central Africa. Gabon both receives and sources trafficked people. Those who end up trafficked often by force become street vendors, transportation assistants, mechanics, fishermen, domestic servants, illicit gold miners, wildlife trafficking or sex workers, according to the Department of State.
The state of human trafficking in Gabon is due to its inadequate systems to prevent and address the issue at hand. A glaring indicator of this absence of systemic instruments is the nation’s inability to adopt an anti-trafficking national action plan (NAP) for the third consecutive year. To compound the issue, the federal government has neglected to create a functioning anti-trafficking coordination system within the national inter-ministerial commission.
Moreover, the lack of national coordination has also made data collection and usage immensely more complicated, thereby hindering the ability to properly understand, investigate and prosecute. For instance, the Gabonese authorities claim to have begun 10 human trafficking-related investigations, while there were zero in 2020 and only three in 2019, according to the Department of State.
Corruption and Collusion
To aggravate the situation, there have been persistent accusations and a scarcity of inquiries for governmental corruption and collusion in human trafficking. Experts have alleged that there has been intentional postponement or dismissal of trafficking cases that bribed judges cause. The Department of State suggests that while the government contends that delays stem from legal inadequacies and the absence of knowledge, the lack of concrete action against corruption accusations foments concerns.
Furthermore, Gabon’s existing anti-trafficking programs and committees lack transparency and commitment. The government has not disclosed the funding for the nation’s anti-trafficking programs and the government’s interministerial committee against trafficking has not convened since 2019. There is a discouraging aura of depreciation and inconsequence to solving these heinous crimes.
Gabon’s Poverty and Human Trafficking
In the shadows of human trafficking in Gabon lies a root catalyst of systemic inequalities and disparities. Poverty renders certain groups significantly more susceptible to exploitation and possible trafficking. Conflict, lack of access to professional and educational opportunities and mass displacement all have poverty as a central element that leaves individuals especially vulnerable.
U.N. Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons Joy Ngozi Ezeilo emphasizes how poverty, some traditional Western African and domestic work’s high demand in high Gabonese society are the foundation for the nation’s human trafficking issues. The dire conditions people face in extreme poverty leave them desperate and more likely to accept risky jobs or sell their daughters into marriage. Traffickers meticulously scout potential victims who live in a cycle of poverty, miseducation, unemployment, desperation and violence.
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
While the concerns and shortcomings of Gabon’s handling of its human trafficking situation, the national government and international institutions have made genuine efforts to tackle the issue.
One of the institutions that has been playing a vital role in the fight against human trafficking is the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM assists the Gabonese government in managing migration-related issues, emphasizing mixed population movements, migration governance and migration flows.
The return and reintegration of migrants, including minors in reception centers and adult migrants, is a crucial component of IOM’s activity in Gabon. IOM helped 143 migrants, the majority of whom were trafficking victims, return safely and integrate into their communities in 2020 and 2021 alone.
In addition, IOM Gabon works to advance the goals outlined in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The organization helps to ensure that migration is secure, effectively managed and advantageous for both migrants and the societies they join by cooperating with this global endeavor.
Future Hopes
Gabon is in dire need of action and attitudinal change in order to properly solve trafficking in its nation. “I am confident that Gabon can become a model for other countries in the region and beyond in the fight against trafficking,” said Joy Ngozi Ezeilo
With the appropriate mechanisms in place that strengthen prevention, ensuring the protection and reintegration of victims, paired with the support of international organizations, there is a genuine possibility of amending human trafficking in Gabon and creating a brighter future for its people.
– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr