Afghanistan’s opioid trade, the largest in the world, has been thriving under the new Taliban regime. Driven by a desire for economic and political stability, the Taliban’s actions around the opioid trade have serious implications for Afghanistan’s citizens who were plunged into poverty following the group’s takeover in 2021.
The Taliban’s Ban on Drugs
Once processed, opium poppies from Afghanistan sell as opium, morphine and a range of grades of heroin in every region of the world, with the exception of Latin America. The production and sale of drugs constitute a significant portion of the country’s GDP each year.
When the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in August 2021, it vowed to end the production and trade of drugs in the country. The group, however, faced a production system on an upward trend. In 2020, Afghanistan saw a 37% increase in the area of land used to grow opium poppies compared to the year before. In that same year, Afghanistan produced 85% of the opium consumed across the world.
The History of the Opioid Trade in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been producing opium poppies in large numbers since the mid-1950s. Fraught with political and economic inconsistency for decades, the history of efforts to reduce the opioid trade in Afghanistan is complex. In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The war that followed created economic devastation that left many in Afghanistan with no reliable source of income aside from trading narcotics. The Taliban, established in 1994, made significant steps towards banning the trade, halving the land used for growing poppies in the regions of Afghanistan it controlled at the time.
When the Taliban gained power in Afghanistan in 1996, however, it had already relaxed its approach to the drug trade. Instead of clamping down on production, the Taliban began to tax opioid farms and labs and even sought to expand the trade by providing farmers with official government licenses to grow opium poppies. The group declared an outright ban on poppy cultivation in 1999, but by September 2001, it had reversed this decision, and the practice was thriving again.
Under the Afghan government from 2002 to 2021, following U.S. intervention in 2001, drug production and trafficking in Afghanistan soared. International aid funded the majority of counter-narcotic efforts over these two decades. The United States spent more than $8 billion over a 15-year period in attempts to reduce the trade of opioids in Afghanistan.
The Opioid Trade in the New Taliban Regime
In April 2022, the Taliban issued a decree prohibiting all poppy cultivation and narcotics trade, representing a new wave of counter-narcotic efforts in Afghanistan. However, the timing alone of this decree caused many to question the motives of the Taliban, as it came shortly after the largest annual harvest of opium poppies. High-ranking Taliban officials claim that drug production and trafficking are over, but the evidence suggests that the trade is still thriving and may have increased since the regime change.
The gap between the Taliban’s stated intention to rid Afghanistan of drugs and its lack of action is likely due to the fact that it is not currently in its interests, economically or tactically, to crack down on the opioid trade in Afghanistan. Since its formation in 1994, estimates suggest that the opioid trade has accounted for more than half of the Taliban’s revenues, according to Colin Mathers. The Taliban have for many years collected a tax on all opium poppies grown in Afghanistan, all laboratory-based processing of opioids and all trading of these drugs. From 2018 to 2019 alone, the Taliban received more than $400 million from narcotics.
The Economic Impact
To survive as a regime, the Taliban need enough income to be able to keep factions, soldiers and civilians on its side. In the Taliban’s first year in power, Afghanistan’s GDP dropped from $20.15 billion to $14.79 billion due to economic sanctions and the removal of foreign aid. This marked the country’s lowest GDP since the 2008 global financial crisis.
With the country deprived of billions of dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and bilateral aid, reports suggest that the income from opium poppies is more critical than ever to both the security of the Taliban and the stability of the country, according to Brookings. In 2022, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimated that since the regime change, the number of Afghans living in poverty had doubled to nearly 34 million, representing 85% of the country’s population. The removal of the opioid trade would further cripple the Afghan economy and hundreds of thousands of citizens would fall into extreme poverty, creating a serious risk of domestic unrest.
The Future of the Opioid Trade in Afghanistan
For these reasons, the reward remains higher than the risk for those involved in the opioid trade in Afghanistan, which encourages its continuation and expansion, according to UNODC. Forecasts suggest that there is no end in sight for global sanctions and the Afghan economy seems unlikely to grow significantly in the short term. Therefore, the tactical and financial incentives remain for the Taliban to support this industry and Afghans have few viable alternatives to growing opium poppies, according to VOA News.
Nonprofit organizations like Afghanaid have been working closely with those crippled financially by the Taliban takeover. Since August 2021, Afghanaid has provided around 1.8 million men, women and children with emergency aid. The NGO runs schemes across impoverished areas of Afghanistan that could be vital in creating reliable alternative sources of income for those who may otherwise rely on opium poppy cultivation.
For example, Afghanaid supports farmers and village communities in the Badakhshan Province to replant and irrigate their forests. This scheme has led to the employment of members of more than 130 households across the region. And as a result, some families have been able to send their children to school. Schemes such as this support the development of reliable alternative sources of income for impoverished families in Afghanistan. The goal is to minimize or end the country’s reliance on the opioid trade.
Looking Ahead
The opioid trade in Afghanistan is thriving in the current financial crisis, as the trade provides stability for both impoverished citizens and the new Taliban regime. One of the ways to end the opioid trade involves providing viable alternative sources of income for those that rely on the consistency of producing and selling opioid products. In this way, NGOs like Afghanaid could be central in reducing the growth of a trade that has negative impacts worldwide.
– Polly Walton
Photo: Pixabay
Celebrating Smallpox Eradication Day
History of Smallpox
The declaration marked the end of a battle against the disease that lasted more than 3,000 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traces the earliest known cases of smallpox back to ancient Egypt, with remnants of smallpox pustules found on mummies from the third century BCE. As the ancient world became more interconnected, smallpox rapidly spread, with the first written documentation of the disease originating in fourth-century CE China.
Over the next 1500 years, smallpox continued to spread. Advancements in international trade and travel facilitated the global reach of the disease. European colonization introduced smallpox to previously unexposed communities in the Americas and Australia, leading to the tragic loss of millions of indigenous lives. The expanding world brought with it the expanding reach of smallpox.
Early Methods of Control
Before the invention of a vaccine, approximately three out of 10 people infected with smallpox died. To fight the disease, smallpox patients practiced a preventative measure called variolation. According to the CDC, variolation is “a process of grinding up dried smallpox scabs from a smallpox patient and inhaling them or scratching them into an arm of an uninfected person.” The practice originated in 16th century CE Asia and became global commonplace by the turn of the 18th century.
In 1796, an English doctor named Edward Jenner began work on the first vaccine. After witnessing an increase in smallpox immunity in those who had successfully battled cowpox, another virus that produces pustules and sores, Jenner experimented with the variolation of cowpox into a healthy immune system as a preventative measure against smallpox. Jenner’s 1801 publication, “On the Origin of the Vaccine Inoculation,” introduced the world to vaccines and thus began the eradication of smallpox.
Global Vaccination Efforts
With the practice of variolation replaced with vaccination, the world slowly began to snuff out smallpox. In 1813, the United States Congress passed legislation to make the smallpox vaccine widely available and by the end of the 19th century, wealthier parts of the world began to only suffer the occasional outbreak. These improvements in wealthier nations began the process of eradication, but Vox explains that in poorer countries, where vaccines were far less available, smallpox was still killing tens of millions.
Global cooperation was necessary to end smallpox for everyone. An underfunded 1959 WHO effort to eradicate the disease was unsuccessful, but the 1967 Intensified Smallpox Eradication Program ultimately ended smallpox outbreaks globally. The CDC explains the program aided, “Laboratories in many countries where smallpox occurred regularly to produce more, higher-quality freeze-dried vaccines.”
Successful Eradication and Global Solidarity
Due to the diligent work of WHO and other global healthcare organizations, smallpox was officially eradicated globally in 15 years, beginning with the North American eradication in 1952 and ending in 1977 with African elimination. WHO attributes the elimination of smallpox, “to an incredible demonstration of global solidarity and because it had a safe and effective vaccine.”
The global elimination of smallpox was no small feat. The disease claimed more than 300 million lives in the 20th century before its eradication. In the years since the global victory over smallpox, UNICEF and the WHO partnered to create the Expanded Programme on Immunization, which has vaccinated 85% of children globally. The Expanded Programme on Immunization was launched in 1974 and initially focused on six childhood diseases that are preventable by vaccines. As the WHO program has grown, it “has increased the breadth of protection provided by immunization, to include vaccinations for protection of older children, adolescents and adults.”
Looking Ahead
The eradication of smallpox stands as a remarkable testament to the power of global cooperation and effective vaccination programs. Also, this victory serves as a beacon of hope in the face of current health challenges. The lessons learned from the eradication of smallpox continue to guide efforts to combat other diseases and promote immunization, ensuring a healthier and more resilient global community.
– Annika Nelson
Photo: Flickr
The Opioid Trade in Afghanistan
The Taliban’s Ban on Drugs
Once processed, opium poppies from Afghanistan sell as opium, morphine and a range of grades of heroin in every region of the world, with the exception of Latin America. The production and sale of drugs constitute a significant portion of the country’s GDP each year.
When the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in August 2021, it vowed to end the production and trade of drugs in the country. The group, however, faced a production system on an upward trend. In 2020, Afghanistan saw a 37% increase in the area of land used to grow opium poppies compared to the year before. In that same year, Afghanistan produced 85% of the opium consumed across the world.
The History of the Opioid Trade in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been producing opium poppies in large numbers since the mid-1950s. Fraught with political and economic inconsistency for decades, the history of efforts to reduce the opioid trade in Afghanistan is complex. In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The war that followed created economic devastation that left many in Afghanistan with no reliable source of income aside from trading narcotics. The Taliban, established in 1994, made significant steps towards banning the trade, halving the land used for growing poppies in the regions of Afghanistan it controlled at the time.
When the Taliban gained power in Afghanistan in 1996, however, it had already relaxed its approach to the drug trade. Instead of clamping down on production, the Taliban began to tax opioid farms and labs and even sought to expand the trade by providing farmers with official government licenses to grow opium poppies. The group declared an outright ban on poppy cultivation in 1999, but by September 2001, it had reversed this decision, and the practice was thriving again.
Under the Afghan government from 2002 to 2021, following U.S. intervention in 2001, drug production and trafficking in Afghanistan soared. International aid funded the majority of counter-narcotic efforts over these two decades. The United States spent more than $8 billion over a 15-year period in attempts to reduce the trade of opioids in Afghanistan.
The Opioid Trade in the New Taliban Regime
In April 2022, the Taliban issued a decree prohibiting all poppy cultivation and narcotics trade, representing a new wave of counter-narcotic efforts in Afghanistan. However, the timing alone of this decree caused many to question the motives of the Taliban, as it came shortly after the largest annual harvest of opium poppies. High-ranking Taliban officials claim that drug production and trafficking are over, but the evidence suggests that the trade is still thriving and may have increased since the regime change.
The gap between the Taliban’s stated intention to rid Afghanistan of drugs and its lack of action is likely due to the fact that it is not currently in its interests, economically or tactically, to crack down on the opioid trade in Afghanistan. Since its formation in 1994, estimates suggest that the opioid trade has accounted for more than half of the Taliban’s revenues, according to Colin Mathers. The Taliban have for many years collected a tax on all opium poppies grown in Afghanistan, all laboratory-based processing of opioids and all trading of these drugs. From 2018 to 2019 alone, the Taliban received more than $400 million from narcotics.
The Economic Impact
To survive as a regime, the Taliban need enough income to be able to keep factions, soldiers and civilians on its side. In the Taliban’s first year in power, Afghanistan’s GDP dropped from $20.15 billion to $14.79 billion due to economic sanctions and the removal of foreign aid. This marked the country’s lowest GDP since the 2008 global financial crisis.
With the country deprived of billions of dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and bilateral aid, reports suggest that the income from opium poppies is more critical than ever to both the security of the Taliban and the stability of the country, according to Brookings. In 2022, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimated that since the regime change, the number of Afghans living in poverty had doubled to nearly 34 million, representing 85% of the country’s population. The removal of the opioid trade would further cripple the Afghan economy and hundreds of thousands of citizens would fall into extreme poverty, creating a serious risk of domestic unrest.
The Future of the Opioid Trade in Afghanistan
For these reasons, the reward remains higher than the risk for those involved in the opioid trade in Afghanistan, which encourages its continuation and expansion, according to UNODC. Forecasts suggest that there is no end in sight for global sanctions and the Afghan economy seems unlikely to grow significantly in the short term. Therefore, the tactical and financial incentives remain for the Taliban to support this industry and Afghans have few viable alternatives to growing opium poppies, according to VOA News.
Nonprofit organizations like Afghanaid have been working closely with those crippled financially by the Taliban takeover. Since August 2021, Afghanaid has provided around 1.8 million men, women and children with emergency aid. The NGO runs schemes across impoverished areas of Afghanistan that could be vital in creating reliable alternative sources of income for those who may otherwise rely on opium poppy cultivation.
For example, Afghanaid supports farmers and village communities in the Badakhshan Province to replant and irrigate their forests. This scheme has led to the employment of members of more than 130 households across the region. And as a result, some families have been able to send their children to school. Schemes such as this support the development of reliable alternative sources of income for impoverished families in Afghanistan. The goal is to minimize or end the country’s reliance on the opioid trade.
Looking Ahead
The opioid trade in Afghanistan is thriving in the current financial crisis, as the trade provides stability for both impoverished citizens and the new Taliban regime. One of the ways to end the opioid trade involves providing viable alternative sources of income for those that rely on the consistency of producing and selling opioid products. In this way, NGOs like Afghanaid could be central in reducing the growth of a trade that has negative impacts worldwide.
– Polly Walton
Photo: Pixabay
The “Game-Changing” New Meningitis Vaccine in Africa
What Is Meningitis?
Several different viruses and bacteria can cause Meningitis, a condition that inflames the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord. While viral meningitis is more common and less serious than bacterial meningitis, it can still cause long-term problems and even be deadly in countries where populations do not have immediate access to treatment.
The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) estimates that one out of 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is lethal. Globally, about a quarter million people die from meningitis infections each year. Alarmingly, around 60% of meningitis-related deaths occur along the African meningitis belt, a region that runs from Gambia and Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in easternmost Africa. Furthermore, some 33% to 50% of survivors of bacterial meningitis face at least one permanent health problem. These include seizures, vision and hearing loss, limb loss and cognitive impairment.
Meningitis’ inordinate impact across sub-Saharan Africa is partly due to a lack of access to proper health care, which leads to late diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that bacterial meningitis, which is highly prevalent in the meningitis belt, can kill within as little as 24 hours.
NmCV-5 to the Rescue
The prevalence of five different strains of meningococcal bacteria across the meningitis belt has, until now, hindered efforts to eradicate the disease. That NmCV-5 proved effective in protecting against all five strains marks an unprecedented development in the field of meningitis vaccines in Africa.
The Serum Institute of India developed NmCV-5 in partnership with the global health organization PATH. Since its founding in 1966, the Serum Institute of India’s goal has been to make vaccines high-quality, affordable vaccines available to those around the world who need them most. To date, the company has reached more than 140 countries and supplied vaccines that have helped an estimated 65% of children globally. Significantly, the Serum Institute of India also collaborated with PATH and WHO to develop the Meningococcal A vaccine MenAfriVac, which has “virtually eliminated” this strain of the bacteria in the countries where it has been distributed.
Still, much work remains to reach the WHO’s Defeating Meningitis by 2030 goals, which include reducing meningitis infections by 50% and meningitis deaths by 70%. Fortunately, PATH, a global nonprofit dedicated to “improving public health” around the world, is working to bring vaccines and other forms of vital health care to those most in need. For instance, its “Zero-dose children” campaign centers on closing the vaccination gap for the world’s estimated 17 million unvaccinated children by addressing the socio-cultural and economic inequities that hinder access to immunizations.
Hope for a Meningitis-Free Future
NmCV-5 promises great hope for eradicating meningitis in Africa. Apart from NmCV-5 being effective against the newest emerging X strain of meningococcus bacteria, it also aims to be inexpensive and widely available in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a critical step toward a meningitis-free future, as other vaccines either provide immunity against fewer strains or have remained too costly to have widespread reach.
As Ed Clarke, one of the study’s co-authors, summarized, “We are excited about the results. We expect NmCV-5 to provide children and young adults with reliable protection against meningitis caused by the meningococcal bacteria in Africa.” He anticipates that the vaccine will be “game-changing for epidemic meningitis control in the ‘meningitis belt,’” stating, “We look forward to seeing the vaccine rolled out in the region as soon as possible.”
– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Flickr
Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Belgium
The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Belgium, where the poverty line for a two-income home stands at €2,256 a month, represents a notable issue. Several key areas in the country experienced the impact of the pandemic.
Access to Education
School closures became incredibly challenging for children of low-income families because of their difficulty of access to the technology necessary for remote learning and a stable internet connection. COVID-19 posed the threat of widening the educational disparity between incomes by further displacing a cohort that was already at a disadvantage in the classroom.
In response to the difficulties, the Belgian government invested €10 million into bringing back retired teachers into the school to help make up for lost time. Additionally, schools were able to vet which students required spare equipment for the remote style of learning and equipped them as needed.
Social Impact
One of the first things to go as a consequence of the lockdowns was regular social interaction. For those already facing financial strain prior to the pandemic, the new isolation torpedoed some Belgians’ mental health and access to their support systems.
During the pandemic, 59% of the population reported feeling lonely as a result of COVID-19 mitigation. Unemployed persons or those suffering from illness have reported feeling “very lonely.”
A 2021 OCED report revealed that the response to the pandemic green-lit most of the risk factors for poor mental health, especially for those experiencing financial insecurity and lack of educational engagement. The report highlights the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Belgium as the same report shares that levels of anxiety across the country nearly doubled, heightening the stress of an already vulnerable demographic.
Nonprofits, including Mental Health Europe, sought to improve mental health aid for people across Europe by promoting initiatives that would allocate the necessary resources. The program also provided viewers with tips to improve their well-being that does not require expensive treatment.
To combat the feelings of isolation, communities banded together to form “caring neighborhoods,” which encouraged neighbors to check in on their peers to help satisfy their needs regardless of age, a 2021 Brussels Times article said.
Health Impact
People in financial hardship faced increased difficulty accessing adequate hygiene necessities and medical attention. To ensure that all Belgians regardless of financial background were not prone to the virus, the government issued a voluntary dose of the vaccine for free. The government also promised at the start of the pandemic to ensure “social protection,” stating that citizens would have guaranteed access to health care. If citizens could not afford medical costs, they would receive allowances and credits to meet their needs.
Looking Ahead
While Belgium’s economic future remains unclear following the pandemic, the European Commission revealed a “recovery and resilience plan.” Details included €5.9 billion in grants aimed at investments accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon and “climate-resilient economy.” In addition, the plan anticipates a 0.9% rise in GDP leading into the 2026 fiscal year. Efforts like this aim to lift Belgium out of the hardships imposed by the pandemic and set the country on a path to economic progress.
– Michael Mardones
Photo: Wikimedia
Strengthening Civil Society Through Bottom-Up Development
Available evidence suggests that when development involves local adaptation and ownership, it is more likely to lead to sustainable differences. According to reports, strengthening civil society is a vital aspect of bottom-up development because civil society organizations (CSOs) can act as intermediaries between communities and external actors such as international aid agencies or government institutions. Civil society comprises a diverse range of organizations that are independent of the government. This may include schools and universities, advocacy groups, professional associations, churches and cultural institutions.
Civil Society Organizations
CSOs play a critical role in promoting sustainable development and addressing social, economic and environmental challenges, often filling in where the government and the private sector fail to act. These organizations are well-positioned to represent the needs and interests of marginalized communities and are a foundational piece for sustainable development and national unity.
Typically, CSOs work in the following ways:
It is not all talk or theory, as CSOs have made notable impacts around the world. Select examples include supporting vulnerable citizens following civil war in Uganda, helping in the global AIDs and malaria crises, sustaining democracy in Nigeria and reducing corruption in India.
Barriers to Civil Society Development
Breaking Through the Barriers
Key ways the international community can strengthen civil society to break through the barriers include:
What’s Next?
By prioritizing local communities and empowering them to drive their own development, the bottom-up approach holds promise for sustainable change. And CSOs play a vital role in promoting development, addressing challenges and advocating for marginalized communities. Increased financial and technical support, among other efforts, are crucial steps toward strengthening civil society and unlocking its full potential in driving positive change.
– Andrew Giganti
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know about Weyak: Mental Health in Qatar
Weyak Helps More Than 249,000 People
Since 2014, more than 249,000 people have benefitted from Weyak’s services. Weyak’s training workshops for specialists, individuals and organizations are more than 8,000. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization played a vital role by running programs to help people in distress and struggling with feelings of uncertainty or anxiety.
Despite facing difficulties in their first year of service, the organization grew stronger, signing cooperations with several important institutions such as the Ministry of Public Health and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).
The Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
In 2017, at Doha’s Tornado Tower, Weyak signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WISH. This establishes a cooperative framework to promote mental health in Qatar. It implements the best and latest international practices to achieve high standards of community mental health. MoU also allows the exchange of mental health information and ideas over various platforms, enabling WISH and Weyak to expand their networks within Qatar.
Further benefits of their collaboration include Weyak’s support of WISH at key mental health events. Its expertise within the community also aids the development of support groups for caregivers and those who suffer from mental health issues.
Weyak’s Free Tele-Counseling Service
As part of its service, Weyak provides free tele-counseling to those who need it. Promoted as a confidential and safe space, individuals can speak to a trained counselor who can offer support, as well as guide them to further resources. The service is available in seven languages: English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Tagalog.
In March 2020, Weyak announced an extension of its phone counseling hours. Psychological support is now available for 12 hours daily, significantly increasing its accessibility from 12 pm – 8 pm to 9 am – 9 pm. The service remains free of charge.
Weyak’s Partnership with Oryx GTL
In early 2018, the synthetic fuel plant Oryx GTL provided financial support for Weyak’s psychological counseling program. With this financial aid, Weyak ran hundreds of counseling, educational and psychological sessions.
This is not the first time that Oryx GTL has partnered with Weyak. In 2015, the two organizations joined together to distribute a “self-construction map” to independent and private schools in Qatar. This map raised awareness of comprehensive mental health concepts among students and faculty. With such a partnership, Weyak continues to be able to expand its service to improve mental health in Qatar.
The Future for Weyak?
With increasing developments in Qatar’s mental health sector, organizations such as Weyak provide a valuable service. However, the organization is very reliant on sponsors and funding. Many sponsors and organizations tie funds to conditions and expect immediate results. And ever since the launch of its services in 2014, Weyak continues serving to provide an effective service for those struggling with mental health in Qatar.
– Grace Clay
Photo: Flickr
What Are Human Rights Cities?
According to the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, “Human Rights Cities are cities where local government, local parliament, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders are committed to ensuring the use and application of international human rights standards.” This means safeguarding the economic and social rights even of those living at the margins of society and making individual well-being the central focus of municipal policies.
Human rights include, but are not limited to: “the right to life, liberty and security of person; the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and the right to an adequate standard of living.” However, despite their universal importance, human rights are often violated or ignored, especially when it concerns those who suffer most from poverty and inequality. By placing human rights at the center of local governance and decision-making, Human Rights Cities aim to create more just, equitable and sustainable societies. Such cities seek to address the root causes of poverty and inequality by empowering individuals to claim and exercise their rights.
History of the Human Rights Cities Movement
The People’s Movement for Human Rights Learning (PDHRE) introduced the Human Rights Cities initiative in 1993, following the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in the same year. The aim was to mobilize communities to implement human rights principles at the local level, with a focus on mitigating poverty and improving standards of living, education and security for all. Early cities to adopt the approach included Rosario, Argentina (signed on in 1997) and Graz, Austria, which became the first European Human Rights City in 2001. Since then, cities including Vienna, Utrecht and Barcelona have followed suit.
Rosario
With a population of about 1.2 million people, Rosario is the largest city in Central Argentina’s Santa Fe Province. It became the world’s first Human Rights City when some 100 citizens and leaders, representing the interests of women, children, indigenous peoples and other groups, gathered to sign a proclamation supporting a human-rights-based approach to governance. The city formed a Citizen’s Committee with representatives from all social sectors to identify local human rights violations and address their root causes. Community members worked together to devise solutions based on the principles of “transparency, participation, accountability, reciprocity and a commitment to eliminate poverty.”
Since signing the proclamation in 1997, Rosario has seen great success. Although the city comprises only about 3% of Argentina’s population, as of 2017, the province that it anchors contributed 10% to the national GDP. Rosario continues to grow as a major hub for industrial and agricultural exports, making a strong impact on the country’s economic health.
Barcelona
The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona adopted a Human Rights City approach in 2016. The city has implemented policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion, including measures to ensure access to affordable housing, healthcare and education. In just a short time, these efforts have significantly helped to reduce poverty and inequality. For instance, between 2017 and 2020, Barcelona’s poverty rate dropped from 23.8% to 21.7%. Furthermore, in 2019, Barcelona’s GDP increased by 2.3% and the larger Catalonia region’s per capita GDP exceeded the European Union average by 12%.
Utrecht
Utrecht adopted Human Rights City standards in 2010 with a vision of protecting its inhabitants’ basic socio-economic rights and improving their quality of life. In 2013, the city formed a Local Human Rights Coalition that brought together civic organizations, businesses, leaders and activists. The coalition has worked with communities to develop and implement policies aimed at protecting personal freedoms and children’s rights, improving health, reducing poverty and ending discrimination. With a per capita GDP of $38,000, Utrecht and its rights-based approach to municipal governance have had a notable social and economic impact while improving its citizens’ overall well-being.
Human Rights Cities’ Impact on Poverty
These successes demonstrate that a Human Rights City approach can significantly help reduce poverty and improve lives around the globe. Through inclusive governance, Human Rights Cities engage all members of the community in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. These cities strive to ensure that everyone has a say in how resources are allocated and how policies are implemented.
Human Rights Cities recognize that poverty is not just a lack of income, but also a lack of the fundamental resources and opportunities that people need to live a dignified life. Despite globally rising poverty rates, the trends suggest that Human Rights Cities can help reduce social and economic inequities, protect rights and resources for those who need them most and give all individuals and communities a fair chance to succeed.
Sustained efforts and collaborations between governments, civic organizations and communities indicate that there is hope for another world (a Human Rights World) that works for all.
– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know About Elderly Poverty in Iraq
What is Elderly Poverty?
Elderly poverty is when people over the age of 65 live without a sufficient income or pension. In the countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, approximately 14% of those over the age of 65 live in poverty. In comparison, the rate of poverty across the population of these countries on average is about 11.6%. Globally, elderly poverty is increasing, due to people living longer and having insufficient pensions.
Elderly Poverty in Iraq
Iraq has a population of approximately 41 million people, of which 5.1% (2 million people) are older than 60. According to the United Nations Population Fund, this number is expected to increase to around 7.5 million (10.6%) by 2050. While sources cannot reliably determine the exact rate of elderly poverty in Iraq, fewer than 20% of older people have a pension, which results in many working past retirement age.
In addition to this, literacy rates are lower among the elderly in Iraq, making jobs outside of manual labor difficult to obtain. Among those over 70 years, only 42% are literate; for those between 60 and 69 years, only 63% are literate. Although programs exist to improve literacy rates in Iraq, they focus primarily on the young.
The number of elderly workers has increased significantly in Iraq, making them commonplace, especially among those who fled and relocated due to ISIS. Obtaining work as an elderly laborer can be difficult, as younger workers are more desirable to companies, due to their physical strength and higher rates of literacy. The elderly population of Iraq needs the government to intervene to ensure there are job opportunities for all ages and skill sets.
Women in Iraq and the Impact of Elderly Poverty
Elderly poverty also negatively impacts women, as the care of elderly people usually falls to female family members, limiting their ability to get a job. According to the Iraq Women Integrated Social and Health Survey, 31% of the elderly women interviewed needed help to perform basic daily tasks. The majority of this help comes from their families, as less than 1% have access to external health care workers. This is likely due to costs, as only 59.7% of the interviewed women over 55 were able to afford health care.
In Iraq, aid for the elderly is primarily the responsibility of their families rather than the government, but the lack of government involvement frequently perpetuates the cycle. Many women cannot work due to looking after elderly or disabled relatives, and without work, they cannot gain a pension. This perpetuates a cycle of generational poverty among the elderly. Furthermore, many people in Iraq lost family members during the conflicts, resulting in a number of elderly people who have neither familial nor government assistance.
Organizations Help Solve the Elderly Poverty Issue in Iraq
Fortunately, organizations and programs are in place to improve elderly poverty in Iraq. HelpAge International is an organization centered around improving the lives of the elderly by advocating for greater social protection, better health care and the recognition of the needs and rights of the elderly during crises. Elderly people are often physically unable to flee during conflicts or natural disasters, but aid organizations frequently overlook their specific needs (such as accessible food distribution points or recovery loans). The Jiyan Foundation has partnered with HelpAge International in Iraq, where they provide support to those suffering from the effects of human rights violations and conflict.
The Social Protection Program for Iraq: Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform is an EU-supported program lasting from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2025. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), alongside the Iraqi government, is working in collaboration with the World Food Program and the International Labor Organization to improve conditions for vulnerable people in Iraq. The program aims to encourage legislative reform around social protection, such as benefits and pension schemes while optimizing existing systems. The overall goal is to ensure that by 2024, vulnerable people such as the elderly, women, the young, the disabled and Internally Displaced People will be able to access income security and social insurance.
Shedding Light on Elderly Poverty Across the World
In recent years, elderly poverty has been gaining more recognition globally. Since 1990, October 1 has been celebrated as the International Day of Older Persons, and in 2010, the U.N. General Assembly created the Open-Ended Working Group on Aging. This group works to improve the human rights of elderly people within international law. Elderly poverty is also becoming more widely studied by academic institutions like Oxford and Harvard. In 2021, the World Health Organization and several U.N. departments published a report on ageism and the need to eliminate it from society.
Elderly people are among the most vulnerable in society, and it is essential that they are included in and protected by government legislation. As life expectancy continues to rise with advancements in technology and science, it is more important than ever to address elderly poverty. With further international support and government initiatives, elderly poverty in Iraq could be significantly reduced.
– Tasha B. Johnson
Photo: Unsplash
How War Impacts Education in Ukraine
The Impact of War on Education in Ukraine
The war has left children without the necessary education. During wartime, schools and other educational facilities became targets of Russian attacks. According to the official report of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 3,246 educational institutions, including kindergartens and universities have been damaged. In Eastern Ukraine, the destruction is most significant. The most affected educational institutions are in the Zaporizhzhia region where Russians destroyed 175 institutions. Russian troops tore down 69 institutions in the Donetsk region, 52 in the Kharkiv region and 23 in the Kherson region.
Air raid sirens during the day force pupils to go to the basement and continue studying there. When classes are online there are problems with the Internet due to regular blackouts. The situation in the east of Ukraine is unstable. Russians force Ukrainian teachers to conduct classes in Russian language and narrative. As a result, parents preferably choose not to let their children go to classes.
Ongoing Efforts
As a part of a solution to help maintain an educational level in the country, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine launched an initiative that aims to support children and parents and ensure that every kid gets an opportunity to learn. UNICEF also made provisions for 1,000 schools across Ukraine and help each one get ready for the winter period.
Ukrainian volunteers together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine have launched SchoolToGo. The project is offering free online school classes to everyone from 1st to 11th grade. The lessons developed by the teachers and psychologists are fully accredited and comply with a basic school program. Also, SchoolToGo offers psychological support for children if they need it. SchoolToGo defines its mission as “so that every Ukrainian child, with the help of our platform, gets into a class with Ukrainian-speaking teachers and classmates again, and does not feel lonely.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine on education, ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, and volunteers aim to provide support and opportunities for children. Initiatives like “Together to Study” and SchoolToGo offer shelter goods, winter preparation and free online school classes to ensure access to education. These projects prioritize the well-being and academic development of Ukrainian children, striving to overcome the challenges posed by the conflict and promote a sense of community.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Rights in Chad
Outcomes for Women and Girls in Chad
Chad has the highest rates of child marriage in the world. 67% of girls in Chad were married before age 18 and 30% before age 15. As of 2013, the adolescent birth rate was 179.4 per 1,000 girls aged 15 years to 19 years. In 2018, 16.2% of women and girls (15 years to 49 years) were subject to physical and/or sexual violence and 34.1% of girls and women in the same age groups had undergone female genital mutilation.
Female genital mutilation or FGM is a widespread practice in Chad. Unfortunately, it is a practice that violates human rights, and is one that is carried out on infant and under-15-year-old girls. A nonprofit organization, 28 TOO MANY, works with communities in Chad with the highest number of cases. On the bright side, there has been some progress in alleviating the issue, with The Reproductive Health Law awaiting support from the office of the President. Efforts to reduce poverty have also yielded positive results. In addition, the in-work poverty rate dropped from 47 % in 2011 to 42 % in 2018. As of 2021, this figure stood at 41%. The figure continues to remain relatively high because women do not have access to dignified work. They engage in activities like procuring water, cooking meals and looking after husbands and children. Women rarely inherit properties, and they mostly depend on men for security and prosperity.
Ongoing Work
Various organizations work to help women and girls in their pursuit of security. CARE International, for example, seeks to provide economic justice to women through access to financial services. CARE International defines economic justice as the ‘right to economic resources’.
These resources target women entrepreneurs, who account for 31% to 38% of small to medium size enterprises in the global south. As a result of this program, 270,000 women in 11 countries have seen their average business earnings increase by 91%. The management of run-off water and the construction of weirs in Chad’s Sahel region is among ongoing efforts. The Sahel is a vast, semi-arid region in Africa. In times of low rainfall, the area becomes highly susceptible to famine. A weir is crucial in these circumstances, as it ensures effective water run-off and consistent water availability. Between 2012 and 2018, the project created 64 weirs. As a result, feed available for livestock has increased ‘significantly’ and grass now grows on arable land for ‘longer periods’. Millet yields have doubled and vegetable yields have risen 23%.
Looking Ahead
Through programs supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNICEF, efforts are underway to address gender-based violence and improve outcomes for women and girls in Chad. These initiatives aim to tackle issues such as child marriage, female genital mutilation and maternal deaths, providing girls with skills, information and services to challenge societal taboos and promote gender equality. Additionally, organizations like 28 TOO MANY and CARE International are working to combat practices like female genital mutilation and provide economic justice to women through access to financial services, contributing to positive changes in Chad.
– James Durbin
Photo: Flickr