Women of the Bijagós ethnic group in Guinea-Bissau are gaining greater economic independence due to their increasing involvement and specialization in conserving creole plants and their seeds across the Bijagós Archipelago, a series of 88 islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. The knowledge of horticulture in Guinea-Bissau has been passed on to the Bijagós women by an NGO called Tiniguena. Seed preservation and food diversity are important to the Bijagós because much of their social rituals and celebrations require specific foods that are being replaced by cash crops.
The Bijagós Archipelago and Guinea-Bissau’s Poverty
The Bijagós archipelago is popular for its biodiversity and this is central to the Bijagós people’s cultural traditions as well. People have implemented several sacred sites throughout the islands, forbidding any economic or subsistence activity in those areas, and this has allowed biodiversity to thrive. The Guardian reports that the people’s love of biodiversity also reflects in their use of unique local foods in the ceremonies that define Bijagós’ social groups.
The industrial expansion of other countries that are keen on exploiting Guinea-Bissau’s weak position in international relations threatens the thriving biodiversity of the Bijagós islands, according to Sacred Land Film Project. Being the 5th poorest country in the world, the small nation in West Africa was persuaded into signing an “intention protocol” with the Spanish company DDY de Comercio Exterior SA. This allowed the company to set up a ship-breaking area near the archipelago. The act of ship-breaking releases toxic substances into the surrounding waters, inevitably causing great harm to Bijagós’ wide range of flora and fauna.
Moreover, Guinea-Bissau’s efforts to alleviate poverty have also been detrimental to the Bijagós’ cultural dependence on diversity. The mass planting of cash crops like cashew affect the nutrient balance of the soil and seriously impact the ability of the land to support an abundance of different plant and animal species, according to The Guardian.
The Work of the Bijagós Women
Here is where the Bijagós women step in. The task of preserving the range of plants and seeds in the Bijagós archipelago has largely fallen to women. As one “seed keeper,” Sábado Maio explains, “Women are the mother of everything, so women take care of the seeds more than men… plants survive because of women,” The Guardian reports.
NGO Tiniguena initiated the Women Keepers of Agricultural Biodiversity Seeds project and it is in charge not only of imparting vital knowledge to more than 150 women but also managing the project logistically, organizing transport to and from the islands in time.
Maio’s garden alone is the new home of 19 crop species, such as red-skinned yam, geneva yam and horse corn. This richness spreads amongst the Bijagós and the wider community through the construction of community barns that allows safe storage for valuable crops that they later distribute to farmers.
Alleviating Poverty Through Horticulture in Guinea-Bissau
As women come to dominate the important act of seed preservation, they gain greater leverage within society that allows them to raise their standards of living. For example, Beatriz Lopes, a mother of nine and horticulturist, says that she is able to turn the seeds she saves from her garden into money by selling them to other growers. Using this extra income, she says she’s been able to “buy rice, notebooks for the kids, pay for school, for medicine and if [she] gets sick [they] can go to the hospital.”
Similarly, Esperança Correia says that her public role as seed keeper lets her remain financially independent while also giving more opportunities to her children. “I don’t depend on anyone and today my children can study more than I could because I can help them,” she told The Guardian
Improving Livelihoods
Clearly, agricultural horticulture in Guinea-Bissau is not only beneficial to the women who practice it but also to the families and communities that they support. With the income that they raise from cultivating and selling precious seeds, they can ensure that their children receive better education, fostering a brighter young community that may have the ability to lift Guinea-Bissau out of poverty. Tiniguena’s desire to spread the culture of seed-keeping has facilitated increasing prosperity and this has had a ripple effect on the traditionally dependent populations of Guinea-Bissau.
– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Wikimedia
How Horticulture in Guinea-Bissau is Lifting Women Out of Poverty
The Bijagós Archipelago and Guinea-Bissau’s Poverty
The Bijagós archipelago is popular for its biodiversity and this is central to the Bijagós people’s cultural traditions as well. People have implemented several sacred sites throughout the islands, forbidding any economic or subsistence activity in those areas, and this has allowed biodiversity to thrive. The Guardian reports that the people’s love of biodiversity also reflects in their use of unique local foods in the ceremonies that define Bijagós’ social groups.
The industrial expansion of other countries that are keen on exploiting Guinea-Bissau’s weak position in international relations threatens the thriving biodiversity of the Bijagós islands, according to Sacred Land Film Project. Being the 5th poorest country in the world, the small nation in West Africa was persuaded into signing an “intention protocol” with the Spanish company DDY de Comercio Exterior SA. This allowed the company to set up a ship-breaking area near the archipelago. The act of ship-breaking releases toxic substances into the surrounding waters, inevitably causing great harm to Bijagós’ wide range of flora and fauna.
Moreover, Guinea-Bissau’s efforts to alleviate poverty have also been detrimental to the Bijagós’ cultural dependence on diversity. The mass planting of cash crops like cashew affect the nutrient balance of the soil and seriously impact the ability of the land to support an abundance of different plant and animal species, according to The Guardian.
The Work of the Bijagós Women
Here is where the Bijagós women step in. The task of preserving the range of plants and seeds in the Bijagós archipelago has largely fallen to women. As one “seed keeper,” Sábado Maio explains, “Women are the mother of everything, so women take care of the seeds more than men… plants survive because of women,” The Guardian reports.
NGO Tiniguena initiated the Women Keepers of Agricultural Biodiversity Seeds project and it is in charge not only of imparting vital knowledge to more than 150 women but also managing the project logistically, organizing transport to and from the islands in time.
Maio’s garden alone is the new home of 19 crop species, such as red-skinned yam, geneva yam and horse corn. This richness spreads amongst the Bijagós and the wider community through the construction of community barns that allows safe storage for valuable crops that they later distribute to farmers.
Alleviating Poverty Through Horticulture in Guinea-Bissau
As women come to dominate the important act of seed preservation, they gain greater leverage within society that allows them to raise their standards of living. For example, Beatriz Lopes, a mother of nine and horticulturist, says that she is able to turn the seeds she saves from her garden into money by selling them to other growers. Using this extra income, she says she’s been able to “buy rice, notebooks for the kids, pay for school, for medicine and if [she] gets sick [they] can go to the hospital.”
Similarly, Esperança Correia says that her public role as seed keeper lets her remain financially independent while also giving more opportunities to her children. “I don’t depend on anyone and today my children can study more than I could because I can help them,” she told The Guardian
Improving Livelihoods
Clearly, agricultural horticulture in Guinea-Bissau is not only beneficial to the women who practice it but also to the families and communities that they support. With the income that they raise from cultivating and selling precious seeds, they can ensure that their children receive better education, fostering a brighter young community that may have the ability to lift Guinea-Bissau out of poverty. Tiniguena’s desire to spread the culture of seed-keeping has facilitated increasing prosperity and this has had a ripple effect on the traditionally dependent populations of Guinea-Bissau.
– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Wikimedia
5 NGOs Fighting Period Poverty
5 NGOs Fighting Period Poverty
Breaking the Silence
Across the globe, NGOs are fighting period poverty. Through their initiatives, these organizations are breaking the silence, addressing the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and empowering women and girls to manage their periods with dignity and confidence. By combining advocacy, education and sustainable solutions, these NGOs are making a significant impact and paving the way for a world where period poverty is a thing of the past.
– Eva O’Donovan
Photo: Flickr
Poverty reduction in Montserrat
Rates and Causes of Poverty
Child Poverty
Poverty Reduction in Montserrat
The Future
– Polly Walton
That’s Nuts! The Positive Impact of Macadamia Shell Briquettes
What Are Macadamia Shell Briquettes
As biomass waste products, macadamia nut shells can serve as a renewable energy source. By drying and pressing the shells into variously sized compact fuel blocks, the resulting briquettes can fuel cooking and heating systems or power boilers.
The Benefits of Macadamia Shell Briquettes
Positive Change
Photo: Pixabay
Loofah-Inspired Hydrogel Could Improve Access to Safe Water
Initial Development
Previously developed thermoresponsive hydrogels absorbed and then released purified water. However, they had a slow response rate and were not effective in cloudy weather, providing an insufficient volume of water for a person’s daily needs. With increased release rates, the newly innovated loofah-inspired hydrogel improves on this. Researchers used a mixture of water and a chemical called ethylene glycol to induce polymerization, creating a ‘PNIPAm hydrogel’ with interconnected pores inspired by the porous structure of a loofah. They coated the inner pores of the hydrogel with the chemicals polydopamine (PDA) and poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSMBA), which provide the hydrogel with the ability to remove pollutants. The porous structure filters out microplastics, and the polydopamine traps contaminants such as dyes and metals. Furthermore, PSMBA creates a hydration layer that stops oils and microorganisms from being absorbed along with the water. When the hydrogel is cool, it can absorb water, but when warmed, it becomes hydrophobic and releases water. The hydrogel will only absorb water, not contaminants such as oil; therefore, it releases purified water.
Testing and Results
The porous, loofah-inspired hydrogel’s efficiency was tested with artificial light to replicate the solar energy of the sun. When heated, it “released 70% of its stored water in 10 minutes.” This improvement in response rate, four times faster than the closed-pore thermoresponsive hydrogels, means that this development could potentially meet a person’s daily water demand. Furthermore, it can work effectively even when a source of solar energy is not available. This is essential, as weather patterns may be unpredictable in areas of water deficit. Researchers proved the hydrogel’s effectiveness by testing under artificial light conditions, which replicated cloudy weather. It took about 20 minutes for the hydrogel to emit a similar amount of water to the volume released in sunny conditions. The hydrogel has also been tested on polluted samples containing “organic dyes, heavy metals, oil and microplastics.” These tests returned positive results, as the hydrogel successfully purified the water, removing contaminants.
Looking Forward
The hydrogel technology looks to be a vital step toward providing access to clean water in areas experiencing water insecurity. Although still in development, it has enormous potential. Research continues to create new and improved versions, such as hydrogel that could kill waterborne bacteria by utilizing its antibacterial properties. This provides hope for a brighter future for those without the financial ability to access clean water.
– Isla Wright
Photo: Flickr
5 Facts About the Female-Led Oyster Sector in The Gambia
5 Facts About the Female-Led Oyster Sector in The Gambia
Looking Ahead
The oyster sector in The Gambia, led by a dedicated group of women, has emerged as a powerful force for social and economic development in the country. Through the efforts of organizations like the TRY OWA and partnerships with entities such as the United Nations Development Programme and FISH4ACP, there are signs of progress with regard to protecting the wetland ecosystem and enhancing the livelihoods of female oyster harvesters. By supporting the oyster sector, The Gambia is paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for its coastal communities.
– Jennifer Preece
Photo: Flickr
6 facts about water quality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Water Quality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ongoing Efforts
UNICEF, USAID and Join for Water are among the organizations doing great work to alleviate the consequences of water quality in the DRC. UNICEF is improving access to safe drinking water supplies as well as adequate sanitation facilities in schools and communities. It also created the national program, “Healthy School and Village” in the DRC which aims to stop the spread of waterborne diseases through safe water and hygiene education, according to its website.
According to its website, Join for Water is active across three provinces in the DRC: Ituri, Tshopo and Kwilu. Its focus is on rebuilding and maintaining drinking water infrastructure by working with local organizations to advocate for resource and river protection. It also works to protect agroforestry with farmers and ensure students receive environmental education in school.
USAID, alongside the U.S. government, has provided millions of liters of safe drinking water to the Congolese people, helping over 1 million people gain access to safe water and sanitation facilities, according to Global Waters.
Looking Ahead
Efforts to improve water quality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are making a difference in the lives of millions of people. Organizations like UNICEF, Join for Water and USAID are working tirelessly to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities. These initiatives not only combat waterborne diseases but also empower communities and promote environmental education. With ongoing support and collaboration, the DRC is moving closer to ensuring a brighter future where safe water becomes a reality for all its people.
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Rights in the Bahamas
Disjoint in the Legal Framework Surrounding Sexual Offences
Sexual violence is endemic within the nation and necessitates legal redress. According to the Royal Bahamas Police, reporting of sexual offenses rose by 14% in 2022 with 204 cases. According to the report, 39% of the victims knew the perpetrator and all the suspects were men. With the understanding that there is a trend of gross underreporting when it comes to sexual offenses, this number could be much higher.
Sexual harassment laws pertain only to the workplace, with the language “solicits sexual favors” employed to encapsulate the meaning of sexual harassment. This means that inappropriate behavior such as sexually charged and/or obscene comments, continuous staring and unwanted physical contact in both the workplace and public spaces are not legally recognized explicitly as sexual harassment.
Additionally, although the intent of criminalizing sexual harassment in the workplace is to deter potential perpetrators, U.N. Women recommends making it a matter of civil law. The reasoning for this recommendation is that the victim has more say in the direction of the case for a civil claim.
For instance, a claimant does not have to provide a “clear and convincing burden of proof” like in a criminal court and instead only has to prove a preponderance of the evidence. The claimant does not have to be subjected to an evaluation of their sexual history (aside from the accused) like in a criminal trial. Such conditions would hopefully encourage more women to come forward and stand up to the violations of their rights.
Marital Rape
The law fails to recognize marital rape as a criminal offense unless the couple is in the process of separation/divorce. Most recently in 2022, there was an initiative to remove the phrase “who is not his spouse” from the definition of rape. However, there was constant pushback from opposing politicians and the powerful influence of the Christian Council.
Unfortunately, so long as this phrase remains in legislation, there could be thousands of Bahamian women who do not have the law protection if their husband rapes them and the damaging rhetoric that consent does not matter throughout marriage could endure.
Lack of Political Representation
A significant step toward advancing women’s rights in the Bahamas is addressing the lack of women in politics and highlighting the need for gender-sensitive policymaking. Whilst the country made history in 2021 with the election of seven women in the Progressive Liberal Party, accounting for 17% of seats in parliament, it is yet to meet the U.N.’s minimum standard of 30%.
One solution that Allicia Rolle, a gender specialist in the Department of Gender and Family Affairs proposed is the implementation of quotas as a temporary measure to promote gender mainstreaming in politics. This is to ensure that there are as many women as men in positions of power.
A Commitment to Action
In February 2022, Prime Minister Davis publicly acknowledged that the country needs to bring many of the domestic laws regarding gender equality “up to date” and that the Attorney General would be looking into “domestic legislation” to meet the need to address the prevalence of gender-based violence in the country. Additionally, the government’s effort involved considering long-term strategies including promoting civic engagement and education surrounding the topic. And while there has not been any concrete update on the implementation of such legislation or programs, this acknowledgment of responsibility toward promoting the advancement of women’s rights in the Bahamas offers signs of hope for change in the future.
– Lucy Gebbie
Photo: Flickr
5 Organizations Ending Child Marriage in Pakistan
Several factors cause child marriage in Pakistan, including patriarchal social norms and economic reasons. Poverty in the nation leads poorer families to marry off their daughters so that they no longer have to economically provide for them.
Child marriage has many negative repercussions for young girls, including an increased risk of being in an abusive marriage, falling pregnant before being physically prepared for childbirth and not being able to complete their studies. F ortunately, there are numerous charities operating to end child marriage in Pakistan.
5 Organizations Ending Child Marriage in Pakistan
The Future
Child marriage in Pakistan remains an issue affecting millions of young girls. The consequences of underage marriage for girls include a deterioration of physical and mental health and a lack of economic and personal freedom. On the bright side, there are charities that publically highlight the dark reality of child marriage in Pakistan. And these organizations continue making efforts to put an end to the practice.
– Mohsina Alam
Photo: Flickr
How NetHope is Helping to Connect Rohingya Refugees
The Current Situation
The Rohingya, an ethnic and religious minority, have long endured oppression in their native land of Myanmar. As early as 1978, the military perpetrated numerous atrocities against the Rohingya, including mass killings and arson, prompting the exodus of 200,000 individuals from the country. In 1982, the government formally revoked the Rohingya’s citizenship, rendering them stateless. In the early 1990s, another wave of Rohingya sought refuge in Bangladesh to escape forced labor and religious persecution.
Living as Muslims in a nation where a majority of the population practices Buddhism, the Rohingya have been victims of anti-Rohingya violence fueled by ultra-religious nationalism. Senior Buddhist monks even participated when the first wave of mass killings of Rohingya began in 2012 following clashes between Muslims and Buddhists.
However, in 2017, the anti-Rohingya violence escalated to a mass scale. Following an attack by a group of Rohingya militants, the government responded with brutal military force targeting the entire Rohingya population. This unleashed a series of mass killings, village burnings, lootings and even sexual violence, widely recognized as genocide. Within three months, these atrocities forced nearly 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Since then, the refugee population has continued to grow, and the dire situation remains unresolved.
Life in the Camps
The majority of Rohingya continue to reside in refugee camps in Bangladesh, enduring harsh living conditions and poverty. A study published by Burma Human Rights Network in February 2022 revealed that 93% of interviewed Rohingya reported inadequate access to food, while 50% expressed limited access to medical assistance. Furthermore, those interviewed highlighted the prevalence of crime within the camps, including arson, human trafficking and drug abuse.
Adding to their plight, the Bangladeshi government has displayed little to no cooperation and even oppression toward the Rohingya. Some refugees allege that the security forces responsible for safeguarding the camps themselves engage in abuse. Additionally, refugees face restrictions on employment and education outside the camps, as Bangladesh fears it may lead to their permanent settlement.
NetHope Steps In
NetHope, a “consortium of over 60 leading global nonprofits,” is trying to help the Rohingya by bringing them safe and reliable power and internet. The organization’s overall goal, both in this endeavor and in general, is to utilize modern technology to provide innovative solutions to humanitarian and development problems.
Member participants of NetHope have been operating in the Bangladesh/Myanmar region since 2017 to assess the Rohingya situation, formulate solutions and implement change. These participants found that improving internet access to the camps would, “have a deeply beneficial effect on the humanitarian response and can help responding agencies to overcome a number of critical challenges.” This conclusion came about after realizing that better internet access could help in managing the camps, as well as create better communication with NGO agencies and foreign governments.
Fortunately, NetHope and its acting partners have made some headway in achieving some results. In early 2020, workers on the ground constructed “eight wireless base station towers” to support a network for better communication among aid workers.
Looking Ahead
NetHope noted there is still room for much work in the effort to connect Rohingya refugees to the rest of the world. So far, the organization has formulated several possible solutions to building a wider, more accessible internet network inside the camps. However, these would require cooperation from the Bangladeshi government, as well as a stable power supply among other things. But with more diplomatic effort, there is hope for a brighter future for the Rohingya.
– Jonathon Crecelius
Photo: Flickr