“One-Kidney Village” got its nickname from the widespread practice of impoverished town members selling a kidney for additional income. The economic crisis has many Afghans desperate for immediate financial relief. The act of selling organs in Afghanistan for a few thousand dollars has become so common in the western city of Herat that it has earned a name that reflects that unfortunate reality.
Afghanistan will soon enter its second year under Taliban rule. When the Taliban took control of Kabul in August of 2021, the already war-stricken country’s economy only worsened. Once the Taliban assumed control over Afghanistan, international aid ceased. It has since partially resumed but economic desperation is still crippling many towns.
What is “One Kidney Village?”
One of these towns has been nicknamed the “One Kidney Village” due to the number of citizens that come under pressure to find any sort of financial relief. Desperate villagers see the opportunity to sell their organs for several thousand dollars as a chance to escape their financial burdens. The amount they receive in exchange for their organs is more money than many in “One Kidney Village” have earned at one time.
As of December 2021, the UNHCR estimated that 55% of Afghanistan’s population (around 23 million people) faces extreme hunger. The organization also estimated that, of the 23 million, 9 million face the risk of experiencing famine.
Kidney trade was already an issue in Afghanistan long before the Taliban took control, but since the takeover, it has become a far more common practice in all areas of Afghanistan, not just “One Kidney Village.” According to The Guardian, the price per kidney has lowered as the number of volunteers willing to sell their organs has spiked. The price once ranged from $3,000 to $4,000, but now (as of 2023) sells for as little as $1,500 or less.
Desperation for Financial Relief
After the removal of the kidney, it usually takes some time before the seller finds a recipient. Once they do, some individuals sell their kidneys for a smaller amount out of desperation for immediate financial relief and the number of people looking to sell. Since there is supply and demand for kidney selling, it has become somewhat of an industry in Afghanistan.
Afghans usually match with wealthy patients needing a kidney transplant. These patients travel from as far as India and Pakistan to Herat to undergo the procedure because of the access and availability of transplants in Afghanistan, Al Jazeera reports. The recipient of the kidney pays for the kidney as well as the medical bills for themselves and the seller. Al Jazeera’s interviews with Afghans that have sold their kidneys highlight an unfortunate reality that many Afghans do not realize when they agree to the procedure.
Consequences of Selling Organs in Afghanistan
The Borgen Project spoke with Sarah Lockwood, a doctoral student and undergraduate professor at Northeastern University working toward her Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Policy. Lockwood has done research on organ trafficking in the U.S. and has a detailed understanding of push factors and consequences associated with organ trafficking in general.
Using her research, Lockwood reflects on the all too common outcome that can result from an individual selling their organ. “It decimates a lot of these people’s lives because [it] should have been a sure cash payout. They’re not even given what they were promised and then they don’t have any of the safety nets afterward to actually take care of their health,” said Lockwood.
In addition to rarely getting the total amount of money that buyers initially promise them, those who sell their kidneys often end up with a host of additional health issues and resulting medical bills. Post-procedural infections are the result of limited medical regulation and routine examinations to evaluate post-procedure health. Even though the practice is so common, Afghanistan does not have a law that controls how organs can be donated or sold as long as the donor has given consent. Proof of consent is provided in either written or video form.
No Laws and Regulations
Many Afghans who sell their kidney end up in equal or worse financial trouble than when they began. If they develop health issues after the removal, there is no law or regulation to ensure they receive adequate treatment, according to Al Jazeera.
“The thing we forget about with a transplant is like somebody who’s a donor doesn’t just get up and go about their life as they had before,” said Lockwood. “That is a life-altering surgery, you have literally one less organ in your body. If you are already barely making ends meet, anything medically that happens after that surgery, you’re already in a situation where you probably didn’t have access to doctors, to begin with, and don’t have any sort of health insurance or safety nets,” she also said.
Selling Organs in Afghanistan
Lockwood discussed that in developed countries donors undergo health screenings to ensure a donor is in sufficient enough health to recover from the procedure, making them aware of any potential risks. Recovery can prohibit the donor from working for some period of time, which could put their employment at risk. Transplant centers also get training to detect red flags that could potentially indicate force, fraud or coercion.
Lockwood defines organ trafficking as “an exchange of an organ for something of value with the expressed intent of it either being forced upon, coerced or exploited from somebody.” Force, fraud or coercion is the standard when it comes to defining all trafficking.
Working Toward Eliminating Organ Trafficking
Addressing organ trafficking is not simple. Finding alternative solutions for desperate Afghans could eliminate the coercive aspect of selling a kidney for financial compensation. Lockwood offers “building a situation in which an economy can thrive without exploitative labor or practices like that.”
“These are the poorest of the poor, the most stressed out, the most at risk. To be able to elevate them out of those situations, where $3,000 is not worth the loss of a kidney [and] you are able to make that through other means, which means you’re probably less likely to engage in those spaces” said Lockwood.
– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr
Amnesty International Calls For Universal Social Protection
In addition to its efforts to spread awareness of human rights violations happening globally, on May 10, Amnesty International issued a briefing addressing overlapping crises that have left many facing poverty and hunger titled “Rising Prices, Growing Protests: The Case for Universal Social Protection.” In the briefing, the charity calls for universal social protection, or an “integrated set of policies and programs that provide equitable access to all people and protect them throughout their lives against poverty and risks to their livelihoods and well-being.”
Overview of the Briefing
The briefing begins by naming a few of the overlapping crises resulting in global poverty, starting with economic shock. In addition to around 60% of the world’s poorest countries being in debt distress, it cites that almost all middle-income and lower-income countries have experienced a high rate of inflation in the past year. Some notable examples include Zimbabwe at 321%, Lebanon at 203% and Venezuela at 158%. This means prices of basic necessities like food and housing have quadrupled, tripled and doubled in these countries. Amnesty International reports that people live in hunger due to three main reasons: economic shocks, armed conflict and the climate crisis.
The climate crisis impacts conditions that make food production possible by heightening severe weather like storms, extreme heat and wildfires. The loss of crops and livestock has been particularly devastating for farmers around the world living in poverty. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Association (FAO) found that drought was the single greatest contributor to agricultural production loss, followed by floods, storms, pests and diseases and wildfires. The climate crisis threatens food security. For example, when extreme flooding occurred in Pakistan in October 2022, the FAO reported that out of the 33 million people affected, 1.9 million needed food and agricultural assistance. Also, 510,000 people were “one step away from catastrophic levels of food insecurity.” Now more than ever, universal social protection is necessary to aid food security when relieving disasters.
Necessary Steps
Amnesty International’s brief calling for universal social protection recommends global creditors reschedule or cancel their debts so countries can have an opportunity to fund universal social protection. The cost of offering basic universal social protection would be around $440.8 billion a year, which is less than the $500 billion that lower-income and middle-income countries lose to foreign investors around the world.
Amnesty International stresses the importance of investing in universal social protection as well as making it shock-responsive, meaning its coverage would increase in large-scale crises. It also recommends other countries create a global fund for low-income or middle-income countries that cannot support universal social protection at the start, especially when they need to meet urgent humanitarian needs and suffer from food insecurity. This way, a universal basic income, guaranteed minimum income and a “social protection floor” – health care, income security, etc.– can be achieved globally.
Photo: Flickr
How Artificial Intelligence Impacts the Workforce
As immense as a tsunami, the wave of artificial intelligence has already started creeping toward the shores of innovation, promising to change the way society lives, works and interacts with each other. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a reality that is already transforming industries and societies around the world. Despite the potential benefits, AI also poses a considerable threat to the workforce. With estimates suggesting that nearly 15% of jobs worldwide could be vulnerable to displacement due to automation, the implications of AI for the future of work are profound and far-reaching.
The Rise of AI
All over the globe, artificial intelligence and AI have begun to permeate the everyday life of people. This technology has already transformed the way people engage with the world around them, from personal gadgets like smartphones and virtual assistants to large-scale systems like transportation networks and financial institutions. And as this demand grows, the technology itself also continues to evolve. One study by NVIDIA found that over the past 18 months, the performance gains of their A100 GPUs have increased by a factor of almost five. This unprecedented speed and scale provide a glimpse into the potential applications of these technologies in the future.
Impact on Jobs
As AI technology advance and becomes more prevalent, it brings with it a slew of potential issues, the most common of which is job displacement. According to a Zippia report, countries such as Greece and Slovakia in Europe face a risk of losing more than 50% of their jobs due to computerization. Occupations in data entry, manufacturing, machining, customer service, labor and inventory management are particularly at risk, as these are areas where AI and automation are most likely to have a significant impact.
Low-income Families
These changes are likely to have the most consequential influence on low-income households and regions. Many low-income families rely on low-skill jobs as their only source of income. Unfortunately, the AI industry could displace 50% of these jobs over the next 5 years. As machines become more prevalent in the workplace, the demand for low-skilled workers may continue to decrease, leading to a potential reduction in wages and benefits.
Possible Intervention Efforts
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can help protect or transition the workforce in the age of AI. Some of these steps could involve investing in skilled-training programs and implementing protection periods for workers who face exposure to job loss due to AI. For instance, the fund-based “SkillsFuture” program that Singapore introduced in 2015 has already achieved measurable success.
The program’s more than 660,000 beneficiaries, including those who received the $500 credit and benefited from the training and professional assistance programs were able to easily transition into and out of the workforce as new technologies underwent development. In Canada, a similar program, “Future Skills Centre,” has also emerged. Through this program, more than 36,000 participants from more than 20 different economic sectors were able to receive practical professional training to help them get ready for and adjust to the changing workplace.
Looking Ahead
In the face of AI’s potential impact on jobs, there are promising interventions that can help mitigate its effects. Investments in skilled-training programs and the implementation of protection periods for at-risk workers can provide crucial support during the transition. Successful initiatives like Singapore’s “SkillsFuture” and Canada’s “Future Skills Centre” demonstrate the effectiveness of such measures in equipping individuals with the necessary skills to navigate the changing landscape of work. With proactive efforts and inclusive policies, societies can embrace the opportunities presented by AI while safeguarding the well-being of their workforce.
– Sanjith Sambath
Photo: Flickr
Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Jamaica
COVID’s Impact on Poverty in Jamaica
Historically, Jamaica has always grappled with high poverty rates, with rates declining in recent years. However, poverty rates have increased since the start of the pandemic, completely unraveling years’ worth of work and successful efforts to combat this crisis. According to the World Bank, Jamaica’s poverty rate increased from 19% to roughly 23% in 2020. Some residents who were beginning to make ends meet in the years preceding the initial outbreaks fell below the poverty line as a result of the pandemic. Many residents are still lacking access to resources such as reliable housing and clean drinking water. Around 150,000 Jamaicans lost their jobs during the pandemic, with re-creation and rebound well underway.
COVID’s Impact on the Jamaican Economy
While enduring aftereffects less severe than some of its neighboring islands, Jamaicans are still reeling from the pandemic’s impact on the economy. The Jamaican economy has experienced its greatest contraction in history as a result of the pandemic. It has struggled to rebound since the post-pandemic era and since the distribution of vaccines and other treatment resources, undoing years’ worth of efforts to promote economic stability and fiscal responsibility.
To remain prosperous and stable, the economy relies heavily on the tourism industry, including hotels and resorts, restaurants and entertainment venues. Overall, the industry accounts for roughly 70% of the country’s GDP. However, travel restrictions from other nations adversely affected the country’s economic climate, with the economy shrinking by 5% and GDP declining by roughly 10% in 2020. As Jamaican air and sea borders prohibited the entry of international travelers, the industry began to destabilize, along with the nation’s economy. Workers in the tourism industry were forced out of their jobs as countries restricted travel and demand for their services declined. According to the Ministry of Tourism, at least 50,000 employees within the industry subsequently got laid off.
Aid and Assistance
The Jamaican government has initiated several programs and efforts to aid residents reeling from COVID’s impact on poverty in Jamaica. One of these is the COVID-19 Allocation of Resources for Employees Program, an initiative that provides cash transfers to members of the population who are the most vulnerable. About 500,000 received aid from this program, including those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The program provides an automatic grant of $18,000 to all who received the most recent SET Cash Grant and are unemployed as of Sept. 30, 2021.
Similarly, the Supporting Employees with Transfer of Cash program provides cash transfers to Jamaicans, after verification, who have lost their jobs on or after March 10, 2020. In 2021, the World Bank provided Jamaica with $150 million to contribute to its recovery and rebound from the pandemic. Ozan Sevimli, World Bank representative for Jamaica and Guyana, states, “The operation supports the expansion of the country’s social protection programs to benefit women and men disproportionately affected by the crisis and introduces a social pension for the elderly. It also supports measures for the recovery of affected businesses.”
Jamaica also received aid in receiving and distributing vaccinations to its citizens through COVAX, a worldwide initiative that comprises multiple health agencies working toward equitable distribution of vaccines to the population.
Recovery and Rebound
Despite being slower than most of its neighboring nations, Jamaica has made substantial progress in its post-pandemic recovery efforts. Data from the Planning Institute of Jamaica shows Jamaica surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels of economic growth and recorded its highest level of employment, with 1,269,300 citizens holding a job. In July 2022, Jamaica recorded its unemployment rate at 6.6%, lower than pre-pandemic levels. In addition, the nation’s tourism industry has almost completely rebounded. According to Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the industry has recovered by 90%. He also looked to 2022 as a “true year of recovery.” At a celebration of the country’s 60th anniversary of independence, he proclaimed, “We expect to close 2022 having welcomed a total of 3.2 million visitors contributing more than $3 billion to our economy.” Considering the post-pandemic trends. Jamaica looks to be on its way to a more prosperous future.
– Nicholas DeLuca
Photo: Flickr
Improving Maternal Health in Pakistan: 10 Years On
Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative
Established in 2009 by U.N. agencies UNICEF, WHO and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative (NPPI) aimed to reduce barriers that prevented pregnant women from accessing safe and reliable medical care in the province of Sindh. This involved strengthening health care systems through better support and using flexible financial approaches to improve the provision of maternal health care.
The project ended in 2013 with underwhelming research that assessed the impact of the NPPI. The overarching narrative was that the project had an insignificant effect on the participating communities. Although there have been some improvements, the rate at which pregnant women are accessing health care has only increased marginally. Despite this, reports indicated the following successes from the NPPI:
A Decade Later
A decade after the end of the NPPI, checking back in to assess how maternal health in Pakistan has weathered the recent years, especially through the pandemic, reveals the following. Approximately 20% of all deaths among women of childbearing age are due to pregnancy complications, specifically hemorrhaging and sepsis. The COVID-19 pandemic has also profoundly impacted maternal health in Pakistan. With a sudden lack of available hospital beds, many women found themselves unable to access the medical attention they required as they carried to term. Delays in emergency services and poor organization in facilities have also directly impacted increased maternal and infant mortality.
Rurality and Education
An intersection between education and location has also been identified. In a 2019 study, researchers with the National Institute of Population Studies linked low education levels and rural localities in Pakistan with poorer maternal health outcomes. Maternal mortality was 26% higher in rural areas compared to urban counterparts. Additionally, significantly more women in rural areas are less educated than women in urban spheres. About 96% of educated women sought medical care during their pregnancy compared to 50% of uneducated women. These recent maternal health indicators and contributing factors suggest that education and rural access to medical facilities need to be targeted in future interventions to improve maternal health in Pakistan.
National Committee for Maternal and Neonatal Health
Established in 1994, the National Committee for Maternal and Neonatal Health (NCMNH) is dedicated to reducing the high maternal mortality rate in Pakistan. Its goal is to advise policymakers on effective policies that reduce and prevent maternal and neonatal deaths. So far, the committee has:
Bakhabar Noujawan Course
Currently, the NCMNH is developing a course to promote and educate young girls on reproductive health. This is a crucial factor that directly correlates with poor maternal health indicators. Aimed at women aged 15 to 29, the Bakhabar Noujawan course involves educating students about how to maintain and navigate reproductive health. The vision is that participating in this course will contribute to these women’s credit in their educational institutions while encouraging them to become more involved in their own health.
Looking Ahead
Despite the persisting challenges, efforts to improve maternal health in Pakistan have shown some promising developments. Initiatives like the Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative have supported female health workers, implemented successful voucher systems and provided comprehensive training. Also, the establishment of the National Committee for Maternal and Neonatal Health and the upcoming Bakhabar Noujawan course demonstrate an ongoing commitment to reducing maternal mortality and improving reproductive health education. Overall, these initiatives hold the potential to make a positive impact on the well-being of women in Pakistan and pave the way for a healthier future.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
One-Kidney Village: Selling Organs in Afghanistan
Afghanistan will soon enter its second year under Taliban rule. When the Taliban took control of Kabul in August of 2021, the already war-stricken country’s economy only worsened. Once the Taliban assumed control over Afghanistan, international aid ceased. It has since partially resumed but economic desperation is still crippling many towns.
What is “One Kidney Village?”
One of these towns has been nicknamed the “One Kidney Village” due to the number of citizens that come under pressure to find any sort of financial relief. Desperate villagers see the opportunity to sell their organs for several thousand dollars as a chance to escape their financial burdens. The amount they receive in exchange for their organs is more money than many in “One Kidney Village” have earned at one time.
As of December 2021, the UNHCR estimated that 55% of Afghanistan’s population (around 23 million people) faces extreme hunger. The organization also estimated that, of the 23 million, 9 million face the risk of experiencing famine.
Kidney trade was already an issue in Afghanistan long before the Taliban took control, but since the takeover, it has become a far more common practice in all areas of Afghanistan, not just “One Kidney Village.” According to The Guardian, the price per kidney has lowered as the number of volunteers willing to sell their organs has spiked. The price once ranged from $3,000 to $4,000, but now (as of 2023) sells for as little as $1,500 or less.
Desperation for Financial Relief
After the removal of the kidney, it usually takes some time before the seller finds a recipient. Once they do, some individuals sell their kidneys for a smaller amount out of desperation for immediate financial relief and the number of people looking to sell. Since there is supply and demand for kidney selling, it has become somewhat of an industry in Afghanistan.
Afghans usually match with wealthy patients needing a kidney transplant. These patients travel from as far as India and Pakistan to Herat to undergo the procedure because of the access and availability of transplants in Afghanistan, Al Jazeera reports. The recipient of the kidney pays for the kidney as well as the medical bills for themselves and the seller. Al Jazeera’s interviews with Afghans that have sold their kidneys highlight an unfortunate reality that many Afghans do not realize when they agree to the procedure.
Consequences of Selling Organs in Afghanistan
The Borgen Project spoke with Sarah Lockwood, a doctoral student and undergraduate professor at Northeastern University working toward her Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Policy. Lockwood has done research on organ trafficking in the U.S. and has a detailed understanding of push factors and consequences associated with organ trafficking in general.
Using her research, Lockwood reflects on the all too common outcome that can result from an individual selling their organ. “It decimates a lot of these people’s lives because [it] should have been a sure cash payout. They’re not even given what they were promised and then they don’t have any of the safety nets afterward to actually take care of their health,” said Lockwood.
In addition to rarely getting the total amount of money that buyers initially promise them, those who sell their kidneys often end up with a host of additional health issues and resulting medical bills. Post-procedural infections are the result of limited medical regulation and routine examinations to evaluate post-procedure health. Even though the practice is so common, Afghanistan does not have a law that controls how organs can be donated or sold as long as the donor has given consent. Proof of consent is provided in either written or video form.
No Laws and Regulations
Many Afghans who sell their kidney end up in equal or worse financial trouble than when they began. If they develop health issues after the removal, there is no law or regulation to ensure they receive adequate treatment, according to Al Jazeera.
“The thing we forget about with a transplant is like somebody who’s a donor doesn’t just get up and go about their life as they had before,” said Lockwood. “That is a life-altering surgery, you have literally one less organ in your body. If you are already barely making ends meet, anything medically that happens after that surgery, you’re already in a situation where you probably didn’t have access to doctors, to begin with, and don’t have any sort of health insurance or safety nets,” she also said.
Selling Organs in Afghanistan
Lockwood discussed that in developed countries donors undergo health screenings to ensure a donor is in sufficient enough health to recover from the procedure, making them aware of any potential risks. Recovery can prohibit the donor from working for some period of time, which could put their employment at risk. Transplant centers also get training to detect red flags that could potentially indicate force, fraud or coercion.
Lockwood defines organ trafficking as “an exchange of an organ for something of value with the expressed intent of it either being forced upon, coerced or exploited from somebody.” Force, fraud or coercion is the standard when it comes to defining all trafficking.
Working Toward Eliminating Organ Trafficking
Addressing organ trafficking is not simple. Finding alternative solutions for desperate Afghans could eliminate the coercive aspect of selling a kidney for financial compensation. Lockwood offers “building a situation in which an economy can thrive without exploitative labor or practices like that.”
“These are the poorest of the poor, the most stressed out, the most at risk. To be able to elevate them out of those situations, where $3,000 is not worth the loss of a kidney [and] you are able to make that through other means, which means you’re probably less likely to engage in those spaces” said Lockwood.
– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr
The Importance of Sesame Seeds for Nigeria’s Economy
However, the production of sesame seeds in Northern Nigeria has been providing hope for the region’s poor. The seed is in major demand around the world and, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria was the world’s sixth-largest exporter of sesame seeds in 2021, making sesame seeds the country’s second most lucrative export after cocoa. With much sesame seed cultivation concentrated in the north and international demand for sesame seeds expected to continue rising, the seeds are playing a key role in reducing poverty in Northern Nigeria and improving the country’s economy as a whole.
Economic Importance of Sesame Seed in Nigeria
The flowering plant that produces sesame seeds can thrive in Northern Nigeria because it is resistant to drought. It is a high-value crop because both the seeds and the oil extracted from them are common food staples around the world, used in sweets, breads and everyday cooking. Additionally, a variety of non-food products, including ulcer and burn medicines and aerosol sprays, incorporate sesame oil. Lower-quality sesame oil can be used in making lubricants, while the shafts from processed seeds can be used as animal feed.
Nigeria exports an estimated 90% of its sesame seeds, with China and Japan being major importers. According to Sheriff Balogun, president of the National Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria, the country generates $700 million from sesame exports yearly, which equates to about $1400 per metric tonne of exported seed.
While several years ago, only a few Nigerian states were cultivating sesame seed, it is now produced in 26 states, with the country’s top producers being in the north. Exports to Japan, especially, have had a positive impact on Nigeria’s economy. Japan imports about 40% of its sesame seeds from Nigeria, and the trade volume between the two countries reached $1 billion in 2022. Between 2020 and 2021, Nigeria’s income from agricultural exports rose by an estimated 57.02%, a boost that sesame exports, which increased from 98.27 billion naira to 113.2 billion naira, played critical roles in propelling.
Efforts To Boost the Nigerian Economy with Sesame Seed
Despite the poverty and food insecurity that many in Northern Nigeria face, there have been ongoing efforts to help farmers in the region thrive so that they can build a better future for themselves and their families. For instance, the FAO and World Food Programme (WFP) have partnered to help farmers in Northeastern Nigeria improve food production, with the goal of ensuring them a secure source of both income and sustenance. By supplying seeds, fertilizer and food to nourish households until a successful harvest, the initiative provided vital support for all 67,000 inhabitants of the town of Rann in 2018.
More recently, the Japanese Government announced plans to invest $30 billion in Nigeria and other African countries in the next three years. Japan hopes to help further boost Nigeria’s economy and strengthen mutually beneficial trade relations between both nations.
Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria has allocated 21 billion Naira to expand Nigeria’s production and export of sesame seeds and cocoa. The initiative aims to increase the country’s foreign exchange income through agricultural commodities, in part by providing loans to smallholder farmers.
Looking Ahead
– Chidinma Nwoha
Photo: Flickr
BEING POOR IN ARMENIA
Economic Transition
Armenia experienced a difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-based economy after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This transition led to a significant decline in industrial production, high inflation and loss of jobs. Armenia continues to face economic challenges, including high levels of poverty and inequality, limited access to finance and a lack of economic diversification.
Additionally, a key driver of Armenia’s economic transition is the development of the technology sector, particularly in the field of information technology. A range of startups such as iCity LLC are focused on technology services and software development to provide businesses with better services and equipment. Another startup, Abigon LLC, specializes in developing infrastructures for telecommunication networks and the design and construction of database centers, which have facilitated the transport of goods and services, enabling people in Armenia to access work, school and recreational activities.
Unemployment
High unemployment has been a major driver of poverty in Armenia, especially for Armenia’s large families. The reported unemployment rate in Armenia is 12.7% as of January 2023, and many people face challenges in finding work. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the Armenian economy, leading to job losses and reduced economic activity.
In response to this issue, the government has implemented a formal program for vocational education, mostly in schools, which aims to prepare students with relevant qualifications to improve their skills to gain employment. So far, vocational education has assisted in the upskilling of qualifications and competencies in a range of industries, including agriculture, tourism and technology.
Political Instability
Armenia has struggled with government corruption which has eroded public trust in political institutions and contributed to social and economic inequality. The lack of democratic elections due to the authorities’ failure to ensure justice and transparency has resulted in a lack of public confidence in the electoral process and slowed Armenia’s progress toward becoming a functioning democracy.
Looking Ahead
Armenia has made noticeable progress in implementing anti-corruption activities such as those being carried out by Armenia’s General Prosecutor’s Office. Governmental support for programs designed to encourage young people to develop and adapt to changing working conditions could deliver positive results. For example, from 2003 to 2007, local and international NGOs, such as the All Armenian Youth Fund, implemented youth programs to increase cultural and professional orientation. Finally, as a British charity operating internationally, CARE works to reduce global poverty and support the development of civil society. Since 1988, CARE has been working primarily on assisting Armenian rural households with incomes below the poverty line.
– Lilit Natalia Manoukian
Photo: Flickr
How Does the UK Fight Period Poverty?
What Does Period Poverty Mean to Women?
Apart from stigmatization, period poverty poses another endangerment for girls and women. According to data published in spring 2021, in the U.K., every second girl no-showed to class in school because of her period and every third girl had problems accessing period products after the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Skipping classes or being concerned about other things instead of studying decreases academic performance and can impact the future. When women do not have access to period products, they may use unhygienic materials like old clothing, and this can increase the risk of infections and other health problems. This can also have effects on mental health due to the stress and anxiety of not being able to afford period products. Research in 2019 reported that 27% of girls in the U.K. aged 10 to 18 skip going out for fear of menstruating. Unfortunately, this can result in anxiety and social isolation.
What is the Solution?
The United Kingdom has decided to address this problem. In 2019, the government announced steps to create a task group that includes Plan International UK, Procter and Gamble and Minister for Women and Equalities, Penny Mordaunt, to educate society and to supply free period products to schools and hospitals. Beginning in January 2021, the U.K. government abolished the so-called ‘tampon tax,’ which had imposed a 5% VAT on period products. The decision also brought the U.K. into line with other countries, such as Australia and Canada, which had already removed the tax on sanitary products.
Scotland
In 2018, Scotland became the first country in the world to offer free women’s sanitary products across different levels of educational institutions. Moreso, from 2018 to 2022, the government allocated £1.86 million for women’s sanitary products for families with low income. Since 2019, the Scottish Government also committed to providing £2.8 million annually to local councils to ensure everyone gets free period products all over Scotland. As of 2021, it has implemented a free period product scheme that provides all menstrual products free of charge to anyone who needs them. Under the scheme, free period products are available in public locations, including schools, colleges, universities, community centers and libraries. Products are accessible through vending machines or free-standing dispensers. As of 2023, a special app, ‘PickupMyPeriod,’ allows an individual to track all the products online in real-time. Individuals can also order a home delivery from the local councils.
England
In England, the government has implemented a fully-funded, four-year period product scheme that provides free period products to primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges. The scheme has been working since January 2020. Educational institutions can order a range of period products for their students. As of January 2022, 61% of primary schools, 94% of secondary schools and 90% of post-16 organizations have ordered toiletries for their pupils. By providing free period products in schools, the government hopes to ensure that students can attend school without worrying about the cost or availability of period products.
Northern Ireland
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen decided to encourage period dignity in schools. In September 2021, she launched a three-year pilot version of a project that aims to supply menstrual products to everyone in need. The scheme covers primary, secondary and special schools as well as Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) settings. The expected cost of the program is £2.6 million.
Lidl in Northern Ireland is one of several businesses that have taken steps to address period poverty in Northern Ireland. In 2021, the company announced the Period Poverty Initiative. It provides free period products in all of its stores in Northern Ireland. Since August 2021, all customers who have a Lidl Plus account can receive a monthly coupon for free period products.
Wales
The Welsh Government’s Period Dignity Strategic Action Plan is a plan that sets out the government’s approach to addressing period poverty in Wales. The government has already implemented a free-period product scheme to ensure that individuals have access to the menstrual products they need. There are free period products in schools, public buildings and leisure and sports centers. Since 2018, the Welsh government started to allocate finances on this matter. Each year, it distributes more and more funds for period products. In 2018, it distributed £920,000 between local councils, and in 2022, this number reached £3.7 million. The total amount of spending beginning in 2018 has reached about £12 million.
Going Forward
Period poverty is a complex problem. Apart from period product supply, the question of ruining stigmas and taboos around menstruation is no less important. This problem impacts people’s lives, influencing their physical and mental health. On the bright side, the U.K. continues to take action by implementing initiatives that aim to address period poverty and put an end to stigmatization.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
5 Ways to Combat Hunger in Trinidad and Tobago
According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), 20% of the population in Trinidad and Tobago experiences moderate to severe food insecurity. Around 270,000 people are at risk of hunger or missing meals and 9.3% of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, impacting their long-term physical and mental development.
5 Ways to Combat Hunger in Trinidad and Tobago
Looking Ahead
Photo: Flickr
5 Debunked Common Myths About Unconditional Cash Transfers
5 Debunked Common Myths about Unconditional Cash Transfers
Looking Ahead
– Henry Jones
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