The economy of India is one of the fastest growing in the world yet the country experiences severe inequality as the wealthiest 10% in India own 77% of the wealth in the country while poverty is common for a significant portion of the population. For people who experience being poor in India, access to basic services is a struggle and meeting basic needs is difficult as many do not earn a decent income. The Government of India has not released official poverty estimates since 2011 but several other indicators show the extent of poverty in India.
Causes of Poverty in India
Poverty in India is a multi-dimensional issue. According to a study by the West Bengal State University (WBSU) in 2018, some of the main reasons for poverty in India are overpopulation, unemployment, “poor agricultural infrastructure,” illiteracy and lack of quality education, lack of skilled labor, “unequal distribution of assets,” gender inequality and corruption.
According to the WBSU, the population in India has outgrown the growing economy, which means the nation cannot economically keep up with the growing number of people. Poor agricultural infrastructure also adds to the high number of people being poor in India according to the WBSU. Due to old and outdated farming practices, the agricultural sector of India is at a deficit.
Lack of quality education and illiteracy also plague the poor in India and only exacerbate the issue. Due to poverty, disadvantaged families prioritize earning an income over child education and push children into child labor instead of enrolling them in school. This lack of education traps children in lower-paying, unskilled jobs, thereby continuing the cycle of poverty.
The lack of skilled labor in India also adds to the issue of poverty in the nation. While there is a large labor force in India ready to work, most workers are unskilled. This prevents India from reaching its full economic potential and putting more people to work in skilled sectors.
Corruption also stands as a barrier to poverty reduction. The WBSU stated in its report that the government attempts to alleviate poverty through government spending, but “allegedly only 30-35% actually reaches the beneficiaries” as a result of the corruption sweeping the nation.
Clean Water Access in India
Being poor in India takes shape in many ways, such as a lack of access to clean water. With 128 million people in India in need of clean water, the World Bank estimates that 21% of communicable diseases in India stem from unclean water.
Impoverished families, typically in remote areas, often travel hours to collect water for their families instead of engaging in more productive activities such as education and income-generating endeavors. This water is often unsafe and contains bacteria that can lead to fatal water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Water-borne diseases force a household to spend their limited finances on health care, which plunges the family deeper into poverty.
Hunger and Malnutrition in India
In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, India places 107th out of the 121 nations that were assessed. India has a score of 29.1, and this equates to a serious level of hunger. Poverty also manifests itself as malnutrition. The nation is home to the highest population of malnourished people in the world — 14.37% of the population or 194.4 million people, according to Feeding India. India is also home to about a third of the world’s malnourished children.
The government of India’s National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS 5) indicates that about 36% of children under the age of 5 in India experience stunting due to malnourishment. Stunting has significant long-term impacts on individuals and countries as a whole, including impaired cognitive ability and educational performance, low wages, weak immunity and lost productivity.
Taking Action
A government relief program called the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana aimed to help impoverished people in India. The program began in March 2020 to respond to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the benefits included 800 million poor people receiving five kilograms of wheat or rice and a kilogram of pulses a month for three months. Additionally, 30 million low-income senior citizens, widows and disabled people received 1,000 Indian rupees.
Working in India for 50 years, Save the Children is committed to safeguarding the rights of children in India. The organization’s work in India is responsible for nourishing 85,000 children, lifting 86,000 children out of poverty and educating 210,000 children.
Looking Ahead
With immense poverty and living conditions that prove challenging, India is in need of significant support to spur lasting change. Organizations, like Save the Children, are working tirelessly to ensure that children have access to education, nutrition and a brighter future. Through these collective efforts, there is hope for a more equitable and prosperous India.
– David Keenan
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty in Rural Eastern Asia
Poverty in Rural Eastern Asia
Improving the Socioeconomic Impacts in Mongolia
Asian Development Bank (ADB) donated $73 million toward easing Mongolia’s socioeconomic impacts from COVID-19. It also provided a $30 million loan to improve livestock production in central Mongolia. These donations have been effective in strengthening food security and traceability for communities.
Agricultural Development Projects in the Philippines
Since 1978 the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has donated $243.7 million to fund 15 agricultural development projects in the Philippines, directly benefiting 1,742,000 households and enabling poverty-ridden rural communities to improve their income and food security as well as education and health care. IFAD also supported technology operations to improve soil and water management through the use of micro-catchment techniques that will support local fishermen.
The Baan Mankong Program in Thailand
The Baan Mankong program was one of many that transformed Thailand’s poverty rates. The program focused on improving housing, communication between citizens and the government and improving drainage systems. With $191 million, it supported 320 cities/districts, many of whom reside in the city.
Looking Ahead
Despite negative outlooks on rural poverty in Eastern Asia, its rapid economic progress has been notable, lifting millions out of poverty. Between 2008 to 2018, GDP per capita grew at a rate of 6.7% each year, beating the global rate of 1.5%.
Organizations like ADB have contributed massively throughout COVID-19 and afterward to continue to improve rural communities through better health care, sustainable equipment, improved technology and food security. East Asia has contributed to the global reduction of extreme poverty with countries such as China, Thailand and Malaysia securing poverty rates below 1%. However, with many people still not economically stable in Eastern Asian countries, there appears to be room for more progress.
– Joshua Rogers
Photo: Flickr
Addressing the Syrian Refugee Crisis
More than 10 years of conflict in the Middle Eastern country of Syria has led to the world’s largest refugee crisis. Since the onset of the crisis in March 2011, more than 14 million Syrians have had to flee their home country in hopes of finding refuge elsewhere, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. Addressing the Syrian refugee crisis is a priority for Syria’s neighboring countries and humanitarian organizations.
Tension at the Border
Syria has approximately a 100-mile-long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea and is bordered to the north by Turkey, to the east by Iraq, to the south by Jordan and Israel and to the west by Lebanon. Militias, smuggling, the return of refugees and Syria’s 11-year war are the primary issues that the nation’s neighbors, like Jordan, are hoping to resolve for the safety of the region. Jordan has welcomed around 675,000 Syrian refugees since the conflict began but lacks the resources to adequately accommodate this high number of people.
In 2021, the Jordanian government opened a crucial border crossing and now hopes to strike a deal with Syria to declare a general amnesty that will allow Syrian refugees to return to their homeland and live in security and dignity. This will benefit surrounding countries that are struggling to care for refugees and face economic setbacks due to the ongoing war in Syria.
Important Statistics
According to the World Bank, Syria’s GDP decreased by more than half between 2010 and 2020 due to destruction in Damascus, forced relocation, casualties and economic strain — a situation that the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated.
On the other hand, Jordan’s economy is recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, with its real GDP growing by 2.2% in 2021. However, labor force participation, especially among women, is among the lowest in the world and the recent inflation problem has harshly hit already impoverished households.
According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, roughly 92% of refugees who have sought refuge in neighboring countries reside in both urban and rural settings while only about 5% live in refugee camps. However, the U.N. Refugee Agency states that “living outside refugee camps does not necessarily mean success or stability” as “more than 70% of Syrian refugees are living in poverty, with limited access to basic services, education or job opportunities and few prospects of returning home.” These statistics serve as an important reminder that efforts to combat the Syrian refugee crisis are crucial for the Middle East.
Assisting Syrian Refugees
Established in 2011 by two Syrian Americans, Syria Relief and Development (SRD) is a nonprofit organization that offers humanitarian relief to Syrians who have been affected by hunger, injury, poverty, violence and mass displacement. The instability in Syria has prompted an urgent need for resources to meet shelter, food and medical needs. SRD is based in the U.S. but also has offices in Amman, Jordan, and Gaziantep, Turkey. From 2018 until 2023, SRD has provided more than $50 million worth of humanitarian aid to more than 3.3 million Syrians.
The U.N. Refugee Agency, noting that the crisis in Syria has now reached year 13 and the earthquakes occurring in February 2023 have exacerbated the crisis, is providing relief to Syrians in need. By the end of March 2023, the U.N. Refugee Agency had provided “core relief items,” such as sleeping bags, thermal blankets and solar lamps, to 168,000 Syrians affected by the recent earthquakes. Furthermore, under the Agency’s usual winterization initiative, more than 560,000 Syrians received “winter core relief items” from November 2022 to March 2023. During this period, about 17,700 Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers received cash-based assistance to make it through the harsh winter.
With continued support from Syria’s neighbors as well as organizations like the SRD and the U.N. Refugee Agency, there could be visible regional economic and social shifts in the near future and the Syrian refugee crisis may see relief.
– Stella Tirone
Photo: Flickr
Deforestation in Bolivia: How is it affecting the people?
Deforestation in Bolivia, along with soil erosion, biodiversity loss and changing weather patterns, also affects indigenous communities whose livelihoods depend on forests. Deforestation in the Amazon region makes it more susceptible to flooding than other regions.
Overconsumption Of Natural Resources and Machine-Based Agriculture
Excessive use of natural resources negatively impacts natural resources’ regeneration ability in Bolivia, causing deforestation. People use many resources at unsustainable rates while failing to work out corresponding resource replacement plans. This has caused the loss of vast forest areas, leaving the land barren and unable to support animal or plant life.
To increase efficiency and productivity, Bolivian farmers depend on machinery and technology. With heavy machinery, farmers can quickly cultivate and harvest crops on a large scale. The downside, however, is that it can cause soil erosion. This method has also contributed to soil degradation and water pollution due to its excessive use of chemicals. Additionally, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Cattle Ranching and Forest Fires
Bolivia is also heavily dependent on cattle ranching for its deforestation problems. It is necessary to clear large parts of forests to graze cattle, which destroys habitat. Additionally, producing cattle feed can result in the pollution of waterways and soil degradation due to pesticides and fertilizers.
Another major factor contributing to Bolivia’s deforestation is forest fires. Small-scale production of soya, timber and cattle is causing forest areas to become agricultural. Every year from 1990 until 2005, farmers cut down 270,000 hectares of forest, according to an Oxfam report. Between 2001 and 2021, fires accounted for 24% of tree cover loss in Bolivia, according to Global Forest Watch’s study.
What Are The Effects On The Bolivian People?
Bolivia suffers from floods caused by deforestation, which affects the country’s agricultural production, predominantly indigenous populations. As a result of high food prices and limited availability, the people in this country experience food insecurity.
There is a disproportionate impact on Bolivian women due to this. Lacking alternative income sources, women are more vulnerable to poverty due to the loss of agriculture and subsistence farming. Meanwhile, men migrate to the city in order to work in industrial settings.
Glacial retreat reduces water sources from mountain rivers and lakes, leading to water shortages, according to an Oxfam report. Additionally, Bolivians face more frequent extreme weather events, leading to increased natural disasters. Finally, rising temperatures create more suitable conditions for mosquito-borne diseases to spread.
Ongoing Efforts
To combat deforestation in Bolivia, the Rainforest Trust has raised over $2.3 million in partnership with Fundación Natura Bolivia. The organizations’ trained and equipped local partners, who manage the public and private nature reserves, aim to conserve nearly 2 million acres of rainforest in the lowlands.
Similarly, as part of the Bolivian Andes Conservation Project, Nature and Culture has partnered with Fundación Natura Bolivia and some local authorities to save around 300,000 acres of land. By protecting and preserving the ground, the project helps to ensure that the local communities have access to clean and safe water sources and provides a safe and secure habitat for endangered species. Additionally, this project will help preserve the local people’s traditional cultures and knowledge by protecting the land important to their way of life.
Asociación Armonia and Faunagua teamed up with Global Forest Generation and Peruvian NGO ECOAN to form Acción Andina. In addition to protecting and restoring forests under glaciers and protected areas, Acción Andina plans to restore a half million acres of Polylepis forest.
Looking Ahead
Bolivia’s forest preservation efforts include various policies and programs that have gone into effect. These include sustainable forest management practices, reforestation initiatives and land-use planning. NGOs and other organizations are also working to raise awareness about forests’ importance and protection. In Bolivia, many initiatives are already underway to prevent deforestation, and there is hope that Bolivia will be able to turn things around.
– Simran Raghav
Photo: Flickr
Countries Near the Indian Ocean Are Preparing for Cyclone Season
U.N. Early Warning for All Action Plan Prepares Countries for Cyclone Season
Climate change is starting to impact the intensity of the damage that tropical hazardous weather causes. With rising sea levels and an increase in precipitation rates, there is extreme flooding in affected areas. In Mozambique, Cyclone Freddy contributed double the expected monthly rainfall in just a few days. The World Meteorological Organization advises the U.N. Early Warnings for All action plan, which includes a Global Multi-Hazard Alert System to strengthen and broaden the coverage of alerts and warnings. Due to increasingly affordable Information and Communication Technologies, countries can prepare for cyclone season by analyzing climate trends and raising awareness towards the Common Alerting Protocol approach. This allows emergency messages to spread instantly throughout various media and public alerting systems. The plan currently has $3.1 billion in investments as of the U.N. 2022 Climate Change Conference.
Case Study: Bangladesh
The World Bank, to help prepare Bangladesh for cyclone season, has helped sponsor and build 1,000 shelters, which serve as schools when not used during cyclones, and 550 km of paved roads for better access to different areas of the country. The floors of the shelters are built to support thousands of people and livestock. Additionally, the concrete walls surrounding the shelters serve to keep safe anyone who needs asylum. Solar panels also provide ample electricity for the shelters, and rainwater is a prominent resource.
Situated in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is a hotspot for cyclones and other hazardous tropical weather. The Cycle Preparedness Program is an early warning system, boasting 76,000 volunteers trained and ready for disaster prevention. Over half of the volunteers are women. In November 2021, Bangladesh initiated a Climate Prosperity Plan to strengthen its preparation for cyclone seasons. It promises to grow the economy and create jobs to alleviate some of the country’s poverty.
Looking Ahead
Despite the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in the Southern Indian Ocean, there is hope on the horizon for vulnerable communities facing similar threats. The U.N. Early Warnings for All action plan, supported by the World Meteorological Organization, is empowering countries to better prepare for cyclone seasons through advanced technology and global coordination. Bangladesh, a country frequently affected by cyclones, serves as a successful case study with its Cycle Preparedness Program and Climate Prosperity Plan, showcasing the effectiveness of long-term investments in adaptation and community mobilization. By implementing similar strategies, nations can potentially enhance their resilience and protect lives in the face of natural disasters.
– Olivia Maillet
Photo: Flickr
How to Help Sri Lanka
Prithipura Communities
Established in 1964, Prithipura Communities is an NGO in Sri Lanka originally focused on aiding disabled children. Over the years, its scope has expanded to support children and families affected by the country’s social, political and economic challenges. Presently, Prithipura is actively involved in the “Cost of Living Crisis Appeal” project, accepting donations to provide food, education and health care services to those in need. The organization also offers opportunities for volunteering, providing assistance with visas for those willing to contribute on-site. Additionally, corporations such as The Emirates Airline and Maze have formed partnerships with Prithipura Communities, contributing to efforts.
UNDP Sri Lanka
The development program of the U.N. (UNDP) Sri Lanka has launched a crowdfunding platform called “Rebuild Sri Lanka” with the aim of reconstructing the country’s infrastructure. Through this initiative, individuals can donate and support the health care and food sectors. Furthermore, the UNDP provides farmers with seeds and farming equipment to enhance the agricultural supply chain. The campaign has garnered support from various corporate institutions such as Hema Holdings PLC, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, Brandix Apparel Limited, Citi Foundation and Amana Bank. UNDP Sri Lanka also offers career opportunities and regular updates for those interested in contributing to the cause.
UNICEF Sri Lanka
With nearly half of Sri Lanka’s children requiring humanitarian assistance, UNICEF plays a vital role in child care and positive impact. Through its Sri Lanka branch, it provides opportunities for individuals worldwide to support the country. Donations made through the organization’s website directly contribute to helping children in Sri Lanka thrive and reach their full potential. Additionally, people can sign petitions, volunteer and spread awareness through social media. UNICEF’s current mission aims to raise $25 million to assist 1.7 million children in the country.
Looking Ahead
Sri Lanka’s multidimensional poverty crisis demands urgent attention and international support. Organizations like UNICEF, the U.N. and Prithipura Communities are exemplary leaders in driving positive change. Other avenues for support include Give2Asia, WFP and Red Cross Sri Lanka, which offer accessible projects and initiatives online. By offering guidance and opportunities to help Sri Lanka, these organizations foster unity, compassion and progress on a global scale.
– Sebastián Garcés
Photo: Flickr
How a High-school Student is Removing Toxic Dyes from Wastewater
According to the U.N. “The average person is buying 60% more clothing than 15 years ago, while each item is kept for only half as long.” Due to this increasing wardrobe turnover rate through the years, more textiles continue to end up as waste.
Toxic Dyes in the Water
Around 3,000 liters of water is necessary to create just one cotton shirt and 10,000 liters to create one kilogram of cotton. According to Textile Exchange, cotton “…accounted for just under a quarter (22%) of all global fiber production in 2021.” With the textile industry growing at a 4% compounded annual rate, these numbers could grow hand in hand with the industry, generating more toxic wastewater and having a negative impact on communities struggling with water insecurity around the world.
The textile industry uses large amounts of water throughout the production process that becomes wastewater by the end of the cycle due to the number of toxic dyes used, according to Textile Exchange. The main polluting dyes are azo dyes. Though there are different types of dyes, azo dyes make up 50% of the synthetic dyes produced in the world. Science Direct studies prove that some azo dyes are “…directly carcinogenic to the liver and bladder after feeding.” When ingested, or released into the environment, azo dyes are hazardous and life-threatening. Hence, removing toxic dyes from wastewater is a key step to making an impact on the environment and on society.
Impact on Poverty
Every year the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water. And with the expected growth rate of the industry and lack of regulations, it could rise. Major textile players operate in countries where land, labor and raw materials are cheaper such as Bangladesh, India or Pakistan. These countries have higher poverty rates and are the main victims of wastewater pollution. And though this boosts economic development and decreases unemployment, many communities are getting the other side of the coin; pollution, death, disease and even downside effects on agriculture, fishing and livestock. According to CNN, “European Union, China, Japan, India and Vietnam have all banned their use and import,” taking the first step towards a sustainable fashion revolution.
Emily Kim and Her Solution
According to the World Bank, “Around 20 % of wastewater worldwide comes from fabric dyeing and treatment.” When high school student Emily Kim noticed this, she decided to base her Regeneron Science Talent Search environmental science project on finding a solution. Emily decided to study two common yet differently behaving azo dyes, MO1 (Mordant Orange 1) and RB5 (Reactive Black 5). “Rather than finding just one treatment that targets a specific kind of dye removal, it’s much more important to have a general treatment that can universally be used in order to treat a wide range of azo dyes,” explained Emily in her project. A general treatment will be more accessible and effective when treating wastewater than a specific treatment that only tackles a specific dye.
Emily began experimenting with activated carbon and realized that the adsorptive properties of the AC removed 99% of the MO1 molecules easily but only 22% of the RB5 molecules. She continued experimenting with the activated carbon and its photocatalytic properties until finding out that when she added ultraviolet light she was able to remove 92% of the RB5 without affecting the removal results for MO1. Her method appears to be effective, accessible and available for textile industries worldwide.
Making a Change
Innovative ideas like Kim’s could have an impact on poverty around the world, reducing the water insecurity and pollution that many communities from underdeveloped countries have to live through. Some countries have already taken the initiative to ban certain types of azo dyes to keep water pollution to a minimum. Following Emily’s example and solution, removing toxic dyes from wastewater could be done in an affordable and effective way to save the environment and the vast number of people that depend on it to get the basic living necessities.
– Sebastián Garcés
Photo: Flickr
Shortage of Health Care workers in Developing countries
The Importance of Health Care Workers
Health care workers are essential to maintaining not only individual well-being but also the nation’s economy. Without them, countries are vulnerable to childhood undernutrition, transmissible diseases, maternal death and other ailments. Unfortunately, low-income and middle-income countries face a shortage of health care workers, exacerbating an already fragile economy.
International recruitment of medical personnel from poor to rich countries is a major contributor to this shortage, leaving the health care system in developing countries severely understaffed. Some foreign policies were changed to promote an influx of health care workers such as extending visas or work authorization for workers without official qualifications.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive burnout among health care workers, with approximately 50% of the field experiencing symptoms. Burnout leads to emotional exhaustion and poor professional effectiveness, leaving sufferers unable to perform their job or quit the industry entirely. This chronic problem is particularly acute in lower-middle-income countries where health care systems are understaffed and challenging community health issues persist.
Where are Health Care Workers Needed?
The WHO identified 55 countries with critical health workforce shortages based on data from the health workforce support and safeguards list. Among those listed, 67% are from the African region followed by the Western Pacific region with 15%. The list gained eight additional countries since the first publication in 2020. While it may seem like the situation is getting worse, there are initiatives currently underway to bring solutions.
Looking Forward
After the WHO’s 75th World Health Assembly, the organization released the Working for Health 2022-2030 Action Plan. This plan is committed to investing in the education, safety, skills and employment of care workers. The proposition represents member states and stakeholders of the WHO including 194 countries.
The organization hopes to aid 60 countries with the most vulnerable health systems by 2030 through the implementation of investment plans and development strategies. The WHO is offering catalytic funding, technical assistance and advisory services to member states struggling to recover their health workforce. Implementing the plan is made a reality through the Working for Health Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) which accepts donations from individuals and member states’ governments.
The shortage of health care workers in developing countries is a problem that crosses multiple borders and affects more than hospitals. According to a WHO report, achieving economic prosperity and overall well-being in lower-income regions necessitates more investments to support health care systems and workers.
– Emma Ferschweiler
Photo: Flickr
Being Poor in India
Causes of Poverty in India
Poverty in India is a multi-dimensional issue. According to a study by the West Bengal State University (WBSU) in 2018, some of the main reasons for poverty in India are overpopulation, unemployment, “poor agricultural infrastructure,” illiteracy and lack of quality education, lack of skilled labor, “unequal distribution of assets,” gender inequality and corruption.
According to the WBSU, the population in India has outgrown the growing economy, which means the nation cannot economically keep up with the growing number of people. Poor agricultural infrastructure also adds to the high number of people being poor in India according to the WBSU. Due to old and outdated farming practices, the agricultural sector of India is at a deficit.
Lack of quality education and illiteracy also plague the poor in India and only exacerbate the issue. Due to poverty, disadvantaged families prioritize earning an income over child education and push children into child labor instead of enrolling them in school. This lack of education traps children in lower-paying, unskilled jobs, thereby continuing the cycle of poverty.
The lack of skilled labor in India also adds to the issue of poverty in the nation. While there is a large labor force in India ready to work, most workers are unskilled. This prevents India from reaching its full economic potential and putting more people to work in skilled sectors.
Corruption also stands as a barrier to poverty reduction. The WBSU stated in its report that the government attempts to alleviate poverty through government spending, but “allegedly only 30-35% actually reaches the beneficiaries” as a result of the corruption sweeping the nation.
Clean Water Access in India
Being poor in India takes shape in many ways, such as a lack of access to clean water. With 128 million people in India in need of clean water, the World Bank estimates that 21% of communicable diseases in India stem from unclean water.
Impoverished families, typically in remote areas, often travel hours to collect water for their families instead of engaging in more productive activities such as education and income-generating endeavors. This water is often unsafe and contains bacteria that can lead to fatal water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Water-borne diseases force a household to spend their limited finances on health care, which plunges the family deeper into poverty.
Hunger and Malnutrition in India
In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, India places 107th out of the 121 nations that were assessed. India has a score of 29.1, and this equates to a serious level of hunger. Poverty also manifests itself as malnutrition. The nation is home to the highest population of malnourished people in the world — 14.37% of the population or 194.4 million people, according to Feeding India. India is also home to about a third of the world’s malnourished children.
The government of India’s National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS 5) indicates that about 36% of children under the age of 5 in India experience stunting due to malnourishment. Stunting has significant long-term impacts on individuals and countries as a whole, including impaired cognitive ability and educational performance, low wages, weak immunity and lost productivity.
Taking Action
A government relief program called the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana aimed to help impoverished people in India. The program began in March 2020 to respond to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the benefits included 800 million poor people receiving five kilograms of wheat or rice and a kilogram of pulses a month for three months. Additionally, 30 million low-income senior citizens, widows and disabled people received 1,000 Indian rupees.
Working in India for 50 years, Save the Children is committed to safeguarding the rights of children in India. The organization’s work in India is responsible for nourishing 85,000 children, lifting 86,000 children out of poverty and educating 210,000 children.
Looking Ahead
With immense poverty and living conditions that prove challenging, India is in need of significant support to spur lasting change. Organizations, like Save the Children, are working tirelessly to ensure that children have access to education, nutrition and a brighter future. Through these collective efforts, there is hope for a more equitable and prosperous India.
– David Keenan
Photo: Unsplash
Blueberry Farming in Peru
Agricultural Poverty in Peru
Peru’s economic growth has already significantly helped to reduce poverty and promote development. In 2018, the country’s poverty rate decreased to 20.5% and extreme poverty fell from 11.2% in 2007 to 2.8%. However, there is still significant agricultural poverty in Peru, with many smallholder farmers facing more challenges to life and livelihood than urban dwellers. These include food insecurity, reduced life expectancy and socioeconomic inequalities that limit access to income and health care. Underscoring the disparity, poverty impacts 44% of Peru’s rural population yet only 15.1% of the urban population. High poverty levels in Peru’s rural regions have resulted in widespread “migration to urban centres, where market activity offers greater livelihood options.” Consequently, about 75% of Peruvians now live in or near urban centers hoping to secure a better standard of living.
Peru’s Blueberry Plantations
The agricultural sector has been critical for the country’s economic growth. Seasonal exports such as avocados, grapes, asparagus and more recently, blueberries have helped Peru develop one of Latin America’s strongest economies. With the ability to now cultivate an estimated 50 varieties of blueberries, with some specifically developed to thrive in the Peruvian climate, blueberry farming in Peru has seen great success. And this success is due to the country’s long growing days, large areas of arable land and the ability to export to markets in Asia and the Americas. Applying proven crop management practices, many of the new blueberry varieties developed and grown in Peru have longer harvesting periods and classify as better-quality fruit. Furthermore, innovations have been made to develop varieties that can withstand longer shipping times and guarantee longer shelf lives without increased costs for producers.
Highlighting the rapid progress of blueberry farming in Peru, the country had only about 70 hectares of blueberry plantations in 2012, which had grown to about 14,000 hectares by 2020. The Peruvian Blueberry Growers’ Association estimated that Peru’s blueberry exports could reach 285,000 metric tons for the 2022-2023 season, marking a 28% increase from the previous year. Peruvian blueberry farmers are now beginning to invest in sustainable practices to ensure the longevity of blueberry farming in Peru.
Employment and Blueberry Farming in Peru
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, “Peru’s blueberry harvests are labor intensive,” as “all fruits are hand-picked to avoid fruit damage.” Given this demand for labor, blueberry farming in Peru accounted for approximately 135,000 jobs in 2023, with 60% of those positions belonging to women. The U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement (PTPA) has strengthened the potential of Peru’s blueberry industry to create jobs and help lift rural Peruvians out of poverty. By allowing Peru to export blueberries to the United States (which accounts for more than 50% of Peru’s blueberry exports) without tariffs, the PTPA is helping to ensure that more income from blueberries remains in Peru, where it can help promote industry growth and create more jobs in the future.
Looking Ahead
Blueberry farming in Peru has helped many rural families gain access to secure employment, a steady source of income and the basic resources needed to lead a healthy, fulfilling life. The South American country continues to reap the economic benefits of being the world’s top exporter of blueberries, with hopes that the growth of this lucrative industry can help reduce poverty and alleviate the social and economic disparities between Peru’s rural and urban populations.
– Jennifer Preece
Photo: Flickr
Gender Inequality in Madagascar
A Cultural Problem
Madagascan cultural traditions and societal norms going back centuries, have forced Malagasy women into a secondary position within the public sphere. Typically, this includes the widespread belief that men should dominate leadership roles and speak out more in public. For example, in the realm of Madagascan politics, only 4% are women, leaving them underrepresented and excluded from social, political and economic circles.
Reports link common practices such as child marriage to restricted education and increased poverty. Around two-thirds of girls from poorer Madagascan regions go into marriage before the age of 18. In contrast, girls with access to secondary-level education in the country are less likely to marry earlier in life. Despite these circumstances making it hard for Malagasy women to achieve equality, the pursuance of livelihood activities from the mangrove forest has enabled those who are uneducated to improve their economic status. But this practice remains highly damaging to the environment and therefore does not present a long-term solution to the effects of gender inequality in Madagascar. Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 in pursuance of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls requires the country to close existing gender gaps.
Some Facts of Gender Inequality in Madagascar
The statistics on gender inequality in Madagascar demonstrate significant economic differences between men and women. Some of the facts are as follows:
Reducing Gender Inequality in Madagascar
Although the statistics paint a bleak picture, there are organizations going to great lengths to alleviate the consequences of gender inequality in Madagascar. These organizations aim to enable women to know their rights and seek representation in unions. This is particularly essential as discriminatory stereotypes still exist within the Madagascan union movement.
Representatives from IndustriALL’s Malagasy affiliates; SEKRIMA, FISEMA, USAM and SVS, have noted the importance of providing mentoring and training to women, so they build confidence and feel able to participate in unions. In 2018, USAM introduced a national quota of 40% for women’s representation. As of 2022, The World Bank announced that 48% of its workforce in Madagascar was female, with representation at all levels. This suggests that since USAM’s introduction of a national quota, women’s representation in Madagascar has improved in some areas.
Another important initiative in Madagascar, Feed the Minds, has worked alongside the local organization, Tanjona Association, to improve the livelihoods of Malagasy women through sustainable silk production. The initiative aims to empower 90 members of a women’s association group in Mandrosoa by training them to make silk using environmentally friendly methods. This will give participants the opportunity to acquire functional literacy and numeracy skills, as well as financial concepts, required to form micro-businesses. According to estimates, [in addition to participants], “490 individuals will indirectly benefit from the project”, demonstrating the importance of implementing these kinds of programs. Feed the Minds and other organizations provide new opportunities that not only benefit present-day Malagasy women but also have the potential to empower future generations of girls and women who may not have been aware of their potential.
The Future for Women in Madagascar
In a 2020 report on her trip to Madagascar, Diarietou Gaye, World Bank Group Vice President and Corporate Secretary, argued that Madagascar must create a middle class to promote economic and political stability, which can then lead to job creation. for youths in Madagascar. This, she says, would require women to gain more responsibility and provide an opportunity for them to exercise their abilities in the same way as their male counterparts. Gaye concluded that if men and women in Madagascar had the same opportunities, with equal empowerment efforts for all, then there would be substantial rewards for not just individuals, but throughout entire communities.
– Bethan Marsden
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