According to a working paper by Nik Stoop, Murray Leibbrandt and Rocco Zizzamia of the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, “The ‘social causation’ hypothesis posits that circumstances associated with living in poverty — e.g. high levels of stress, malnutrition, social exclusion, lowered capital, exposure to violence — increase the risk of mental illnesses.” Therefore, links exist between poverty, violence and psychological well-being.
Intimate Partner Violence
The links between poverty, violence and psychological well-being are apparent in the case of intimate partner violence.
In Kenya, intimate partner violence is prevalent and the rates of violence toward women are some of the highest globally, according to a 2016 World Bank article. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2014, “More than 41% of Kenyan women experience sexual and/or physical violence by intimate partners in their lifetime.” Women have experienced sexual and/or physical violence at the hands of men due to certain stressors.
A World Vision Kenya project initiated a study wherein males reported that stressors such as “unemployment, excessive alcohol and substance use and family difficulties as well as other psychosocial, cultural and gender issues” increase the inclination of violent behavior toward a female spouse. Financial stressors are likely considering that the poverty rate in Kenya stood at 53% in 2018.
The Work of World Vision Kenya
World Vision Kenya in collaboration with the Sexual Violence Research Initiative and World Bank Group Development Marketplace for Innovations to Prevent Gender-Based Violence began an initiative to decrease intimate partner violence in two peri-urban areas of Kenya.
The initiative targeted males with “common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, acknowledging the links between men with mental health problems, alcohol and substance use and high incidences of [intimate partner violence].” The project employed a psychological intervention called Group Problem Management Plus (GPM+) for men with common mental health issues.
Charles Barbuti, an attorney and former New York City Police Department captain, told The Borgen Project that when certain stresses occur, many males feel stuck and helpless and “don’t feel that they have an outlet.” As such, some men turn to violence. The frustrations of unemployment and financial issues and the cultural expectations of a man’s role as the provider contribute negatively to mental well-being. The initiative that World Vision Kenya launched looked to address the links between poverty, violence and psychological well-being.
Psychological Well-Being and Violence
Researchers have comprehensively researched the correlation between poverty, violence and psychological well-being as each factor can be a symptom of the other. One of the many consequences of intimate partner violence is the development of severe psychological issues.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “About two-thirds of women receiving mental health services have experienced intimate partner violence/domestic violence, a number higher than the general population.”
A study published in April 2022 by Claire Bahati and others used data from the 2018 Rwanda Mental Health Survey to identify correlations between intimate partner violence and mental health issues.
Findings from the cross-sectional study revealed that “the prevalence of all types of mental disorders was significantly higher in participants exposed to IPV than in non-exposed (p ≤ 0.001).” Furthermore, the subject group with exposure to intimate partner violence had higher rates of major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder as well as other disorders.
The Low-Income Link
When asked if intimate partner violence is higher in households that are suffering from poverty, Barbuti responded: “It may just be a correlation problem, but it does seem that it is more prevalent in lower-income environments.”
A cross-sectional study titled Income, Gender and Forms of Intimate Partner Violence published in July 2017 looked at the correlation between income and different forms of intimate partner violence among males and females. Data for this study came from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia.
The study found that “relative experiences of almost all forms of IPV (with the exception of physical abuse in males and harassment in females) are highest when both partners report receiving low income.” In addition, the study found that females in lower-income households are most susceptible to physical abuse, emotional abuse and severe combined abuse while males are more susceptible to experiencing harassment and severe combined abuse.
According to the Child Poverty Action Group, “Women in households with low incomes are 3.5 times more likely to experience domestic violence than women in slightly better-off households.” Child Poverty Action Group helps address the stressor of poverty in the U.K. by providing assistance and support to struggling families and children through payments, advice, free school meals and advocacy work.
Looking Ahead
By analyzing the links between poverty, violence and psychological disorders, organizations can address the root cause of the issues and develop more effective initiatives to combat poverty, violence and psychological disorders. Initiatives by organizations such as World Vision Kenya aim to reduce intimate partner violence by addressing stressors and the mental health illnesses associated with such violence.
– Yonina Anglin
Photo: Flickr
The Links Between Poverty, Violence and Psychological Well-Being
According to a working paper by Nik Stoop, Murray Leibbrandt and Rocco Zizzamia of the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, “The ‘social causation’ hypothesis posits that circumstances associated with living in poverty — e.g. high levels of stress, malnutrition, social exclusion, lowered capital, exposure to violence — increase the risk of mental illnesses.” Therefore, links exist between poverty, violence and psychological well-being.
Intimate Partner Violence
The links between poverty, violence and psychological well-being are apparent in the case of intimate partner violence.
In Kenya, intimate partner violence is prevalent and the rates of violence toward women are some of the highest globally, according to a 2016 World Bank article. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2014, “More than 41% of Kenyan women experience sexual and/or physical violence by intimate partners in their lifetime.” Women have experienced sexual and/or physical violence at the hands of men due to certain stressors.
A World Vision Kenya project initiated a study wherein males reported that stressors such as “unemployment, excessive alcohol and substance use and family difficulties as well as other psychosocial, cultural and gender issues” increase the inclination of violent behavior toward a female spouse. Financial stressors are likely considering that the poverty rate in Kenya stood at 53% in 2018.
The Work of World Vision Kenya
World Vision Kenya in collaboration with the Sexual Violence Research Initiative and World Bank Group Development Marketplace for Innovations to Prevent Gender-Based Violence began an initiative to decrease intimate partner violence in two peri-urban areas of Kenya.
The initiative targeted males with “common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, acknowledging the links between men with mental health problems, alcohol and substance use and high incidences of [intimate partner violence].” The project employed a psychological intervention called Group Problem Management Plus (GPM+) for men with common mental health issues.
Charles Barbuti, an attorney and former New York City Police Department captain, told The Borgen Project that when certain stresses occur, many males feel stuck and helpless and “don’t feel that they have an outlet.” As such, some men turn to violence. The frustrations of unemployment and financial issues and the cultural expectations of a man’s role as the provider contribute negatively to mental well-being. The initiative that World Vision Kenya launched looked to address the links between poverty, violence and psychological well-being.
Psychological Well-Being and Violence
Researchers have comprehensively researched the correlation between poverty, violence and psychological well-being as each factor can be a symptom of the other. One of the many consequences of intimate partner violence is the development of severe psychological issues.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “About two-thirds of women receiving mental health services have experienced intimate partner violence/domestic violence, a number higher than the general population.”
A study published in April 2022 by Claire Bahati and others used data from the 2018 Rwanda Mental Health Survey to identify correlations between intimate partner violence and mental health issues.
Findings from the cross-sectional study revealed that “the prevalence of all types of mental disorders was significantly higher in participants exposed to IPV than in non-exposed (p ≤ 0.001).” Furthermore, the subject group with exposure to intimate partner violence had higher rates of major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder as well as other disorders.
The Low-Income Link
When asked if intimate partner violence is higher in households that are suffering from poverty, Barbuti responded: “It may just be a correlation problem, but it does seem that it is more prevalent in lower-income environments.”
A cross-sectional study titled Income, Gender and Forms of Intimate Partner Violence published in July 2017 looked at the correlation between income and different forms of intimate partner violence among males and females. Data for this study came from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia.
The study found that “relative experiences of almost all forms of IPV (with the exception of physical abuse in males and harassment in females) are highest when both partners report receiving low income.” In addition, the study found that females in lower-income households are most susceptible to physical abuse, emotional abuse and severe combined abuse while males are more susceptible to experiencing harassment and severe combined abuse.
According to the Child Poverty Action Group, “Women in households with low incomes are 3.5 times more likely to experience domestic violence than women in slightly better-off households.” Child Poverty Action Group helps address the stressor of poverty in the U.K. by providing assistance and support to struggling families and children through payments, advice, free school meals and advocacy work.
Looking Ahead
By analyzing the links between poverty, violence and psychological disorders, organizations can address the root cause of the issues and develop more effective initiatives to combat poverty, violence and psychological disorders. Initiatives by organizations such as World Vision Kenya aim to reduce intimate partner violence by addressing stressors and the mental health illnesses associated with such violence.
– Yonina Anglin
Photo: Flickr
The Truth About HIV/AIDS in South Sudan
The Republic of South Sudan is located in Eastern Africa. Many know it for its newly-gained independence from Sudan and its status of being the youngest nation in the world. However, South Sudan is also one of the poorest nations in the world and is listed as 185 out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI). Due to ongoing conflict in the region, such as the recent civil wars, South Sudan has seen a spike in issues related to the country’s health system and many of its citizens are impacted by HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless, international and domestic institutions are taking major steps in combating the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region.
The Reality of HIV/Aids in South Sudan
One can characterize the issue of HIV/AIDS in South Sudan as being more concentrated in certain social groups and geographical areas. For example, HIV and AIDS are more prevalent in the southern regions of the nation and even more prevalent among female sex workers within those regions.
The transmission of HIV is a topic that is studied at length to combat the spread of the virus. According to the South Sudan Mode of Transmission Report (MoT), a study that occurred in 2014 regarding forms of transmitting HIV, the majority of the newest cases came from heterosexual sexual relations and mothers transmitting to their newborn children. Mother-to-child transmission often happened in cases of birthing, breastfeeding and pregnancy.
Another statistic that researchers often analyze when discerning the severity of the issue within a certain region is the percentage of the general population that has the virus. The U.N. Progress Report for monitoring HIV/AIDS in South Sudan states that around 2.5% of adults (ages 15-49) are living with HIV. This number, however, is improving due to help from institutions such as the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the U.N. These institutions are working on new ways of preventing the spread of HIV and treating those who have already been affected.
Something else that institutions take into consideration when attempting to combat viruses such as HIV is the general public’s knowledge of that virus. According to a survey on the attitudes and knowledge of HIV in Nimule, most adolescents had “fair” knowledge of HIV with 82% of the surveyed youth being aware that HIV can spread through sexual intercourse and 98% being aware that it can spread through blood. While the researchers concluded that there were some misconceptions surrounding the virus, it is commendable that most adolescents in the survey had a basic knowledge of the subject.
How Institutions are Battling HIV/AIDS in the Region
According to an article that the U.N. published, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Sudan – and Africa as a whole – is declining rather quickly. This is due to international institutions such as UNAIDS and the governments of Africa funneling money into their health programs. However, this article also stresses the need for continued monetary support to help these countries become healthier and safer.
One way that UNAIDS and African governments are helping combat this virus is through HIV testing. According to the MoH, there were around 32 facilities in South Sudan that provided HIV-related assistance, like testing. The South Sudanese government has also made it its mission to “Test and Treat all.” These testing efforts have made it a lot easier for institutions to pinpoint certain concentrations of affected individuals and allocate their resources accordingly. These measures to “test all” have been successful. The total number of people receiving antiretroviral treatment increased by around 20,300 between March 2013 and March 2018.
Another way in which institutions are helping the cause is by amping up anti-retroviral therapy (ART). This is an HIV treatment that helps to contain HIV replication. This therapy greatly reduces the mortality rate of HIV and even allows some patients to live completely normal lives. The “test all treat all” initiative has certain guidelines, one of which includes a minimum amount of time one can wait to receive treatment after testing positive for HIV (one week). Guidelines like these make it easier for governments and other institutions to manage the spread and treatment of the virus.
The Road Ahead
Although HIV/AIDS in South Sudan continues to be an issue, it is critical to note that governments and organizations are working to combat it. With the help of both international and domestic institutions, the cases of HIV continue to decrease year after year. However, it is still crucial to take into account that the issue has not reached its end, and continued support for South Sudan is of utmost importance.
– Tim Ginter
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
How Entrepreneurship in Nigeria Alleviates Poverty
Located in West Africa, Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world. The Federal Government of Nigeria, through a report by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2022, reported that 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. This accounts for about 63% of the country’s total population. Many cannot afford to fund their basic and essential needs and struggle to make a living every day.
One fundamental cause of poverty in Nigeria is the lack of employment. In March 2022, Professor Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), reported that about 90 million Nigerian youths are unemployed. Many Nigerians do not have an education which makes it challenging for them to obtain jobs. Without employment, people often cannot be financially secure or meet basic needs. Currently, there are about 159 polytechnics and 221 universities in Nigeria, which produce up to 500,000 graduates every year with no jobs in the labor market. There are not enough job opportunities in the country even for those who have an education. However, entrepreneurship in Nigeria has proven to be effective in the reduction of unemployment.
Entrepreneurship in Nigeria
Through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurship in Nigeria has contributed immensely to the economy. In fact, Vannesa Lerato Phala, the Country Director of the International Labour Congress said at the opening session of a workshop that took place in November 2022, at Abuja, that “In Nigeria, SMEs contribute 48% of national GDP, account for 96% of businesses and 84% of employment. This sector contributes significantly to alleviating poverty and increasing job creation.”
Entrepreneurs create employment opportunities for themselves as well as for others. Entrepreneurship in Nigeria impacts the country’s economic growth by bringing new products, techniques and processes to the market and also extensively increases productivity and competition amongst producers of goods and services. Many Nigerians now possess at least one entrepreneurial skill with which they are able to sponsor the lifestyle they wish to live. The government has helped increase awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship in Nigeria by introducing entrepreneurship studies as a compulsory course in higher institutions and establishing and supporting some programs that promote skill acquisition. Here are three entrepreneurship programs promoting entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
3 Entrepreneurship Programs Promoting Entrepreneurship in Nigeria
Looking Ahead
With so many skills that entrepreneurs in Nigeria engage in, they have slowly proven to be the major drivers of job creation, wealth creation and industrialization. By promoting entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the government encourages those who are underprivileged, and without funds, to go ahead and pitch their business ideas for funding, this has resulted in significant progress in the country’s economy over the years.
– Oluwagbohunmi Bajela
Photo: Flickr
Eliminating HIV/AIDS in Ghana
According to the Ghana AIDS Commission, more than 346,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana. There are several important facts to know about the impact of HIV/AIDS in Ghana and the solutions in place to address the issue.
HIV/AIDS in Ghana
In sub-Saharan Africa in general, the majority of HIV/AIDs infections are concentrated among those living in poverty. According to a 2018 World Bank article, in 2015, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for more than 50% of the world’s extremely impoverished people. Predictions indicate that by 2030, 90% of the world’s extreme poor will reside in sub-Saharan Africa.
A 2007 research article by Noel Dzimnenani Mbirimtengerenji indicates that “HIV is an important outcome of poverty, with sexual trade, migration, polygamy and teenage marriages as its predictors in the sub-Saharan region.”
In 2018, 69% of all people living with HIV/AIDS resided in sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana does not have as high a risk of HIV/AIDS cases compared to other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. For the period of 2018 to 2020, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, categorized Ghana as “having a low-level generalized HIV epidemic.”
The prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases in Ghana has decreased over the years. In 2017, the country’s HIV rate stood at 2.1% compared to the 2016 rate of 2.4%. Women account for a significant portion of these cases.
Women are at greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in Ghana, but also globally. UNAIDS estimated in 2012 that “a young woman gets infected with HIV every minute.” In 2018, in Ghana, females accounted for 65% of the 334,713 people living with HIV/AIDS in comparison to 35% of men. Women are at a greater risk of engaging in poverty-driven sex work, which increases their risk of contracting HIV. In 2014, female sex workers made up 11.1% of those with HIV in Ghana.
Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti and Western Region are the areas in Ghana with the highest rates of HIV. The four regions hold 75% of cases but only 58% of the population. The most at-risk populations are men who have sex with men, prisoners and female sex workers.
Solutions
The Ghana AIDS Commission, established in 2016, is a body that aims to “formulate policy on the HIV and AIDS epidemic and to direct and coordinate activities in response to HIV and AIDS.” The commission’s objectives include:
Free to Shine, which the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) and the African Union launched in January 2018, aims to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV and lower the risk of pediatric HIV. The First Lady of Ghana, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, gave a speech explaining that there is an urgency for increased testing and treatment efforts among women of childbearing age in order to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Looking Ahead
Overall, HIV/AIDS in Ghana affects women and those in poverty at a much greater rate. Through the resources that programs and organizations have provided, as well as more testing and accurate data, HIV-infected people can receive support and the spread of HIV can reduce.
– Ann Shick
Photo: Flickr
Nepal’s Economic Recovery
Nepal, a landlocked nation famous for the mountainous range of the Himalayas on its borders, has been working to restructure its economy, bring new opportunities to its citizens and decrease poverty rates. Historically, Nepal’s poverty rates have been incredibly high, currently leveling at about 25%, with a heavy reliance on agriculture, lacking education and infrastructure, and many more variables that have stunted and limited economic growth for decades. Many feared that Nepal’s economy was on its way to economic collapse and crisis. Instead, Nepal has recently had some of its most promising improvements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nepal’s Economic Burdens and Poverty Exacerbators
The factors increasing Nepal’s poverty rates are numerous. One of the greatest is Nepal’s reliance on agriculture. Agriculture serves as Nepal’s primary source of income and food. Such farming practices are known as “subsistence farming, and 68% of Nepal practices subsistence farming. Agriculture is responsible for one-third of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It connects employees ranging from farmers to small-business merchants and large-scale international traders. Nepal is vulnerable to severe droughts and flooding, resulting in a vicious cycle that upsets the agriculture sector and limits production, income and the food available per family.
A wide class divide has also exacerbated Nepal’s poverty challenges, as the education system in Nepal has exemplified. Nepal’s education system has been slowly expanding to reach the rural regions, specifically the Kathmandu region, where the public and private sectors are integrating to be more inclusive for children of all ages. Net enrollment in schools is up to 97%, but more than 770,000 children are still unable to obtain a comprehensive education as many areas do not have schools or the ones that do exist are understaffed. Minimalized education perpetuates regional poverty, limiting upwards economic progression.
Nepal’s Economic Recovery
Economists have feared that Nepal is due for an economic crisis similar to the one that Sri Lanka experienced in 2022. Sri Lanka’s economy slid into a crisis due to extremely high external debt, a tremendous trade deficit and overwhelming inflation. The crisis is increasing poverty rates, about 25% in Sri Lanka, with the urban poverty rates tripling since 2021. The government is struggling to restructure the economy and take control of the rising poverty rates and joblessness, but Nepal’s economy is not on the same track.
Nepal’s external debts have much lower interest rates than Sri Lanka’s, and the government has implemented new transparent and efficient policies that concentrate efforts on local infrastructure changes. Despite the challenges regarding Nepal’s reliance on agriculture, agriculture became a savior for the nation after the economy lost income from tourism and external support systems. Nepal’s economic recovery would not be possible without the changes to its debt or agriculture system.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that Nepal’s economy will again experience a year of modest improvement for the fiscal year 2023, with further decreases in poverty, meaning Nepal’s economic recovery was not temporary. The government has tightened restrictions on imports and exports to ensure the economy remains stable. The new restrictions created new reliances on agriculture, forcing the government to invest extra efforts in the agriculture system’s impact locally before returning to expanding trade externally. The pauses allow the government to take stock of its depleted foreign currency reserves before deciding which allies to renew, strengthen or end.
Improvement to Education in Nepal
Nepal’s education system has improved as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the schools to reconfigure their newly developed teaching styles and practices. The pandemic’s pauses in everyday life presented Nepal with the opportunity to implement new teaching programs nationwide. The original interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic in daily life slowed the pace at which Nepal can reach the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The government aimed to hit benchmarks by 2022 to exemplify the progress in academia throughout Nepal, but the new plans restructured the older outline for the education goals. The alterations to the Nepalese education system can provide new academic opportunities for an education that can lift children out of poverty.
Despite Nepal’s economic strife in years past, the COVID-19 pandemic was a window of opportunity for the government to restructure the nation’s reliance on agriculture and deficient education system and reconfigure trade deals with international allies. Nepal’s economic recovery shows that the country is nowhere near an economic crisis, as the private sector may have feared, but it is on a stronger path to recovery than ever before.
– Clara Mulvihill
Photo: Flickr
The Fight to Eliminate Human Trafficking in Zimbabwe
Every year, the country of Zimbabwe faces the ever-present issue of human trafficking. The targets of human trafficking in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world are typically women and children whom the traffickers exploit as free labor for their businesses. This business of human trafficking is especially prevalent in Zimbabwe, rooting itself into the country similar to weeds. However, there is hope as Zimbabwe can pass legislation to suppress human trafficking.
Targets of Human Trafficking in Zimbabwe
Every year, the United States Department of State conducts reports on the various levels of human trafficking in countries across the world. The U.S. Department of State uses three different criteria to determine a country’s level of human trafficking.
As of 2023, the U.S. Department of State recognizes Zimbabwe as a Tier 2 watch list. According to the report, human trafficking in Zimbabwe uses the victims of trafficking for various reasons including, mining for gold and diamonds, sex trafficking, cattle herding, domestic service and agriculture. About 71% of children who are victims of human trafficking work in the agricultural industry of Zimbabwe, where the children labor on tobacco, sugarcane and cotton farms. Another part of working in the agricultural sector is forestry and fishing, in which children harvest and pack goods.
The report also states that children ages 9-14 are used as “nannies, housemaids, and gardeners in urban areas and mining communities,” where employers withhold wages and deny the children access to school, as an incentive for the children to work. Zimbabwe also has multiple traditional practices which make young girls subject to trafficking including trading girls for food or money and using girls as “replacement brides” for deceased family members.
The Failure of Zimbabwe’s Legislation
In 2019, Zimbabwe released a three-year plan with hopes of reducing human trafficking. Strategies named in the plan to lower human trafficking include:
Each of these strategies fundamentally failed, which the U.S. Department of State goes into detail about in their 2022 report on Zimbabwe.
VOT access to services has not seen significant improvement. In fact, the Zimbabwean government has still held no trials for 17 VOT from a case in 2016, regardless of the victims urging for a trial. The report states that bribery is still highly prevalent too. The U.S. Department of State has reported one example of this in which border officers accept bribes in exchange for allowing unauthorized crossings over the border.
The US Department of State’s Report on Investigations
The report also finds judges accepting payments of “farms and houses” to turn a blind eye in court. While 500 officers and 10 immigration officers have received training on trafficking, the government did not provide effective procedures to investigate cases. The lack of proper procedures results in law enforcement dishing out wage infractions or immigration violations, instead of human trafficking violations.
Shelter for VOT is lacking as well, in which traffickers kidnap children from one of the government-run homes and force the children to work on citrus farms in Mazowe. Cooperation at the International level requires improvement as well. One key way Zimbabwe is not in cooperation at the International level is concerning how they write their laws on human trafficking. Zimbabwe’s law regarding human trafficking, the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Act, is not consistent with International law by way of not defining “exploitation” adequately. This leaves Zimbabwe without “comprehensive prohibitions of trafficking crimes.”
Improvements by the Zimbabwean Government
The Zimbabwe government hopes 2023 will be a year of improvement for the human trafficking situation. In April 2022, the Information Minister of Zimbabwe, Monica Mutsvangwa informed the media that the government will introduce a Trafficking in Persons Bill. The contents of this bill are focusing on strengthening the current laws regarding human trafficking in Zimbabwe. This bill also contains the definition of “service exploitation.” Introducing this definition will allow for much less leeway for human traffickers, as there will be strong legal guidelines on what is technically human trafficking.
The situation of human trafficking in Zimbabwe is deep-rooted and corruption has accelerated it. While the level of human trafficking in Zimbabwe is not ideal by any measure, it is seeing improvement. With the hopes of new legislation on the horizon, Zimbabwe could see massive changes in 2023 which would drastically improve the situation for the country.
– David Keenan
Photo: Flickr
How Huru International is Working to End Period Poverty in Africa
Huru International, a New York-based nonprofit organization, has been providing aid in order to end period poverty in Africa since 2008. The organization provides environmentally-safe, reusable menstrual products, along with education to help African women and students gain a deeper understanding of their own menstrual health. Huru also works to provide them with opportunities they otherwise would not have in order to combat period poverty in Africa.
Lorna Macleod founded Huru International in 2008 in order to fight HIV in Mukuru kwa Njenga. Prior to founding the organization, she noticed how many girls in the area were struggling to keep themselves clean and healthy during their periods. Macleod knew that many residents of Mukuru already struggled with basic hygiene because of their lack of “electricity, clean water, waste management and adequate medical care,” making period poverty inevitable in the area. Macleod wanted to combat this issue.
Education
Huru International uses a variety of educational methods in creating an “adaptable and accessible” curriculum to teach young women about their menstrual health and what they can do to keep themselves safe. The organization also works to educate boys about the menstrual cycle in order to create a generation of allies to their female peers and help them become respectful members of society joining the fight against period poverty in Africa.
Huru also includes education on the recognition and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Within these safe spaces, information about STD testing centers and contraceptives is provided to all – from youth classes to young adults.
Skills Development Program
Huru International provides a Skills Development Program, where East African women go through a four-month course to gain helpful skills in order to ensure a future of “economic stability, employment, financial independence, and optimism toward their future.” More than 65% of those involved with the program have no income.
The program tackles many issues present in East Africa:
AmericaShare and Micato Safaris
AmericaShare is a nonprofit organization that emerged in 1986 that supports the children of Mukuru in Nairobi, Kenya by offering programs that provide education and community development. Huru International founder Lorna Macleod co-founded Micato, AmericaShare’s parent company.
The two legs formed the nonprofit Micato-AmericaShare, in order to provide aid to Kenyan citizens affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the consequential poverty that followed.
Micato-AmericaShare also introduced the School Sponsorship Programme, where those who have traveled with Micato Safaris can sponsor a child and allow them to attend a high-quality boarding school.
Conclusion
Huru International has reached more than 465,000 people, provided 210,000 of its menstrual kits – coined “Huru Kits” – and has created 1.7 million reusable pads since its creation in 2008. The organization reports that out of the girls who have received a Huru Kit:
With Huru’s continuous support, supplies and educational programs, the mission to end period poverty in Africa can become a more pragmatic goal instead of a far-fetched dream.
– Aspen Oblewski
Photo: Flickr
USAID’s Support of the Cambodian Fish Industry
The Cambodian fish industry is vital to the nation’s food security and economy. Recent support that USAID provided has bolstered the skills, knowledge and resources of those engaged in the fish market. This action provides positive assistance to strengthen a vital system within an impoverished country.
The Importance of the Cambodian Fish Industry
Cambodia depends on the strength of its fishing industry, both for the economy and for the nourishment of the general population. It is estimated that its fisheries produce around 2.1 million tonnes of fish per year. According to Open Development Cambodia, “The country holds two world records: the highest catch of inland fisheries per capita and the highest consumption of freshwater fish per capita.” Since seafood is so ingrained in Cambodian society, growths within this field have the ability to reduce poverty and raise the quality of living for inhabitants. As of 2019, 17.8% of the population lived below the poverty line. Two separate projects that USAID produced are fostering positive growth within the Cambodian fishing industry, showing promising implications for future success.
New Fishway Development
The first of these projects reached completion on August 24, 2022. USAID funded the creation of two new fishways to increase accessibility to fishing in the Pursat Province. Prior to the official construction of the new fishways, two demonstrative fish passes were constructed in 2019 and 2021 to act as proof of concept. Because the passes correctly showed the possible impact of the final plan, USAID moved forward with the project shortly after.
These new routes will allow fish to avoid irrigation structures and travel upstream, touching communities in otherwise unreachable areas. USAID states that “These fishways also demonstrate that small-scale fish passes are a feasible, relatively inexpensive solution to the problem of declining fish stocks,” which provides a sense of optimism for future use of similar ventures. The new fishways will allow growth within the crucial Cambodian fish industry.
Nutritional Information Database
Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative, is another USAID program. A Cambodian researcher by the name of Chakriya Chum has been collecting fish samples across the country for more than a year, for the sole purpose of creating a nutritional database focused on the fishing industry. Feed the Future has supported her work in the hopes of spreading dietary knowledge across Columbia.
Because the population is so highly reliant on fish, it is important for citizens to understand the differences between each type. Chum stated that “Knowledge and research [generated with and] transferred to the community will improve health, fish processing and their livelihood.” The database includes information about best practices for preservation, which will hopefully increase national food security. In addition to the general population, policymakers and farmers can utilize this information to help them create more productive practices.
Both USAID projects provide support for the Cambodian fish industry, an important factor in national food security and economic matters. In the coming years, these programs may be able to expand to neighboring areas and expand in size to create greater change on an international level.
– Hailey Dooley
Photo: Flickr
USTDA Provides Power Grant to Malaysia
On January 12, 2023, the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) provided a power grant to Malaysia. Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Malaysia’s state-owned energy company, received this grant to assist with the “utility’s digital transformation.” This grant will further the use of more renewable energy and aid in giving sound clean energy to about 2.5 million people, including those in neighboring countries who are also on the Borneo Grid.
“Around the world, we have seen the transformative impact of digital infrastructure on achieving ambitious clean energy, energy efficiency, and other climate-related goals. Our partnership with Sarawak Energy is intended to support their vision of sustainable growth by meeting the region’s need for reliable, renewable energy,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director.
Diving into the Grant
The total contribution of the grant comes in at $1 million USD and will continue SEB’s, “aim of becoming a sustainable digital utility by 2025 and beyond.” The agreement of the grant came into effect during the fifth Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo, Japan.
During the duration of the grant, USTDA will evaluate SEB’s current digital landscape and “support the company’s strategic roadmap to enable the adoption of smart grid and digital power plant technologies, enhance efficiency, increase cyber security as well as meet growing connectivity commitment and service reliability requirements to drive sustainable economic growth in Malaysia.”
SEB chose the nonprofit group Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to oversee the technical study of the project and provide assistance throughout the project. “SEB expresses gratitude to USTDA for this new partnership and welcomes EPRI’s technical support,” said Datu Sharbini Bin Suhaili, Group CEO of Sarawak Energy Berhad.
USTDA’s championing of the project will further the goals of both the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. “The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment will deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries, strengthen the global economy and supply chains, and advance U.S. national security.”
A Brief History of EPRI
Founded in 1972 in California, EPRI operates as a not-for-profit-independent energy research company. EPRI has a presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The company collaborates with more than 450 companies spanning 45 countries by “driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable, and equitable access to electricity across the globe.”
With regard to the USTDA providing the power grant to Malaysia, EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor had this to say, “EPRI is pleased to assist Sarawak in the modernizing of its grid, as this fits with our society-based mission to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable, and equitable access to electricity across the globe.”
Looking Forward
With the USTDA providing this power grant to Malaysia, it will not only benefit Malaysia’s renewable energy goal but it will also provide energy to millions across multiple countries who are in poverty. The goals of the grant as well as the goals of the USTDA’s other projects will see that those underserved and in need of basic needs receive proper care.
– Sean McMullen
Photo: Flickr
The Partnership of Nottingham Forest and the UNCHR
Across Europe, the world’s finest football teams often sport morally reprehensible betting companies and loan sharks abreast their jerseys. Fans across Europe not only accept but also expect trading moral integrity for financial gain. In December 2022, Nottingham Forest Football Club decided that its football players would wear the crimson-red Garibaldi symbol of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) on their shirts in the premier league to advocate for global change. Nottingham Forest and the UNCHR have forged a partnership that could raise expectations of sporting institutions across Europe.
About the UNCHR
Since its foundation in 1950, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has provided aid to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people and those without a state to call home. The UNCHR is the largest and most significant NGO to wage war against the displacement of the persecuted.
The Issue of Displacement
Despite forward momentum in many socio-economic issues across the globe, there is unprecedented displacement in both the developed and undeveloped worlds. For the first time in recorded history, approximately half of the displaced individuals reside in urban areas.
How the UNCHR Provides Shelter
As of 2022, more than 6.6 million refugees are living in camps, demonstrating how homelessness manifests as a result of displacement. Whilst camps can provide decent emergency shelters, issues such as isolation, aid dependency, disease, fire, sanitation and personal safety arise.
When all other solutions have been exhausted, the UNCHR constructs settlements for displaced individuals. The UNCHR has formulated a master plan approach, which strives to provide shelter that does not fall foul of the previously stated risks. Well-planned settlements are not prone to fire or disease outbreaks, as sanitation and spacing are well-managed. Food, water, toilets and medical care are all within walking distance of a resident of the ideal settlement. Footpaths should always be well-lit, as there is also a particular emphasis on safety for women.
To avoid the risks that encumber vast refugee camps and settlements, the UNCHR distributes tents and materials from centers in Dubai, Copenhagen and Durban. It also invests in communal shelters and new homes. Furthermore, the UNCHR provides self-help schemes that assist displaced individuals in reconstructing and constructing new homes.
The UNCHR in Pakistan
When a barrage of severe flooding struck Pakistan in late 2022, the UNCHR sprung into action. The enormous monsoon impacted the lives of 33 million Pakistani people, killing more than a thousand. Those who remained faced the grim prospect of homelessness during a natural disaster, as the flood destroyed 300,000 homes and damaged 650,000 more.
During the aftermath, the UNCHR coordinated closely with Pakistani authorities. Tireless UNCHR volunteers helped distribute some 10,000 tents to the devastated Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Balochistan regions. The UNCHR has pledged to assist 50,000 households by providing shelter, food and clean water to the most vulnerable victims of this disaster. In addition to providing immediate relief, the UNCHR is liaising with local authorities to build up stockpiles of essential amenities should the flooding escalate.
Why the Partnership Between Nottingham Forest and the UNCHR is One to Celebrate
Fans of Nottingham Forest should be proud of their club. Sitting in the Trent End or the Brian Clough Stand, they will see the UNCHR featured on red banners, screens and flags. They will hear the announcer pay tribute to the refugees of Pakistan and elsewhere. But most importantly, the 4.7 billion fans who tune in to watch the premier league will see a football club that proudly uses its enormous platform to fight against poverty. If every football team in team Europe were to trade a sponsor for a charity of the UNCHR’s merit, billions of people would have exposure to charitable causes daily. Indeed, if every team in every sport were like-minded, the televised sport could become a vehicle for enormous social change. In the meantime, fans of positive change can celebrate that Nottingham Forest and the UNCHR are making a start.
– David Smith
Photo: Flickr