Cyprus has a history of continuous external attacks and invasions. The most recent, the Ottoman and British invasions, largely explain the country’s current situation. That is the division in Cyprus between the Greek part and the Turkish part. Despite the complicated situation of a divided Cyprus, the country became a member of the EU in May 2004. Partition is a reality in Cyprus for more than four decades already so it is important to see how the EU is helping with this situation, mainly explaining how it is dealing with the core challenges and if there are any chances of reunification.
Historical Background
Since the start of British rule and the defeat of Ottoman influence, the pressure for Greek independence was present. By 1955, the Greek government raised the issue of self-determination and in April 1955, the EOKA revolution began. The British had trouble repressing the Greek Cypriots (GC) by themselves so they recruited Turkish Cypriots (TC). The British Empire not only prevented the island from joining Greece but increased the enmity between the GC and the TC which provoked the division in Cyprus.
The division in Cyprus started after it gained independence in 1960, but differences soon proved that ordinary coexistence was impossible. Almost 15 years later, negotiations were still stagnant. Therefore, in 1974, a 220 km long frontier, known as the Green Line emerged, separating the TC and GC regions. This Berlin-style iron curtain suggested that the only way to achieve peace is by granting the two regions the capacity to self-govern. In 1983, the Turkish side of Cyprus declared its independence as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, it remains a state that only Turkey recognizes.
What are the Challenges?
According to a report that the Congressional Research Service published, the per capita GDP in Cyprus by 2019 was $30,000 while in the north, it was more than half that amount, approximately $14,000. The TC has an open, free market economy, however, it is largely dependent on Turkey as a trading partner. TC’s diplomatic and economic isolation has limited its business opportunities and capacity to grow. The lack of political stability and recognition by other countries increases the costs of foreign investment in the region and makes it less attractive. Therefore, it also has to rely on Turkey for financial assistance.
This dependency has led to an unbearable situation in Northern Cyprus due to the Turkish Economic crisis. Inflation has sky-rocketed in Turkey, especially over the past few years. The Turkish Lira is 18.6 against the U.S. dollar, as of November 2022. This means an unprecedented fall in the value of Turkish currency, and thus, everything imported becomes more expensive.
Meanwhile, this situation in Northern Cyprus led to worrying shortages of basic goods in the region, including fuel. During the first half of January 2022, electricity cuts in Northern Cyprus were an ongoing thing. Constant power cuts, sometimes even daily mean no heating which severely affects a person’s quality of life. Furthermore, students are having difficulty studying during long periods of power cuts, making education harder for many.
The Ways the EU is Helping
When Cyprus asked to join the EU the problem was whether to recognize Cyprus as part of the EU or recognize the division in Cyprus and the existence of the Turkish state on the island, thus being the first power to recognize it apart from Turkey. Cyprus became a member but the EU only recognizes the Greek part of the island. Northern Cyprus, which the TC populate, is outside EU legislation and remains an isolated region in international affairs.
However, ever since Cyprus joined, the EU has stated its commitment to help alleviate the isolation that the TC suffered. Therefore, it established an EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community whose ultimate aim is to encourage reunification. The specific objectives in order to achieve this are:
- Improving the economic situation in the TC.
- Promoting communication and cooperation with the GC.
- Establishing relations with other countries.
- Preparing them for EU legislation.
From the start of the Programme until 2018, the EU dedicated almost €520 million to improve the situation for the TC region. Furthermore, even though EU legislation does not allow the TC to trade freely with EU members, since 2004, it has allowed all North Cyprus products to be sold to the GC and through them to other member states, according to a Congressional Research Service report. Due to this allowance, the EU became the largest trading partner after Turkey.
On the other hand, the relationship that has emerged between Turkey and the EU since the accession of Cyprus as a member is also important. In 2004, Turkey started negotiations to join the EU. Indirectly, the best way to help the situation in divided Cyprus is to change Turkey’s attitude towards the problem, according to International Council. Pushing for negotiations in Cyprus, rather than defending the separation would be good proof that Turkey is ready to make changes in favor of joining the EU.
However, up until today, Turkey’s accession negotiations have frozen. For Turkey, the EU means an opportunity to improve the economic problems in the country and for the EU, the accession of Turkey ensures a way of transforming the country’s practices into respecting democracy, rule of law and human rights. Reaching an agreement with these unnegotiable conditions has been difficult for Turkey which is clearly in democratic backsliding.
What the EU could do to revive democracy is clearly limited and depends greatly on the country itself. Therefore, reunification in Cyprus is a matter that has to wait but the EU has been helpful in stabilizing the problem, supporting the TC community, and avoiding violent confrontation.
– Carla Tomas
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Impact of Friendship Benches on Mental Health in Zimbabwe
The Friendship Bench has revolutionized the field of mental health in Zimbabwe and beyond. Due to its great localized success, 32 Friendship Benches have undergone installation around stadiums at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Mental Health in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, with 70% of the population living below the poverty line. This economic state has caused many struggles for the citizens, such as inadequate nutrition and the prevalence of diseases. Mental health is also a major issue, but many often neglect it. Legislation regarding mental health policy is outdated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that “There is a shortage of human resources for mental health in Zimbabwe, in part a result of the emigration of locally trained professionals due to economic instability.”
Mental health is an important issue for the citizens of any country. Therefore, mental health care and support are a necessary part of a nation’s health system. UNICEF Zimbabwe has called for more assistance for youth and adolescents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the country lacks the resources to address the issue in its entirety. This challenge has required creative solutions from local NGOs, an example being the Friendship Bench Project.
The Birth of the Friendship Bench
Since 2006, the Friendship Bench has trained more than 600 mentors to offer support on benches in communities around Zimbabwe. These volunteers offer assistance using techniques based on cognitive behavioral therapy and are often from the communities in which they practice. This connection allows a deeper understanding of the struggles that community members face. Citizens engage in positive dialogue with these volunteers, usually in 45-minute segments. In the past 16 years, the project has extended to Malawi, Zanzibar and New York City. In the future, it plans to expand in order to offer more care for youth and adolescents.
Proven Success
In 2016, JAMA Network produced a clinical trial regarding the potential impact of the Friendship Benches and the care they provide. Results indicated that “the group from the Friendship Bench had a significant decrease in depressive symptoms, compared to the control group.” These impacts on mental health in Zimbabwe prove that projects like this may be effective in countries with poor mental health resources.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup
Due to the success of the Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe, several groups have worked together to install 32 benches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They will be located around the different stadiums, and will each represent a different participating international team. Organizers hope that the benches will spark a conversation around the importance of mental health care and focus. The colorful details of these benches are an added feature to catch the attention of players and spectators to spread awareness in a creative and positive format.
The success of the Friendship Bench Project on mental health in Zimbabwe is clear, and its impacts internationally suggest a positive future for growth in mental health care, even in nations with limited resources.
– Hailey Dooley
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Addressing Period Poverty in Mauritius
Period poverty in Mauritius exists due to the unaffordability of menstrual products, leading girls and women to resort to unsanitary alternatives such as handkerchiefs, pieces of fabric and newspapers. The stigma surrounding menstruation accentuates the issue of period poverty in Mauritius. Organizations such as The Ripple Project are taking action to make menstrual supplies more accessible and raise awareness about the importance of proper menstrual hygiene to maintain good health.
A Barrier to Gender Equality
According to a UNDP article in 2021, in terms of gender equality, Mauritius ranks in the top six in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the existence of period poverty in Mauritius stands as a barrier to further gender equality advancements. In 2017, gender equality activist Trisha Gukhool started a petition for the Mauritian government to provide free menstrual products to girls and women.
In the 2017-2018 budget reform, the Ministry of Finance announced the removal of taxes on pads and tampons. Unfortunately, even without tax, period products are still unaffordable for impoverished and disadvantaged girls and women in the country.
Local Activism
Female activists in Mauritius have continued to advocate for free menstrual products. The non-governmental organization Raise Brave Girls, which Prisheela Mottee founded, set up a petition for the national budget 2021-2022 to prioritize the distribution of free period products to vulnerable women and school girls. The petition also calls for menstrual leave that is not deductible from annual sick leave.
The petition, which gathered more than 5,000 signatures, saw some success. The Ministry of Finance announced that girls from grades six to 13, registered under the Social Register of Mauritius, would receive free sanitary pads.
The Ripple Project
The Ripple Project is an initiative that activist Djemillah Mourade-Peerbux set up in 2016 after realizing that the expense of sanitary products is one that many Mauritian girls and women cannot afford. At the time, about 1,000 Mauritian rupees could only buy basic hygiene products for two people.
Fast forward five years and the project became an association, devoted solely to fighting menstrual taboos and providing menstrual products to women and girls experiencing period poverty in Mauritius. Mourade-Peerbux collects monetary and menstrual product donations and distributes them to shelters across the island.
The association also takes into account the power of advocacy. The Ripple Project runs campaigns to raise awareness about period poverty and the importance of menstrual health. Mourade-Peerbux is advocating for the free period product allowance to extend to all females, even those who are not part of the Social Register of Mauritius.
The Ripple Project team relies on partners and donors to secure and distribute period-related products to hundreds of women throughout the year. The feminine hygiene brand Saforelle is supporting The Ripple Project through a campaign. For every intimate hygiene cleanser sold, Saforelle will donate three Mauritian rupees to The Ripple Project. This campaign will run until December 31, 2022, The Ripple Project’s Facebook page says.
Looking Ahead
Although progress is visible, period poverty in Mauritius is still an issue. Advocacy and campaigns will continue until all Mauritian girls and women have constant and reliable access to menstrual products. By dissolving the stigma surrounding menstruation and extending access, further progress could be visible.
– Alexandra Piat
Photo: Flickr
HIV/AIDS in Albania
Although Albania has a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, cases of HIV/AIDS in Albania have risen over the years. Cases of HIV in Albania increased by more than 50% between 2008 and 2018. The most recent estimates note 1,400 HIV cases, equating to a prevalence lower than 0.05%. The highest prevalence of HIV is apparent among specific vulnerable populations: “people who inject drugs, sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, ” The Global Fund reported. However, stigma and discrimination present barriers to testing and treatment. The Albanian organization Aksion Plus, a member of the IDPC (International Drug Policy Consortium) aims to reduce HIV/AIDs in Albania through education and awareness campaigns, with a special focus on the most vulnerable groups.
People Who Inject Drugs (PWID)
Data from a 2019 HIV Integrated Biological and Behavioural Study (IBBS) reported a low rate of HIV/AIDS among PWID at 1.4%. However, the study shows concerning rates of needle sharing among this group. At the time of the study, about 41% of PWID reported sharing needles with others in the last 30 days. The majority of these individuals shared needles with one person and 14% shared with up to three people. This means the PWID group is at high risk of contracting and spreading HIV/AIDS in Albania. There are also difficulties in reaching the PWID group as most of them inject drugs in isolated areas during hours when not many people are around.
Men Who Have Sex with Men
Men Who Have Sex With Men are also vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. In 2019, Albania noted 93 new HIV cases, with men accounting for 66% of these cases. Sexual intercourse is the primary mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS in Albania among men who have sex with men. However, the number of HIV cases among this group is likely higher as stigma and discrimination deter individuals from revealing their sexual practices and prevent them from seeking out testing/treatment.
The 2019 IBBS study shows an HIV prevalence of 2.0% among this group. However, condom use is high. Comparing the 2011 and 2019 IBBS results, 74% of respondents in 2019 used condoms during their last sexual encounters compared to 14% in 2011.
Aksion Plus
Aksion Plus has engaged in HIV/AIDS work in Albania since 1992. The organization works to prevent the spread of HIV through advocacy and education campaigns. Aksion Plus also provides targeted support to those who inject drugs. The activities to reduce HIV among this group include needle exchanges, methadone therapy, “outreach in the drug scene” and counseling.
The organization runs a program, which began in 2014, to educate the younger generation about HIV/AIDS. In the program, a group of social workers gives HIV/AIDS information, life skills education and counseling to students in some of Albania’s secondary schools. Due to the success of the program, the Regional Directorate of Education is bringing similar initiatives to other high schools.
Through the work of Aksion Plus, efforts are in place to prevent, manage and control cases of HIV/AIDS in Albania. In this way, Aksion Plus contributes to the health and well-being of the country’s citizens.
– Olga Petrovska
Photo: Unsplash
HIV/AIDs in Cameroon
One of the most prominent challenges citizens in Cameroon are facing today is the prevalence of HIV/AIDs throughout the country. With the national infection rate being 3.7% in 2021, achieving epidemic control continues to be a constant battle. However, with the help of foreign aid, NGOs and the proactive efforts of the Cameroonian government, the country is making progress toward this goal. Here are the most important things to know about the history of HIV/AIDs in Cameroon and the state of the prevention effort.
History and Demographics
Like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a higher rate of individuals infected with HIV/AIDs in Cameroon than in most other parts of the world. The earliest reported case in Cameroon was in 1985 and by 1990 the country had an estimated 49,000 infected individuals. This number increased every year until it peaked at an estimated 520,000 cases in 2012. Since then, the annual rate has slowly but steadily declined to an estimated 500,000 cases in 2021.
Though many children have HIV/AIDs in Cameroon, people 15 years or older are by far the most common and represent an estimated 460,000 of the 500,000 currently infected, according to UNAIDS. Within the adult over 15 cohort, women are more than twice as likely to have HIV/AIDs than men.
Prevention and US Support
The first measure the government of Cameroon took to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDs was the establishment of the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC) in 1986. Its function was to facilitate cooperation between prevention efforts nationally. It expanded its efforts further in 2000 when it launched the first of three five-year plans to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDs in the country.
There has also been a myriad of U.S.-backed efforts to help assist in the prevention effort. For example, in 2008 the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnered with Cameroon’s Ministry of Health as well as a host of NGOs to assist in the fight against HIV/AIDs. Through this collaboration the CDC aimed at “providing technical leadership on HIV epidemic control efforts within the country” but eventually expanded its operations to also include “direct clinical support” and help “scale-up access to HIV prevention and treatment services.”
Additionally, USAID has backed and helped execute a variety of HIV/AIDs prevention plans in Cameroon through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). A few of these initiatives are The Continuum of Prevention, Care and Treatment (CoPCT) of HIV/AIDS with Most-at-Risk Populations in Cameroon (CHAMP), Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Epidemic Control (RISE) and Community-Led Monitoring (CLM).
In general, PEPFAR programs aim to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDs in Cameroon through education, community outreach, reliable data collection and strengthening existing government and non-governmental healthcare agencies.
Looking Forward
Though it may seem like a sign of inefficacy that total infection numbers have only gone down by a small margin since 2012, it is important to remember that epidemics tend to grow exponentially and that the population of Cameroon has been increasing steadily at a high rate for the past several decades. With this in mind, a stagnated or only marginally decreased total infection figure is actually quite an accomplishment, as the government has to account for an enormous increase in population and the spread of infectious diseases is notoriously difficult to subdue.
Further, aid from countries like the U.S. was undoubtedly instrumental in achieving this feat and continued international support will be necessary as the national government continues to battle HIV/AIDs in Cameroon.
– Xander Heiple
Photo: Unsplash
Improved Methods of Wolf Management to Help Aid Agriculture in India
In the past decade, India has seen mass economic growth and success. India reduced rates of multidimensional poverty by almost 50% and 8 million new jobs emerged for frontline workers. The World Bank found that India’s GDP increased to 8.9% in 2021 after a significant dip in 2020.
Agriculture in India
Today, agriculture in India accounts for 20% of the country’s GDP and is responsible for the employment of 58% of Indians. Yet, the increased presence of wolves in unprotected areas and predation mirror past events that once swept the nation into a frenzy resurfaced old fears and brought about new solutions.
Challenges with Indian Wolves
The Indian Wolf hails from the Trans-Himalayan and Peninsular regions of Southwest Asia. At 3.5 feet, it is much smaller than its closest relatives, carrying all of its weight on its lean hind legs which often have black streaks. Due to their concerning population decrease in 1972, they were listed as endangered under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.
Indian wolves frequent areas high in temperature that present little to no competition for food. Because of the scarcity of native prey, the wolf’s diet is compromised. As a result, they turn to livestock— a temporary solution to their hunger and an essential part of agriculture in India.
The Importance of Livestock in India
Livestock consists of 26% of India’s agricultural GDP, making up 14% of a rural family’s income and 16% of the income of families who work as small marginal farmers. It also helps measure wealth and social status.
By 2021, farmers lost 64% of all livestock to wolf depredation in Rajasthan state. Additionally, estimates have stated that there will be a 20% increase in all livestock depredations in the upcoming years. On average, livestock depredation will result in a loss of $125 to $180 per home. An Indian farmer will typically bring in Rs 15079 or $185.92 during a year’s spring harvest.
Wolves in India
Though the government designated select regions of India’s semi-arid grasslands to act as protected wolf conservation sites, their traveling habits are hard to measure as management is limited to specific areas. Wolves commonly venture out of their protected areas, with some of them traveling extensive miles in search of food.
A 2019 study on wolf habitats found that only 4.37% of India’s land mass was highly compatible with the wolf population. Meanwhile, it found that another 76.03% was the least compatible.
The rest represent a gray area where land suitability fell in between the two spectrums. Military bases are a part of those areas that are suitable for wolves. However, the constant clash of wolves and military officials has brought about concern for the well-being of both parties.
Solutions
Predictions have stated that there are anywhere from 4,400 to 7,100 wolves alive in India today. Since 2014, the U.K. Wolf Conservation Trust has raised $9,325.80 to fund researchers tracking the evolution, genealogy and movement of India’s wolf population.
More and more farmers are adopting a strategy called ‘bio fencing’ which creates a natural border around and demarcates land areas. Bio-fences comprise trees, hedges, bushes or plants that grow in close range of each other until a thick forest-like fence is formed. This type of fence is cost-effective and many consider it to be more useful in keeping unwanted creatures away from farmland.
Indian wolves originating from Peninsular regions are less likely to approach an area high in forestry. These wolves prefer steppe climates that allow them to roam and graze without incidence or challenge.
India’s government launched the Sub Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) as a series of 11 schemes under the Green Revolution venture in 2014. The SMAM, whose goal is to provide modern agricultural machinery to small-time farmers with limited access to farm power, emerged in 2016. Some agro-pastoral regions have hired night vigils to keep watch over their land and livestock. It is among India’s recent attempts to support the advancement of agriculture in India.
– Dorothy Quanteh
Photo: Flickr
The World Bank’s Efforts in Guyana
The World Bank’s efforts in Guyana have been paramount in helping to achieve growth and positive effects in the country. In the last few decades, the World Bank has made progress in enhancing natural disaster resilience, improving the quality of education and skills, generating private-sector development initiatives and supporting human development.
About Guyana
The Co-Operative Republic of Guyana is a small and sparsely populated South American country. It has an abundance of natural resources, fertile lands and valuable mineral resources such as bauxite and gold, along with tropical forests which cover 80% of the country. With a population of approximately 780,000 people, Guyanese society is ethnically diverse, including Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, Mixed-Guyanese and many more groups. About 90% of this population lives in the country’s coastal area, despite this region only representing 10% of the total land.
Others have historically perceived Guyana’s GDP as the lowest in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC). However, monumental growth (between 20%-40%) has raised the GDP from $6,600 in 2019 to $9,300 in 2021. The country’s heavy dependency on natural resources, especially oil production is a core reason for this growth. Nevertheless, this reliance on these resources means that Guyana is vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations and economic conditions.
An updated measure from the World Bank in 2022 found that Guyana’s national poverty headcount is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) at around 48%. Rates of poverty are the highest in the interior of the country, where communities have limited access to economic opportunities, health care and public services. The country also experiences high emigration and brain drain, with 39% of citizens living abroad.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the population of Guyana. Although 63% of the adult population had received at least one dose of the vaccine by September 2022, it had been confirmed that there had been 71,351 COVID-19 cases and 1,281 deaths in October 2022. Guyana is a small country with a poor healthcare system consisting of a lack of insufficient resources and equipment, something which may reflect these COVID-19 case numbers. The World Bank’s efforts in Guyana have been ongoing since 2016, focusing on three areas:
Strengthening Resilience and Creating Disaster Risk Management Capacities
The Flood Risk Management Project works to reduce flood risks in low-lying areas of the country. The primary focus of this project is to strengthen the institutions that are necessary to reduce flood risks and support flood modeling. In 2020, further funding received approval for the project with the aim to improve Guyana’s climate resilience and reduce the impact of economic disasters. The results of this project should enable more than 90,000 people to benefit from flood risks and 47,600 water users will receive new and improved irrigation and drainage facilities.
Setting Up High-quality Education
The World Bank currently has four ongoing projects aimed at building Guyana’s workforce:
The results of these projects have been far-reaching. For instance, the capacity of 600 math teachers worldwide has improved through training and expert feedback. Secondary school facilities grew by expanding the number of additional student spaces. Perhaps the most important result is the development of a new curriculum framework, something which has revised the subjects that the core teaching plans teach.
Laying the Foundation of Private Sector Development
The Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project works to develop better legal and institutional frameworks. It will also raise the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector so that there are more economic and social benefits for the country. The project will also strengthen the laws and regulations related to health, safety and environmental protection. The outcomes of this project have been positive in improving technical, advisory and capacity measures, along with transparency and governance within the oil and gas sector.
The Future
Overall, the World Bank’s efforts in Guyana have been far-reaching, supporting the creation of many sustainable and long-term changes in the country. The three areas of focus are monumental areas to champion for the country to increase its economic, social and environmental capital, all of which these projects have successfully addressed.
– Harkiran Bharij
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Human Trafficking in North Macedonia
Human Trafficking and Poverty
The economic conditions in the country and its weak judicial structure facilitate the work of criminal organizations. Foreign and local women are mainly the victims of forced labor in nightclubs. The victims are also sent to and exploited in other European countries. This also suggests that North Macedonia serves as an easy destination to coordinate international human trafficking. In addition, child labor and forced marriage are mainly caused by human trafficking.
According to a report published by the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 18% of children between the ages of 5 and 14 are working rather than receiving an education. These children are normally forced into begging or other types of street work. Adolescent girls are also victims of sexual exploitation.
Furthermore, the Roma ethnic community is especially vulnerable to human trafficking in North Macedonia. Roma children face discrimination in the education system, as most schools do not provide classes in Romani. This condition makes the Roma community the one with the lowest education rates in the country. Therefore, it incentivizes both perpetual poverty and an increase in child marriage. Roma girls are, thus, especially vulnerable victims of trafficking for the purpose of forced marriage.
How is the Situation Improving?
The most recent improvements to combat human trafficking in North Macedonia are focused on:
Due to the National Strategy 2021-2025, the government has implemented some positive measures in order to increase the victim’s protection. In 2021, 48 victims were identified, compared to seven the previous year. Of these, 40 were victims of forced labor. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) created groups formed by NGO volunteers, social workers and officers in order to improve protection efforts. For example, during the last six months of 2021, these groups managed to detect more than 200 vulnerable people. Furthermore, the government also increased the funds dedicated to protection. More than $22,000 was earmarked to increase the safety of victims, as well as the quality and capacity of shelters. It also dedicated more than $8,000 to the activities performed by the MLSP groups.
Decreasing the educational gap between Roma and non-Roma children is among the top priorities in order to reduce the vulnerability of this specific group. In recent years, North Macedonia has made some improvements. The Directorate for Development and Promotion of Education in the Languages of Minorities is responsible for improving the quality of education for minority groups such as the Roma ethnic group. By 2019, the Directorate included two Roma employees in order to better address the necessities of this community. Moreover, in November 2022, the Ministry informed that 40 Roma employees will work as mediators in schools with the highest numbers of Roma students in order to improve their educational experience and decrease the dropout rates.
In order to increase the prevention of future cases, the National Commission (NC) and the MLSP incorporated the feedback given by victims in order to implement effective action plans. Thanks to these recommendations and the assistance granted by international groups, the NC managed to conduct four different investigative projects focused on the prevention of trafficking. The government also focused on increasing awareness among vulnerable people, especially young students in order to avoid the risk of human trafficking in North Macedonia. It also implemented a system focused on labor inspections to ensure that companies are not involved in human trafficking and criminal acts.
– Carla Tomas Laserna
Photo: Flickr
Gender Wage Gap in Mexico
The wages men and women receive vary in most parts of the world. Mexico is a prime example of this; women in Mexico have significantly lower wages than men. Women’s protests have shed light on the inequity of the gender wage gap in Mexico, prompting government officials to work to protect their right to equal pay and employment access.
Tradition and the Economy
Across the globe, women on average are paid on average 20% less than men, even when they are working the same jobs. In Mexico, that gap is roughly 15.6%. Unequal pay creates significant impacts on the number of women who choose to work. Gender pay inequality also contributes to greater oppression of women in the workforce.
The culture of a given community contributes greatly to female labor force participation. Traditional Mexican culture promotes a patriarchal ideology where society expects women to be caretakers. It is because of this that most women take on domestic jobs, such as childcare or cleaning, which are often unpaid. Women also find themselves working in street markets, selling their home-grown produce to provide additional income to support their families.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the economic conditions that the lack of female employment caused. The pandemic caused inflation in Mexico to rise to its highest point in 20 years. Having increased by 5% since 2020, Mexican households are having to pay more for necessities such as food and gas.
In Mexico, women compromise less than half of the total labor force. When women are paid 85 pesos per every 100 pesos made by working-class men for the same work, it seems more financially prudent for mothers to stay home rather than pay for childcare. To put this in perspective, in a given job, a man may earn $5.13 per hour, whereas a woman will earn $4.36 despite performing the same labor. This disproportion in wages has made it extremely difficult for women to become financially independent.
Women that do make it into the labor force also find more barriers to advancement than their male counterparts. Women in entry-level positions in industries such as retail do not obtain promotions as often as men do. Recent data that McKinsey and Company collected determined that only 8% of women receive promotions to higher positions within their given field. This inevitable glass ceiling hinders women’s ability for upward mobility.
Bridging the Gender Wage Gap in Mexico
Recent awareness on this topic has led to the development of federal programs that assist women wishing to progress in male-dominated industries. Now, more than ever, working-class women are being more aware of their rights to paid labor as well as the gender wage gap. Moreover, the Mexican Supreme Court is also promoting specific legislation that would protect women employees and ensure equal pay. In 2019, the Mexican government enacted the Social Protection Program. The International Labor Organization (ILO) funded the Social Protection Program which ensures that working-class women receive a minimum wage while also having access to benefits such as health care and pensions. This protection serves as an important stepping stone to ensuring women receive equal treatment in the workplace.
A recent survey that the firm ManpowerGroup conducted found that 64% of Mexican organizations are aiming to increase the number of women in positions that men traditionally held. One example is the Mexican Football Federation which has set strict salary constraints for female athletes. Before, men in the Mexican Football league made nearly 200 times more than women. The updated conditions ensure female athletes a wage equal to that of male players.
The gender wage gap in Mexico has been slowly decreasing over the past two decades. Increasing awareness of the inequality between working men and women is helping to shed light on the disparities in Mexican society. The actions of the government have inspired hope that Mexican legislation will continue to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace and reduce the pay gap.
– Micaela Carrillo
Photo: Flickr
How the EU is Helping Alleviate the Division in Cyprus
Cyprus has a history of continuous external attacks and invasions. The most recent, the Ottoman and British invasions, largely explain the country’s current situation. That is the division in Cyprus between the Greek part and the Turkish part. Despite the complicated situation of a divided Cyprus, the country became a member of the EU in May 2004. Partition is a reality in Cyprus for more than four decades already so it is important to see how the EU is helping with this situation, mainly explaining how it is dealing with the core challenges and if there are any chances of reunification.
Historical Background
Since the start of British rule and the defeat of Ottoman influence, the pressure for Greek independence was present. By 1955, the Greek government raised the issue of self-determination and in April 1955, the EOKA revolution began. The British had trouble repressing the Greek Cypriots (GC) by themselves so they recruited Turkish Cypriots (TC). The British Empire not only prevented the island from joining Greece but increased the enmity between the GC and the TC which provoked the division in Cyprus.
The division in Cyprus started after it gained independence in 1960, but differences soon proved that ordinary coexistence was impossible. Almost 15 years later, negotiations were still stagnant. Therefore, in 1974, a 220 km long frontier, known as the Green Line emerged, separating the TC and GC regions. This Berlin-style iron curtain suggested that the only way to achieve peace is by granting the two regions the capacity to self-govern. In 1983, the Turkish side of Cyprus declared its independence as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, it remains a state that only Turkey recognizes.
What are the Challenges?
According to a report that the Congressional Research Service published, the per capita GDP in Cyprus by 2019 was $30,000 while in the north, it was more than half that amount, approximately $14,000. The TC has an open, free market economy, however, it is largely dependent on Turkey as a trading partner. TC’s diplomatic and economic isolation has limited its business opportunities and capacity to grow. The lack of political stability and recognition by other countries increases the costs of foreign investment in the region and makes it less attractive. Therefore, it also has to rely on Turkey for financial assistance.
This dependency has led to an unbearable situation in Northern Cyprus due to the Turkish Economic crisis. Inflation has sky-rocketed in Turkey, especially over the past few years. The Turkish Lira is 18.6 against the U.S. dollar, as of November 2022. This means an unprecedented fall in the value of Turkish currency, and thus, everything imported becomes more expensive.
Meanwhile, this situation in Northern Cyprus led to worrying shortages of basic goods in the region, including fuel. During the first half of January 2022, electricity cuts in Northern Cyprus were an ongoing thing. Constant power cuts, sometimes even daily mean no heating which severely affects a person’s quality of life. Furthermore, students are having difficulty studying during long periods of power cuts, making education harder for many.
The Ways the EU is Helping
When Cyprus asked to join the EU the problem was whether to recognize Cyprus as part of the EU or recognize the division in Cyprus and the existence of the Turkish state on the island, thus being the first power to recognize it apart from Turkey. Cyprus became a member but the EU only recognizes the Greek part of the island. Northern Cyprus, which the TC populate, is outside EU legislation and remains an isolated region in international affairs.
However, ever since Cyprus joined, the EU has stated its commitment to help alleviate the isolation that the TC suffered. Therefore, it established an EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community whose ultimate aim is to encourage reunification. The specific objectives in order to achieve this are:
From the start of the Programme until 2018, the EU dedicated almost €520 million to improve the situation for the TC region. Furthermore, even though EU legislation does not allow the TC to trade freely with EU members, since 2004, it has allowed all North Cyprus products to be sold to the GC and through them to other member states, according to a Congressional Research Service report. Due to this allowance, the EU became the largest trading partner after Turkey.
On the other hand, the relationship that has emerged between Turkey and the EU since the accession of Cyprus as a member is also important. In 2004, Turkey started negotiations to join the EU. Indirectly, the best way to help the situation in divided Cyprus is to change Turkey’s attitude towards the problem, according to International Council. Pushing for negotiations in Cyprus, rather than defending the separation would be good proof that Turkey is ready to make changes in favor of joining the EU.
However, up until today, Turkey’s accession negotiations have frozen. For Turkey, the EU means an opportunity to improve the economic problems in the country and for the EU, the accession of Turkey ensures a way of transforming the country’s practices into respecting democracy, rule of law and human rights. Reaching an agreement with these unnegotiable conditions has been difficult for Turkey which is clearly in democratic backsliding.
What the EU could do to revive democracy is clearly limited and depends greatly on the country itself. Therefore, reunification in Cyprus is a matter that has to wait but the EU has been helpful in stabilizing the problem, supporting the TC community, and avoiding violent confrontation.
– Carla Tomas
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
TikTokers Raise Awareness About the Ukraine Crisis
The war in Ukraine continues months after the Russian invasion in February 2022. With no reconciliation in close sight, especially after recent Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities in early October 2022, humanitarian aid is urgent. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) estimated a civilian death toll of 6,430 by October 30, 2022. TikTokers within Ukraine are using the TikTok app to report on the events unfolding in Ukraine and document their experiences. Through this social media platform, TikTokers raise awareness about the Ukraine crisis and publicize calls for aid to Ukraine.
This type of news dissemination via short videos is gaining popularity among the younger generations not only because of the quick dissemination of news but because of the first-person accounts of the war and even the use of humor by Ukrainians on the ground.
First-person Accounts of War
Johnny Jen, a travel vlogger living in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, had some insight into using social media to show the effects of war. Jen told Insider that platforms like TikTok and YouTube have already begun to “replace traditional media and the news,” especially among the younger generation. A 2019 Reuters Institute study confirms this with a finding that individuals younger than 35 feel “traditional news media no longer seems as relevant or as dominant when it comes to news content” in comparison to social media.
University professor Damian Radcliffe also commented on this trend, telling Insider that the “informal feel” of these short videos tends to resonate as more “authentic and raw” to a younger audience.
Humor as a Coping Mechanism
The humor sprinkled into this type of content draws the attention of people using TikTok. Ukrainian Lisa Lysova has garnered a million views on a TikTok dance video she created after waking up to “sounds of explosions” when Russia invaded the nation. She says the use of humor is how she copes with the stress of the crisis.
Alina Volik, who is also a TikToker in Ukraine, says this humor helps Ukrainians “bond,” especially amid the war. She has 76,000 followers who watch her videos, which range from jokes that the Ukrainian president is the country’s “psychotherapist” and visiting empty stores in Ukraine as “entertainment.” This is a way for Ukrainians to relate to one another.
The Future of Social Media News Dissemination
With distrust in local media lurking over the past few years, these short videos are gaining attention. Survey results from Reach3 Insights show “three-quarters of Generation Z said TikTok has helped them to learn about social justice and politics, while the same number said the social video app helps them stay current on the news,” Marketing Dive reported.
While TikTokers raise awareness about the Ukraine crisis, countries are providing donations to support Ukrainians. On October 6, 2022, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced that the U.S. will provide $55 million worth of financial aid to support heating infrastructure in Ukraine as winter approaches. The USAID website says that “This assistance will support repairs and maintenance of pipes and other equipment necessary to deliver heating to homes, hospitals, schools and businesses across Ukraine.” From February 2022 to October 2022, the U.S. supplied $1.5 billion worth of humanitarian aid to people in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
Through TikTok, Ukrainian influencers are bringing attention to the issues impacting Ukraine, which could garner more foreign aid and help from humanitarian organizations.
– Marynette Holmes
Photo: Flickr