In the shadow of Myanmar’s military junta, where conflict and censorship have shattered formal education for millions, a resilient wave of EdTech innovations and counter-revolutionary learning systems is rising to bridge the digital divide and empower the next generation, proving that poverty eradication in Myanmar hinges on harnessing emerging technologies such as mobile apps, offline platforms and community-led digital initiatives to deliver access to knowledge and skills amid chaos.
Myanmar faces persistent poverty exacerbated by civil conflict, economic instability and natural disasters, with nearly half the population living near the subsistence level. Despite these challenges, opportunities exist to reduce poverty through investment in education and the adoption of educational technologies (EdTech). This article examines Myanmar’s poverty landscape, the obstacles confronting its education system and the prospects for poverty eradication through EdTech-driven reforms.
Myanmar’s Poverty Context
Between 2005 and 2017, Myanmar reduced poverty rates from 48% to 25%, largely due to manufacturing growth. However, the 2021 military coup reversed these gains, causing significant declines in household consumption and in job quality. Conscription, insecurity and recurring disasters have further weakened the labor demand. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that the middle class has shrunk by more than 50%, with 76% of people living close to subsistence level. Consequently, poverty rates doubled to nearly 50% between 2017 and 2023.
Barriers to Educational Access
Myanmar’s education system is fragmented and strained following the 2021 coup. The Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (2018-2030) underscores education as central to human capacity development, aiming for greater access and quality. However, ongoing conflict and instability have led to widespread school closures, teacher shortages and attacks on educational facilities. As of 2024, approximately 5 million school-aged children remain out of school, and parallel education systems have emerged in areas outside the junta’s control, run by the National Unity Government (NUG) and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (ERO). These federalized multilingual initiatives reach approximately 1 million children but face chronic funding and resource limitations.
The junta’s centralization efforts and amendments to the National Education Law have restricted the use of ethnic languages, deepening ethnic divisions. Violent incidents against schools have increased, with more than 174 documented attacks in 2024. Officially reported at more than 6 million for 2024–25, widespread dropouts linked to safety, inflation and corruption have occurred. International support is essential to promote teacher development and rebuild educational capacity, but ongoing conflict and centralized control continue to constrain progress.
The Emergence and Challenges of EdTech
EdTech startups in Myanmar offer innovative approaches to counter such educational disruptions. Companies such as 360ed leverage AR/VR platforms for interactive learning, targeting more than 4 million primary students, which is 38.5% of the school-age population. Offline EdTech products help bridge digital divides, and platforms such as MyanLearn, MMTutors, Laelar and MYEO provide tutoring, online courses and workforce preparation. For instance, the MYEO has trained 21,000 students in digital and soft skills, addressing an 8% youth unemployment rate.
Despite these advances, the adoption of EdTech faces significant barriers. Internet and computer access remain limited, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas, with 46% of university students resistant to online learning. Access to continuous electricity is another challenge. Affordability and weak funding further limit EdTech’s reach; only one startup, eSchool, secured a major investment of $700,000 in 2019. Systemic issues, including rote learning traditions, teacher-centric pedagogy and insufficient government support, also impede broad EdTech integration.
EdTech and Poverty Eradication: Pathways and Prospects
The World Bank positions EdTech as essential for expanding educational access and combating intergenerational poverty in the country. Its 2020 report highlights the importance of networking teachers, fostering data-driven ecosystems and leveraging technology to promote human connection in education. The World Bank’s Digital Pathways framework identifies five pillars of digital readiness – leadership, technology infrastructure, education delivery, workforce capacity and EdTech market models – as crucial for effective interventions in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Myanmar.
Digital learning tools, including radio, TV, SMS and virtual tutoring, can mitigate teacher shortages and reach marginalized communities. Such interventions are foundational for bridging educational disparities and promoting upward social mobility among Myanmar’s rural and ethnic minority populations. Personalized digital learning, especially in foundational literacy and numeracy, is linked to improved lifetime earnings and, therefore, can help with poverty eradication in Myanmar.
The World Bank’s Inclusive Access and Quality Education Project (IAQE) exemplifies targeted investment with a $100 million grant to improve education among marginalized groups and conflict-affected communities. Serving 3 million students and 60,000 teachers across 15,000 schools, the IAQE demonstrates how technology and inclusive interventions can break poverty cycles and address food security challenges.
Investments in EdTech
Burmese food insecurity presents dual challenges: an unstable economic infrastructure and a fractured populace facing inadequate education, fragile agriculture, unstable energy provision and limited economic opportunities. Improving education is vital for poverty eradication in Myanmar as quality education drives human-capital development and economic growth. Myanmar’s poverty rate of 50% post-coup is worsened by the education crisis, perpetuating intergenerational poverty through dropouts and skill shortages. The military junta’s “Burmanization” policies have devastated education, with 245 school attacks in 2022-23 and 31.5% of facilities damaged. EdTech has emerged as a solution, fostering decentralized learning that supports poverty eradication. Through offline mobile apps and AR/VR platforms, startups like 360ed (targeting 4.2 million primary students) and MYEO (training 21,000 youth) bypass censorship and Internet blackouts, bridging the digital divide in rural areas.
This EdTech approach contrasts with the junta’s monolingual model, aligning with the National Unity Government (NUG) and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations’ (EROs) parallel systems, which educate up to 1 million children through multilingual approaches. The World Bank’s Digital Pathways report (2024) shows that EdTech improves literacy and numeracy for low-income students, enhancing employability amid a 50% poverty rate surge post-2021 coup.
The Inclusive Access and Quality Education Project allocated $100 million to integrate ICT for marginalized groups, serving 3 million students and 60,000 teachers. Reimagining Human Connections shows that sustained EdTech investment through partnerships can rebuild human capital and drive equitable growth for poverty eradication in Myanmar.
– Christopher Michael Pellant
Christopher Michael Pellant is based in Evansville, Indiana and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
Rwanda’s Zamukana Ubuziranenge: Boosting Small Businesses
The Standards Maturity Model
The implementation of Rwanda’s Zamukana Ubuziranenge utilizes what experts refer to as a “maturity model.” Rather than imposing unreachable global mandates on small entrepreneurs, the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) provides a tiered trajectory for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to progress incrementally. This approach first adapts international standards to suit local realities.
Then it aligns them with global markets as the institutions mature. The program begins with a gap assessment to benchmark current business practices against applicable standards. Following this, the RSB offers customized training and “handholding” support to help staff implement systems that promote consistent quality.
This hands-on guidance prepares businesses for a final assessment and the eventual initiation of the formal certification process. Through this supportive framework, the government ensures that small producers can match their technical ambition with their actual capacity.
Removing Financial Barriers To Growth
A significant political development occurred in January 2025, when the government announced that all quality services under Rwanda’s Zamukana Ubuziranenge would be provided free of charge to MSMEs. These services include technical assistance, testing, calibration and certification. By removing these costs, the state eliminated a significant financial barrier for low-income entrepreneurs, particularly those without access to funding from external development partners or nongovernmental organizations.
Quantifiable Impact on Local Industries
The measurable success of Rwanda’s Zamukana Ubuziranenge is evident in the diverse range of businesses it has supported. By June 2025, the program reached approximately 988 MSMEs and cooperatives. This group comprises 368 enterprises operating in food value chains and 226 businesses in the chemical industry, producing essential items such as soaps and detergents.
The program also supported 94 businesses in the textile and leather sectors and trained 33 cooperatives in transparent grant management practices. Sector-specific results highlight the practical outcomes of these certifications. For instance, the RSB has successfully certified 14 honey products from 12 different companies against international food safety management systems.
These certifications allow Rwandan honey to access wider regional and global markets, increasing the income of rural beekeepers. Similarly, the certification of locally made machinery and mechanical tools reduces field failure rates. It provides a powerful marketing tool for exports.
Fostering an Inclusive Quality Culture
The long-term impact of Rwanda’s Zamukana Ubuziranenge extends beyond technical compliance to social empowerment. The program specifically focuses on MSMEs established by women, young people and individuals with disabilities. By equipping these marginalized groups with the skills to produce high-quality goods, the initiative fosters a culture of self-sufficiency.
Residents in areas like Cyanika have noted that the availability of affordable, quality local products reduces the need for community members to seek supplies across borders.
A Regional Leadership Strategy
Rwanda’s hosting of the ISO Annual Meeting 2025, themed “United for Impact,” reflects its position as a regional hub for innovation and trade. The country has developed and adopted more than 2,250 international standards to date, which support socioeconomic activities and open doors for Rwandan products in global markets. The global community recognizes this commitment to quality infrastructure as a “hidden foundation of prosperity” that helps developing nations escape the cycle of low-quality production.
The future of Rwanda’s Zamukana Ubuziranenge appears promising as it continues to integrate local businesses into the formal economy. Indeed, by prioritizing standards as a tool of industrial policy, Rwanda is demonstrating how technical excellence can drive sustainable development and poverty reduction. As more MSMEs achieve certification, the nation moves closer to its goal of achieving self-reliance and global competitiveness, proving that standards serve as a springboard for inclusive growth.
– Elena Cárdenas
Photo: Flickr
Pakistan’s HPV Vaccine Rollout: Protecting 13 Million Girls
A Phased Strategy for National Coverage
Central to the success of Pakistan’s HPV Vaccine Rollout is a strategic, phased implementation plan supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The first phase of the campaign focuses on Punjab, Sindh, the Islamabad Capital Territory and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Following this initial push, the government plans to expand the program to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026, with Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan scheduled for 2027.
By the end of this period, the program aims to reach more than 17 million girls nationwide. The campaign utilizes the Cecolin bivalent vaccine, which the WHO pre-qualifies for use in immunizing against HPV types 16 and 18. These two strains are responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases globally.
To make the program sustainable, Gavi provided 67% of the initial funding, while the Pakistani government committed to a 33% co-financing share. This financial arrangement ensures that the vaccine remains free of charge for all eligible girls. This, thereby, removes the economic barriers that often hinder access to health care for impoverished families.
Overcoming Stigma Through Community Leadership
Since the HPV vaccine is administered to adolescent girls, health officials anticipated challenges regarding social stigma and vaccine hesitancy. To address these concerns, Pakistan’s HPV Vaccine Rollout adopted a “whole-of-society” approach. The government collaborated with local civil society organizations and influential Islamic scholars to build community trust.
These religious leaders played a vital role by publicly endorsing the vaccine, emphasizing that protecting life and preventing disease are core values that align with religious teachings. This communication strategy also utilized the powerful slogan “Sayhat Mand beti Sayhat Mand Gharna,” which translates to “Healthy daughter, healthy family.” By framing the vaccine as an investment in the prosperity of the entire household, the campaign successfully shifted public perception.
Data from the first phase of the rollout indicate a significant decline in vaccine refusals. At the start of the campaign, approximately 300,000 families expressed hesitation. However, through targeted counseling and outreach, this number dropped to 90,000, allowing the campaign to achieve more than 72% coverage in its early stages.
Mobile Outreach for Marginalized Groups
A critical component of the rollout is its ability to reach marginalized and underserved populations, including the 50% of eligible girls who are currently out of school. To ensure no girl is left behind, the government deployed a multi-pronged delivery system. While schools and fixed health facilities serve as primary vaccination sites, mobile teams and special outreach units travel to remote villages and high-risk urban areas to administer vaccinations.
This approach brings the vaccine directly to those who face the greatest geographic and social barriers to care. To support this massive logistical effort, the WHO trained more than 49,000 health workers in vaccine administration, cold chain management and community engagement. These workers are also part of a new digitization project that integrates training manuals into a unified digital learning system.
This technological advancement enables frontline vaccinators to access updated information and report data in real-time, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of Pakistan’s immunization infrastructure.
Building a Sustainable Future for Women’s Health
The long-term success of Pakistan’s HPV Vaccine Rollout will depend on its transition from a campaign-style initiative to a routine part of the national health system. Starting in the second year, the government intends to integrate HPV vaccination into routine immunization schedules for all 9-year-old girls. This integration will ensure that every new cohort of adolescent girls receives protection as a standard part of their primary health care.
By prioritizing evidence-based solutions and fostering international partnerships, Pakistan is moving closer to the World Health Assembly’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. The progress made in 2025 demonstrates that even in complex social environments, determined political leadership and community-focused strategies can overcome obstacles to save thousands of lives. This rollout stands as a powerful example of how targeted health interventions can break the cycle of illness and poverty, securing a brighter and healthier future for the next generation of Pakistani women.
– Elena Cárdenas
Photo: Flickr
Tackling Elderly Poverty in the UK Among Ethnic Minority Groups
A report from Ageing Better’s State of Ageing, published in 2023, shows that a vast number of people from Bangladeshi (26%) and Pakistani (28%) backgrounds are living in impoverished conditions, twice as many as white British people. This indicates social and racial inequalities in the country.
Another report shows that there is currently 18% of elderly poverty in the U.K., and 30% of black ethnic minorities are at a high risk of poverty in their later life. Further statistics reveal that the lower income rates and lack of private pension facilities lead older ethnic minority groups to impoverished lives in the United Kingdom. For instance, while 61% of white older households receive occupational pensions, the percentage of black older households in the same case is 44%, who receive only £47 a week compared to the £169 that white households receive.
A report from the Charity Independent Age finds that 82% of people believe the British government should provide greater support and attention to address poverty among older people in Britain. The Charity Independent Age urges the U.K. Government to urgently implement policies to eradicate the financial hardship of older people.
Government Initiatives to Tackle Elderly Poverty in the UK
The British Government is concerned about the poverty rate in the country, especially financial hardship among elderly people. It has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting pensioners and ensuring the dignity and security they deserve. The Labour Government helped more than one million elderly people escape poverty. It also initiated the Pension Credit, which aimed to assist low-income households.
The Government also committed to increasing the State Pension by £31 billion, which plays a key role in supporting elderly people. It also showed an intention to spend approximately £174.9 billion on benefits for pensioners in the U.K. in 2025-2026, which equaled 5.8% of GDP.
The U.K. Government is also considering the future of pension systems. Therefore, it initiated Automatic Enrolment to facilitate eligible employees in saving for their workplace pension. However, there is an uncertainty about a part of future generations due to their lower income rate due to the unequal job system.
In July 2025, the British Government revives the landmark Pensions Commission to benefit millions of people with a more secure retirement. It also tried to bring all the right groups and pension industries together to allow the Commission to crack the pension crisis.
Alongside the British Government, multiple organizations such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), Friends of the Elderly and Centre for Ageing Better worked to reduce elderly poverty in the U.K.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) conducted thorough research and developed a long-term strategy to address poverty issues in Britain. This strategy highlights a five-point plan, such as:
This research also suggests that national and local governments should take crucial initiatives to tackle elderly poverty in Britain. Through public policy, local and national governments in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can create some opportunities that will strengthen community and family relations, enabling them to do the best for themselves.
This organization also runs fundraising campaigns to eradicate poverty in the U.K. regardless of race, ethnicity, age and gender. Its campaign maintains a strong voice, grounding a wide range of views and voices from multiple political and economic backgrounds.
Friends of the Elderly
Friends of the Elderly has been working for poverty reduction for elderly people in the U.K. since 1905. It supports the elderly in the U.K. with daycare and care home services. The day care services help older people who stay in their homes with daytime household activities. The care homes also give residential and nursing care.
This organization also provides grant services to older, impoverished people who struggle to make ends meet. The grants aim to cover essential living costs, such as purchasing necessary home items, gas and electricity expenses, paying unexpected bills, food and clothing to ensure their lives of dignity and comfort.
Centre for Ageing Better
The Centre for Ageing Better works to make homes, workplaces and communities inclusive with older people. The organization also aims for an Age-friendly Movement to highlight ageing as a positive and realistic way in society.
It aims to contribute to the improvement of three particular sectors, such as good health, financial security and fair respect. It focuses on Age-friendly movement, age-friendly homes and age-friendly employment. To achieve these three goals, this organization participates in different activities:
Looking Ahead
Elderly poverty has become a great concern in the U.K., especially among ethnic minority groups. The British Government has taken multiple initiatives to address the issue while providing good homes, health and livelihoods for pensioners. Apart from this, multiple organizations work to support impoverished people through financial assistance, home care services and advocacy for government policies. These activities fruitfully contributed to reducing elderly poverty in the U.K., which will hopefully bring the elderly poverty rate to 0% in the near future.
– Rakib Hasan
Photo: Unsplash
HIV/AIDS in Tunisia
Recent studies show that HIV/AIDS in Tunisia is shifting with new infections and AIDS-related deaths rising in recent years. In 2024, researchers estimated that 9,750 people were living with HIV in the country with more than 1,000 new cases recorded. Although national prevalence remains low, the epidemic is concentrated among key populations who face higher risks and significant barriers to care.
The Current Situation in Tunisia
Tunisia’s HIV epidemic remains relatively small, but recent data shows a worrying upward trend. In 2024, an estimated 9,750 people were living with HIV, and more than 1,030 new infections were reported. AIDS-related deaths also reached around 485 people, highlighting gaps in early detection and consistent treatment.
The epidemic is concentrated among key populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who inject drugs—groups that face high stigma and limited legal protection. According to UNDP, only about 20% of people living with HIV in Tunisia know their status and receive treatment, meaning many individuals remain undiagnosed and at risk of developing severe illness. Although overall national prevalence is still low at 0.1%, according to the World Bank, the increase in new infections shows that Tunisia needs stronger prevention, testing and community-based support systems.
Barriers and Challenges
Despite progress in health care, Tunisia still faces several challenges that make it difficult to control the HIV epidemic. One of the biggest issues is stigma and discrimination, especially toward key populations such as men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who inject drugs. UNDP reports that gaps in anti-discrimination laws leave these groups unprotected, making many afraid to seek testing or treatment.
Another major challenge is low testing and awareness. Only around 20% of people living with HIV know their status, which means thousands remain undiagnosed. Without early detection, individuals cannot begin treatment, increasing the risk of AIDS-related complications.
Poverty and Barriers To Accessing HIV Care
For many people living in poverty in Tunisia, getting consistent HIV care is still a major challenge, especially when transportation costs, lack of insurance and financial barriers limit access to clinics.
Treatment services are unevenly distributed across the country — most specialized HIV centers are located in Greater Tunis, Sousse, Monastir and Sfax — leaving the entire western region without coverage, which forces low-income patients to travel long distances they often cannot afford. Limited access contributes to poor treatment adherence, and Tunisia continues to fall behind global HIV goals, with only 32% of people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy despite years of international commitments.
NGOs in Tunisia report increasing drug resistance and worsening health outcomes among patients who struggle to stay in care, underscoring the need for better support for vulnerable and poor communities.
Promising Efforts and Progress
Even with these challenges, Tunisia is taking important steps to strengthen its response to HIV. UNAIDS highlights the country’s leadership role in the region, noting its commitment to rights-based health policies and stronger engagement with young people.
Tunisian youth organizations have partnered with UNAIDS to push for better education, more inclusive services and meaningful participation in decision-making. UNDP is also supporting national efforts to update Tunisia’s HIV Strategic Plan, focusing on human rights, gender equality and better protection for key populations. This includes reviewing laws that limit access to services and working with local groups to improve outreach.
Broader health reforms are helping too. According to WHO and UNICEF, Tunisia is expanding community-based health programs and investing in stronger primary care. These reforms improve access to prevention, testing and counseling, especially for people in underserved areas. Together, these initiatives show that Tunisia is not only aware of the challenges, but actively working toward a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable HIV response.
Conclusion
HIV/AIDS in Tunisia continues to present real challenges, but ongoing reforms and community-led efforts show that progress is possible. With stronger prevention programs, better legal protection and wider access to testing and treatment, Tunisia can reduce new infections and support more people living with HIV. Continued collaboration between the government, NGOs and youth organizations will be essential to building a healthier and more inclusive future.
– Aila Alsakka
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Addressing Elderly Poverty in Equatorial Guinea
Elderly Poverty in Equatorial Guinea
The elderly population individuals aged 65 or older accounts for an estimated 4.94% of the nation’s population, according to demographic data. While specific data on income levels and employment for older adults are limited, national poverty figures suggest that many senior citizens are vulnerable due to limited financial resources and low social nets.
Public spending on health, education and social protections remains low in Equatorial Guinea, at approximately 2% of GDP, which gives access to essential services for vulnerable groups, including older adults. This limited investment in public services can make it difficult for elderly citizens to secure regular income, manage health conditions or find a good amount of social support.
Access to health care remains limited for much of Equatorial Guinea’s population. According to the World Bank, the country continues to face challenges related to health system capacity and overall access to essential services. These limitations can be especially difficult for older adults, who are more likely to require ongoing medical care due to age- related health conditions.
Poverty can also limit access to adequate food and shelter. Reports on living conditions note that food insecurity and struggles to afford necessities affect many households in Equatorial Guinea. Older adults living in low income families may be particularly at risk, as they often depend on family members or community support to meet the basic needs.
Government Initiative: Social Assistance
To address the needs of vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Social affairs and Gender Equality launched an initiative in 2015 to establish social assistance centers for elderly citizens. These centers were designed to reduce social isolation by providing communal spaces where seniors do not lack in areas of social activities, basic health support and community services.
While these centers aim to improve the wellbeing of elderly adults, publicly available data on the number of individuals served and specific outcomes remain limited. Most centers are concentrated in urban areas, which may leave rural older adults without access to similar services.
In addition, inadequate social protection systems can place extra strain on families who care for elderly relatives while also trying to meet their own economic needs. Strengthening support for older citizens can help improve quality of life and reduce the long term effects of poverty in later life.
Conclusion
Elderly poverty in Equatorial Guinea reflects broader social and economic inequalities within the country. Despite oil wealth, limited investment in public services and social protection has left many older citizens vulnerable. Programs such as social assistance centers for elderly people, partnerships with international health agencies and efforts to improve food security represent steps toward improving conditions for vulnerable populations. However, sustained and expanded support is essential to ensuring that older adults can live with dignity, secure basic needs and participate fully in society.
– Nishanth Pothapragada
Photo: Pixabay
Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Russia
Innovations in poverty eradication in Russia have become a key policy focus as the government seeks more efficient ways to reach low-income households. Digital systems, targeted social benefits and partnerships with nonprofits and social enterprises now play a central role in improving access to assistance and stabilizing incomes for vulnerable populations.
Digital Systems Expand Access to Social Support
One major example of an innovation in poverty eradication in Russia is the expansion of digital public services. In 2020, the Russian government centralized access to social benefits through the Gosuslugi platform, allowing citizens to apply online for child payments, unemployment support and housing assistance. The system significantly reduced paperwork and eliminated the need for repeated in-person visits.
According to a World Bank feature examining Russia’s social protection reforms, digital delivery of benefits helped increase enrollment among families who previously struggled to access aid due to distance, cost or administrative barriers.
Financial Inclusion Reaches Rural Communities
Russia has also expanded financial inclusion through biometric identification technology. The Unified Biometric System allows banks to verify identities remotely so individuals in rural or remote areas can open accounts and receive government payments without traveling. The International Telecommunication Union documents the system’s development and purpose in its official project profile.
The Central Bank of Russia formally announced expanded use of biometric identification for financial services, highlighting its role in improving access to banking and state payments. By allowing more people to safely receive income and benefits, financial inclusion reduces long-term poverty risks and strengthens household stability.
Targeted Child Benefits Support Low-Income Families
Families with children are among the groups most affected by poverty in Russia. To address this, the government introduced income-tested monthly child benefits in 2021 for families with children ages 8 to 17. These payments are designed to reach households below a defined income threshold, ensuring assistance is targeted to those most in need.
World Bank analysis shows that targeted cash transfers helped stabilize household consumption during economic downturns, particularly during the COVID-19 period. These payments allowed families to maintain food budgets and cover essential costs despite rising prices, demonstrating how data-driven targeting can strengthen household resilience.
Social Entrepreneurship Creates Employment Opportunities
Another innovation in poverty eradication in Russia is the expansion of social entrepreneurship. In 2019, Russia passed legislation formally recognizing social enterprises and offering tax incentives and grant support. The BEARR Trust provided a detailed overview of the law and its scope.
One example is Delai Dobro, a social enterprise that trains people with disabilities in digital and remote-work skills. The organization then connects participants with online employment opportunities. Program details and participation data are available through the Dobro platform. By creating accessible employment pathways, social enterprises help marginalized groups earn steady income and reduce dependence on long-term assistance.
Nonprofits Strengthen Community-Level Support
Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in supporting low-income families, particularly in areas where government services are limited. The Help Needed Foundation operates nationwide, funding smaller charities and providing food assistance, counseling and emergency aid. Its 2022 impact report shows that its programs reached more than 500,000 people.
The foundation also trains social workers to help families access benefits, manage debt and navigate social services. Improved outreach ensures that vulnerable households receive timely and effective support.
Looking Ahead
Innovations in poverty eradication in Russia depend on practical tools that reach vulnerable households efficiently. Digital platforms improve access to benefits, targeted child payments help families meet essential needs and social enterprises create new income opportunities for marginalized groups. Combined with nonprofit partnerships and regional development programs, these efforts strengthen economic stability and reduce poverty across the country.
– Aiden Moriarty
Photo: Unsplash
The Limitations of the Health Care System in North Korea
Initially, North Korea’s health care system operated effectively. However, it began to break down in the mid-to-late ’90s due to the Arduous March. The collapse of the Soviet Union, natural disasters and economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and U.N. severely affected North Korea’s socioeconomic progress and public health. It led to widespread malnutrition and high mortality rates from communicable diseases.
The health care system deteriorated steadily and was unable to provide even basic services, largely because it relied entirely on government support under the socialist model.
The State of the Health Care System in North Korea
North Korea ranks lowest in East Asia and 193rd out of 195 countries worldwide. It also ranks 187th out of 195 for health care access, indicating that reasonable health care is difficult to obtain. In North Korea, the leading causes of death are stroke and ischemic heart disease.
In 2021, noncommunicable diseases accounted for the highest number of deaths. North Korea’s leader closed the country’s borders after COVID-19 emerged. Although the government officially claimed there were no recorded infections, media outlets citing sources inside the country reported COVID-19–like symptoms among soldiers.
North Korean authorities also tightly censor and control all media. While the number of articles mentioning the UFHCS remained stable between 2015 and 2018, ranging from 53 to 63 per year, the figure dropped sharply after 2019. By 2024, Rodong Sinmun no longer mentioned the UFHCS at all. Notably, the word “Inmin” (meaning “people”) also disappeared from articles.
Although hospitals in North Korea historically preserved this term, its removal signals that citizens’ inherent right to health care is no longer explicitly recognized in official discourse.
The Realities Behind North Korea’s Health Care System
According to an Amnesty International publication, despite the government’s claim of a free health care system, citizens were required to pay for medical services during the ’90s. In many cases, patients paid with cigarettes, alcohol or food even for the most basic consultations. As a result, many people avoided visiting doctors and instead went directly to markets to buy medicine.
It became especially common for North Koreans to self-medicate with addictive narcotic painkillers for minor illnesses such as the common cold. After the collapse of North Korea’s rationing system, informal markets known as jangmadang emerged as the core of the unofficial economy. However, following Kim Jong-un’s rise to power in 2012 and the outbreak of COVID-19, authorities closed borders and began shutting down these markets.
As border controls tightened and medicine shortages worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korean authorities expanded domestic production of so-called Koryo medicine, a form of traditional medicine. However, this approach proved harmful due to serious side effects. According to Daily NK, out of 163 reported medical incidents in health facilities, 130 involved drug abuse or misuse and 93 were linked specifically to side effects from Koryo medicine.
Many North Koreans were already aware of these risks. However, they continued to rely on such treatments because of severe medicine shortages. While the government attempted to address supply gaps, it created additional problems by failing to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Koryo medicine systematically.
Aids From Nonprofits
During COVID-19, most international aid workers left North Korea after the government closed its borders and tightened import controls. This led to severe shortages of medicines and vaccines. In 2023, following a vote by the WHO’s Executive Board in favor of North Korea, U.N. agencies and NGOs sent more than four million vaccine doses to Pyongyang.
These included vaccines for hepatitis B, measles and tetanus. The primary targets were children and pregnant women who had missed life-saving vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccination drive was the result of an extended collaboration among UNICEF, Gavi and the WHO.
Roland Kupka, the then-UNICEF Acting Representative in the DPRK, stated that the return of vital vaccines marked a significant step toward protecting children’s health and survival in the country. In addition, UNICEF provided new freezers and temperature taggers to ensure vaccines could be stored safely, even in the most remote areas. Kupka also noted that, to sustain progress in restoring pre-pandemic vaccination levels and ensure every child receives vital, life-saving vaccines, DPRK authorities should allow the return of UNICEF and U.N. international staff to the country.
Final Remarks
The limitations of North Korea’s health care system are increasingly evident. Although authorities continue to claim that health care is free, shortages of food and medicine worsened after COVID-19. To cope, people relied on unofficial street markets, but these were also shut down due to government policy.
While international attention and cooperative engagement have increased, they must be matched by meaningful domestic policy efforts.
– Yunjaelee
Photo: Flickr
Elderly Poverty in Tunisia Is Pushing Reform
An Aging Population With Limited Incomes
Tunisia is one of Africa’s oldest societies, with people aged 60 and above accounting for approximately one-tenth of the population. This share is expected to grow rapidly over the next two decades. While the country has made notable progress in reducing overall poverty, the national poverty rate still stood at 16.6% in 2021.
A regional profile on aging notes that 40% of Tunisian men aged 60 to 64 are still working, compared to just 5% of women of the same age. This gap suggests that many women enter old age without their own income and remain reliant on welfare support or their spouses. As life expectancy rises and family structures change, these disparities place older people at greater risk of poverty when work ends or family support weakens.
Pensions Protecting Formal Workers
Tunisia’s pension system is comprehensive by regional standards. Contributory schemes operate through two main funds: the National Pension and Social Insurance Fund (CNRPS) for public sector workers and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) for private sector workers. Together, these funds help older people and those with disabilities retire without falling into extreme poverty. By 2018, 75% of Tunisia’s population had contributed to some form of pension scheme, a high rate for a developing country.
Minimum pensions are linked to the legal minimum wage. For example, one rule sets the minimum benefit at approximately two-thirds of the minimum monthly salary for the entire career. This link is important for redistributing resources and reducing elderly poverty among formal workers in Tunisia.
However, many people are still excluded from the system. Those without contracted work or in seasonal jobs—especially in rural and agricultural areas—often fail to accumulate enough contributions to qualify for a decent pension. Older women, who tend to have lower lifetime labor force participation, are particularly likely to be excluded or receive only very small pensions.
Cash Transfers for the Most Impoverished Seniors
To support people who can not rely on government pension schemes, Tunisia operates the National Program for Assistance to Needy Families (PNAFN). The program, established in 1986, targets households that are unable to work due to old age, disability or chronic illness. Since its inception, the value of the PNAFN transfer has increased at a rate faster than the minimum wage.
Beneficiary households receive around $61 to $69 per month, equivalent to about 45% of the minimum wage, along with quarterly top-ups for families with children in school. The program is also linked to free medical cards under the Assistance Médicale Gratuite (AMG) scheme, giving needy older adults access to public health services at little or no cost. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the PNAFN and AMG databases enabled the government to rapidly deliver emergency cash transfers to hundreds of thousands of impoverished households, many of which included older people.
These measures helped mitigate poverty and showed how social assistance can protect seniors during crises.
Health and Community Services for Older Tunisians
Income is only one form of elderly poverty in Tunisia; access to affordable health and care services is just as important. Tunisia’s social system provides health coverage through a mix of social programs and tax-funded insurance. These include the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) and the AMG scheme, which assist low-income households.
Government reports highlight efforts to bring services closer to older people. This includes expanding mobile teams that provide health and social care at home, as well as establishing day centers where seniors can receive support and participate in community activities. These services are essential for older adults who live alone, have limited mobility or are unable to afford private care.
Gaps That Need Closing
Despite these programs, significant gaps remain. Before the pandemic, about 17% of Tunisians still lacked any form of medical coverage, leaving many older adults exposed to costly treatments and check-ups. Studies of the pension system note that benefit levels are often insufficient to cover basic needs and many non-contracted and rural workers are not covered.
The lack of inflation adjustments in many of these schemes also means that pension purchasing power declines over time. However, charities and civil organizations have called for broader social protection that guarantees a basic income in old age, regardless of employment history. Proposals include expanding social coverage, improving targeting to reach isolated older adults and exploring the introduction of a universal social pension to supplement contributory benefits.
Toward a Dignified Old Age in Tunisia
Elderly poverty in Tunisia is shaped by both the strengths and limitations of its social protection system. Strong pension contributions and an innovative cash transfer program have already prevented many older citizens from falling into extreme poverty. However, coverage gaps, low benefit levels and rising health costs mean that too many seniors still rely on insecure family support or must continue working into old age.
If Tunisia succeeds in strengthening pension coverage, expanding social care and ensuring that older people have access to affordable health and community care, the country can change the narrative of population ageing. Rather than being a story of vulnerability, it can become one of dignity and inclusion for its growing elderly population.
– Jibreel Meddah
Photo: Flickr
EdTech and Poverty Eradication in Myanmar
In the shadow of Myanmar’s military junta, where conflict and censorship have shattered formal education for millions, a resilient wave of EdTech innovations and counter-revolutionary learning systems is rising to bridge the digital divide and empower the next generation, proving that poverty eradication in Myanmar hinges on harnessing emerging technologies such as mobile apps, offline platforms and community-led digital initiatives to deliver access to knowledge and skills amid chaos.
Myanmar faces persistent poverty exacerbated by civil conflict, economic instability and natural disasters, with nearly half the population living near the subsistence level. Despite these challenges, opportunities exist to reduce poverty through investment in education and the adoption of educational technologies (EdTech). This article examines Myanmar’s poverty landscape, the obstacles confronting its education system and the prospects for poverty eradication through EdTech-driven reforms.
Myanmar’s Poverty Context
Between 2005 and 2017, Myanmar reduced poverty rates from 48% to 25%, largely due to manufacturing growth. However, the 2021 military coup reversed these gains, causing significant declines in household consumption and in job quality. Conscription, insecurity and recurring disasters have further weakened the labor demand. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that the middle class has shrunk by more than 50%, with 76% of people living close to subsistence level. Consequently, poverty rates doubled to nearly 50% between 2017 and 2023.
Barriers to Educational Access
Myanmar’s education system is fragmented and strained following the 2021 coup. The Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (2018-2030) underscores education as central to human capacity development, aiming for greater access and quality. However, ongoing conflict and instability have led to widespread school closures, teacher shortages and attacks on educational facilities. As of 2024, approximately 5 million school-aged children remain out of school, and parallel education systems have emerged in areas outside the junta’s control, run by the National Unity Government (NUG) and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (ERO). These federalized multilingual initiatives reach approximately 1 million children but face chronic funding and resource limitations.
The junta’s centralization efforts and amendments to the National Education Law have restricted the use of ethnic languages, deepening ethnic divisions. Violent incidents against schools have increased, with more than 174 documented attacks in 2024. Officially reported at more than 6 million for 2024–25, widespread dropouts linked to safety, inflation and corruption have occurred. International support is essential to promote teacher development and rebuild educational capacity, but ongoing conflict and centralized control continue to constrain progress.
The Emergence and Challenges of EdTech
EdTech startups in Myanmar offer innovative approaches to counter such educational disruptions. Companies such as 360ed leverage AR/VR platforms for interactive learning, targeting more than 4 million primary students, which is 38.5% of the school-age population. Offline EdTech products help bridge digital divides, and platforms such as MyanLearn, MMTutors, Laelar and MYEO provide tutoring, online courses and workforce preparation. For instance, the MYEO has trained 21,000 students in digital and soft skills, addressing an 8% youth unemployment rate.
Despite these advances, the adoption of EdTech faces significant barriers. Internet and computer access remain limited, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas, with 46% of university students resistant to online learning. Access to continuous electricity is another challenge. Affordability and weak funding further limit EdTech’s reach; only one startup, eSchool, secured a major investment of $700,000 in 2019. Systemic issues, including rote learning traditions, teacher-centric pedagogy and insufficient government support, also impede broad EdTech integration.
EdTech and Poverty Eradication: Pathways and Prospects
The World Bank positions EdTech as essential for expanding educational access and combating intergenerational poverty in the country. Its 2020 report highlights the importance of networking teachers, fostering data-driven ecosystems and leveraging technology to promote human connection in education. The World Bank’s Digital Pathways framework identifies five pillars of digital readiness – leadership, technology infrastructure, education delivery, workforce capacity and EdTech market models – as crucial for effective interventions in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Myanmar.
Digital learning tools, including radio, TV, SMS and virtual tutoring, can mitigate teacher shortages and reach marginalized communities. Such interventions are foundational for bridging educational disparities and promoting upward social mobility among Myanmar’s rural and ethnic minority populations. Personalized digital learning, especially in foundational literacy and numeracy, is linked to improved lifetime earnings and, therefore, can help with poverty eradication in Myanmar.
The World Bank’s Inclusive Access and Quality Education Project (IAQE) exemplifies targeted investment with a $100 million grant to improve education among marginalized groups and conflict-affected communities. Serving 3 million students and 60,000 teachers across 15,000 schools, the IAQE demonstrates how technology and inclusive interventions can break poverty cycles and address food security challenges.
Investments in EdTech
Burmese food insecurity presents dual challenges: an unstable economic infrastructure and a fractured populace facing inadequate education, fragile agriculture, unstable energy provision and limited economic opportunities. Improving education is vital for poverty eradication in Myanmar as quality education drives human-capital development and economic growth. Myanmar’s poverty rate of 50% post-coup is worsened by the education crisis, perpetuating intergenerational poverty through dropouts and skill shortages. The military junta’s “Burmanization” policies have devastated education, with 245 school attacks in 2022-23 and 31.5% of facilities damaged. EdTech has emerged as a solution, fostering decentralized learning that supports poverty eradication. Through offline mobile apps and AR/VR platforms, startups like 360ed (targeting 4.2 million primary students) and MYEO (training 21,000 youth) bypass censorship and Internet blackouts, bridging the digital divide in rural areas.
This EdTech approach contrasts with the junta’s monolingual model, aligning with the National Unity Government (NUG) and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations’ (EROs) parallel systems, which educate up to 1 million children through multilingual approaches. The World Bank’s Digital Pathways report (2024) shows that EdTech improves literacy and numeracy for low-income students, enhancing employability amid a 50% poverty rate surge post-2021 coup.
The Inclusive Access and Quality Education Project allocated $100 million to integrate ICT for marginalized groups, serving 3 million students and 60,000 teachers. Reimagining Human Connections shows that sustained EdTech investment through partnerships can rebuild human capital and drive equitable growth for poverty eradication in Myanmar.
– Christopher Michael Pellant
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty Amid Currency Discrepancies and Inflation in Egypt
Egypt is starting to recover from what was, in 2023, a widening gap between its official currency exchange rates and black-market rates. With a record high inflation rate of 38% documented in September 2023, Egypt’s economy remains caught between the two exchange rates. To facilitate an understanding of the timeline, these figures reflect the peak of the crisis in 2023, followed by developments in 2024 and 2025 as reforms continued to unfold. Although the peak of inflation in Egypt has passed, recorded as 13.6% in March 2025, food prices continue to surge and remain an area of difficulty for the population. Meanwhile, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) continues to withhold poverty data, feeding fears that although there is an apparent phase of stabilization, worsening hardship and poverty may be masked.
Currency Dynamics and Discrepancies
Egypt has long held the problem of what can be known as a dual-rate system. While the Central Bank of Egypt sets an official currency rate against the U.S. dollar, the black-market rate continues to fluctuate based on supply and demand. As Egypt is heavily dependent on imports, many businesses and individuals need access to dollars to purchase goods and services. However, when the dollar supply becomes insufficient through official channels, many have to turn to the black market, where the exchange rate is significantly higher.
This reveals a widening gap between those who have access to foreign currency and those forced to rely on depreciating and unstable Egyptian pounds. Although this gap has narrowed in 2025, businesses still struggle to access dollars, driving up both import and consumer prices. These developments reflect gradual adjustments since 2023 instead of focusing solely on a single moment of change.
Inflation in Egypt and Purchasing Power
Although a recent decline in inflation in Egypt has been observed, pressure remains. In January, inflation in Egypt increased by 1.6% after having been stable in December. Despite this, the cost of health care services continues to rise by 4.6% monthly, with sustenance costs increasing by 2.1%. This continues to drive poverty and decrease the purchasing power of individuals, as the prices of goods erode real wages.
Egypt’s reliance on Russia for wheat, and the impacts of the war in Ukraine, have doubled bread costs. The government has tried to reduce these increases through subsidies and price restrictions, and many protests have occurred over the years regarding the price of bread. Even with slower inflation and subsidies, purchasing power remains weakened, with many still below the poverty line, although this is beginning to decrease.
There are also concerns regarding how CAPMAS defines poverty. The latest report classifies extreme poverty as 550 pounds per month per person, and poverty as 857 pounds per month. These definitions are not in line with global poverty standards. Therefore, what appears to be a decrease in poverty may partly reflect shifts in definitions.
Disproportionate Impacts on Business and Living Standards
Various groups of people are being affected in different ways by the economic crisis. One example is young people giving up on education and resorting to any available work to sustain themselves and their families. This includes redefining what a decent life means, as many are no longer able to uphold previous standards. This has also led to a decrease in confidence regarding the future, with concerns about stability. Many Egyptians have moved back in with family, delayed marriage or given up on private further education.
Businesses are also struggling, as many rely on higher unofficial exchange rates to operate. This leaves them with higher running costs and makes it difficult to stay afloat. With fluctuating inflation, instability and record import prices, many businesses operate at a loss or at reduced capacity. As individuals lose purchasing power, they are less able to afford goods and services that once fit within their budgets.
Policy Response and Recommendations
In recent years, Egypt has been heavily reliant on loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its Gulf allies. In 2024, the IMF approved a $3 billion loan for Egypt with the condition of “a permanent shift to a flexible exchange rate regime.” With effective implementation, Egypt may be able to improve economic stability and build resilience. This would require measures that boost investor confidence, increase transparency and reduce incentives for black-market activity. Investor confidence could be strengthened through clearer public communication of monetary policy, more frequent publication of economic data and improvements in financial governance that make procedures easier for businesses and households to navigate.
To do this, Egypt needs to strengthen its foreign currency reserves by increasing and diversifying foreign investment and exports. Foreign currency reserves could also receive support through the encouragement of investment in infrastructure that improves transport and shipping efficiency, which would lower import costs and encourage export competitiveness. A focus on greater flexibility of the official exchange rate would go a long way toward this stable future, in which market forces play a more influential role, keeping in mind that adjustments need to be gradual to inhibit shocks and destabilization. Gradual adjustments paired with targeted fiscal measures would support small and medium-sized businesses during periods of volatility, which would also support employment and production.
Looking Ahead
In clarifying the progression from 2023 through 2025 and devising practical steps for reform we can see how stabilization may eventually translate into improvements, namely the alleviation of poverty, felt across society. While current data indicate a decline in poverty and unemployment, many Egyptians have not yet felt improvements in daily life. The country could benefit from intentional efforts toward a more stable and transparent economic landscape for a future where the positive impacts reach every household.
– Maryam Qutbuddin
Photo: Unsplash