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Efforts Against Human Trafficking in Seychelles

Human Trafficking in Seychelles
Despite being heavily isolated off the African coast, Seychelles is susceptible to human trafficking concerns. Documented cases of sex trafficking as well as trafficking for labor reflect this. The federal government has made several steps to combat human trafficking in Seychelles, most of which the U.S. Department of State documented.

The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act

The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act, adopted April 25, 2014, provides for the “prohibition, prevention and combating of trafficking in persons.” This law effectively criminalizes both sex trafficking and trafficking for labor within Seychelles.

For offenses involving adult victims, the punishment is set at a maximum of 14 years imprisonment with a fine of up to $35,457. For offenses involving children, there is a maximum punishment of 25 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $56,731. Conflicting statutes within the penal code created unclear regulations for the age of consent. The understood age of consent is 15 years, but the legal age for majority is 18 years.

The National Action Plan

In 2014, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) worked with the government to develop a National Action Plan against trafficking. This process involved developing a national referral mechanism for victims and establishing standard operating procedures for human trafficking cases. However, the Seychelles government did not implement the plan at the end of the 2021 reporting period.

Reports indicated that there were three cases of human trafficking in Seychelles within the 2021 reporting period. Two cases were labor and sex trafficking respectively while one was an instance of both. Eleven suspected traffickers were arrested in the 2021 reporting period. Twelve prosecutions of human traffickers also remain ongoing.

The government maintained two hotlines with the police, immigration and social services respectively to report various crimes including trafficking. The employment department also established a hotline for concerns about forced labor.

Additionally, the government collaborated with the Transnational Organised Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Program (UNODC) to aid in the fight against human trafficking. This workshop occurred on July 6, 2021, and aimed to improve upon efforts to investigate and prosecute human traffickers.

Johan Kruger, the head of UNODC was present at this workshop. While speaking of the scope of human trafficking concerns, Kruger stated that “the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants requires a multi-jurisdictional and transnational approach.”

Protection for Victims and Witnesses

In recent years, the government has improved its protection efforts for victims of human trafficking. In the year 2021, there were 14 reported victims of human trafficking in Seychelles (both labor and sex trafficking). These victims were all foreigners from India, Nepal and Kenya. Seychelles also reported that up to 80 men and women were either trafficked sexually or sexually abused.

In 2017, the government and an unspecified international organization drafted new regulations for the 2014 anti-trafficking law. These regulations aimed to provide new protections for trafficking victims in Seychelles. At the end of the 2021 reporting period, this legislation has still not had an introduction to the National Assembly.

The Child Law Reform Committee also introduced legislation that reportedly increases protections for victims of sex trafficking and increases the responsibility of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute child sex crimes.

Additionally, in 2019, the government began drafting an immigration bill that would require work permit cards for all citizens and foreign workers. The intention is for these cards to include anti-trafficking information as well as contact information for assistance. This bill was awaiting approval from the National Assembly at the end of the 2021 reporting period.

Victim Assistance and Raising Awareness

 There are several instances of victim assistance that are underway in Seychelles, in addition to efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking. These include:

  • The National Coordinating Committee on Trafficking in Persons (NCCTIP) met six times during the 2021 reporting period. This committee emerged to coordinate anti-trafficking efforts across the government and influence national policy decisions. The Committee received $84,075 to aid with victim assistance and other prevention efforts.
  • Nine victims of human trafficking in Seychelles received support for basic needs as well as shelter. The government also provided shelter to foreign nationals waiting to testify in a human trafficking trial.
  • The 2014 anti-trafficking law provided victims the option to testify via closed-circuit television to alleviate safety concerns. The law also allows for courtroom accommodations for the mental comfort of human trafficking victims.
  • The Ministry of Employment also inspected 573 work sites for possible indications of trafficking. However, it did not find labor victims or indications of trafficking at these sites.
  • One limiting factor for the Ministry of Employment was its lack of jurisdiction within the Seychelles International Trade Zone (SITZ). This ultimately hurt its ability to protect migrants and report trafficking concerns.
  • The government enhanced efforts to inform the public of the dangers of human trafficking in Seychelles. The government distributed about 1,500 pamphlets and leaflets on labor trafficking to airports, seaports, government agencies and employers of migrant workers. These pamphlets were available in both English and French to accommodate the varying demographics.

 Overall and despite much room for improvement, Seychelles has made progress in terms of dealing with human trafficking concerns. This progress should continue in order to serve victims of human trafficking as well as punish those responsible for it.

– Max Cole
Photo: Flickr

Fragility and Rule of Law in France and Macron’s Next Term

Fragility and Rule of Law in France
The recent reelection of President Emmanuel Macron saw Macron win 58.5% of the votes defeating runner-up Marine Le Pen. In his coming term as president, Emmanuel Macron must “pursue policies that make human rights a reality for all” according to the Human Rights Watch France Director Benedicte Jeannerod. This means that Macron must take the next necessary steps to progress human rights policies and provide greater protection to the rule of law in France.

Rule of Law in the European Union

The rule of law ensures that all rights and laws of society receive thorough protection and respect within a government. As a member of the European Union, it is necessary for France to protect and respect the laws and rights of the state through active promotion. Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) illustrates that “the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.” There are three ways that France will progress human rights through the rule of law both abroad and domestically in order to contribute to poverty eradication.

The Promotion of Equality Between Men and Women

Macron has pledged the promotion of equality between men and women as a part of this coming campaign’s wish list which will directly impact the poverty rates of France. According to The Break Poverty Foundation, single-parent families represent a large portion of the French family population and that population maintains “35% [that are] poor” as of 2016. The organization’s website states that “When the head of the family is an inactive woman (which is the case for 49% of these families), poverty rates escalate to 71%.” In order to alleviate these high rates of poverty that exist as a part of inequality, Macron has begun the repositioning of salary inequality in order to mitigate compensation discrimination.

Salary equality in France is also in a dire position. According to The French Brief article from April 2021, “men earn 28.5% more than women.” Macron has committed to bridging this inequality as one of his major campaign promises.

Macron’s Presidential Promises

A pro-business leader, Macron spent his first campaign for the presidency with promises to overhaul the French welfare system and aid in cutting public spending. Macron’s second term as president should see these promises intensified, which would directly work towards benefitting the impoverished.

Macron could achieve his desire to raise the pension age as well as cut taxes for households and businesses through a gradual increase in the pension age from 62 to 65, which is similar to Germany and the United Kingdom. Macron also aims to overhaul unemployment benefits in order to incentivize people to reenter the workforce. This should help Macron achieve his previous term promise of cutting spending in order to keep the budget within the EU deficit target spending.

Macron’s policy changes bring the possibility of further strengthening the French economy by keeping people employed longer allowing citizens to accumulate more social security benefits and pension credits. According to the Urban Institute, “By working until age 67 instead of retiring at age 62, for example, a typical worker could gain about $10,000 in annual income at age 75, significantly reducing the likelihood of falling into poverty at older ages.”

Poverty Rates in France

Macron’s recent campaign has put a large sense of importance placed upon education and training for his second term where he has announced the education of 1 million people in the ‘professions of the future.’

In France, “the unemployed appear to be the most at risk of poverty” according to Break Poverty. Break Poverty also found that the population that is employed has “18% of workers and employees” living in poverty.

Part of Macron’s proposal will see 400,000 people trained in engineering over the course of his next term of the presidency as well as 20,000 people recruited for the purpose of bridging a digital divide that currently exists that would lend support to those that are in need of mastering digital instruments.

Looking Ahead Regarding the Rule of Law in France and Poverty

The rule of law in any country exists in order to preserve and promote accountability of law and order. Macron has shown a commitment to the rule of law in France by promoting gender equality, preserving France’s economic health and creating an educated/trained workforce that will move France’s impoverished towards better financial security.

– Rachel Steen
Photo: Flickr

The Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Haiti 

HIV/AIDS in Haiti
Haiti is not only one of the poorest countries in the world, but it is the most HIV-sickened nation outside of Africa. Having 2.2% of adults with the HIV virus makes Haiti the Caribbean nation with the highest rate of HIV, about twice that of the second-highest, the Dominican Republic 1.1%. Some are making progress in addressing this issue. However, it needs more work in order to significantly hamper HIV/AIDS in Haiti.

The Epidemic

In 2018, there were 160,000 cases of HIV in Haiti. Only two-thirds of those knew that they have the disease. In 2018, 2,700 Haitians died from AIDS-related health problems. The height of the epidemic occurred in the 1990s when more than 3% of the population of Haiti had contracted the HIV virus.

Effect on the United States

The disease arrived in Haiti in 1966. After the subsequent AIDS epidemic that occurred 15 years later in the 1980s, the United States has committed itself to addressing the AIDS problem, especially internationally. With regard to Haiti’s proximity to the United States, it is clear why it would be in the United States’ best interest to provide HIV and AIDS relief aid to prevent the further spread of the disease, not only for the betterment of Haiti but also from a national security standpoint to prevent the spread of the disease throughout the United States.

Progress in Fighting HIV/AIDS in Haiti

Since the peak of the epidemic in the 1990s, the percentage of the population of Haiti with HIV or AIDS is down from nearly 3.2% to 1.9% of the population, according to UNAIDS. One can attribute much of the success to the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which has aimed to increase access to HIV health services across Haiti.

Despite some success, issues like poverty and discrimination have made it difficult for individuals to stay on their HIV health programs and continue getting treatment from health services. Due to this, the U.S. and U.N. have encouraged a greater degree of community-led monitoring dedicated to implementing more effective strategies for providing HIV health services, according to UNAIDS. Community-led monitoring will give accurate assessments of the services being provided at the patient level.

Haiti’s Civil Society Forum Observatory is spearheading this system of community-led monitoring with the idea of holding HIV health services accountable for improved access and quality of these services.

Knowledge is Power

In order to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS in Haiti, the public must become more aware of what this disease entails. The most significant issues surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Haiti are discrimination and poverty.

The Haitian Red Cross Society, with help from U.S. foreign aid, is advocating to increase education on HIV transmission and prevention. The hope of this education and awareness initiative is to end the stigmatization and discrimination against those with the disease.

The Haitian Red Cross Society has been working towards providing better education to Haitians regarding HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention since 2004. Since then the rate of HIV and AIDS decreased across the country.

The Future of HIV/AIDS in Haiti

The U.S. has made incredible efforts in providing Haiti with health services to combat HIV and AIDS. However, with 2,700 HIV-related deaths in 2018, combatting the epidemic needs more work. Education initiatives and U.S. aid services help reduce the rate of HIV and AIDS, which in turn can help reduce poverty in Haiti. With the help of U.S. health service aid and education, the future of Haiti looks to be a brighter one with less HIV and AIDS.

– Declan Harkness
Photo: Flickr

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UK’s Foreign Aid to the WFP

U.K.'s Foreign Aid
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been facing significant challenges in helping Afghans struggling with poverty and food insecurity. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said that “nearly 20 million people are facing food insecurity” in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the IPC said that 6.6 million of them are struggling with “acute hunger.” The key factors exacerbating food insecurity in Afghanistan are sharp economic decline, drought and high prices for food. However, the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP alleviates that burden which allows the organization to help the Afghans.

The Importance of Foreign Aid

The financial assistance from the U.K. and even other countries, allowed the WFP to provide nutritional support and emergency food to 17 million Afghans, according to the WFP’s website. This highlights the importance of foreign aid spending in saving the lives of those living in poverty or below the poverty line.

There was a feeling of hopelessness amongst international affairs observers regarding Afghanistan after the Taliban came back to power and the economy deteriorated sharply. Nevertheless, the financial assistance the WFP has received from countries willing to help gives people hope that Afghanistan can be rebuilt one Afghan at a time. The proof is in the accounts of the Afghans the WFP is helping.

The Success Story of Alia and Her Husband

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the pandemic has caused many Afghans, especially women, to lose their jobs and livelihoods. Alia used to own a beauty parlor in Afghanistan and her husband worked as a mechanic and both provided for their “four sons and three daughters,” the WFP reported.

However, after the economy collapsed and the Taliban took over, Alia lost her job because the Taliban would not allow women to work and her husband stopped working “because of health problems.” Nevertheless, the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP gave Alia, her husband and her children income and food. Furthermore, their children were also able to go to school afterward. However, they are not the only Afghans who received foreign aid that stabilized their lives.

The Story of Asefullah and His Family

Asefullah is a 13-year-old kid living in the Khost Province of Afghanistan with his “family of seven.” The family is living in poverty and their only source of income is the oldest sibling who “makes enough to buy bread and nothing else,” according to the WFP. However, after the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP, Asefullah and his family “no longer face many problems” because the food they have received kept them “alive for the past nine months.”

The story of Alia, Asefullah and their families shows the necessity of preserving or even increasing, foreign aid to developing and war-torn countries. Foreign aid not only reduces poverty but also saves families struggling to make a living.

How Much the UK and Other Countries Spend on Foreign Aid

The foreign aid budget is the most important tool in the international effort to tackle poverty. As of May 16, 2022, the U.K. is spending “about £11.5 billion” every year on foreign aid and international development. Forty percent of the aid budget goes to international organizations such as the U.N. and the World Bank. Liz Truss, the U.K.’s Foreign Secretary, stated on May 16 2022 that the aim of the U.K.’s foreign aid budget is “improving economic security worldwide and increasing jobs and growth at home,” according to BBC.

Furthermore, on May 16, 2022, the U.K.’s foreign office pledged to spend £3 billion on humanitarian aid “over the next three years,” considering it “a priority,” BBC reported. In fact, the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP in 2021 was £376.260.054 making it the fourth-largest donor in 2021. In other words, the lives of people struggling with poverty and food insecurity depend on the foreign aid budget of countries, specifically powerful ones such as the U.S. and the U.K.

Looking Ahead

Unfortunately, many countries had to reduce their foreign aid spending due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it was reasonable to conclude that countries would not be able to tackle poverty and food insecurity in developing countries. Nevertheless, U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP managed to stabilize the lives of families in Afghanistan. Therefore, this proves that the recent trend of reducing the foreign aid budget has not impacted the determination of powerful countries to help the vulnerable in developing countries globally.

– Abdullah Dowaihy
Photo: Flickr

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Higher Education in China

Higher Education in China
On May 27, 2021, an intense debate on the distribution of educational resources and inequality in the accessibility of higher education in China took over China’s social media platforms. A young woman who graduated from the Affiliated High School of Peking University, one of the most advanced and highly ranked high schools in China’s political center, Beijing, posted a video that sparked this debate.

A Viral Video Highlights Inequality

The video showcases the daily routine of the female student studying in the Affiliated High School of Peking University, including creative and engaging syllabuses and various afterschool activities. The video highlighted “the unequal distribution of educational resources in China,” and combined with the fact that the students from this high school usually obtain access to good quality higher education after graduating, had triggered many negative responses and social discontent from people living in other regions of China.

The fact that Beijing students can get placements at universities much more easily than the majority of other Chinese people is unacceptable to many. The higher education priority enjoyed by first-tier Chinese cities reveals the deeper societal inequalities that China, at large, grapples with.

3 Facts About Higher Education in China

  1. Most Chinese universities allocate their undergraduate places by region and usually assign a significantly higher quota to their own region and do not take into account different provincial population densities. In 2016, Peking University, located in Beijing, gave 22 places to Beijing students in the digital information department, but only two places to Tianjin students and three places to Henan students for the same course. It is worth noting that Henan province has a population of about 99.4 million in comparison to Beijing, which has about 21.5 million, and Tianjin, which has about 15.6 million.
  2. There is a considerable quantity and quality difference in higher education in China between different cities and provinces. Qinghai, a remote province in China, had only 12 colleges and universities in 2021. In contrast, Beijing had 92 in the same year. Since the mid-1990s, China has developed “the “211” project and the more recent “985” project for transforming universities. The “985” project aimed to establish “world-class universities in the 21st century.” The “211” project aimed to strengthen higher education institutions in the 21st century. However, 12 out of 29 of the “985” universities and 36 out of 116 of the “211” universities are located in Beijing and Shanghai, the two most developed cities in China.
  3. In China, students in different regions write different papers in the National College Entrance Examinations and the difficulty of those papers is not the same. In fact, Beijing’s entrance exam is one of the easiest and Jiangsu Province has the most difficult exam.

All the facts above represent visible inequalities in access to higher education in China. Students in first-tier cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing, certainly enjoy easier access and better quality of higher education than students in other regions. Additionally, high school students from these areas receive the highest quality of secondary education as well.

High school life in China varies tremendously. When most high school students in Beijing could enjoy extra-curricular activities alongside their hard work, a six-episode documentary released in 2015 called “Gao Kao (The College Entrance Exam)” revealed the tough academic work and tension and fatigue of students living in relatively remote areas. These less privileged students may spend all their free time studying but still may not get access to the same higher education institutions as students in big cities.

Solutions to Higher Education Inequalities

Due to the widespread realization of inequality in accessing higher education in China, the Chinese government has proposed multiple solutions.

China has launched a special program for colleges and universities to provide opportunities for intelligent students in rural areas to access top universities more easily. The policies included an independent registration path for those outstanding rural students and lower grade requirements, aiming to help large numbers of students living in remote areas attain access to quality higher education.

According to China’s Ministry of Education (MOE), “Full implementation of reforms in higher education examinations and enrollment systems have led to greater equity in China’s college admission processes with more reasonable procedures which prioritize student merits more than ever.” In 2017, 30 provinces in China implemented preferential policies for students from rural migrant families to write the National College Entrance Examinations in the areas they reside in, leading to a 25% increase in the application rate in comparison to 2016. The MOE says that, due to “targeted national, local and higher education institution (HEI) programs, a total of 100,000 rural and underprivileged students were admitted to HEIs” in 2017, up 9.3% from 2016.

Although inequalities in the Chinese education system are deeply rooted, increased equity policies and the continued commitment of the Chinese government can improve access to quality higher education in China for all, especially students in smaller cities outside of Beijing and Shanghai.

– Ella Li
Photo: Flickr

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Ending Human Trafficking in Slovakia

Human Trafficking in Slovakia
In its Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) 2021, the U.S. Department of State ranks Slovakia as a Tier 2 country in terms of human trafficking eradication efforts. This ranking means Slovakia does not completely meet the minimum requirements for combating trafficking set within the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) but is taking significant steps to comply. From 2013 to 2018, Slovakia had fully met the minimum standards of the TVPA, but dropped to Tier 2 status in 2019, a status that Slovakia carried through to 2021. The TIP highlights progress toward ending human trafficking in Slovakia.

Updates on Human Trafficking in Slovakia

The Slovakian government discovered 61 victims in 2020: 34 women and 27 men. Children accounted for about 15 of the victims and all but one of the victims were Slovak nationals. The government identified the vast majority of Slovak victims, 65%, in foreign countries, as traffickers transported many abroad.

Citing “investigating more trafficking cases and increasing the percentage of traffickers that received significant prison terms,” the report asserts that the Slovakian government has made significant efforts to curb human trafficking in Slovakia. That being said, Slovakia “did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.”

Courts convicted fewer traffickers in 2020 than in 2019 — nine in comparison to 11 in 2019. Considering that, 66% of those convicted in 2020 received significant prison sentences as compared to 45% in 2019. The United States Department of State reported that there is a lack of protection for victims and a dearth of proper training for border officials on how to properly identify and assist potential trafficking victims.

As a result of its findings, the 2021 TIP report presents a list of suggestions to accelerate Slovakia’s efforts against trafficking. Among them are the recommendations that judges and prosecutors receive training on victim-centered approaches. Slovakia must also “[sensitize] judges to the severity of trafficking crimes and the full range of penalties available.” Additionally, Slovakia must amend “public awareness campaigns to portray human trafficking in a more realistic manner” and update laws to ensure that victims of trafficking do not face punishment, among several other recommendations.

Other Improvements

The Ministry of the Interior coordinates national efforts against human trafficking in Slovakia. The U.S. Department of State found that the Ministry of the Interior’s Crime Prevention Department successfully coordinated policy, created anti-trafficking programs, organized training for pertinent officials and coordinated awareness campaigns.

The Slovakian government launched “extensive trafficking prevention and public awareness campaigns” in 2020. It transitioned from in-person campaigns to virtual campaigns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Trafficking in Persons report cites these campaigns as significant improvements on the part of the government.

Education by IOM

In addition to the efforts of the Slovakian government, independent efforts also aim to assist in curbing human trafficking in Slovakia. The IOM Slovakia took a more direct approach to resolving the educational gap regarding human trafficking in Slovakia. Specifically, in September 2021, the IOM Slovakia provided training to 56 professionals in Bratislava and Piešťany on the prevention of human trafficking. Between 2003 and 2021, IOM Slovakia performed 148 specialized training sessions for 2,648 professionals in the anti-human trafficking sector. These training sessions present recent updates on human trafficking trends and provide practical knowledge as well as resources for advancing anti-human trafficking efforts.

The IOM Slovakia ran the operated the Slovakian National Helpline for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings from July 1, 2008, to December 15, 2014. In September 2018, Caritas Slovakia took over the running of the helpline. However, the IOM Slovakia still continues to run a helpline to provide information to safeguard against trafficking.

As the 2021 TIP report lays out, there is room for improvement in terms of Slovakia’s efforts to reduce human trafficking within its borders. However, the combined efforts of the Slovakian government and independent organizations like the IOM, by providing resources for those at risk and conducting ongoing training for professionals in the human trafficking prevention sector, can intercept potential cases of human trafficking and assist existing victims of trafficking.

– Eleanor Corbin
Photo: Flickr

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Gentrification in South Africa: A Remnant of Apartheid

Gentrification in South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa, is a booming city with ocean views and surrounding mountains that attract many visitors, developers and wealthy foreigners each year. As a result, gentrification in South Africa is becoming a serious issue that is increasing the barriers that low-income black and mixed-race residents face. Hotels, shops and luxury apartments are taking over predominantly mixed-race neighborhoods and threatening the livelihoods of many longtime residents as wealthier white people replace these communities. As a result, many low-income Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) residents are facing eviction. Due to the influx of these wealthy investors, real estate prices have skyrocketed, pushing low-income residents into townships or underdeveloped informal settlements.

Segregated Townships

During apartheid, the government racially segregated townships and reserved these areas for non-white residents only. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, the elite white population took ownership of “land and other assets” left to them by the apartheid government, thus retaining their power in the nation. This demonstrated the apartheid government’s resistance to a potential loss of international investors in that the Black population continued to be sequestered into townships with little resources or agency and foreign investors continued purchasing the power of the state.

As gentrification in South Africa continues, the remnants of apartheid remain with many BIPOC South Africans living in townships. The government builds these townships on the edge of cities, creating long, expensive work commutes for their low-income residents who do not legally own the township land, thus perpetuating a cycle of poverty. As U.S. News states of advocates in the field, “Gentrification, they argue, is draining the color from one of the so-called rainbow nation’s most prominent cities.”

The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)

Following apartheid, the implementation of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) resulted in the establishment of more than 3.6 million new homes throughout the nation, offered for free to those with an income of less than 3,500 rand (about $218) per month. Despite this progress, in reality, the RDP is strengthening the remaining apartheid systems by continuing to push poor residents into settlements at the edges of cities, thus allowing for increased gentrification in South Africa. Oftentimes, after obtaining an RDP house after a 10-15 year waiting period, RDP house recipients will illegally sell the house for about one-third of the price the government paid to construct it. In the yard of the property, individuals choose to build shacks to live in and run businesses using the money from the RDP house sales.

The Statistics

  • The barriers that exist for low-income BIPOC residents are particularly evident in the workforce and in access to resources. As The New York Times states, “During apartheid, Black education had been a consignment to permanent poverty. The Bantu educational system had been set up to churn out vast numbers of low-skilled, low-wage Black workers to feed into mining operations.” A significant barrier that Black residents face is the lack of access to capital needed to start a business.
  • In 2017, The New York Times reported an unemployment rate of about 28% in South Africa.
  • The same New York Times report states that less than 50% of the employable population in South Africa is officially employed.
  • The report continues to state that about 10% of the South African population owns 90% of the nation’s wealth, with white people accounting for a majority of this 10%, indicating deep wealth disparities among South Africa’s residents.
  • About 80% of South Africa’s populace, mostly Black, “owns nothing at all.”

Recent Progress

On March 24, 2022, the legislature passed the Township Economic Development Bill in the Gauteng province of South Africa. This bill introduces measures that will increase economic opportunities for those living in townships, lessen the class divide and promote more supplier development and active enterprise. Instead of acting as just reserves for unemployed individuals, townships will actively employ job-creating activities with the support of this bill.

Parks Tau, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, has stated that the Township Economic Development Bill is a “developmental legislative framework that addresses economic, geographical and social inequalities” by way of “bringing Gauteng townships closer to mainstream economic opportunities.”

Looking Ahead

Many people living in townships in South Africa inherited the burden of the inequalities that existed in the apartheid system. Gentrification in South Africa reinforces the remnants of apartheid by pushing out low-income BIPOC residents into townships. By introducing legislation to protect these neighborhoods, South Africa can lessen the socioeconomic divide.

– Kimberly Calugaru
Photo: Flickr

MobileAid in Togo is Reimagining Poverty Reduction

MobileAid in Togo
MobileAid in Togo, also known as the Novissi initiative, is reimaging poverty reduction. A transnational collaboration brought this technology to Togo during the pandemic, and MobileAid in Togo is making such a difference that it could be a model for other countries.

The Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic was disastrous for Togo’s economy. Even prior to the pandemic, more than half of the country’s population lived in poverty. The government of Togo wanted to provide support to its neediest citizens, but conducting door-to-door surveys to do this was not effective and not safe healthwise during the pandemic. Even targeting the poorest cantons (counties) reached only a third of the neediest.

The Transnational Solution

The government of Togo and the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) at Berkeley University as well as the non-profit organization GiveDirectly worked together to create an efficient system to prioritize aid to those living on less than $1.25 per day. Through international collaboration, the team developed a program using satellite imagery, as well as cellphone metadata to reliably detect levels of wealth to target the neediest Togolese.

CEGA calls the concept, “MobileAid,” and in Togo it is also known as Novissi. Novissi translates to “solidarity” in the indigenous Ewe language.

GiveDirectly is an NGO that organizes mutual aid programs in the United States and around the globe. Its mission statement states, “We believe people living in poverty deserve the dignity to choose for themselves how best to improve their lives – cash enables that choice.”

How MobileAid/Novissi Works

The MobleAid/Novissi program uses ariel imaging to create ‘poverty maps,’ using indicators such as roofing material, the density of houses and the quality of road infrastructure. AI algorithms utilize phone records to identify those living in extreme poverty.

Recipients are invited to self-enroll in the program to receive direct cash payments through their mobile phones. In Togo, 85% of households have access to a cellphone. The MobileAid format provides recipients with aid rapidly and seamlessly. This includes poor rural recipients in need of aid who often fall through the cracks of other state social protection programs. Women receive larger payments due to their status as caretakers.

The Results

In the first three months online, the government of Togo distributed $22 million to 600,000 people. One recipient in Togo reported using aid for food, his children’s school fees and his business which was struggling due to the pandemic. After the initial launch, GiveDirectly pledged another $10 million to the initiative spread amongst 138,000 recipients.

Cina Lawson, Togolese Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation welcomed the innovative program, saying that “We have an institute of statistics that can make a survey on the ground … but we need a quick and effective way to have a poverty map.” She appreciated that Novissi increased the scope of those reached.

Recently, CEGA and GiveDirectly received a $1.2 million grant from the Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge. Lauren Russel, CEGA director of operations said that “The grant should allow for the project to be scaled and evaluated even further, with the hope that the methods might be well-suited for adoption by other low- and middle-income countries.”

Other Challenges

Vaccine inequality is extending the personal and economic suffering of COVID-19 in the Global South. Mobile technology can provide aid to countries that the pandemic hit hard. This infrastructure is necessary for future relief, with looming economic hardship not far out of sight. Togolese registered for vaccines through mobile technology.

Many countries in the Global South are suffering from the disproportionate effects of increased environmental challenges. Togo’s economy relies on rainfed agricultural and livestock production. According to World Bank, Togo ranks 135 out of 181 countries at risk of climate abnormalities. Nearly 5 million people live in Togo’s rural areas and are severely susceptible to droughts, floods as well as other environmental disasters. Togolese farmers endure the double burden of pandemics and rapid global heating. Mobile technology could potentially support these farmers through climate emergencies.

Looking Forward

Transnational collaboration and innovation are expanding the possibilities of aid in Togo. With colleagues from Berkeley to Lomé, the MobileAid initiative is tackling poverty reduction and empowering Togolese citizens through direct action. Funding these social innovative programs is critical for expanding the impact and scope of aid distribution. Vaccine inequality and global heating will exacerbate human and economic casualties. MobileAid is a strong new tool for fighting poverty and protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations against future global disasters.

– Samson Heyer
Photo: Flickr

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Hope of Toys

Hope of ToysSmall towns do not often get credits for great deeds, but some of the best things in life come from the most unexpected places. This is the case for the Happy Factory which began in the small town of Cedar City, Utah. What started out as a hobby for the founders after retirement has grown to help children in poverty, children dealing with sickness and children living in the midst of violence. These toys have brought happiness to many when everything else seems so dark. The hope of toys could mean all the world to every child they reach.

About the Founders

Charles and Donna Cooley retired from Southern Utah University in 1995, where Donna worked as the head cashier at the university and Charles worked in the sports department. After retiring Charles took up woodwork, making animal cut-outs which were donated to Primary Children’s Medical Center after Donna painted them.

The couple saw the hope of toys for the children who received them and felt so much happiness. The Cooleys knew they had to continue their work. The hobby became a full-time project and job. The happiness that the Cooley’s toys brought to children inspired the name, “Happy Factory.” Charles Cooley died in 2011, but Donna and thousands of volunteers continue this work today.

Making Happy

From its humble beginnings, the Happy Factory has grown immensely. The motto of the founders is “We may not be able to make a toy for every child in the world that needs one-but we’re going to try.” And their efforts have made a sizable impact in the world.

All of the organization’s work that goes into creating the toys is done by volunteers and the wood that is used to make them is donated and repurposed. The toy donations have expanded from the original local hospital. Since 1995, over 1.5 million toys went to different organizations and countries all over the world. In 2017 they made donations to the ravaged communities of Iraq and Afghanistan with help from the U.S. military.

This is all help to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Humanitarian Services (LDS Humanitarian Services). The Happy Project was able to go worldwide via the LDS Humanitarian Services as they provide relief efforts in areas hit by natural disasters.

Making an Impact

The charity has also moved towards making steam shovels, which have been sent far and wide, according to its website. The conception of this came when the Happy Factory’s owners visited a hospital in Salt Lake City. The hospital needed to acquire specialty wooden items that would help children dealing with bone, muscle and joint difficulties. The physical therapist at the hospital called Charles and when asked about it he promptly asked for plans.

These toys have made a particular impact on disabled children. They have stimulated the children to do things they thought were previously impossible. In some places, this is the only form of therapy available for children. Since their introduction to Happy Factory’s production line over 2,610 of these steam shovel toys have been delivered all over the world.

This organization is giving the hope of toys and making an impact in the lives of children, but also in the hands that take the time to make the toys, as well as the people that deliver them. Every helping hand and penny makes a difference. In the words of Robert Workman, a man who helped inspire Happy Factory, “One toy makes a drop in the bucket and it’s a pretty big drop for the child that gets it.”

– Kelsey Jensen
Photo: Flickr

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 Feed Our World Provides Food to Children Globally

Food to Children
Hunger causes half of all children under the age of five to lose their lives every year, according to Penny Appeal U.S.A. Childhood hunger is an ongoing issue that millions of children experience and the issue is only worsening. Thankfully, there are organizations like Penny Appeal U.S.A. that fight childhood hunger and work to save these starving children. Its Feed Our World program provides food to children globally in more than 30 countries all over the world.

The Issue of Child Hunger

More than 3 million children die per year due to hunger and that number is only rising as factors like COVID-19 and changing weather interfere. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed in 199 countries, which left 370 million children facing the impact of hunger. Approximately 50% of deaths among children under the age of five are due to hunger as 45 million children are currently suffering from malnutrition every year. It is notable to add that extreme hunger affects more females than males as 60% of the people in the world facing extreme hunger are women and young girls. The WFP also states that the “Inequality from early marriage and young motherhood to cultural barriers and lack of education means girls are much more likely to be malnourished, causing immediate and long-term health problems.”

Millions of children are suffering because they are unable to get access to food and the issue is only worsening. Poverty is the root cause of child hunger, families can’t even meet basic needs to survive and they must decide whether they want food or a roof to sleep under. Other factors like infectious diseases, environmental conditions and raised prices all contribute to more and more families struggling to obtain food for their children. It is safe to say that child hunger is still a detrimental issue worldwide as the Feed Our World program provides food to children globally.

Penny Appeal USA’s Feed Our World Program

Penny Appeal U.S.A. is an organization that dedicates its efforts to making communities more prosperous and sustainable. The organization states that its mission is “communities working together, supporting one another, leaving need and poverty behind for good.” Feed Our World is one of the many programs that Penny U.S.A. offers that is working to provide nutritious meals to children in countries suffering from childhood hunger. A few of the 30 countries the program works in are Afghanistan, Uganda, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Syria, Yemen and Zimbabwe. In West Bank, Palestine, the program provided approximately 395,800 meals to more than 6,050 people. In 2021, more than 30,800 people received meals in 16 different countries. Along with distributing meals to various countries, essential ingredients like oils, flour, rice and dates go to communities as well.

The Feed Our World program is not the only program through this organization benefiting the world. There are numerous programs through Penny Appeal USA including Education First, Emergency Response, Heal Humanity, Income Generation and Religious Giving. The Thirst Relief program is granting safe drinking water to communities through building wells, hand pumps and water centers. Orphan Kind is a program assisting orphaned children around the world by providing shelter, health care, food and emotional and psychological support. The Feed Our World program provides food to children globally while the organization is also making a difference in a variety of areas to support people in need throughout the world.

Childhood hunger is a detrimental and long-lasting issue, but Penny Appeal U.S.A.’s Feed Our World program provides food to children globally, as well as provides other necessary resources to communities all around the globe to alleviate countries suffering from poverty.

– Dylan Olive
Photo: Flickr