COVID-19 has economically impacted countries worldwide, particularly low-to-middle-income nations. One such nation is Nigeria. The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria has been especially disastrous. Nigeria is the most populous and has the largest economy in Africa. Because of this, the downturn in Nigeria’s economy, as a result of COVID-19, affected a significant number of people and worsened the poverty level in Nigeria.
Nigeria Before COVID-19
Although its economy was steadily improving before COVID-19, Nigeria already had high levels of poverty and inequality. In 2018, about half the population (87 million people) lived on less than $1.90 a day. Most of the nation’s poor live in rural areas and have markedly less access to clean water than those in urban environments.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian economy showed consistent growth, with the per capita GDP doubling from $1,400 per person to $2,800 per person between 2000 and 2012. However, Nigeria’s high poverty rate did not reflect this economic growth because the growth fell behind population growth.
The status of women in Nigeria was also less than ideal in 2018. Nigeria has an extremely high maternal mortality rate: 512 women per 100,000 die in pregnancy or the year following from causes related to the pregnancy. By comparison, the maternal mortality rate in the United States in 2018 was 17.4 per 100,000.
What Makes Nigeria So Vulnerable?
Oil makes up about 90% of Nigeria’s exports and 50% of its government revenue. This lack of diversity makes Nigeria especially vulnerable. The drop in oil prices during the pandemic damaged Nigeria’s economy and harmed government revenue at a time when it was especially needed to fight COVID-19. The World Bank predicts that this could result in Nigeria’s worst recession in four decades. The Nigerian economy’s dependence on oil exports accounts for much of its loss during COVID-19, as does foreign investors’ aversion to what they perceive as risky investments in the Nigerian economy. Inequality and lack of employment opportunities also made Nigeria vulnerable to COVID-19’s negative influence on its economy. Its already susceptible position aggravated the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria.
As recently as 2016, Nigeria had a recession. After 25 years of growth, Nigeria’s economy contracted due to lower oil prices. Prior to the 2016 recession, Nigeria’s economy was growing very quickly at 6.3%. Since then, it has fallen to around 2.2%. However, until 2020, economic growth remained positive. Nigeria was less prepared for COVID-19 than it was for the 2016 recession; the pre-COVID economy was less healthy than the pre-recession economy. Interest rates and the deficit were higher and the excess crude account was not sufficient to cover the needs of the people or allay the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria.
How Did Nigeria Respond to COVID-19?
Although Nigeria has a large and growing population, it can only test around 1,500 people a day for COVID-19. The healthcare system cannot meet the needs of the people, with only 20 frontline healthcare workers per 100,000 people. Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, some still consider Nigeria’s testing capacity “inefficient and insufficient.”
On March 30, 2020, President Mahummadu Buhari declared a lockdown for Lagos and Ogun states. The government eased this lockdown in early May 2020 due to the economic toll it was taking on the country. In an attempt to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria, Buhari launched several fiscal and stimulus measures. These included money transfers for the poorest and vulnerable, employment programs and a credit facility for healthcare providers and manufacturers.
Money Transfers and Loans
The money transfer program focused primarily on the urban poor, giving 10 billion nairas directly to two billion households as a means to lift them from poverty and improve the local economy. Nigeria’s employment program focuses primarily on unemployment and getting Nigerians into any jobs available. This largely overlooked the underemployment plaguing young, educated Nigerians.
The credit facility extends loans at a limit of 20% of the company’s three-year average turnover with interest rates of 5% to 9% annually, with the intention of stimulating and supporting local production of medical supplies, reducing healthcare tourism by Nigerians and building healthcare infrastructure. The credit covers the production of drugs, medical equipment and technology. The Central Bank of Nigeria determines the expansion and establishment of healthcare service facilities, supplying healthcare services and necessities and other activities.
Unfortunately, Nigeria, like other African nations, went on to face a second wave of COVID-19 and has just introduced more protocols to prevent a third wave. This includes massive travel restrictions, increased testing and quarantine and isolation protocols.
NGOs Working in Nigeria During COVID-19
The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a global partnership uniting organizations dedicated to researching food insecurity, has been actively involved in aiding Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, in cooperation with the Nigerian government, it has begun distributing seeds to farmers across Nigeria. CGIAR conducted surveys to ascertain the effect of COVID-19 on supply chains, compiling the data in an interactive database. CGIAR scientists also created a crowdsourcing tool to collect real-time Nigerian local price data, revealing threats to food security.
The Good News
Nigeria implemented lockdowns relatively early compared to other African nations and targeted its lockdowns, completely exempting some essential services, such as farming, power and water supply systems and manufacturing. This lessened the impact on food systems and may have lessened the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria.
Post-pandemic, Nigeria may take the opportunity to diversify its economy, discourage inequality and improve its healthcare systems. Having learned from COVID-19 about the vulnerability of oil, costs of inequality and poorly prepared healthcare systems, they may become better and stronger as a country.
– Hilary Brown
Photo: Flickr
China’s Economic Status in 2021
China is part of Southeast Asia and the third-largest country in the world. In 2020, China’s economic status declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses shut down and a halt on exports resulted in a loss of $2.1 trillion. However, as of 2021, the country is gradually recovering from the impact of COVID-19.
Why China is Growing so Fast
The Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC) had initially estimated a 6% growth for China in 2021. However, in 2021 so far, China has jumped to an astonishing 9% GDP growth. This increase is due to COVID-19 vaccine distribution throughout the country, which has encouraged China’s president and government to reopen businesses. China’s leaders are also working to provide more goods and services, control carbon emissions and advertise the positives of reform. Retail sales have increased 34% due to the country lifting its restrictions.
Climate and Pollution Control
China took inspiration from California on how to reduce carbon emissions. California had a six-year plan to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Ever since the U.S. withdrew from the Paris climate accord, China has taken the lead in guiding itself and the rest of the world in reducing climate change. In 2018, China’s Five Year Plan brought attention to the carbon market. Essentially, reducing carbon also reduces pollution and health conditions.
In China alone, pollution kills 1.6 million a year. Yet as of February 1, 2021, China’s carbon market policy officially emerged in an effort to reduce carbon in the country. Moving away from industrialization and providing a more significant focus on energy consumption could potentially provide future generations with a higher expectancy. Although it will take time to reduce carbon dioxide emissions due to China’s many coal-dependent companies, the country is already setting plans in motion to replace coal with solar power and windmills. The country hopes to achieve these goals by 2030.
Technology
Competition between the U.S. and China involving developing technologies has existed for decades. In highlighting potential on educational and technological advances, China has a chance of becoming one of the world’s most advanced countries. China has chosen to focus on basic research to lead to a higher percentage of research and development. Between 2021 and 2025, China hopes to create laboratories that focus on various categories such as biomedicine and energy efficiency.
Looking Ahead
By implementing these plans, China is on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as vaccines make way for much-needed economic improvement. Moreover, funding for education, technology and businesses will keep China out of dept as it continues to rise as a world power. As trade opens back up, China will guide other countries in keeping their economies relatively successful, hopefully leading to a reduction in health issues and global poverty.
– Selena Soto
Photo: Flickr
Fighting Gender Inequality in Taiwan With Digital Media
Gender Inequality in Taiwan
Historically, women in Taiwan were taught that they must obey their fathers, husbands and sons and depend on men. This traditional view incited women to form organizations that promoted gender equality. After World War II, the “Civil Code of the Republic of China” was applied to Taiwan. This code gave women the right to work, participate in politics and vote. Unfortunately, the gender pay gap remains an issue. In 2016, female workers in Taiwan made 14.6% less than their male co-workers.
The country has made progress, however. Today, Taiwan’s government has taken pride in increasing gender equality with a female head of state, President Tsai Ing-wen. Additionally, in the 2016 election, women made up 38% of the lawmakers voted into government positions. Voting in a significant percentage of female lawmakers opens opportunities for the Taiwanese government to fight against gender-based violence and discrimination. Some other ways to decrease gender inequality in Taiwan include supporting working mothers, establishing equal worker rights and offering fair access to education, business training and loans.
How Media Empowers Women
“Digital Media: Empowerment and Equality” is a study on how digital platforms empower female users and reduce gender inequality in Taiwan. The research discovered that digital technology gives women the power to spread awareness, as well as market and network. While the platforms offer opportunities, women would benefit even more if they have access to education to help them be successful on social media. For example, the Taiwan Women Up program has helped middle-aged and older women learn information and communication technology to support their organizations and empower themselves.
Furthermore, social media has the power to increase female empowerment through political involvement. Hashtag activism gives women the ability to make a public issue a global issue and pressure lawmakers. Social media also offers a platform for gendered violence stories and holds communities in multiple countries accountable for gender equality. Unfortunately, women sometimes have barriers to using this powerful tool, including limited access to technology, language barriers and censorship.
Need For Digital Education
Accenture found that digital fluency helps countries grow closer to equality in the workplace. The Digital Fluency Model reveals that countries with better digital fluency rates among women have higher rates of gender equality in the workplace. Women with better digital fluency also have more employment opportunities and flexibility. They can work from home and use technology to access more job opportunities.
Achieving gender equality is a challenge around the world, but Taiwan’s efforts to close the gap between men and women push the country in the right direction while adapting to the digital world.
– Nyelah Mitchell
Photo: Flickr
US to Distribute 25 Million Surplus Vaccines Abroad
The Fight Toward Ending Vaccine Inequity
A large majority (about 75%) of the initial 25 million vaccines distributed abroad will be administered through the international vaccine initiative referred to as COVAX. The initiative’s priority is addressing vaccine equity by helping lower-income countries secure vaccines despite limited monetary capacity. Remarkably, as of early June 2021, only 31 million Africans “have received at least one dose” on a continent that measures a population of about 1.3 billion people. Resources have proven extremely scarce, with countries like Ghana and Rwanda already running through their first shipments of vaccines delivered through COVAX.
A mere 1,386 Kenyans out of a 50 million person population have received two doses of a vaccine — a glaring testament to the vaccine inequity found throughout the global south. Apart from a lack of material resources, many countries have seen vaccine hesitancy negatively impact their vaccination rates. Concerns over blood clots and doubts surrounding inoculation capacity have greatly diminished the efficiency of vaccine distribution in countries like Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Distributing 25 million vaccines abroad will partially cushion already weak healthcare systems with limited beds, ventilators and oxygen.
The Road Ahead
Though U.S. efforts to donate vaccines abroad are significantly helpful, to properly address vaccine inequity, larger-scale efforts are necessary. Researchers from Duke University estimate 11 billion doses will be required to vaccinate 70% of the world’s population. However, this is just the beginning of the long and calculated global response to COVID-19. Jeffrey Zients, the COVID-19 response coordinator for the Biden administration, has said to “expect a regular cadence of shipments around the world across the next several weeks.”
The U.S. will hopefully continue to embrace its responsibility as a world leader and facilitate even greater donations of vaccines abroad. In the end, quelling the pandemic will require “working with allies and partners to expand the production of vaccines and raw materials, including here at home,” said Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser. As the world takes on the next chapter in the fight against COVID-19, the leaders of the world must stand together to form a strong, collaborative response.
– Conor Green
Photo: Flickr
The Benefits of Cryptocurrency in Nigeria
Boosting Supplemental Income
The 2016 recession caused a significant strain on Nigeria’s economy and the country is still struggling to recover. In the second quarter of 2020, the country reported a 27.1% growth in unemployment. Average incomes have been declining for six years straight and experts predict there will be less than a 2% rise in income during 2021. The value of the country’s national currency, the naira, fell by 24% in 2020. This economic downturn caused some Nigerians to seek supplemental income.
A 2020 survey indicates that 32% of Nigerians participate in buying and trading cryptocurrency. In 2020, Nigeria accounted for $400 million worth of cryptocurrency transactions, ranking it third globally in trading volume. Cryptocurrency in Nigeria has so far positively enriched the lives of impoverished citizens. For example, a Nigerian cryptocurrency investor, Tola Fadugbagbe, credits cryptocurrency for lifting him out of poverty. Initially struggling to survive on minimum wage odd jobs, Fadugbagbe now earns enough money from cryptocurrency trading to build his own house and purchase a farm.
Ease of Banking
Approximately 60 million Nigerians do not possess a bank account. People who do have bank accounts can only withdraw less than the equivalent of $100 due to local bank restrictions. The hurdles have led to a shift toward mobile banking and cryptocurrency investments. In 2017, reports showed that 71% of Nigerians use mobile phones for communication and internet access. Mobile platforms, including Xend Finance, allow Nigerians to transform their funds into cryptocurrencies. One cryptocurrency that has become popular is stablecoin, which has minimal transaction fees. Stablecoins provide the added benefit of protecting funds from devaluation.
Providing Educational Opportunities
Cryptocurrency in Nigeria is also bringing about educational opportunities. In September 2020, the #BuiltWithBitcoin campaign, led by the bitcoin marketplace Paxful, began construction of a new school in the Nigerian area of Sanga. Paxful is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that operates on a peer-to-peer basis. Nigerians use the platform to make nearly 1.1 million monthly blockchain transactions.
The new school expects to serve 100 to 120 children from ages 3-6. During the evenings, it will function as an adult education facility. Additionally, features of the school will include a water well and solar power. The water from the well can also be sold to the community at a low cost. Paxful will cover all costs needed to run the school such as school uniforms, educational resources and salaries.
The upsurge in cryptocurrency transactions has had a profound effect on many Nigerians seeking a way out of poverty. Nigerians are capitalizing on the educational opportunities and supplemental income cryptocurrency brings. The unexpected benefits of cryptocurrency in Nigeria bring hope to citizens living in poverty.
– Tiara Tyson
Photo: Flickr
The Impact of COVID-19 On Poverty In Nigeria
Nigeria Before COVID-19
Although its economy was steadily improving before COVID-19, Nigeria already had high levels of poverty and inequality. In 2018, about half the population (87 million people) lived on less than $1.90 a day. Most of the nation’s poor live in rural areas and have markedly less access to clean water than those in urban environments.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian economy showed consistent growth, with the per capita GDP doubling from $1,400 per person to $2,800 per person between 2000 and 2012. However, Nigeria’s high poverty rate did not reflect this economic growth because the growth fell behind population growth.
The status of women in Nigeria was also less than ideal in 2018. Nigeria has an extremely high maternal mortality rate: 512 women per 100,000 die in pregnancy or the year following from causes related to the pregnancy. By comparison, the maternal mortality rate in the United States in 2018 was 17.4 per 100,000.
What Makes Nigeria So Vulnerable?
Oil makes up about 90% of Nigeria’s exports and 50% of its government revenue. This lack of diversity makes Nigeria especially vulnerable. The drop in oil prices during the pandemic damaged Nigeria’s economy and harmed government revenue at a time when it was especially needed to fight COVID-19. The World Bank predicts that this could result in Nigeria’s worst recession in four decades. The Nigerian economy’s dependence on oil exports accounts for much of its loss during COVID-19, as does foreign investors’ aversion to what they perceive as risky investments in the Nigerian economy. Inequality and lack of employment opportunities also made Nigeria vulnerable to COVID-19’s negative influence on its economy. Its already susceptible position aggravated the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria.
As recently as 2016, Nigeria had a recession. After 25 years of growth, Nigeria’s economy contracted due to lower oil prices. Prior to the 2016 recession, Nigeria’s economy was growing very quickly at 6.3%. Since then, it has fallen to around 2.2%. However, until 2020, economic growth remained positive. Nigeria was less prepared for COVID-19 than it was for the 2016 recession; the pre-COVID economy was less healthy than the pre-recession economy. Interest rates and the deficit were higher and the excess crude account was not sufficient to cover the needs of the people or allay the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria.
How Did Nigeria Respond to COVID-19?
Although Nigeria has a large and growing population, it can only test around 1,500 people a day for COVID-19. The healthcare system cannot meet the needs of the people, with only 20 frontline healthcare workers per 100,000 people. Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, some still consider Nigeria’s testing capacity “inefficient and insufficient.”
On March 30, 2020, President Mahummadu Buhari declared a lockdown for Lagos and Ogun states. The government eased this lockdown in early May 2020 due to the economic toll it was taking on the country. In an attempt to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria, Buhari launched several fiscal and stimulus measures. These included money transfers for the poorest and vulnerable, employment programs and a credit facility for healthcare providers and manufacturers.
Money Transfers and Loans
The money transfer program focused primarily on the urban poor, giving 10 billion nairas directly to two billion households as a means to lift them from poverty and improve the local economy. Nigeria’s employment program focuses primarily on unemployment and getting Nigerians into any jobs available. This largely overlooked the underemployment plaguing young, educated Nigerians.
The credit facility extends loans at a limit of 20% of the company’s three-year average turnover with interest rates of 5% to 9% annually, with the intention of stimulating and supporting local production of medical supplies, reducing healthcare tourism by Nigerians and building healthcare infrastructure. The credit covers the production of drugs, medical equipment and technology. The Central Bank of Nigeria determines the expansion and establishment of healthcare service facilities, supplying healthcare services and necessities and other activities.
Unfortunately, Nigeria, like other African nations, went on to face a second wave of COVID-19 and has just introduced more protocols to prevent a third wave. This includes massive travel restrictions, increased testing and quarantine and isolation protocols.
NGOs Working in Nigeria During COVID-19
The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a global partnership uniting organizations dedicated to researching food insecurity, has been actively involved in aiding Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, in cooperation with the Nigerian government, it has begun distributing seeds to farmers across Nigeria. CGIAR conducted surveys to ascertain the effect of COVID-19 on supply chains, compiling the data in an interactive database. CGIAR scientists also created a crowdsourcing tool to collect real-time Nigerian local price data, revealing threats to food security.
The Good News
Nigeria implemented lockdowns relatively early compared to other African nations and targeted its lockdowns, completely exempting some essential services, such as farming, power and water supply systems and manufacturing. This lessened the impact on food systems and may have lessened the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Nigeria.
Post-pandemic, Nigeria may take the opportunity to diversify its economy, discourage inequality and improve its healthcare systems. Having learned from COVID-19 about the vulnerability of oil, costs of inequality and poorly prepared healthcare systems, they may become better and stronger as a country.
– Hilary Brown
Photo: Flickr
Malaria Vaccine Breakthrough Could Save Lives
Malaria’s Impact in Africa
The African region carries the highest percentage of the global malaria burden. The region accounted for 94% of total malaria cases and deaths in 2019. Transmission is most common in areas where the mosquito lifespan is longer and where mosquitoes prefer to bite humans rather than animals, both of which are features of the specific malaria-spreading mosquitos present in Africa. Another reason for widespread malaria in Africa is the lack of resources across Africa to promptly prevent and treat malaria cases. Many people in malaria-riddled regions of Africa live in poverty with no access to basic healthcare or educational, preventative tools, leaving much of the population at risk of contracting malaria.
The Search for a Vaccine
Malaria is a leading cause of death among thousands in low-income African countries. Thus, a malaria vaccine breakthrough could be lifesaving. More than 100 malaria vaccines entered clinical trials in recent decades, but all of them failed to meet the 75% efficacy target established by the World Health Organization. Before the University of Oxford’s breakthrough malaria vaccine, the most effective vaccine had only shown 55% efficacy, which is well below the established target. Such limited success has caused some criticism, especially following the speedy development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines. However, scientists have responded that a malaria vaccine has taken longer to come to fruition because malaria has thousands of genes. People need a much higher immune response to fight malaria than COVID-19, which has around a dozen genes.
The Promise of the New Oxford Vaccine
The breakthrough malaria vaccine was developed by the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute, and trials for the vaccine began in 2019. In its most recent clinical trial, the vaccine showed 74% to 77% efficacy in one year in West African children — a promising sign for a potential breakthrough in public health. The vaccine trial took place in Burkina Faso. Exactly 450 participants aged 5-17 months old were vaccinated. Researchers recruited the toddlers from 24 villages in the area of Nanoro, Burkina Faso.
Such successes are encouraging, and researchers are moving toward a phase three trial in 2021. Researchers will conduct vaccine trials on 4,800 children in Burkina Faso, Mali, Kenya and Tanzania. If the phase three trial is successful, researchers hope that regulators will issue emergency authorization for the malaria vaccine as was done with the COVID-19 vaccines. The Serum Institute of India has committed to manufacturing 200 million malaria vaccine doses in the coming years. The malaria vaccine has the potential to have a major public health impact if scientists achieve licensure. A successful malaria vaccine will prevent millions of deaths in endemic areas and protect the lives of the most vulnerable children.
– Lizzie Alexander
Photo: Flickr
USAID Empowering Women in Africa’s Energy Sector
Energy and utility companies can play a significant role in financial growth and social progress within lower-income countries. Through employment and expansion of electricity access, these companies provide infrastructure crucial to development, especially in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa with wide disparities in access. However, established gender inequalities have prevented women from obtaining the same opportunities as men within the energy sector. In partnership with African governments, USAID is sponsoring the Women in African Power Network, which promotes women in Africa’s energy industry and their equal opportunity to join the workforce.
Access to Power in Sub-Saharan Africa
Approximately two-thirds of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa are without reliable electricity, according to USAID’s Power Africa. Limited access to power in sub-Saharan Africa has led to gender disparities because it poses a challenge to women’s health, employment and education. Access to electricity ensures safer childbirth procedures and allows for greater numbers of women to be employed or attend school. Another challenge to limited access to electricity is that women in sub-Saharan Africa frequently experience ill-health effects due to fuel-based electricity as they generally remain in the home for longer periods of time. Thus, many governments have begun to recognize the importance of including women in the implementation and decision-making of energy expansion initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.
Gender and the Energy Sector
Studies by the International Union for Conservation of Nature occurred jointly with USAID and Power Africa in 2019, which found that women held only 6% of executive and leading roles in the energy sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Women also comprised roughly 16% to 20% of the general power sector workforce.
USAID has stressed the importance of closing this gender gap. According to an article on its strategy to increase the number of women in Africa’s energy sector, the U.S. agency described the “strong correlation between gender diversity and a company’s financial performance.” When women enter leadership positions, this beneficial economic trend is even more pronounced: companies that ranked highest in gender diversity in administrative roles had 14% higher return on investment than other corporations. Due to gendered differences in energy usage, women have valuable perspectives as decision-makers and consumers that provide crucial insight into the design and execution of new energy technologies.
In response, governments are creating more inclusive frameworks to advance the recruitment of women in Africa’s energy sector. As of 2018, almost 75% of energy-planning frameworks address gender inequality and several recognize the capability of women to lead the energy sector in innovation, efficiency and problem-solving.
USAID and the Power Africa Campaign
As part of the Power Africa campaign devoted to bringing electricity to all in sub-Saharan Africa, USAID partnered with African governments and IUCN to launch the Women in African Power Network (WiAP) in 2015. WiAP empowers women in African energy companies through professional growth opportunities, skill development workshops and networking facilitation that encourages connections between women in the industry. These connections also facilitate important mentorship opportunities for those who wish to join the workforce or rise within its ranks. Regional networks such as Women in Rwandan Energy and Women in Renewable Energy Nigeria promote more focused conversations among women within specific nations or departments.
By fostering professional advancement opportunities, WiAP aims to increase the number of women employed in the energy sector and to empower women who already work within it. With the skill development and empowerment cultivated within the network, the USAID initiative is working to close the gender gap in the energy sector and stimulate the accompanying economic benefits.
Though there are considerable gender disparities in employment in the energy sector, governments and outside organizations have begun to implement policies and plans to promote the inclusion of women in Africa’s energy sector. The Women in African Power Network, a network that emerged under USAID’s Power Africa initiative, aims to establish women’s networking groups and to develop their professional skills. WiAP operates with the knowledge that women are critical to the energy industry as female leadership has historically correlated with economic and social development.
– Sarah Stolar
Photo: Flickr
Brazilian Soccer Players Fight Against COVID-19
Brazil as an Epicenter of COVID-19
As of May 30, 2021, Brazil reported more than 16 million COVID-19 cases and more than 462,000 deaths. Brazil has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in Latin America. Brazil reported a surge of deaths in April 2021 with a peak of more than 4,000 daily deaths. Despite these high numbers, President Bolsonaro has made several statements underestimating the severity of the pandemic, stating that it is merely a case of minor flu. Furthermore, he refused to impose lockdowns or curfews to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Bolsonaro also disregarded opportunities to secure millions of vaccines for Brazil. Bolsonaro’s loose measures for containing the virus have been universally condemned.
Brazil Urges the World for Help
After the devastating impacts of COVID-19, Brazilian state governors begged the United Nations for urgent help. The call for help asks for assistance through “vaccines, hospital supplies and even manpower.” Before Brazil became the epicenter of the virus, the Trump administration helped Brazil with $20 million in pandemic assistance. The U.S. provided $75 million in aid for the private sector and 1,000 ventilators.
President Trump even sent along millions of hydroxychloroquine pills. According to a spokesperson for the European Union, the EU provided $28 million worth of grants to Brazil since the beginning of COVID-19. Germany also shipped ventilators to the country. Additionally, the World Health Organization shipped COVID-19 vaccines to Brazil to ensure vaccine equity.
Brazilian Soccer Players Fighting COVID-19
After seeing their country’s desperate situation, Brazilian soccer players are coming together to support the fight against COVID-19. In April 2020, footballers such as Neymar and Alisson as well coaches and the country’s football federation (CBF) came together to donate approximately $1 million to vulnerable families struggling economically during the pandemic.
In a statement on the CBF website, Neymar says, “In difficult times like these, lots of families need help, our help.” A group of 57 soccer players and staff members as well as former FC Barcelona player, Dani Alves, collectively donated $463,787. The donation went to three organizations supporting the most impoverished and crowded cities in Brazil, enough to provide two months’ worth of hygiene products and nutrition to 32,000 households.
The Brazilian football manager, commonly known as “Tite,” urged fans and other athletes to support the effort. Prior individual fundraising efforts from Zico and Paulo Roberto Falcao successfully accumulated millions in donations.
Securing Vaccines
In April 2021, Club Athletico Paranaense joined others in helping Brazil fight COVID-19. The Athletico club expressed its willingness to “buy COVID-19 vaccines and make them available to fans with paid-up memberships, as well as players and officials, free of charge.”
This idea comes after the Brazilian congress allowed private sectors to purchase the vaccine. Although the club did not mention how many members it holds, estimates predict numbers of 20,000-30,000 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the Athletico club also called on other soccer clubs to help Brazil in its battle against COVID-19.
Bolsonaro’s failure to adequately protect the country’s citizens from the impacts of the virus means Brazil now takes the title for the Latin American country with the highest number of pandemic-induced deaths. In order to assist a country in desperation, Brazilian soccer players are coming together to support the fight against COVID-19 in Brazil, standing in solidarity with the Brazilian people.
– Zineb Williams
Photo: Unsplash
Nari Bikash Sangh: Aiding Women in Nepal
The Status of Women in Nepal
While women’s rights in Nepal have improved over the years, women still face many obstacles in their daily lives. Social values dictate a woman’s every move and women’s needs are often subservient to men’s needs. As a result, most social indicators for women lag behind those of men. The most striking example is Nepal’s literacy rate. As of 2011, the literacy rate for women was 44.5% compared to 71.6% for men, showing the vast disparity between the two genders. This disparity in literacy rates displays the challenges that Nepali women face in achieving upward social mobility as illiteracy inhibits one’s ability to acquire an education and eventually obtain gainful employment.
The patriarchal values that dominate Nepal can explain the disparities in social indicators between men and women in the country. These values mean a woman’s actions and wishes are often subject to the whims of the men in her life. For example, women are often discouraged from pursuing higher education or traveling abroad because of the idea that a woman’s role is to be a homemaker and caregiver.
Nari Bikash Sangh
Several initiatives have been developed with the aim of promoting women’s rights in Nepal. Nari Bikash Sangh (NBS) was founded in 1980 as an NGO whose goal is to help rural, disadvantaged women in Nepal become empowered and aware of their civil rights. With 89 paid staff and more than 2,200 volunteers, NBS reaches more than 100,000 women in Nepal.
Partnering with World Literacy of Canada, NBS started the Women Empowerment Project in 1999. The objective of the program is to encourage the social and economic empowerment of women from certain disadvantaged communities who have been unable to access formal education and employment opportunities. The project raises awareness about violence against women and also provides information on tools and services for victims of violence. Furthermore, this project includes a program to teach marginalized women vocational skills and how to generate income.
NBS also runs developmental programs seeking to promote self-sufficiency among impoverished, rural communities. The Participatory Integrated Poverty Alleviation Program involves developing rural infrastructure as well as improving agricultural standards. The program also consists of initiatives to mobilize disadvantaged people to create self-sufficiency through skills development and income generation programs.
The Road to Gender Equality
Nepal’s deeply entrenched patriarchal values have necessitated a response from ordinary Nepali citizens to ensure gender equality. Nari Bikash Sangh is an example of an organization that seeks to do just that. By raising awareness of women’s rights and initiating self-sufficiency programs, NBS is aiding women in Nepal in a crucial way.
– Nikhil Khanal
Photo: Flickr
Menstrual Health in Namibia: Eliminating Tampon Tax
The Cycle of Period Poverty
Menstrual health is vital to one’s overall health. Globally, one in five girls misses school due to limited access to menstrual products. This means girls are missing up to one week of school every month. Consequently, students may find it difficult to keep up with their classmates and succeed in school. As getting an education is one of the most effective ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty, this puts girls at an even greater disadvantage and maintains the cycle of poverty.
This phenomenon is commonly referred to as period poverty. Period poverty is an unfortunate reality in Namibia and across the world. The goal of eliminating tampon tax and increasing the availability of menstrual products is to ensure no one misses opportunities simply because they are menstruating. Moreover, no one deserves to have to choose between buying sanitary products or buying food. Furthermore, no one should have to miss work or school simply because they cannot afford menstrual products. Making these products more easily available will reduce poverty and improve menstrual health in Namibia and around the world.
Women resort to alternatives such as rags, paper towels or old pads when they do not have access to menstrual products. The use of these items puts girls at risk of infections. The inaccessibility of sanitary products has also been linked with poor mental health and overall distress. These effects are easily preventable when menstrual products become accessible.
Menstrual Stigma
Many people do not consider menstrual health when trying to improve overall health. In many parts of the world, menstruation is considered unclean and shameful. This prevents many women from participating in society while menstruating. Access to menstrual products, like any other products that improve sanitation and health, is a human right. Regulations removing menstrual tax make these products more affordable and accessible. The removal of tampon tax will not take away the stigma surrounding menstruation, however, it will help protect people from disease, improve mental health and ease the completion of daily tasks while menstruating.
Namibia’s deputy minister in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, states, “Period poverty is one of the undignifying processes women and young ladies have to experience. Your period is such a natural process and not something they can opt out of. There are not enough social and economic circumstances to create safety for young women.” Since menstruation is a natural experience for nearly half of the population, equitable access to sanitary products should not be negotiable.
Addressing Period Poverty Globally
Namibia is not the first country to eliminate tampon tax, countries such as Kenya, India, Australia and South Africa have also done so. Other countries, such as Germany, have decreased the amount of tax. However, in most of the world, including most U.S. states, these essential items are still taxed, which makes menstrual products unavailable to many. The state of menstrual health in Namibia is sure to improve now that tampon tax is done away with. The rest of the world should look to Namibia as an example and make similar changes. Every girl and woman deserves to menstruate with dignity and Namibia is one step closer to making this a reality.
– Harriet Sinclair
Photo: Flickr