Auctions, known for their high value and unique items, raise enormous amounts of money for charity. Their interesting items and celebrity involvement often attract attention, so more people are bidding and donating. Auctions are a successful way of raising money and relieving poverty, something many organizations get involved with.
Bonhams Books for Oxfam
Many auctions have been held by or for Oxfam, the most notable being the Bonhams book auction in Chelmsford in 2025. Here, donations of rare and old books were auctioned to raise more than 140,000. Several highly valued books contributed significantly: a rare Chinese bible was sold for more than $75,000, a first edition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” raised more than $21,000 and a 17th-century manuscript prayer book raised above $13,000.
These items had originally been donated to various Oxfam shops across the U.K., many initially valued at only a few hundred dollars. With such extraordinary sums of money going toward the charity, this auction has significantly helped to relieve poverty. Oxfam works to provide clean water, sanitation and shelter in disaster zones. The organization has reached more than 10 million people across the world.
It operates in places such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Sudan, with prospects to help those suffering from poverty. At any given time, the organization responds to more than 30 emergencies, meaning the humanitarian aid it provides is essential and lifesaving for those in dire situations.
Auctions for Madonna’s Raising Malawi
In 2016, Madonna presented an event titled “An Evening of Music, Art, Mischief and Performance” to raise money for her nonprofit organization, Raising Malawi. The event featured a live performance from her and other celebrities and a live art auction hosted by James Corden. The event occurred in Miami Beach and raised more than $7 million.
The items auctioned include Madonna’s iconic flapper dress designed by Jeremy Scott, a weeklong stay at Leonardo DiCaprio’s home in Palm Springs, a chair Madonna had performed with and various artworks. Celebrities also paid thousands to attend, collaborating to raise the impressive total.
This money was spent on the organization’s goal of building Malawi’s first paediatric surgery and intensive care unit. The unit was opened in 2017 and was named the Mercy James Institute of Paediatric Surgery and Intensive Care. As the country’s only paediatric surgery center, it has saved countless lives by providing free, accessible care for children. The institute also trains medical staff, strengthening Malawi’s health care system. Raising Malawi partners with organizations to ensure more than 1,000 orphans receive care.
The charity works to provide education and internships to equip children with training and tools for success and give them access to sports. This is an excellent example of how auctions relieve poverty, as we can see their direct impact on such a large scale. Madonna, one of the most well-known singers in the world, is the face of this project, which is a huge reason why the project is so successful. This shows the real impact celebrities can have when they use their influence for good.
Contemporary Art Auction for Temwa
This auction was held by a Bristol artist collective in 2021. More than 70 art pieces were auctioned, including two limited edition prints of Banksy’s work, donated by Massive Attack. These auctions raised more than $140,000 for the organizations that are relieving poverty. All funds raised went to the charities Temwa and Aid Box Community.
Temwa works to build self-reliant communities in northern Malawi through breaking poverty cycles. It aims to create sustainable and lasting change for vulnerable communities. The organization supplies the East African country with food, education and health security. Since its founding in 2003, Temwa has helped more than 13,000 people access clean water in their homes, planted more than 1.6 million trees and helped thousands of children with literacy skills.
The humanitarian organization Aid Box focuses on supporting asylum seekers and refugees. It provides a free shop where people can choose their clothes, toys and other personal items, which is funded by donations from the public. Aid Box’s mission emphasises that asylum seekers and refugees should be treated with dignity and respect, which is central to its work. It also provides trips and runs activity groups to encourage community and friendships. The large sums raised from this auction are helping the charities to relieve poverty.
Goodbids Auction for Save the Children
Save the Children has collaborated with Goodbids, a new fundraising platform, to auction exclusive prizes. In this auction, every bid is a donation, where the last bidder wins. This method tends to be more effective in raising money as people’s bids are still donated regardless of whether they win.
Prizes for the auction include Taylor Swift concert tickets with a trip to Amsterdam and a limited-edition “Mission Impossible” movie jacket signed by the infamous Guy Kawasaki. Goodbids has raised more than $70,000 across 14 auctions, supporting various charities.
Save the Children fights to protect children’s rights worldwide through political involvement, providing food security, education and improving children’s access to health care. This organization was the first global movement created for children and children’s rights.
These are just a few examples of how auctions are relieving poverty. Auctions provide excellent incentives that encourage both celebrities and regular people to bid. They are also a fundraising technique that can be done on any scale, from car washes to luxury holidays; any experience can be auctioned and help relieve poverty.
– Abigail Gadsden
Abigail is based in Kent, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
Uniting People Against Poverty in Cambodia
Poverty reduction in Cambodia has been particularly impactful through the NSPPF, which aims to ensure that the Cambodian people have a comprehensive and resilient social protection system that is capable of supporting them through different life stages and during times of crisis.
The Government’s Success in Eradicating Poverty
Cambodia is uniting its people against poverty and the potential of the NSPPF is impressive. Obeying a “no person left behind” principle, the inclusion of such a strong government initiative has impacted more than 7.5 million people in 2024.
Placing particular emphazis on poor and vulnerable households: pregnant women, toddlers under 2, people with disabilities and the elderly in low-income households, the broad coverage has helped ensure poverty reduction in Cambodia and has allowed inclusion, fairness and has reduced the risk of certain people/ communities being left behind in the poverty battle.
Key Initiatives Under the NSPPF
National Social Assistance Fund (NSAF): Manages non-contributory social assistance programs, such as the Family Package and cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households. National Social Security Fund (NSSF): Manages contributory schemes, including a mandatory pension system which was introduced in 2022.
Health Equity Fund (HEF): Allows increased access to health services for the poorest people, such as free outpatient visits, hospital admissions, waivers, and transport help.
Cash Transfer Programs: Include cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households and programs that link cash transfers with vocational training
The Cambodian Government’s NSPPF Objective
The long-term goal of the NSPPF remains to build social solidarity and political legitimacy. The focus to reduce poverty in early life also aims to ensure long-term life effects, however, tackling poverty for all people, regardless of their life stage is to create a lasting and deep-rooted sense of societal cohesion.
The purpose of building an initiative focuses on shared risk and shared responsibility is to treat the Cambodian people as having certain lifecycle risks; this is to elucidate that everyone in society is vulnerable in some form, therefore, social protection is a shared priority and expectation.
Likewise, the versatile approach of the NSPPF in extending poverty reduction in Cambodia is to provide a more personal impact on the Cambodian people as the investments in human capital extends far beyond simply providing the people with financial contributions, but improves the capabilities and potential of all members of society. The government of Cambodia’s commitment to lower barriers and provide health, education, and training for all has shown that Cambodia is uniting its people against poverty and is offering many opportunities to become a successful nation.
The government of Cambodia’s efforts to reduce poverty have been overwhelming, particularly in the last decade, and it is evident that the reach of the NSPPF has moved beyond purely economic poverty and has made powerful strides in both multidimensional and generational poverty, highlighting the initiative to be a successful strategy of combining poverty and equality.
– Reece Robertshaw
Photo: Flickr
Vocational Education Training Centers in Yemen
About Vocational Education Training Centers in Yemen
Vocational education training centers in Yemen have faced immense challenges since Houthi rebels seized the capital city of Sanaa in 2014. The prolonged civil war has devastated Yemen’s social and economic structures, making it difficult for educational and training institutions to operate effectively. Regional intervention and years of political instability have fueled the conflict, driving millions of elders, women, children and innocent lives into poverty. Experts consider the conflict in Yemen one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history, following the 2025 Gaza genocide, including widespread famine and disease outbreaks.
After nearly a decade of war, Yemen continues to face extreme economic, social and health challenges that will affect Yemenis’ lives in the long run. With collapsing infrastructure, limited job opportunities and severe disruptions to education, young people are among the most affected. According to the World Bank, the country’s real GDP per capita has dropped by nearly 60% since 2015, and more than half of Yemeni’s population now faces food insecurity. Poverty and war have forced many families to withdraw children from school or depend on unsatisfactory, informal labor just to survive.
In Yemen, where some children search for a loaf of bread to ease their hunger and families struggle to meet even their most basic needs, vocational education and training centers have emerged as a vital solution. By equipping youth and adults with practical skills in fields such as construction, agriculture and technology, these programs provide pathways to employment, support local economies and help restore a sense of stability and hope for a long-term recovery.
Skills for Stability
Vocational education training centers in Yemen are offering practical, life-changing skills to communities in crisis. These centers teach trades such as plumbing, solar installation, tailoring and information technology. Teachers at vocational centers teach skills that directly meet the needs of local markets in Yemen. According to UNICEF, programs supporting technical and vocational education in Yemen have helped thousands of youth, particularly women and displaced people, gain the expertise needed to secure jobs and rebuild their communities.
In a country where years of conflict have left many without traditional schooling, these centers serve as safe havens for learning and empowerment. Students often share classrooms powered by solar panels they install themselves, blending education with action. Each new skill learned represents a step away from dependency and closer to resilience for individuals and communities in Yemen.
Amina’s Story
Despite the challenges, Amina, a young woman from Yemen, refused to give up hope. Her school principal nominated Amina to join a UNICEF-supported like-skills and vocational training program, and she eagerly embraced the opportunity. After more than two months, she learned sewing and business management and upon completing the training, Amina received a sewing machine and materials to start her own small business.
“My life has changed. I was afraid of meeting people before, but now I am more confident and independent. I can now provide all my needs without depending on others,” said Amina.
In a modest room made of stone and clay, Amina set up her own small workspace, where she now tailors vibrant dresses for women and girls in her neighborhood. What began as a simple effort to practice her new sewing skills quickly turned into a thriving business as word spread throughout her community. Today, she earns roughly 20,000 Yemeni riyals each month (about $84 USD), which is enough to support her parents and ten siblings. Amina’s journey shows how access to vocational education can transform lives, turning hardship into independence and hope into opportunity.
Economic Ripple Effects
Vocational education in Yemen does more than create jobs; it lays the foundation for long-term economic development. By equipping people with practical skills, training programs help reduce unemployment, boost productivity and encourage small business creation. According to the World Bank, Yemen’s economy had contracted by nearly 60% since 2015, making the rebuilding of human capital crucial for its recovery.
As trained workers begin to rebuild infrastructure and launch microenterprises, they stimulate local markets and attract investment opportunities. Indeed, international partners, including the World Bank and UNDP note that investing in job training in Yemen can also open new avenues for economic cooperation and trade, creating pathways for growth that extend beyond national borders. This progress highlights the importance of vocational education in Yemen as a driver of job training and economic development.
The Good News
Despite the challenges, success stories are emerging across Yemen. In Taiz, a women’s sewing collective launched in 2022 with support from UNICEF has trained more than 200 women in tailoring and business management. Many of these women now run small businesses that provide clothing for their communities and income for their families. In Sana’a, a solar training program that the Social Fund for Development created in partnership with local schools has equipped young people with the skills to install and maintain solar panels, helping restore electricity to schools and homes in areas that power shortages affect.
These programs restore livelihoods and strengthen hope, showing that even amid a crisis, education can rebuild lives and communities. Yemen’s vocational training centers demonstrate that opportunity can flourish in conflict. Supporting these initiatives helps transform crises into capacity, giving young people tools to rebuild their country.
Advocating for policies and funding that expand the vocational education training center in Yemen remains essential to promoting long-term stability and economic recovery. Strengthening these centers helps create employment opportunities. Supporting local economies and empowering communities to rebuild their future through education and skill development.
– Furdeuce Mused
Photo: Flickr
How Auctions Are Relieving Poverty
Bonhams Books for Oxfam
Many auctions have been held by or for Oxfam, the most notable being the Bonhams book auction in Chelmsford in 2025. Here, donations of rare and old books were auctioned to raise more than 140,000. Several highly valued books contributed significantly: a rare Chinese bible was sold for more than $75,000, a first edition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” raised more than $21,000 and a 17th-century manuscript prayer book raised above $13,000.
These items had originally been donated to various Oxfam shops across the U.K., many initially valued at only a few hundred dollars. With such extraordinary sums of money going toward the charity, this auction has significantly helped to relieve poverty. Oxfam works to provide clean water, sanitation and shelter in disaster zones. The organization has reached more than 10 million people across the world.
It operates in places such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Sudan, with prospects to help those suffering from poverty. At any given time, the organization responds to more than 30 emergencies, meaning the humanitarian aid it provides is essential and lifesaving for those in dire situations.
Auctions for Madonna’s Raising Malawi
In 2016, Madonna presented an event titled “An Evening of Music, Art, Mischief and Performance” to raise money for her nonprofit organization, Raising Malawi. The event featured a live performance from her and other celebrities and a live art auction hosted by James Corden. The event occurred in Miami Beach and raised more than $7 million.
The items auctioned include Madonna’s iconic flapper dress designed by Jeremy Scott, a weeklong stay at Leonardo DiCaprio’s home in Palm Springs, a chair Madonna had performed with and various artworks. Celebrities also paid thousands to attend, collaborating to raise the impressive total.
This money was spent on the organization’s goal of building Malawi’s first paediatric surgery and intensive care unit. The unit was opened in 2017 and was named the Mercy James Institute of Paediatric Surgery and Intensive Care. As the country’s only paediatric surgery center, it has saved countless lives by providing free, accessible care for children. The institute also trains medical staff, strengthening Malawi’s health care system. Raising Malawi partners with organizations to ensure more than 1,000 orphans receive care.
The charity works to provide education and internships to equip children with training and tools for success and give them access to sports. This is an excellent example of how auctions relieve poverty, as we can see their direct impact on such a large scale. Madonna, one of the most well-known singers in the world, is the face of this project, which is a huge reason why the project is so successful. This shows the real impact celebrities can have when they use their influence for good.
Contemporary Art Auction for Temwa
This auction was held by a Bristol artist collective in 2021. More than 70 art pieces were auctioned, including two limited edition prints of Banksy’s work, donated by Massive Attack. These auctions raised more than $140,000 for the organizations that are relieving poverty. All funds raised went to the charities Temwa and Aid Box Community.
Temwa works to build self-reliant communities in northern Malawi through breaking poverty cycles. It aims to create sustainable and lasting change for vulnerable communities. The organization supplies the East African country with food, education and health security. Since its founding in 2003, Temwa has helped more than 13,000 people access clean water in their homes, planted more than 1.6 million trees and helped thousands of children with literacy skills.
The humanitarian organization Aid Box focuses on supporting asylum seekers and refugees. It provides a free shop where people can choose their clothes, toys and other personal items, which is funded by donations from the public. Aid Box’s mission emphasises that asylum seekers and refugees should be treated with dignity and respect, which is central to its work. It also provides trips and runs activity groups to encourage community and friendships. The large sums raised from this auction are helping the charities to relieve poverty.
Goodbids Auction for Save the Children
Save the Children has collaborated with Goodbids, a new fundraising platform, to auction exclusive prizes. In this auction, every bid is a donation, where the last bidder wins. This method tends to be more effective in raising money as people’s bids are still donated regardless of whether they win.
Prizes for the auction include Taylor Swift concert tickets with a trip to Amsterdam and a limited-edition “Mission Impossible” movie jacket signed by the infamous Guy Kawasaki. Goodbids has raised more than $70,000 across 14 auctions, supporting various charities.
Save the Children fights to protect children’s rights worldwide through political involvement, providing food security, education and improving children’s access to health care. This organization was the first global movement created for children and children’s rights.
These are just a few examples of how auctions are relieving poverty. Auctions provide excellent incentives that encourage both celebrities and regular people to bid. They are also a fundraising technique that can be done on any scale, from car washes to luxury holidays; any experience can be auctioned and help relieve poverty.
– Abigail Gadsden
Photo: Unsplash
Improvements in Water Quality in Egypt
Water Stress in Egypt
Egypt is among the world’s most water-stressed nations, with about 98% of its water drawn from the Nile. As of 2018, per capita freshwater availability fell to 570 cubic meters annually, well below the 1,000-cubic-meter scarcity threshold. This shortage is worsened by Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a growing population, climate instability and Egypt’s reliance of more than 90% on a single water source: the Nile.
Expanding infrastructure, diversifying sources and strengthening monitoring have become central to its Vision 2030 roadmap and the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goal 6. Here are five key ways the country is improving water quality:
Home Connections Bring Safe Water Indoors
UNICEF reported providing safe drinking water to more than 17,800 rural households in Assiut, Sohag, Fayoum, Minia and Qena, enabling them to connect to piped water. It also partners with the “Water is Life” initiative to support further expansion and establish a revolving fund mechanism to sustain implementation. The program has reached an estimated 90,000 people, including hygiene training in schools and communities.
Revolving funds designed to make water connections more affordable continue to expand to nearby underserved districts.
Community Filtration Units Reduce Contamination
The Sawiris Foundation’s “Water Is Life” program operates 27 community water treatment stations in Upper Egypt, serving 11,600 families across Minia, Assiut, Sohag and Qena. These stations draw filtered groundwater through central pipelines. They are paired with behavior change campaigns that help sustain adoption rates above 90%.
Buried Pipe Irrigation Boosts Downstream Quality
The World Bank reported that its “Farm-level Irrigation Modernization Project” converted more than 65,000 hectares of open canals into buried piping systems powered by electric pumps across the Delta canals. About 207,600 users now benefit from improved irrigation equity and water quality, with tail-end access rising from 50% to 85% of the intended flow.
Africa’s Largest Wastewater Plant
The Bahr al Baqar treatment plant began operating in 2021 with the capacity to treat 5.6 million cubic meters per day of municipal and agricultural wastewater. Instead of discharging untreated water into the Nile Delta, it now irrigates roughly 140,000 hectares of farmland in Sinai.
Public-Private Desalination Expands Safe Coastal Supply
With advisory support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Egypt’s Sovereign Fund plans to build 21 seawater desalination plants by 2050. The first phase aims to deliver 3.3 million cubic meters per day, eventually rising to 8.8 million per day, to reduce pressure on Nile sources in coastal governorates.
Despite persistent constraints, including but not limited to aging networks, soil salinity, rapid population growth, financing and the coordination behind these efforts, Egypt is making measurable headway. The country now treats more wastewater, connects more homes and reduces contamination at its sources, signalling progress toward Vision 2030’s clean water goals and improved health for millions.
– Maryam Qutbuddin
Photo: Flickr
How Georgia’s Wine and Tourism Are Helping Communities
The Georgian Grape Subsidy Program
A subsidy is financial assistance provided by the government to help keep prices stable and encourage economic participation among vulnerable producers. Specifically in Georgia, subsidy programs were made to stabilize farmers’ incomes, guarantee smooth harvests and ensure that even lower-quality grapes could be sold, especially those used for wine production. Subsidies have played an integral role in sustaining Georgia’s agricultural sector.
Between 2014 and 2024, nearly 45% of government agricultural spending went toward subsidy programs. These funds support the production of key crops such as wheat, hazelnuts, tangerines, apples and, most importantly, grapes. The Georgian grape subsidy program began in 2008 and, except for 2018 and 2019, has been implemented every year since.
The government has used both direct and indirect subsidies to support farmers. Direct subsidies provide cash payments to grape growers for each kilogram harvested. In contrast, indirect subsidies operate through state-owned companies that purchase grapes directly from farmers, especially when private buyers leave surplus crops on the market.
Although direct financial support declined sharply after 2017, the government continued its grape purchasing program to protect growers from market fluctuations and ensure no farmer was left behind.
Challenges in the Vineyards
Despite the progress, Georgia’s small-scale grape producers remain among the country’s most economically vulnerable people. Many still rely on outdated production methods, lack access to quality inputs and agricultural services and face limited competition opportunities in international markets. After the land reforms of the ’90s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, farmland in Georgia became scarce.
This left most vineyards too small to support efficient production. This has resulted in high costs and limited access to capital and markets. Because of these constraints, some wineries have started to grow their own grapes to secure consistent, high-quality supplies, leaving smallholders struggling to find buyers. These farmers face the added risk of unpredictable weather and fluctuating market prices, making planning or investing in new technology difficult.
Tourism
Georgia’s wine and tourism industry is helping communities by creating jobs for local community members. Georgia’s wine culture is especially unique and the production of wine in Georgia competes with other luxury brands in the market. Research has shown that tourists appreciate the experience of learning about the process of winegrowing as much as they enjoy tasting the wine. Wine-makers in Georgia hope this trend will continue.
A Path Forward
The story of how Georgia’s wine and tourism are helping communities remains one of resilience and renewal. The government’s sustained investment in agriculture and the international demand for Georgian wine have opened new economic opportunities in rural areas. As vineyards expand and production methods improve, Georgia’s winemaking tradition continues to do more than fill glasses; it helps fill livelihoods, turning an ancient craft into a modern tool for fighting poverty.
– Arielle Telfort
Photo: Unsplash
Education for Somali Women: Rebuilding a Nation
In August 2012, after years of clan violence and Islamist insurgency, Somalia’s first formal parliament in more than two decades was sworn in. The following month, Somalia’s parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, marking the first presidential election since 1967, according to BBC News. Today, Somalia remains at war with Al-Shabab—an extremist Islamist group—yet the government has turned much of its focus toward reconstruction and long-term stability.
According to the United Nations (U.N.), 4.4 million Somalis are projected to face acute food insecurity through the end of 2025, and 1.85 million Somali children are likely to experience acute malnutrition. Somali government initiatives and nongovernmental organizations are working to support vulnerable populations, but shrinking international support threatens to stall progress.
Still, Somalia’s situation is not unsalvageable. The nation’s recovery depends not only on government institutions but also on its citizens’ resilience and commitment to rebuilding—a mission many Somali women have taken to heart. Women have become increasingly involved and influential in Somali politics, education, entrepreneurship and peacebuilding, according to the U.N.
Below is a closer look at how women across Somalia are leading the way toward a brighter and more stable future.
Driving Economic Recovery Through Entrepreneurship
For a nation rebuilding from decades of war, expanding economic opportunity is essential to reducing poverty and strengthening support for struggling citizens. In 2019, Somalia launched the Gargaara Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Financing Facility, designed to fund aspiring Somali entrepreneurs and small businesses.
According to the World Bank, by June 2024, Gargaara had lent more than $23 million to MSMEs across the country, with women-led businesses receiving half of all loans—at least 800 in total. Yet, despite this equal distribution by number, the total monetary value of loans to women was significantly lower than that of male-run enterprises, highlighting a persistent gender gap in capital access.
Even so, Gargaara and its partners at the World Bank have committed to expanding their reach—onboarding more Somali financial institutions, increasing available credit and building lending capacity—all with the goal of supporting a greater number of women-owned MSMEs. Their efforts underscore how vital women entrepreneurs are to rebuilding Somalia’s economy.
Expanding Women’s Political Influence and Representation
Women in Somalia are increasingly taking leadership roles in politics. In March 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on women to get involved in political and security work during a state iftar dinner with more than 100 women leaders, according to AllAfrica News. He praised the work women were already doing—supporting troops and caring for the wounded—and urged them to join political parties, run for office and organize beyond clan divisions.
At the local level, progress is already happening. In Hirshabelle State, women have been elected to district councils and trained in leadership, advocacy and peacebuilding through programs supported by Finn Church Aid (FCA) Somalia. FCA also works with “peace mothers” and female councilors to organize community forums where women, elders and local leaders discuss policy and inclusion. Women now hold roughly 23% of council seats in these areas.
Education for Somali Women
Education for Somali women has been a struggle for generations, but the script is finally starting to flip. “Historically, two groups of patriarchs denied Somali female children schooling—those were the Italian and British colonists,” said University of Minnesota Professor Abdi Ismail Samatar. “It’s really the liberation movement in the 1950s and then the country’s independence in 1960 and thereafter, where female children’s education was expanded. So those challenges still exist.”
Education has become one of the most powerful tools for Somali women to rebuild their lives and communities. According to the U.N., educator Amina Abdi Ali has helped more than 450 women in Kismayo learn to read, write and improve their math skills through a local adult literacy program. Larger initiatives like the Somalia Girls’ Education Programme, led by the U.N. Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) and CARE Somalia, have also focused on keeping marginalized girls in school by removing barriers that prevent them from learning—especially in rural areas. According to the World Bank, the Rajo Kaaba program recently awarded scholarships to more than 2,000 Somali girls, allowing them to study in fields such as teaching and nursing.
Peacebuilding and Social Healing
After decades of warfare, civilian bloodshed and displacement, women in Somalia are taking it upon themselves to advocate for peace. One way they have done this is by establishing the Joint Programme on Women, Peace and Protection (WPP) in May 2022. With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), U.N. Women and the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia, the WPP has taken steps to localize peace and security for women in Somalia.
The WPP has already achieved major accomplishments, illustrating its importance as a program for sustained peace. These include the development and launch of a Local Action Plan (LAP) with presidential endorsement, the formation of a Peace Working Group bringing together diverse community leaders and the establishment of a One Stop Center that supports victims of sexual violence, according to the UNDP.
Looking Ahead
“Over the last 35 years, women really have been very crucial to keeping Somali society together—not only the family, but the whole society,” said Abdi Ismail Samatar. From running businesses and creating jobs to taking leadership roles in politics, expanding education for girls and young women and pushing for peace at the local level, women are at the heart of Somalia’s recovery. Their efforts show that rebuilding the nation is not just the work of governments or aid organizations—it is also the work of women who refuse to let their communities fall behind.
– Jordan Venell
Photo: Flickr
5 Facts About Renewable Energy in Guinea-Bissau
Energy Poverty in Guinea-Bissau
Energy poverty in Guinea-Bissau is very high. In fact, half of the country, more than a million people, are still unable to access electricity. As of 2023, only 0.8% of the country had access to clean fuels that are able to be used for cooking. While one may associate clean fuels with a more efficient way of cooking, there are other benefits of cooking with clean fuels as opposed to cooking with non-clean fuels, such as a lower risk of dying from indoor air pollution. Non-clean fuel sources, such as charcoal, crop waste or even dung, leave people at risk of death and ill-health, as opposed to those who use clean cooking fuels. While one may think of renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau as something that will help out our planet, citizens of Guinea-Bissau think of it as a life-altering and potentially life-saving change to their everyday lives.
Facts About Renewable Energy in Guinea-Bissau
Investments in Renewable Energy in Guinea-Bissau
The European Commission has collaborated with Guinea-Bissau in an attempt to help better the country and its citizens. Aside from strengthening education and climate-resilient practices when it comes to agriculture and fishing, Team Europe is investing in clean and renewable energy with solar plants in rural areas of the country. In addition to this, the two are working to promote sustainable and climate-resilient practices, which include the use of renewable energy and agricultural techniques to protect the environment.
As of March 2015, the European Union pledged 160 million euros (which is just less than $2 million in the United States) in order to help strengthen the rule of law within the country and consolidate democracy. While this was over a decade ago, it shows good signs as to what is to come to Guinea-Bissau, thanks to the EU. In fact, the article states that this is the resumption of support towards the country from the union, rather than the start. In a more recent development, in 2020, during the Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations Human Rights Council, Guinea-Bissau received 197 recommendations; the country taking 193 into account, most of which involved the issue of sustainable development.
The types of renewable energy Guinea-Bissau is hoping to implement in the country’s future has been recorded as recently as 2021, specifically from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA’s 2021 energy profile release of the West African country found that out of the total energy supply available in the country, 85% of it was renewable, compared to the other 15%, which was oil. Furthermore, a closer look into Guinea-Bissau’s renewable energy use found that 100% of the renewable energy used in 2021 came from bioenergy. As of 2023, the renewable energy capacity of the country was 100% solar instead of bioenergy. This may be due to the increase of solar power installations across the country.
Looking Ahead
While Guinea-Bissau is a low-energy country, more than a million citizens are still unable to access electricity; renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau would do wonders for the country. Between boosting the country’s economy to improving countless families’ lives, renewable energy would create access to a feature that half of the country has not had exposure to. While progress might seem far away, due to the issues involving the West African country’s resources, the European Union is working to make the seemingly impossible, not only possible, but possible in the near future. Right before the pandemic, the EU had implemented suggestions to the country to help it improve its sustainable development, and Guinea-Bissau took nearly all of them into account. While the future is always uncertain, the use of renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau is looking up.
– Megan Akers
Photo: Flickr
Closing the Gender Wage Gap in Uzbekistan
On average, women in Uzbekistan earn about one-third less than their male counterparts, a disparity that occupational divides, cultural expectations and limited access to higher-paying sectors have largely shaped. These reasons largely demonstrate the complexities faced when trying to close the gender wage gap, even in a country determined to move forward.
Over the past few years, the government has taken significant steps to strengthen women’s participation in the workforce and promote fair pay. Legal changes, like the 2022 labor code, mark an important milestone in Uzbekistan’s journey towards a more inclusive economy, one that values skill over gender.
Education as a Foundation for Change
In classrooms, Uzbekistan’s gender story looks like a success; with literacy and school enrolment rates to be nearing almost level between the genders. More young women are enrolling in universities and vocational programs than ever before, many entering fields that men once dominated. Government scholarships and training initiatives are encouraging women to pursue studies in science, technology and engineering, which are sectors critical to Uzbekistan’s growing economy. With programs like Technovation Girls Uzbekistan and the UniSat International Education Program for Girls, women from 8-24 are receiving encouragement to participate in things like skills workshops and social entrepreneurship, and they are promoting the breaking of gender stereotypes within STEM. Starting with a cohort of around 250 girls, the career ladder for young girls is increasingly expanding.
Yet, as more women graduate, ensuring this education translates into equal earnings remains a challenge. Women are heavily represented in the teaching and health care sectors, professions that are socially valued but financially undervalued. But, the shift is underway: women are increasingly going into more leadership roles in STEM.
Reform To Open Doors
Legal and policy reforms are driving the country’s shift to close the gap. In 2022, the country adopted a new labor code that explicitly prohibits wage discrimination and removes many outdated job restrictions. Alongside this, around 66.7% of Uzbek legal frameworks aim to focus on working towards achieving gender equality under the SDG indicator (including a focus on reducing violence towards women).
Uzbekistan’s National Gender Strategy aims to boost women’s economic participation and ensure their pay and promotion is based on merit. It is based in legal and institutional reform to instigate concrete actions. Uzbekistan created a national commission on gender equality in parliament with a separate ‘gender expertise’ requirement to ensure new policies are regulated to have a positive gender impact. Similarly, gender-responsive budgeting and quota restrictions aim to integrate gender-responsive budgeting into national and local planning while also setting targets for women to undergo successful employment. It is reported that the share of women in leadership roles has increased to 27% from just 7% in 2016, proof that Uzbekistan’s strategies to close the gender wage gap are working.
Partnerships with organizations like the World Bank or the UNDP aim to create pathways for women through entrepreneurship programs and public leadership. With more companies adopting these initiatives, conversations about closing the gap have entered mainstream public life. A partnership between the UNDP and the Hamroh company created the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme. Additionally, financial support via preferential loans and bank-driven programs have supported more than 130,000 Uzbek women with their entrepreneurial initiatives, showing Uzbekistan’s commitment to improving gender equality and reducing the gender wage gap in the job sector in Uzbekistan.
Shifting Social Attitudes
While policy opens doors, social change is integral to keeping them open. With attitudes towards women’s work and leadership evolving across Uzbekistan; professionals are now challenging traditional gender roles. The government has also launched campaigns to spread the benefits of gender equality, not just for women but for the economy as a whole. According to the World Bank, closing the pay gap and increasing women’s labor participation could lift more than 700,000 people out of poverty and raise national income by nearly 30%. Not only would this change be good for women, but for Uzbekistan’s future.
While cultural expectations still influence women’s career paths, specifically in rural areas, women are continually balancing their professional ambitions with domestic duties. It is predicted that Uzbek women spend 22% of their time on household duties versus 9% in the case of men. If Uzbekistan continues to close its gender wage gap and lessen the domestic burden on women, earned income can increase while poverty reduces. As Uzbekistan continues to help relieve women of these pressures, women can continue to stay and thrive in the workplace.
Looking Forward
Uzbekistan’s journey towards closing the gap is still a work in progress, but the direction is clear. The foundations have been laid in education, reforms and societal growth, but Uzbekistan’s main challenge is now to turn equality on paper into practice. Bridging the gap will take time, but doing so could unleash the potential of half the country’s workforce, redefining what progress means for the nation.
– Megan Burrows
Photo: Unsplash
Improving Higher Education in Mauritius
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Mauritius and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) support the government’s commitment to improving higher education in Mauritius. By co-developing a national policy, they aim to indirectly reduce poverty, as experts see higher education is a key driver of socio-economic progress. Development began in June 2025 and is expected to reach completion by the end of the year. It is part of a 10-year plan to transform Mauritius into a knowledge hub.
Educational Landscape of Mauritius
Improving higher education in Mauritius has a strong link to poverty reduction, as higher education has links to significantly lower poverty rates. Mauritius has made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty, but the disparity between those living below the national relative poverty line and those who are not depends heavily on the individual’s education.
In 2023, the national relative poverty rate fell from 9.6% in 2017 to 7.3%. Higher education is crucial for a skilled workforce in a knowledge-based economy. A more educated workforce can lead to higher incomes and lower poverty rates. In Mauritius, the poverty rate in 2023 was about 11% for households with primary education compared to around 2% for those with upper secondary education.
Mauritius has also seen a positive reduction in the number of higher education-aged people out of education. In 2022, 50,566 Mauritians were in higher education. Although this rate exceeds that in many Commonwealth states, just over half of people aged 20-24 do not pursue higher education, largely due to socio-economic factors. This situation limits Mauritius’ chance to progress beyond other Commonwealth countries. Government leaders and organizations hope that the National Higher Education Strategy will be the push needed to change this imbalance.
Developing Strategy
Dr. Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, participated in a workshop in July 2025 as part of the development process for the National Higher Education Strategy. The focus of the two-day event was on locating and developing key areas of higher education, including access to learning, teaching quality and industry engagement.
In a speech, Dr. Sharma Sukon shared his hopes that the National Higher Education strategy gives Mauritian people a ‘comprehensive roadmap,’ helping ‘catapult’ Mauritius into an ‘educational powerhouse’ of Commonwealth states.
Dr. Sharma Sukon said “The future starts today. The transformation begins now.”
Positive Impact of Political Visibility
Research from the University of Cambridge found that “visible high-level political commitment,” like Dr. Sharma Sukon’s, helps improve access to learning. Countries that set their own targets show greater ownership and more responsibility for success.
In this case, the National Higher Education Strategy enables the Mauritian government to advocate for its own needs and join alliances that support its interests. For example, the National Higher Education Strategy aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), an external benchmark that countries can opt to follow. It aims to secure inclusive, quality education and learning opportunities for everyone.
SDG 4 provides a new way for countries to monitor progress toward their national educational commitments by 2030. India, the United Kingdom and 162 United Nations countries use SDG 4.
Education in the Commonwealth
In 2017, 137 million primary and secondary school children in Commonwealth countries, many from rural areas, were out of school, with little chance of ever completing higher education.
COL helps Commonwealth countries access education and development skills by breaking barriers to entry, such as gender and geographical location.
By promoting distance learning and open schooling opportunities, COL and HEC are improving higher education in Mauritius. Mauritians will have better employment opportunities and a reduced number of people living in poverty due to a lack of education.
– Larisa Corr
Photo: Pexels
Behind the Paradise: The Scourge of Child Marriage in Fiji
The Drivers Perpetuating the Practice: Patriarchal Society
For years, the legal framework itself enabled this crisis. Until 2009, the Marriage Act of Fiji stated the legal age of consent for marriage as 16 years old for girls and 18 years old for boys. The distinction between the legal consent age between girls and boys speaks about the patriarchal nature of society in Fiji. The largely male dominant society has resulted in an alarming rate of girls entering child marriage, which is about 12%. Additionally, it is also a deeply cultural and religious society that values the concept of arranged marriage. In these arranged unions, couples may have little to no prior acquaintance, often meeting for the first time on their wedding day. Traditional customs like bulubulu further compound this practice. It is a formal apology ritual, which can lead to underage pregnant girls cohabiting as common-law wives with the fathers of their children.
Exploitation
A particularly alarming form of exploitation involves young girls marrying men outside of Fiji under the guise of providing labor or a better life. These transnational arrangements often leave them vulnerable to abuse and servitude. Tragically, for those who manage to escape these fraudulent marriages and return home, reintegration is fraught with difficulty. They often face profound social ostracization and stigma within their traditional communities, leaving them doubly victimized.
Poverty
A central driver of child marriage is the relentless fight against global poverty. Indeed, this link is tragically evident in Fiji where many economically strained families see marrying off a daughter as a necessary strategy to reduce their financial burden. In some cases, these unions become transactional, providing an immediate, albeit often small, benefit to the family. This decision, born of economic desperation, comes at the devastating cost of the child’s future, forcing her into a life for which she is profoundly unprepared. The data underscores this economic link: in Fiji, 4.4% of girls living in the poorest homes married before 18 years old, compared to 3.9% from the richest households.
The Lifelong Impact on Children and Society
The consequences of child marriage in Fiji create a devastating ripple effect across society and for the individual. A primary outcome is unintended adolescent pregnancy, where girls, under pressure to prove their fertility soon after marriage, face the dangerous health scenario of a child giving birth to a child. These young brides, thrust into adulthood prematurely, face heightened risks of sexual violence and life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Furthermore, the practice almost universally forces children to abandon their education, severely limiting their future economic opportunities and perpetuating the very cycle of poverty that often drives child marriage in Fiji. This creates a demographic marked by profound and persistent vulnerability.
The Bright Side
The Fijian government has committed to eliminating child marriage in Fiji by 2030, aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fiji has amended the earlier mentioned Marriage Act of Fiji and made 18 the legal marriage age for both boys and girls. The amendment also removed the provision allowing minors to marry with parental consent. To support this national commitment, the Spotlight Initiative’s Pacific Regional Programme began in October 2020. It is working with 16 Pacific Island countries to address early marriage, sexual harassment and domestic and intimate partner violence. The initiative is coordinated through a collaborative model, which the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Fiji manages, and it is partnered with UN agencies like UN Women, UNICEF, IOM, UNFPA and UNDP.
Conclusion
The grim reality of child marriage has fractured Fiji’s idyllic facade. While the government has outlawed the practice, its persistence, fueled by poverty and patriarchal norms, continues to rob children of their futures. Closing the gap between law and local custom is the critical challenge. The future of the nation depends on transforming these deep-seated traditions to ensure every Fijian child can truly thrive.
– Vaidehi Ratudi
Photo: Unsplash