Archive for category: Child Poverty

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Addressing Poverty in Uruguay

Poverty in UruguaySituated between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay holds a modest population of around 3.4 million – 0.041% of the total world population. Successfully, the nation ranks low in national poverty on a regional level. Boasting a relatively high Gross Domestic Project (GDP), Uruguayan poverty is at one of its lowest points. Recently, the nation scored a Gini index value of 40%, holding the largest middle class in Latin America. With an extreme drop in poverty in Uruguay in the mid-2000s, government assistance programs continue to keep rates stable.

Poverty in Uruguay

About 18.9% of its population are in poverty, per the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The MPI classifies multidimensional poverty as a deficit in four or more areas of housing, employment, education and government services. About 17.5% of households have at least one member without adequate education. 29.2% of households have at least one informally employed member,  and 17.4% of residents have unreliable housing. The government supplies direct payments through a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, membership is reliant on school attendance and routine health checks. Payments increase with the number of children per household. 

The government also provides additional benefits to retirees with childcare exceptions, along with disability and survivor benefits. Simultaneously, the government also provides benefits to widowed individuals or children with lost or disabled parents. The previous year’s median wage index determines annual cost of living. However, despite social programs’ impact, poverty is still largely disproportionate.

Groups Experiencing Higher Numbers of Poverty in Uruguay

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) uncovered higher rates of poverty among Afro-descendants and children aged 0-14. One of South America’s more homogeneous countries, less than 5% of Afro-descendants comprise its population, with 2% identifying as Indigenous, and a smaller percentage identifying as “other.” Afro-descendants make up a fourth of Latin America and are regionally 2.5% more likely to face poverty. In Uruguay alone, extreme poverty most likely affects Afro-descendants. Afro-descendants’ disposable income is 41% lower than white’s, and indigenous people’s is lower by 27%. Consequently, Afro-descendants and indigenous people receive more financial assistance, largely through programs including CCT. In 2018, the government allocated 6.1% towards Afro-descendants through CCT programs and 7.9% towards food transfer programs.

As for child poverty, the lack of child assistance programs likely leads to these disparities. In contrast, Uruguay holds a Human Capital Index (HCI) value of 0.06, relatively high in Latin America. The HCI measures the probability of a child’s success based on rates of employment, education and health. 

Looking Ahead

Progressively, Uruguay’s social assistance programs have been successful in lessening national poverty. The MPI and other programs introduce factorial approaches to understanding poverty. As poverty remains disproportionate among certain populations, implementation of new programs, through demographic-specific programs and education may address income disparities between racial minority groups and create not just regional, but global records as well.

– Sarah Licon

Sarah is based in Whittier, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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School Meals Fighting Child Poverty in Cyprus

Child Poverty in CyprusCyprus is an island-state in the north-eastern end of the East Mediterranean area, the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa. Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and with the EU’s help, it provides school meals for children affected by poverty.

Equality Through Food

According to the 2024 report, Cyprus links the constitutional right to equal education opportunities for every child with food inequality. Minimum one subsidized meal per day is a guarantee under the Declaration Combating Child Poverty by Leaving No Child Behind, which the country signed. The country recognizes a meal as a pillar of equality and inclusion for pupils in need.

The report states: “In 2021, only 0.6% of children under 16 who were at ‘Risk of Poverty or Social Exclusion’ experienced deprivation due to household financial difficulties in having one meal a day of meat, chicken, fish or a vegetarian equivalent meal.” It may seem that child poverty in Cyprus is not a significant problem; however, it still affects the quality of life and education for some students.

Free school meals help bridge the gap and consequently eradicate the problem of food inequality at school and child poverty in Cyprus in this particular aspect.

Free Breakfast Program

The “Providing Free Breakfast to Pupils in Need” program started in 2013. It is currently implemented by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth as part of the European Union’s THALEIA 2021-2027 project, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus, which covers 90% of the costs.

Its goal is to support families at risk of poverty and exclusion and to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children, as well as provide them with adequate nutrition and social support.

Pupils in need are children from low-income families. The program provides free breakfast on every school day for the duration of the school year in public schools at all levels of education. In the school year 2022-2023 there were 14,502 pupils who benefited from the program.

Extending the Support

The government plans to extend the program of free meals for pupils starting in April 2026 to further address child poverty in Cyprus. The scheme is to create free breakfast clubs in primary schools for every student. Currently, 750 schools participate in the meal clubs, and an additional 2000 plan to enroll next year.

The investment in the program is estimated at £80 million. Its goal is to support parents and children and to ensure that every pupil has an equal start to the school day, therefore an equal chance to participate in education.

– Patrycja Pietrzak

Patrycja is based in Cyprus and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Supergmiri.ge Helps Fight Poverty in Georgia

Supergmiri.ge
Everyone needs a superhero in their life – someone to look up to and someone who helps without expecting anything in return. In Georgia, everyday superheroes are stepping in to make that difference.

What is Supergmiri.ge?

Supergmiri.ge, which translates to “Superhero,” is a Georgian nonprofit platform that connects children living in poverty with donors who provide personalized, ongoing support. By covering essentials such as school supplies, clothing and daily needs, the initiative eases the financial strain on families while helping children participate fully in education and community life.

The platform operates with a 0% commission model, ensuring that every contribution directly benefits a child. This transparency builds trust and keeps the focus where it belongs – on changing lives. While not a substitute for national welfare programs, Supergmiri.ge offers a hopeful path toward breaking cycles of poverty, one child, one act of care and one everyday superhero at a time.

How It Works

Supergmiri.ge identifies children living in vulnerable or socially difficult conditions – those from families in poverty or without access to school activities, materials or other basic needs. The organization gathers profiles including their stories, needs, interests and ages.

These profiles appear on the Supergmiri website, allowing potential donors to learn about each child and choose whom to support

Donors, or “Superheroes,” can provide ongoing monthly assistance and support multiple children if they wish. Each donation funds customized items such as educational supplies, clothing, hygiene products and activity materials tailored to each child’s interests.

Transparency and Partnerships

Supergmiri.ge maintains strict transparency standards through its 0% commission model, meaning 100% of donations go to beneficiaries. Donors can track how their funds are used and see updates on the delivery of gift packages, according to Meliora.

The organization also partners with local businesses to expand its reach. Collaborations with e-commerce platforms like VELI.store, banks and CSR-focused companies help source and deliver products efficiently. The company Qwerty, for example, provided technical development and maintenance for the Supergmiri.ge website.

Scale and Impact

By the end of 2022, Supergmiri.ge had supported about 450 children with the help of 330 donors, collecting more than 900,000 GEL, Meliora reports. On its website, Supergmiri.ge stated it has raised 2,461,305 GEL as of 2025. During a collaboration with VELI.store, 506 children received 5,143 packages containing nearly 54,882 products (On.ge, 2023).

The website also publishes detailed records of donations, showing exactly how each contribution was used – reinforcing its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Real-Life Examples of Everyday Superheroes Changing Lives

  1. Mariam, Age 9: Mariam is a 9-year-old living in a low-income neighborhood outside Tbilisi. Her family struggled to afford school supplies and books, limiting her ability to participate fully in class and extracurricular learning. Through Supergmiri.ge, Mariam matched with her everyday superhero, who now sends monthly packages tailored to her interests, including notebooks, reading materials and art supplies. Supergmiri.ge connects children like Mariam with donors who help remove barriers to education and give every child a chance to thrive.
  2. Giorgi, Age 12: Giorgi is a 12-year-old who dreams of playing soccer and attending a sports club, but his family could not afford registration fees or equipment. Supergmiri.ge published Giorgi’s profile, including his age, hobbies and goals. A donor stepped in as his everyday superhero and now supports him with monthly contributions that include team gear, training shoes and a sports club membership voucher.Supergmiri.ge’s personalized approach recognizes not just material need but also each child’s passion and potential.
  3. Nino, Age 7: Nino is a 7-year-old whose family faced hardship after her single parent lost work during the pandemic. The stress of covering food, clothes and childcare risked pushing the family deeper into poverty. Nino’s profile on Supergmiri.ge highlighted her immediate needs and interests in educational puzzles and drawing sets. A superhero donor now sends monthly packages that include nutritious food, clothes and development materials. Supergmiri.ge’s 0% commission model ensures that every contribution goes directly to children like Nino, turning small acts of care into meaningful change.

Why These Stories Matter

These stories aren’t just blurbs; they’re real-life children whose lives have been impacted by donors. Supergmiri.ge humanizes poverty in Georgia by showing that even modest, sustained support from everyday superheroes can make a measurable difference in a child’s development and well-being.

The Future

While Supergmiri.ge tackles immediate needs, its real impact lies in the awareness it generates. The project humanizes poverty and invites public empathy – both critical ingredients for long-term social change. By combining transparency with personal connection, the initiative offers a model that other nations could replicate to empower children in need.

The platform’s success also reinforces a key global lesson: fighting poverty requires both systemic policy reform and grassroots compassion. Programs like Supergmiri.ge bridge that gap by showing that even small, consistent acts of care can create meaningful change.

In Georgia and beyond, everyday superheroes are proving that empathy, transparency and collective action can be just as powerful as policy when it comes to breaking the cycle of poverty.

– Salome Jincharadze

Salome is based in Tbilisi, Georgia and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Ghana: How Al-Ayn is Working to Solve It

Child Poverty in GhanaGhana is a West African nation with Côte d’Ivoire to its west, Burkina Faso to its north, Togo to its east and the Atlantic Ocean to its south. Ghana is a low-income state, and children are particularly affected by poverty. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), three-quarters of Ghanaian children are deprived in at least three dimensions of poverty. Al-Ayn is an organization that works with children across the world to bring them out of poverty and has recently started working in Ghana. It addresses poverty in a multidimensional sense, focusing on numerous areas rather than just income.

How Poverty Affects Children in Ghana

  • Health. In Ghana, one in 17 children do not survive to adulthood. This is largely due to disease and malnutrition, facilitated by overburdened and ineffective infrastructure. In 2018, 97.4% of children under five years old who were malnourished were classed as underweight, wasting or stunted. This shows that food security is a problem for young children. Alongside malnutrition, child labor has a negative effect on children’s health. More than 20% of children between 5 and 17 years old engage in child labor, mostly in the cocoa business where they are exposed to dangerous chemicals such as mercury.
  • Education. Education is important for Ghanaian children because it can allow them to pull themselves out of poverty in adulthood. However, Ghana’s rapid population growth has caused significant overcrowding in classrooms, limiting the effectiveness of education. Ghana’s literacy rate is around 80%, which is high compared to other African countries, but only 47% of Ghanaian children complete lower secondary education. Although primary education and, to an extent, secondary education are both free, major inequality remains.
  • Housing and Sanitation. Living conditions are closely linked to both health and education for children in Ghana. Many impoverished children live in unhygienic and sometimes dangerous conditions. Lack of clean drinking water causes the spread of diseases such as cholera and various parasitic infections. Beyond the immediate effects of disease, this also disrupts children’s education. Unreliable housing and sanitation negatively affect children later in life, stunting immune system growth and impeding development.

The Impacts of Al-Ayn

Al-Ayn is a nongovernmental organization that has worked with children, particularly orphans, around the world who are living in poverty. It focuses on these children because they are among the most vulnerable members of society. Al-Ayn was influential in Iraq, helping more than 170,000 orphaned children gain access to housing, education and health care.

Al-Ayn has been tackling child poverty in Ghana since 2021. Its focus is on the multidimensional nature of poverty, addressing it from multiple angles. Al-Ayn focuses on health care, education, housing and sanitation. Although separate, these areas are closely linked and work together to improve the environment in which impoverished children grow up.

Al-Ayn is largely a boots-on-the-ground organization, directly involving itself with orphaned children in particular. As of 2023, more than 160 orphans in Ghana have been supported by Al-Ayn through safe housing and sanitation, reliable health care and effective education. Another important way Al-Ayn has been helping children and families in Ghana is by assisting them in obtaining legal documentation. This gives them a better chance of receiving education, health care and employment. Legal documentation also makes children and families eligible for government programs, which can help lift them out of poverty.

Looking Ahead

Child poverty in Ghana is a national problem that affects millions of children across the country. However, Al-Ayn’s work offers reason for optimism. Its multidimensional approach, combined with its continued commitment, is helping improve the lives of children in Ghana.

– Oliver Evans

Oliver is based in Devon, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Behind the Paradise: The Scourge of Child Marriage in Fiji

Child Marriage in FijiFiji, a Pacific island nation celebrated for its magnificent volcanic scenery and idyllic beaches, presents a stark contrast between its natural beauty and a dark social reality. One of the most pressing issues shadowing its paradise image is the practice of child marriage in Fiji, where minors are wed before developing the capacity to understand the commitment. This burden falls disproportionately on girls, who families in Fiji often traditionally view as a commodity to marry off as early as possible to alleviate their burdens. A complex interplay of social, cultural and political factors has heavily influenced the persistence of this practice.

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

Vaidehi is based in Hamilton, ON, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Organizations Reducing Child Poverty in Malawi

Child Poverty in MalawiMore than half of the children in Malawi live in poverty. A report conducted by UNICEF stated that all children (0-17 years) in Malawi experience the highest levels of deprivation in sanitation, education and housing. This is particularly worse for children in rural areas, as 76.6% against 24.4% in urban areas experience multi-dimensional poverty.

A child experiencing multi-dimensional poverty is defined by their inability to access specific goods and services simultaneously. In Malawi, poverty is nationwide, but the disparity between urban and rural areas, alongside the layers of poverty, is severe. However, several charities and programs have created solutions to end the cycle of child poverty and strengthen Malawi’s youth and future.

Open Arms Malawi

Open Arms Malawi aims to break the cycle of child poverty through community-led support. By engaging directly with families, Open Arms equips and empowers them with the resources necessary to raise healthy children and achieve self-sufficiency. From birth, it provides infant care to ensure babies survive their early years.

The organization not only supplies families with medicines, milk and food formulas but also covers medical expenses to prevent delays in treatment. Additionally, Open Arms offers parenting advice and education on nutrition and child care, along with monitoring growth charts and health status to create a supportive system for both children and parents, with goals being met. In 2024, 300 children had their health monitored and were provided with food, clothing, educational and medical advice throughout the year.

Self-sufficiency is encouraged through education and collaboration with families. By providing both short-term and long-term resources, sustainable change is driven through learning and developing independence. This strengthens Malawi’s youth from their earliest years and creates a brighter future for them.

Starfish Malawi

Among Starfish Malawi’s various projects aimed at empowering vulnerable children is Glad Tidings Orphan Care. Based in Ngolowindo, a rural village in Malawi’s Salima Lakeshore District, the project is staffed by just six workers. Through home visits, workshops for guardians and medical and nutritional support, the project has improved the lives of 240 children in the area.

Like Open Arms, Glad Tidings’ community-driven support is at the heart of its work. Glad Tidings collaborates with parents, caregivers and community members to carry out its programs and support children in need. Additionally, it provides accessible nursery education as an early intervention for disadvantaged children, encouraging physical, intellectual, creative, social and emotional development.

Currently, 525 children are registered at the GTO nurseries, receiving free nursery education. As such, these orphaned and disadvantaged children can access education, which provides stability and security, a key solution to tackling the cycle of child poverty in Malawi.

Hope4Malawi

Hope4Malawi’s Youth Program concentrates on the final stages of a child’s development as they prepare to leave school. The character development component teaches young people essential life and leadership skills that they can apply in their personal and professional lives, ultimately influencing their community. Hope4Malawi received sponsorships, which have granted full scholarships to 27 students and half scholarships to 28 more students.

Additionally, it has also provided educational resources. This changes the trajectory of the families who couldn’t attend school and provides children and families with an opportunity to reach their potential. Conversely, vocational and business skills are taught to empower young people to secure a livelihood.

These include problem-solving skills, academic skills for employment and business skills to broaden job opportunities and develop business ideas. This not only provides a foundation for young adults to build their careers and enhance employment prospects but also enables them to explore their own dreams. Hope4Malawi helps strengthen Malawi’s youth by encouraging them to turn those dreams into reality.

Going Forward

The community acts as the foundation of these initiatives, working to end child poverty and make a stronger generation of children in Malawi. By addressing and finding solutions to issues faced by babies from birth, the Open Arms support system can transform the lives of children and parents. As children grow, receive an education and seek employment, community-driven efforts persist through organizations like Starfish Malawi and Hope4Malawi’s Youth Program.

These organizations not only offer a helping hand but also help stabilize children from a young age and tackle the multifaceted poverty they encounter. By increasing funding, resources and raising awareness, these community-driven solutions would further strengthen Malawi’s youth and create a brighter future across the country.

– Jule Riemenschneider

Jule is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Being Poor in Portugal: Ending the Cycle for Future Generations

Being Poor in PortugalPortugal, located in southwestern Europe, borders Spain to the north and east and stretches along nearly 1,800 kilometers of Atlantic coastline to the west. The capital of Lisbon was once a symbol of prosperity and influence among European nations, but being poor in Portugal was not uncommon for children and other disadvantaged groups. Today, Portugal is home to roughly 1.7 million children, many of whom still live below the poverty line.

A Society of Inequality

Many nations viewed Portugal as the world’s most powerful empire, despite its small size. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese explorers established routes to major regions, including India, Brazil and China. Yet, the prosperity concentrated in urban centers stood in sharp contrast to the poverty in rural areas.

By the mid-18th century, several major events weakened Portugal’s position on the world stage. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake devastated the capital and Napoleon’s invasion in 1807 further destabilized the country. With limited financial resources, Portugal struggled to keep pace with industrialization. Political instability, inadequate infrastructure and a fragile economy deepened poverty across the nation. Children were among the most vulnerable, facing restricted access to both health care and education.

In the early 2000s, major cities such as Lisbon experienced modest economic growth, driven by tourism and foreign investment. Yet being poor in Portugal remained a reality for many children, as poverty continued to affect a significant portion of the population.

Addressing the Challenge

Nations around the world often praise Europe for its education and health care systems, yet childhood poverty remains a pressing issue in Portugal. In 2021, UNICEF reported that nearly one in five Portuguese children were living in poverty, highlighting the work still needed to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Efforts to combat childhood poverty in Portugal are gaining momentum through advocacy and government programs. In 2023, the country launched the Child Guarantee National Action Plan, a major EU initiative aimed at improving children’s lives. The plan focuses on expanding access to health care, increasing educational opportunities, providing nutritious meals and ensuring adequate housing for those in need. Philanthropists and organizations like AMI are also driving meaningful change.

From the Pitch to the People: Soccer Star Gives Back

Cristiano Ronaldo, a native of Portugal, is one of the world’s most famous footballers. Fans will never forget his soccer achievements, and his advocacy continues to make a difference off the field.

In 2015, DoSomething.org recognized him as the world’s most charitable athlete. His generosity includes funding life-saving brain surgery for a 10-month-old baby suffering from seizures and donating $165,000 to the cancer center that treated his mother. More recently, during the coronavirus pandemic, he reportedly gave $1 million to hospitals in Lisbon and Porto.

One of Ronaldo’s greatest contributions to Portugal goes beyond financial donations. By using his platform to advocate for the world’s most vulnerable, he leaves a lasting impact not only on those he directly helps, but also by setting an example of generosity and compassion.

Solutions and Hope

Identifying the causes of child poverty in Portugal is the first step toward creating sustainable solutions and the Portuguese government has taken key measures to build a country where children have the opportunity to thrive.

Biennial reports on the Child Guarantee National Action Plan will track the program’s impact and help lawmakers make necessary adjustments to combat childhood poverty in Portugal. The 2024 report highlights new initiatives, including reduced health care costs for children and youth, expanded access to education for vulnerable communities and key housing reforms.

Being poor in Portugal is still a reality for many children, but growing advocacy, stronger government initiatives and rising public awareness are paving the way toward meaningful change. Improved data collection, especially for migrant children, will further strengthen efforts to build lasting solutions.

– Fernanda Nilson

Fernanda is based in North Charleston, SC, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Leading the Stride: How Argentina is Tackling Child Poverty

Argentina Is Tackling Child PovertyIn just six months, Argentina has delivered hope, reducing its child poverty rate by nearly 15%. Argentina is tackling child poverty by lifting more than 1.7 million children out of harsh living conditions. This turnaround is not just a national victory but a blueprint for other nations that seek to build a better future for their youngest citizens.

Economic Reforms With Social Impact

Through bold reforms, Argentina is tackling child poverty by fixing its economy. In 2024, studies showed that 52.7% of children lived in households with incomes too low to cover basic needs. The government has made smart changes to control spending, money printing and prices. These steps help families afford more, have a more stable life and a more predictable environment.

In the second half of 2024, there was a 21% increase in real household income. This allowed families to afford necessities like food, clothing and education. The income boost directly contributed to the drop in child poverty, proving that economic growth can translate to social impact with the help of government-involved policies.

It also signaled a shift in how Argentina’s leadership viewed poverty—not just as an economic issue, but as a human one. By stabilizing the economy, the government created a foundation for social programs to thrive, making delivering aid and services to needy families easier.

Policies That Matter

Economic growth alone wasn’t enough; Argentina implemented social protection policies too. These policies were focused on children and included direct cash transfers, national support and expanded access to education and health care services. Direct cash transfers were given to families to help cover basic needs like food, clothing and school supplies.

These transfers were impactful to low-income households, helping to reduce their vulnerability. Expanded access to health care services ensured children received medical attention and healthy meals. The government also improved schools by increasing enrollment rates and bridging the gap between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

According to UNICEF, social protection policies were essential in translating macroeconomic gains into real-life improvements for children. These initiatives were designed not only to alleviate immediate hardship but also to create long-term opportunities. Argentina is tackling child poverty by ensuring families don’t just earn more but live better.

The focus on dignity, access and opportunity has made these policies more than just temporary relief—they are building blocks for a stronger future. New classrooms were built in many regions, teachers were hired and learning materials were distributed to underserved communities. Health care outreach programs also expanded into rural areas, ensuring children in remote locations were not left behind.

The Blueprint

Argentina’s approach offers valuable lessons for other nations grappling with child poverty. It demonstrates that economic reform can create meaningful change when paired with targeted social policies. The country’s success underscores the importance of investing in children—not just as a moral imperative, but as a strategic move to build a more resilient and equitable society.

Looking Ahead

As Argentina continues its journey, it will be challenging to continue moving forward with global economic pressure on it. Long-term success will depend on the continuous investment in education, job creation and growth. Monitoring and adapting policies to meet evolving needs will be key.

If Argentina can sustain its progress, it will become a model for how other countries and economies can tackle poverty through discipline and engagement. For now, the country stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when children’s well-being is at the center of national policy.

– Marissa Schoth

Marissa is based in Benton, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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OneSky: Hong Kong’s Invisible Children

Hong Kong's Invisible ChildrenHong Kong, one of Asia’s largest economic markets, is home to more than 7.5 million individuals. With one of the highest population densities, the city is often unaffordable to many. According to Oxfam Hong Kong, 20.2% of people live below the poverty line. Within that group, young children, often facing abandonment, are the most vulnerable group, as 24.3% of children under the age of 14 live in poverty. In addition, one in 10 children lives with a single parent.

The consequences of a torn and neglected childhood are severe, impacting the ability to provide for oneself and family in the future. Invisible children and those in poverty lack education, have low self-esteem, and struggle with isolation from other children, according to The Hub. Because of instability, children in poverty are highly likely to transition families.

OneSky

Although numerous non-governmental organizations, such as Oxfa,m have worked in reducing poverty in Hong Kong, few groups focus on children’s welfare. OneSky is one of those nonprofits, aiming to empower children in marginalized communities through partnering with governments in Asia. Specifically, their Hong Kong Center seeks to care for invisible children, who are adolescents who were abandoned by their parents, as well as creating programs to educate parents and caretakers.

OneSky’s Hong Kong Center not only aims to provide and raise Hong Kong’s invisible children, but surrounding Chinese villages as well. Following a large wave of migration from rural Chinese villages to industry in Hong Kong, many children struggled with abandonment. As OneSky noted, the damages the invisible children suffered showed little difference from impoverished Chinese children in the late 1990s.

Family Village Program

As other nations in Asia continue to exponentially develop industry and economy, OneSky recognizes the risk young children incur. Drawing from previous work in Hong Kong and China, OneSky is building strategic government partnerships and model centers to guide proper parenting across Asia.

Notably, OnesSky, through the Family Village Program, played a critical role in determining the best course of action impacting invisible children’s welfare status in China. As a result, the initiative trained 36,146 caregivers and assisted over 74,297 children.

Since 2021, OneSky Hong Kong has planned more than 50 partnerships with local service organizations. Throughout the pandemic, OneSky has helped 437 children and families. Despite numerous difficulties in the past years, OneSky has remained true to its mission in looking out for Hong Kong’s invisible children, and will continue to do so.

The Future

OneSky’s work in Hong Kong clearly demonstrates that even in wealthy, industrious areas, poverty among the most vulnerable groups is invisible. Without the dedication and contributions of groups such as OneSky, individuals under the poverty line, especially children, are unable to advocate for their needs. As such, the hope is that the government and the private sector continue to partner and fund organizations that care for invisible children, to ensure that every child has the resources necessary to thrive.

– Owen Wu

Owen is based in Westborough, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Child Marriage in Libya

Child Marriage in LibyaPoverty drives child marriage as families use the practice to escape their poor economic situation. Large families feel the burden of poverty to a greater extent, with many regarding underage marriages as a tool to decrease the burden of families that are unable to take care of their children. People often use underage marriages as a tool to settle financial debt between families and creditors. Child marriages further aggravate the poverty cycle as child brides are often illiterate and have received little to no formal education, fueling their dependency on their spouses. Here is information about child marriage in Libya and efforts to address it.

A Profile of Libya 

Libya has been enduring a civil war for over a decade, and child marriages in Libya are increasing because of the continued deprivation that the civil war has brought upon the population. Libya has faced ongoing social and political upheaval since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. The uprising ousted Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, ending his regime after 42 years in power. Since 2014, Libya has been divided between United Nations-backed western Libya and eastern Libya under military rule from the Libyan National Army, known as the LNA. 

To unify Libya, the United Nations and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum created the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2021. Based in Libya’s capital city of Tripoli, the GNU has received international recognition as Libya’s central government. Opposing the GNU is the Government of National Stability, known as the GNS, is a civilian-led administration that the Libyan House of Representatives established in 2022. The GNS is situated in eastern Libya and has limited control.

The LNA commander, Kalifa Haftar holds real power within eastern Libya. The GNS and Haftar have received support from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The ongoing struggle between the GNU, the GNS and the LNA has fueled political unrest and widespread violence has further worsened the economic situation, which is increasing rates of child marriage in Libya. International human rights organizations are intensifying their scrutiny of the GNU and GNS for allowing the exploitation of children to continue, violating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Prevalence of Child Marriage in Libya 

Data on child marriage in Libya is limited due to restricted access to judicial records amid the ongoing unrest and violence. Between 2021- 2024, Libya registered more than 1,000 underage marriages. Child marriage, which Libyan law defines as the union of persons under the age of 18, is prohibited unless specific exceptions are granted. Libyan law requires individuals to be of sound mind and at least 18-years-old to marry. However, family court judges have the legislative right to authorize underage marriage if the guardian of the minor has given permission and the judge deems the marriage essential. Judges are necessary to meet the minor once, with no social or psychological evaluation necessary for the approval of the marriage.

Between 2011-2017, a  Tripoli courthouse recorded more than 100 underage marriages of children as young as 14 years old, with the largest age gap between spouses being 38 years. Child marriages are more prevalent in southern and rural areas where religious extremism is on the rise. 

In 2021, the GNU launched a marriage facilitation fund offering grants of 40,000 LYD ($8,770 USD) split equally between the two spouses. Given the state of economic instability in Libya, some families are arranging child marriages for economic relief. Internally displaced persons are among the most vulnerable groups and are able to use the fund as a lifeline. In 2021, the youngest recipient of this fund was a 12-year-old girl.

The Consequences of Child Marriage 

Child marriages have severe psychological and physical consequences for minors, particularly girls. Reports from Libya contain testimonies of doctors performing caesarean sections on girls as young as 14. Girls face heightened risks of miscarriage, premature delivery and infant-mother mortality due to their physical immaturity and lack of adequate health care infrastructure in Libya. Child marriage disproportionately affects girls and they are more likely to experience sexual and domestic violence, limited education and economic dependence on their spouse, which renders them unable to leave their situation. Mental health data shows that girls in underage marriages have higher rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Libya’s Strategy to End Child Marriages 

Local women’s rights organizations in Libya have launched the “Not Before 18” campaign to combat child marriages. The campaign includes school-based sessions led by social workers for young girls and their parents to raise awareness about the consequences of underage marriage. The campaign also features women speakers to encourage social development, particularly in rural areas where child marriage is more prevalent.

The Ra’idat program, which the United Nations created, is a year-long leadership and advocacy training initiative for young Libyan women. It equips women with skills in communication, media and civic engagement along with opportunities for further training through the European Union and the African Union. Education is a key strategy for breaking the cycle of poverty and for preventing child marriage in Libya.

– Liberty Whitford Webb

Liberty is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr