Archive for category: Child Poverty

, ,

Child Marriage in Andorra

Child Marriage in Andorra

Despite Andorra’s modest geographic size, the country is known for its Romance Catalan language and strong diplomatic spirit. Above all these fascinating features, Andorra has a lengthy history of underage marriages as defined by the 1995 Andorra Marriage Law. With the approval of the child’s guardians, this law permits 16-year-olds to marry. The United Nations (U.N.) Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) are two active organizations that aim to end child marriage and bring social stability.

Reproductive Freedom for Young Girls

According to the CRC, teenagers in early marriages have the right to seek reproductive and sexual health facilities when in need. Particularly, many teenage females suffer the most from these early marriages. They typically endure domestic violence from their partners. Additionally, they can fall pregnant at an early age, which may trigger mental health problems down the road.

However, the country criminalizes abortion in all circumstances and doesn’t offer domestic exceptions, even for rape, incest or health risks. As a result, people who seek abortions, including underage girls, are forced to travel to Spain or France. In response, the CRC in September 2023, expressed grave concern over Andorra’s total ban. Similarly, CEDAW recommended legal reform so that women and girls, including minors, don’t have to leave the country to access essential reproductive care.

UN Push Leads to Andorra Child Marriage Ban

In 1996, Andorra implemented a recommendation from the U.N. Committee to standardize the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 for both boys and girls. However, despite this early move, concerns persisted over loopholes in the country’s legal framework that still allowed underage marriages under certain conditions. In 2023, the issue resurfaced when the U.N. took note of recent amendments to the Qualified Act on Persons and Families. These reforms reinforced the prohibition of child marriage. These updates provided a more explicit and enforceable legal ban, making the country’s stance on the issue more straightforward.

The U.N. Committee suggested an act to standardize the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 for both boys and girls. Andorra implemented this recommendation in 1996. The U.N. brought up the subject again in 2023 after seeing that the Qualified Act on Persons and Families, a recently amended law, had been reinforced to outlaw child marriage. This allows for a more straightforward and apparent ban on this issue.

That same year, CEDAW called on Andorran communities to end underage marriage entirely. The Committee criticized provisions that permitted marriage as early as age 14 with judicial approval and age 16 under specific circumstances. CEDAW urged Andorra to fully align with international standards by establishing 18 as the absolute minimum legal age for marriage, without exceptions.

Further back in 2015, during the Universal Periodic Review by the U.N. Human Rights Council, Andorra had already agreed with CEDAW’s recommendations to strengthen child protection laws. As part of its broader human rights commitments, Andorra ratified the Council of Europe Convention to prevent and combat violence against children and conflict-related crimes. Under this framework, forced marriages, whether involving adults or minors, are now classified as a form of sexual abuse.

Final Remarks

Andorra has taken a pivotal stance against child marriage, guided by unwavering support for the two global groups. Andorra continues to establish child rights that adhere to universal standards. Legislative modifications and the cautious assembly to hold meetings helped examine these pressing issues and served to support this. Andorra’s commitment to safeguarding adolescents’ health assists in minimizing the adverse social and health effects of unlawful marriages.

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Realities of Child Poverty in the Philippines

The Realities of Child Poverty in the PhilippinesChild poverty in the Philippines remains a pressing concern that affects children’s physical and mental development. While the overall poverty rate in the country has declined, the child poverty rate continues to increase. According to a 2022 policy research report by the World Bank and UNICEF, approximately 5.14 million Filipino children—about 12.4%—live in extreme poverty.

Root Causes and Response Initiatives

Causes, familiarity and socio-economic conditions contribute to the rising number of children living below the poverty line. Advocacy organizations and programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Childhope Philippines Foundation work to ensure that children living on less than $2.15 per day can access education, health care, housing and other resources needed to break the poverty cycle. The Philippines continues to pursue its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country. However, poverty in the country stems from multiple interconnected issues. The long-term effects of child poverty extend beyond the affected children to wider society.

Several factors, including limited employment, inadequate access to quality education and health care and regional conflict, contribute to the persistence of poverty among children.

Child Labor

Low household income remains a key driver of child labor. To support their families, many children either drop out of school or divide their time between work and school. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in 2023, around 1.09 million children aged 5 to 17 were working and 678,000 of them were not eligible to work legally. Although the number of working children has decreased from previous years—935,000 in 2021 and 828,000 in 2022—child labor remains a significant concern. Many children leave school due to financial hardship, creating a cycle of poverty that could persist across generations.

Education

Education plays a vital role in national development. The Philippine government mandates a 13-year basic education system from kindergarten through 12th grade, known as the K–12 program. Despite this, many Filipino children face a learning crisis marked by poor performance in international assessments and high levels of learning poverty. According to UNICEF, children in the Philippines lag five to six years behind students in countries with similar economic profiles.

The education system is governed by three agencies: the Department of Education (DepEd), which manages the K–12 public school system; the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which oversees universities; and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which supervises vocational training programs. While enrollment has increased, access to quality education remains uneven, especially in rural areas. Addressing inaccessibility through advocacy and investment could help children build a better educational foundation.

Child Poverty Reduction Solutions

Governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) programs, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs and Childhope Philippines Foundation, work to combat child poverty in the Philippines. Government programs provide financial support to low-income families, help ensure that every child can attend school and receive necessary health care, while NGOs offer educational solutions, food assistance and community development projects. Expanding and implementing these solutions can potentially get every individual to work together to fight against child poverty effectively, for an increase in opportunities for children as they grow older.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) serves as the country’s flagship poverty reduction strategy. Implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the program provides financial aid to poor households for up to seven years. Conditions include children’s school attendance, regular health visits and participation in family development sessions.

The 4Ps is the fourth-largest CCT program globally and funds 4,177,476 loan recipients, with 870,865 newly registered households. The strategy covered 75% of the country’s population alongside the Philippine government and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving quality education, advancing gender equality, decreasing child mortality and upgrading maternal health care. The 4Ps’ accomplishments have resulted in a poverty reduction of 1.4 percentage points per year or 1.5 million fewer poor Filipinos. In the end, more than 600,000 Filipino families accomplished self-sufficiency with help from the 4Ps. 

Childhope Philippines Foundation

Childhope Philippines is a renowned NGO that aims to promote the welfare, uphold and protect the rights of street children in the Philippines. The organization provides education, health services and livelihood opportunities for the impoverished youth. Established in 1995, Childhope empowers children with skills and resources to achieve a brighter future. It encourages everyone to become a united community where individuals play a role in raising awareness of child poverty in the country.

Nationally and internationally, the foundation encourages people to send donations and participate in volunteer work to become a beacon of hope for 50,000 to 70,000 Filipino children who live and work on the streets of Metro Manila, Philippines. Throughout the years, Childhope transformed the lives of approximately 10,500 street children with long-lasting impacts through its partnerships and projects.

Looking Ahead

Every child deserves access to basic rights and opportunities for a better future. Child poverty in the Philippines requires comprehensive strategies that address economic hardship, improve education and expand social welfare. Efforts by both the government and NGOs play a crucial role in reducing hardship and supporting children’s development. Ongoing commitment from all sectors could help build a society where every child can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national growth.

– Makayla Johnson

Makayla is based in Cary, NC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Little-Known Facts About Child Poverty in Iraq

Child Poverty in IraqAccording to Humanium, around 3.5 million children are affected by poverty in Iraq. Child poverty in Iraq has caused several problems, as it denies children their most basic human rights. These children face multidimensional poverty as they are deprived of education, health care and safety. Here are little-known facts about child poverty in Iraq.

Health

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one in five children in Iraq suffers from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition, a serious issue with long-term impacts. Malnourishment not only threatens children’s survival and physical development but also poses lasting risks to their cognitive abilities and academic performance.

Postnatal breastfeeding practices are extremely low and stand at 19.6%, with most infants receiving additional milk and other liquids shortly after birth. Continuation of breastfeeding is poor, with only 22.7% of mothers reporting offering breast milk until the child reaches 24 months. In Iraq’s previous state of insecurity and population displacement, good child-feeding practices are in even more jeopardy.

Education

Education in Iraq is free and mandatory until the age of 12. However, inadequate facilities and overcrowded classrooms hinder children from receiving a quality education. Additionally, children with disabilities and those who are displaced often lack access to schooling altogether.

Ongoing instability in the country has further undermined the right to education, with several primary and secondary schools forced to shut down and more than 20 schools reportedly demolished. Furthermore, out-of-school children are more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including child labor, recruitment by armed actors and early marriage.

Technology

In partnership with the Government of Iraq (GoI) and UNICEF’s Office of Innovation, UNICEF Iraq is exploring innovative approaches to measure poverty beyond traditional methods. This includes analyzing alternative data sources such as mobile phone data and satellite imagery and incorporating high-frequency surveys.

The goal is to determine whether call detail records (CDRs) and satellite images can effectively predict poverty levels. Once a reliable model is developed, it can be used to monitor and update child poverty estimates across Iraq regularly.

COVID-19

A global consensus emerged recognizing the devastating socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis and Iraq was no exception. The country experienced widespread job losses and rising prices, which led to increasing poverty levels. In addition, disruptions to essential services further deepened household deprivation and vulnerability.

Children and adolescents, who accounted for more than half of Iraq’s population, were particularly affected. They bear the brunt of growing poverty, service interruptions and heightened family stress caused by the pandemic.

In response to the pandemic outbreak in Iraq, the World Bank approved more than $33 million to support the country’s effort in ” preventing, detecting and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Additionally, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) launched new programs to support Iraq’s vulnerable population, especially women and children.

Conclusion

Child poverty in Iraq remains a significant and complex challenge, exacerbated by economic instability and disruptions to essential services. While efforts are being made to address these issues, such as innovative data collection methods and initiatives to improve education and health care, the road to meaningful progress is long. Nonetheless, step by step and in collaboration with international organizations such as the World Bank and WFP, Iraq can effectively tackle its child poverty challenge.

– Dania Kerim

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

Photo: Pexels

,

Aircrafted KIDS: Transforming Aircraft Interiors into Schoolbags

Aircrafted KIDSEmirates Airline, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, launched its “Aircrafted KIDS” initiative in June 2024 in conjunction with World Environment Day. As part of an environmental strategy focused on responsible consumption, this initiative builds on the Emirates Airline Foundation’s long-standing dedication to children’s welfare programs by upcycling aircraft interiors into handcrafted schoolbags designed to support early education for underprivileged children across Africa and Asia.

From Cabins to Classrooms

Aircrafted KIDS represents a pioneering fusion of sustainability and education. In August 2022, Emirates launched the world’s largest retrofit project – a $2 billion investment to fully refit 191 aircraft, including 110 Airbus A380s and 81 Boeing 777s. While the primary goal was to elevate the passenger experience, the initiative also presented a unique opportunity to repurpose up to 50,000 kilograms of waste materials from cabin interiors.

For example, the retrofitting of 22 Airbus A380s generated more than 5,205 kilograms of materials – primarily seat fabrics composed of 95% wool and 5% nylon, according to Emirates Airline. These textiles, known for their durability and non-flammability, proved ideal for upcycling into functional, child-friendly schoolbags.

Rather than simply sending the scrap material to a landfill, Emirates Engineering established a dedicated workshop where skilled tailors repurposed the recovered fabrics into a diverse range of handcrafted backpacks for children of all ages. Collaborating closely with Emirates’ Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand team, the initiative identified charitable organizations, schools, orphanages and community foundations to receive the bags – each one thoughtfully filled with essential school supplies. This project not only significantly reduces waste from aircraft refurbishments but also reinforces Emirates’ broader mission to support education and community wellbeing.

Impact in Africa

Nearly a year since its launch, the impact of the Aircrafted KIDS initiative continues to grow. Emirates partnered with six organizations across Africa to deliver more than 1,300 handcrafted schoolbags, each filled with carefully curated items such as stationery, calculators, water bottles, hygiene items, lunchboxes, and other educational essentials—alongside books by local authors that offer culturally rich stories and interactive learning experiences.

In Zimbabwe, Emirates partnered with St Marcellin’s Children’s Village Trust and Rose of Sharon, two non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting vulnerable children. The airline collaborated with the Kucetekela Foundation in Zambia, which supports academically gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds, and the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE), which focuses on empowering families through education and economic support – donating 464 special edition schoolbags.

In Ethiopia, Emirates joined forces with Bravehearts Ethiopia, an NGO championing access to quality education, and Roots Ethiopia, which supports rural education initiatives across the country – donating 450 Aircrafted KIDS bags to children in need.

Emirates’ Country Manager in Zambia, Omar Bushlaibi, reflected on the parallel between education and travel, highlighting how both broaden perspectives and drive societal development. He reaffirmed the airline’s long-standing commitment to Zambia since commencing operations in 2012, emphasizing not only its ongoing efforts to expand services but also its dedication to making a meaningful contribution to local community development. Bushlaibi’s words reflect Emirates’ strong sense of social responsibility and its commitment to creating a positive impact in the destinations it serves.

Impact in Asia

Following its donations in Africa, Aircrafted KIDS extended its impact across Asia, distributing 700 handcrafted schoolbags filled with essential supplies to support students in their daily learning and enrich their educational experience.

In India, Emirates teamed up with the Smile Foundation, an organization supporting children aged 6 to 14 through education, health care and livelihood programs. Together, they distributed 400 practical and thoughtfully designed backpacks to students in New Delhi to support their academic journey.

In Bangladesh, Emirates partnered with Kanan, Thikana (Shelter Home), and Ahsania Mission Shishu Nagari—three Dhaka-based organizations that provide shelter and education for women and children. With 187 backpacks donated, Emirates is supporting ongoing efforts to reform the country’s education system and promote equal opportunities for all children. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, Emirates collaborated with SOS Children’s Villages, a world-renowned organization that offers care and education to underprivileged youth.

The next destination for the Aircrafted KIDS schoolbag initiative is Egypt, with additional locations across the MENA region set to follow soon.

Final Thoughts

Education is a fundamental right and a powerful catalyst for societal progress, forming the bedrock of economic empowerment and ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the tools required to create a more prosperous future. Nevertheless, according to UNESCO, 251 million children and young people are currently out of school, with more than half living in sub-Saharan Africa—a situation further compounded by the ongoing challenges many children face in accessing the resources and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.

Aircrafted KIDS exemplifies the innovative possibilities that arise when business and humanitarian values intersect, demonstrating that these two forces need not be in opposition; instead, they can work together to create solutions that benefit both the economy and society.

– Charlotte Codd

Charlotte is based in Waterford, Ireland and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Programs Helping to Reduce Child Poverty in Guatemala

Programs Helping the Impoverished Children of Guatemala Guatemala faces extreme educational difficulties, which heavily impact the future of its youth and contribute to ongoing poverty issues. The problem stems from a lack of access to resources such as books and computers, while many teachers lack proper training. Rural and indigenous communities face the most significant challenges. Only four out of every 10 children in Guatemala advance to middle school and only two of those 10 graduate from high school. This lack of quality education makes it difficult for children to escape poverty in Guatemala. Without education or relevant skills, they struggle to secure higher-paying jobs. However, several programs aim to address this issue by providing materials and improving education, offering a better future for these affected communities.

The Rotary Pathways Guatemala Literacy Project

The Rotary Pathways Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP), established in 1997, has worked to reach underprivileged communities and students through sustainable programs. This project has brought education to 295,000 children and emphasizes four complementary programs: Spark, Textbooks, Technology and Rise Youth Development. Furthermore, these programs help impoverished children in Guatemala by promoting literacy and developing technological skills.

  • Spark Program. The Spark Program aims to train teachers specifically in children’s literature and reading-focused lessons to help raise the literacy rates, which at the moment are almost 85% for most of Guatemala but reaching only about 33% for rural and indigenous communities. Through the Spark Program, 49% of first-graders scored better than the national average.
  • Textbook Program. The Textbook Program provides students with textbooks in various subjects and trains teachers to incorporate these materials into their lessons effectively. In rural Guatemala, 90% of schools lack access to textbooks. The Textbook Program helps lower this percentage by providing affordable textbooks for students and improving access to quality educational materials.
  • Technology Program. The Technology Program provides students access to computers, which enhances their technological literacy. Furthermore, this approach helps teach them necessary tech skills that are beneficial for future jobs. In Guatemala, 60% of entry-level jobs require tech skills. The program closes the digital divide and reduces unemployment by equipping students with the tools necessary to succeed.
  • Rise Youth Development Program. The Rise Youth Development Program provides scholarships to students in need, especially Mayan children in rural communities. The program alleviates economic stress on families by covering school costs, allowing students to focus on their education. It also offers peer mentoring, home visits to engage families and academic and social support. Since its inception, the Rise Youth Development Program has increased high school graduation rates for impoverished children from 10% to 80%.

The GLP’s Impact on Children’s Lives

The GLP has extended hope through the power of education and has continuously shown the benefits of technological literacy through the success of its students. As of 2025, the project plans to help another 6,200 children between January and October. Through its various programs, the GLP has helped hundreds of thousands of children obtain quality education and improve their chances of securing better jobs, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty.

Looking Ahead

The Guatemala Literacy Project has made significant progress in addressing educational inequalities and poverty in Guatemala. By enhancing literacy, expanding access to learning materials, bridging the digital divide and supporting vulnerable students through scholarships, these programs offer a comprehensive solution to poverty. Continued support and expansion of these initiatives could sustain these achievements, empowering even more children to escape poverty and secure brighter futures.

– Cheyenne Weller

Cheyenne is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Yamandú Orsi’s Plan to Reduce Child Poverty in Uruguay

Poverty in UruguayIn a continent of continual crisis, Uruguay is an outlier. The Latin American country has been a success story in recent years, boasting a lower poverty rate than the U.S. However, while previous governments have helped reduce poverty in Uruguay to a low level, the newly elected president, Yamandú Orsi, still faces several challenges surrounding poverty in the country.

About Yamandú Orsi

On March 1, Orsi took office for the first time, a remarkable achievement for someone from humble beginnings. Orsi, 57, grew up in a house without electricity in rural Uruguay before moving to the Canelones region, where he found political success. He served as intendant (like a mayor) of Canelones from 2015 to 2024. In November 2024, Orsi secured his most significant political victory by winning the Uruguayan presidency as a candidate for the Broad Front, a left-wing coalition.

A Country of the Future

Unlike many of its South American counterparts, Uruguay is widely seen as a success story. Since returning to civilian rule in 1985, the country has prioritized financial stability, economic growth and progressive policies. It has also emphasized sustainability, with approximately 93% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.

The previous president’s attempts at reducing poverty in Uruguay have proven to be largely successful, with the country holding a 10.4% monetary poverty rate, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). While the low poverty rate is a success, the reduction in the poverty rate has slowed in recent years, something that Orsi will look to address.

Child Poverty and Gender Inequality in Uruguay

Poverty in Uruguay remains relatively low. However, the same cannot be said for the child poverty rate. According to UNICEF, the rate is estimated at 19.4%, nearly double that of the national poverty rate. Uruguay’s child poverty issue is also inherently gendered, with the World Bank estimating that 71.8% of needy children live in female-led households. The cause of such high child poverty rates has been attributed to COVID-19 and unemployment within the country. 

However, Orsi has pledged to expand the existing “Bono Crianza” scheme to alleviate this issue. The policy aims to improve the income and financial security of “households in situations of extreme socioeconomic vulnerability where pregnant women and/or children from 0 to 3 years old reside.”

Expanding this scheme will undoubtedly reduce child poverty in Uruguay. It will reach more and more parents in need of additional income, many of those being female-led households. Additionally, Orsi is also looking to raise social spending to “generate employment opportunities for young people.”

Poverty in Uruguay: Little Action as Positive Action

With Uruguay being a success story over the last few decades, Orsi is not looking to make wide scale changes. His plan to reduce poverty is derived from making subtle changes to the system rather than starting afresh. Through these subtle changes, Orsi will hope to bring down both the monetary and child poverty rates. Further emphasizing the impressive development that Uruguay has undergone since the 1980s.

– Andrew Nicoll

Andrew is based in Long Melford, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, , ,

Community Efforts To Break Child Poverty in South Sudan

Child Poverty in South Sudan
Child poverty in South Sudan is prevalent with many facing malnutrition, lacking education and having limited health care access. Sida’s multidimensional poverty analysis (MDPA) reports that one in 10 South Sudanese children starve to death by the time they are five years old and 73% of adults are illiterate.

Despite these harrowing challenges, community-led initiatives are emerging as efforts to break child poverty in South Sudan. From providing essential supplies to advocating for systemic change, these efforts are creating tangible paths toward hope and resilience.

Donate School Supplies

Decades of conflict have had disastrous effects on South Sudan’s educational system. Parents struggle to give their children the critical textbooks, uniforms and writing tools they need, which discourages many students from attending school.

These tools may seem small, but they are essential items to donate to disaster relief efforts aimed at bridging educational gaps. Families relieved of these material burdens can focus on ensuring their children attend classes and thrive academically.

Provide Personal Hygiene Kits

Hygiene-related health issues plague rural South Sudan, further straining children’s ability to stay in school. Many children miss crucial days due to preventable infections as a result of inadequate hygiene or a lack of menstrual supplies.

Simple hygiene kits—including soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste or sanitary items—enhance well-being and could improve school attendance significantly. Hygiene kit drives, organized through schools, workplaces or community groups, can distribute these essential resources to children in need. For example, Pads For Peace is a project organized through Global Giving, which helps to gather funding for sending menstrual hygiene supplies for women in Sudan. 

Support First Aid Donations and Community Training

Surrounded by scarce health care infrastructure, children in South Sudan often rely on bandages and antiseptics for minor injuries due to the lack of clinics and medications. These seemingly small items can prevent infections and save lives when medical care is unavailable.

Beyond supplies, consider petitioning to secure funding for community health volunteer programs in South Sudan. Medical professionals can administer care and share basic medical knowledge. This empowerment strengthens the foundations of health at a local level. For example, Medicial Team International has already completed more than 641,426 medical screenings for people in South Sudan between 2020 and 2024. 

Explore Other Ways To Help

The opportunities to contribute are endless. Hosting fundraising events can support food collection programs or provide critical funding for NGOs on the ground. Meanwhile, sponsoring a child’s education directly guarantees long-lasting change in an individual’s life.

Advocate for Systemic Change

Widespread governmental corruption worsens resource allocation and denies children access to basic needs. Reaching out to policymakers and signing petitions amplifies the urgency for transparency and global funding.

Advocacy efforts pushing for international human rights interventions keep South Sudan’s plight in focus, you can urge world leaders to prioritize child poverty in the region. If a person uses their voice to hold governments accountable, they can help uproot harmful systems that perpetuate inequality. 

Making a Difference

The road to eliminating child poverty in South Sudan may seem insurmountable, but it begins with small, purposeful actions. From donating supplies to advocating for policy change, everyone can play a role in efforts to break child poverty in South Sudan.

– Kelly Schoessling
Photo: Flickr

, ,

Education and Child Poverty in Eswatini

Child Poverty in EswatiniEswatini is a country located in Africa between South Africa and Mozambique. Poverty is an ongoing crisis in Eswatini, child poverty in particular. Children comprise 42.8% of the population, with 70% living in impoverished conditions. Poverty greatly impacts the education of young children. Here is information about learning and child poverty in Eswatini. 

Education and Unemployment

Unemployment is on the rise in Eswatini due to a lack of jobs and quality jobs. The majority of the employed population participates in low-quality jobs, including agriculture. Unemployment in Eswatini stems from a troubled education system. Students lack the basic skills needed to enter the workforce.

Vulnerable Children

The term vulnerable children refers to those who do not have living parents, live in a group home or grew up in a poor family. About 51% of these children do not continue to secondary school after finishing primary.

Eswatini is facing learning poverty, which refers to children aged 10 and younger who cannot read or comprehend texts appropriate for their age group. 

Vulnerable children and those living in poverty often face traumas, which makes attending school difficult. Children who have to take on responsibilities at a young age have trouble doing well in school.

Current Education

Children begin public school at six and receive free education up to the seventh grade and free materials. Most children do not continue to go to school after grade 7. Since schooling does not begin until age 6, less than half of children under that age receive any sort of education. 

The lack of English is a huge factor in students’ success in Eswatini. Statistically, students who speak better English do well in other subjects. Students who speak English more frequently score better on exams and perform higher in science and mathematics. As little as 10% of students in grade 6 speak English often. It has also been proven that students who attend school in urban areas of the country perform better than students in rural areas. This is partially credited to the fact that poverty is higher in rural areas. 

There also remains an insufficient amount of qualified teachers, especially in fields such as science and mathematics. It is even harder to attract teachers to rural areas due to the lack of incentives. Therefore, many teachers are unqualified, with 30% of secondary teachers having no teaching skills or qualifications. 

Dropping Out of School

Cost is the number one reason students drop out after finishing primary education. A major reason that young girls and teenagers drop out of school is pregnancy. Pregnancy is common among young girls in Eswatini due to poverty. Poverty often influences girls to participate in sexual actions for money, leading to undesired pregnancies. About 18% of girls that drop out of primary school are due to pregnancies, and 35% in secondary school. A leading cause for boys dropping out of school is not performing well enough. Growing up impoverished, lacking a father figure, and drug abuse are all factors that can lead to an inferior feeling in boys, often causing them to give up on their education.

Solutions

Eswatini has introduced a Multi-Year Action plan for the education system for the years of 2022/23-2024/25. This plan will implement the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP), which has six goals: 

  1. Educational quality and student learning improved at all levels
  2. Students retained in school until completion
  3. Entry and exit points of the education system strengthened 
  4. Teacher development and management enhanced
  5. Access further improved
  6. System resilience strengthened (after COVID-19) and system prepared for future crisis prevention

Each goal has a set of key activities and sub activities in order to better the education system. In this plan, Eswatini plans to promote learning for younger children (grade 0), provide food to schools with grade 0 children, advance national assessment tests, train teachers with proper framework (including English), reassess and distribute the budget in schools, incorporate children with disabilities and much more. This plan includes detailed figures and tables of the financials, each broken up into budgeted categories. The reform of the education system is not a quick fix because it requires a great quantity of money and resources over the span of years. Yet, Eswatini is already making strides towards its goal. 

Hopefully, these steps can help combat child poverty in Eswatini and provide those in need with proper resources and access to education. 

– Ella Burke

Ella is based in Lawrence, KS, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Use of Child Soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan

Child Soldiers in Iraqi KurdistanThe use of child soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan has a long and troubling history, dating back to the mid-to-late 20th century when Kurdish militias mobilized entire communities, including children, in their struggle for autonomy. Yet, one particular 1970’s terrorist militia, The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), continues its fight today seeking an independent Kurdish state, while indicted of war crimes for exploiting children as young as 7 for combat.

The History of Child Soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan

During Saddam Hussein’s reign, vulnerable children often became targets of informal militias, with the PKK recruiting aggressively since its formation. In 1994, reports filed by the UN Refugee Agency documented the PKK’s “systematic increase in child recruitment” and even the creation of “child regiments.” A battalion called Tabura Zaroken Sehit Agit, for instance, operated with “a committee of five children aged between 8 and 12.” A year later, sources from the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) verified these reports after the loss of 1,000 PKK guerrillas—many of them young boys and girls—during an attack on the Kurdish Democratic Party. Yet, instead of being deterred by heavy casualties, the PKK intensified its recruitment efforts, adding 3,000 more children to its ranks by 1998.

About 13 years after Saddam Hussein’s deposition, the practice had not subsided. Human Rights Watch documented 29 cases of the use of child soldiers in 2016 –  all tied to the PKK. Additionally, of these cases, the children concerned routinely admitted to “participating in fighting,” staffing checkpoints throughout the PKK occupied Qandil Mountains, and cleaning or preparing weapons. The latter occupations, although far from the frontlines, still carrying significant risks. Due to Iraqi Kurdistan’s neighboring proximity to Turkey, Turkish airstrikes can kill child soldiers without the children witnessing the horrors of close combat.

The Influence of Poverty

Chiefly, the depths of Iraqi poverty bear the foremost reason why these children fall into recruitment traps that militias created. Deprived of money and education, children fall susceptible to armed groups offering financial incentives. As of 2016, UNICEF reported that more than a half a million Iraqi children were engaged in labor due to declining family incomes, violence and displacement. With a further “5 million children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.” Furthermore, long-term political instability, corruption or weak governance in Iraq has exacerbated poverty. Limited economic opportunities and displacement due to armed conflict coupled with societal pressures to achieve rite of passage or honor in protection of one’s family makes children increasingly vulnerable to militant influence.

As such, important NGOs like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which began operating in Iraq in 2003, and the Iraq Child Rights Network which began working in Iraq in 2011, are continuously offering community-based child protection systems and implementing protective policies. In 2022, the IRC’s child and youth protection and development services supported 18,200 people, providing conflict-affected children with access to sustainable, specialized, holistic and nurturing protective services. Likewise, the ICRN has contributed its support to the National Child Protection Policy (NCPP), a policy which aims to provide a comprehensive framework to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse, including preventing the recruitment of children into armed forces and armed groups.

Positive Changes

However, among all progress, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is driving the greatest changes. In August 2024, a conference occurred titled Promoting the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Accordance with International Standards. At this conference, Kurdistan’s Coordinator for International Advocacy, Dinadr Zebari, highlighted the KRG’s aims—specifically its 2021–2025 Regional Human Rights Action Plan—to raise Iraqi Kurdistan’s international reputation through “commitments to human rights.”

He stated the KRG has already implemented several human rights recommendations upon refugees, of whom are the primary source of child soldiers. These recommendations include “reception, accommodation, and essential services.” In fact, the KRG is now responsible for 80% of services for refugees, having allocated 138 schools and 54 mainstream schools throughout the region. This is monumental achievement, because 40,410 refugee students now receive formal education and there is hope that more refugees will enroll in mainstream schools since the Ministry of Education’s granting approval in 2021.

Looking Ahead

While the future looks promising for Iraq and its educational developments, there can be no complete celebration until every child is safe from militancy. About 327,000 refugees still reside in Iraq, with 41% estimated to be children under 18. Of these, 90% live specifically in the Kurdistan region. This means that potentially 93,000 child refugees still require aid and education after subtracting those already enrolled in schools. 

– Leighton Webber

Leighton is based in the UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

TOMS: Advancing Efforts in Improving Lives

TOMSTOMS is a social enterprise founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie. Mycoskie took a sabbatical to Argentina, where he witnessed children struggling without shoes: inadequate safety and education barriers. The company sells a wide range of products, from shoes, eyewear, apparel and handbags and its recent venture, coffee, in 2014. In 2019, Mycoskie switched to TOMS’ renowned approach, the One-for-One Model, where every pair of shoes purchased would mean giving a shoe to someone in need. TOMS evolved from this strategy to reach a diverse range of issues.

The company’s current operational model offers a third of its net profits through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations. These organizations are aimed at mental health, eradicating gun violence and opening doors to opportunities. Indeed, TOMS has consistently strived to ensure that making a positive social impact is as significant as producing high-quality products. With meaningful and sustainable partnerships, it has impacted more than 100 million people.

ChildFund

In 2012, TOMS partnered with ChildFund to give new shoes to needy children in Liberia. In Liberia, children are required to wear black shoes to school; however, numerous families cannot afford them. Thus, families with siblings share a pair of school shoes, each wearing a slipper on one foot and a school shoe on the other.

A “ChildFund study in 2010 estimated that 15% of school-aged children in developing countries have hookworm or another parasitic disease due to bare feet.” This partnership improves the children’s learning experience. It supports long-term access to education and health for these children, offering a step out of poverty. Thanks to TOMS and ChildFund, hundreds of Liberian schoolchildren now have school shoes.

Save the Children

With the One-for-One model, TOMS gave more than a million pairs of shoes and winter boots to children in various countries: Lithuania, El Salvador, Tajikistan and more. The distribution of shoes was part of a broader, holistic approach to improving children’s well-being through Save the Children’s wellness, dietary and educational services.

TOMS employees participated in events and trips to witness the behind-the-scenes of what it is like to give the TOMS shoes to the children. Save the Children leaders often speak at TOMS’s office events, cultivating the shared collaborative spirit. Employee engagement with TOMS and Save the Children was beneficial. It inspires employees to strive for the best quality products for the children.

Save the Children’s brand awareness widened when TOMS frequently displayed the brand to new crowds and trendsetters. Through digital advertising, TOMS would focus on spreading awareness about children in poverty in their flagship stores and partner with Save the Children to market its campaigns. During Hurricane Harvey, TOMS urged customers to advocate for Save the Children’s emergency fundraising efforts.

One Day Without Shoes Campaign

On 10 April 2010, TOMS “One Day Without Shoes (ODWS),” an idea developed in 2008 by students in Pepperdine University’s Surf Club, was commemorated to create awareness about the impact of not having shoes for underprivileged children worldwide. TOMS ensured that a pair of shoes would be donated to a child in need for every interesting photograph posted. By posting a photo of bare feet and using hashtag #withoutshoes, TOMS was able to garner a broad community to get involved and inspired.

A new pair of TOMS Giving Shoes was received by 296,243 children in need. This was achieved through the involvement of people in more than 30 countries. During the campaign, the community of 300,000 barefoot photos was eager to tag #withoutshoes to publicize the campaign.

World Mental Health Day, 2023

TOMS gives a third of its profits through cash grants to nonprofit organizations. On 10 October 2023, TOMS gave 10 “mental health-focused nonprofit organizations” worldwide $10,000 cash grants each. Wall of Sharing, Fundación Origen, International Medical Corps—Ukraine and Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative—Nigeria are such organizations.

TOMS’ Commitment to Positive Change

TOMS has evolved from its original “One-for-One” model to a broader approach, focusing on sustainable change. Ensuring immediate needs and long-term improvements, the company has positioned itself as a leader in corporate responsibility. Indeed, the company has created a meaningful impact on communities internationally. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with ChildFund and Save the Children, cash grants to International Medical Corps—Ukraine and more have been instrumental to global communities by providing shoes to children in need or supporting mental health initiatives.

– Nalini Vj

Nalini is based in Perth, WA, Australia and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr