Archive for category: Children

Information and stories addressing children.

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Child Marriage in Tajikistan: Multi-Sector Solutions Gain Momentum

Child Marriage in TajikistanEven though the law sets the minimum marriage age at 17 for girls and 18 for boys, many adolescent girls in Tajikistan still marry young. In 2022, courts approved 4,000 marriages at age 17, up from 2,500 in 2018. Human rights ombudsman Suhaili Qodiri called these numbers too high and urged stricter enforcement of the age 18 rule. Many religious nikah ceremonies are not officially registered. The rate of child marriage among women aged 20 to 24 fell from 10% to 9% between 1992 and 2017. Rural areas have higher rates at 13%, while cities have rates of 6%.

Courts Tighten Approval Standards

Some families in Tajikistan use Family Code Article 13, which allows marriage in exceptional circumstances, to arrange child marriages. In 2024, courts rejected 15% more of these requests after the ombudsman became involved. Poverty plays a significant role, with 80% of 17-year-old brides coming from conservative regions like Rasht and Khatlon, where families struggle financially. Enforcement efforts helped 1,200 girls return to school in 2023, and makhalla councils turned down 350 underage marriage requests following new legal reforms.

Education and Health

UNICEF holds theater performances in 300 villages each year, reaching 150,000 people with plays about the health risks and missed educational opportunities linked to child marriage. After these events, surveys show that 68% of parents chose to delay their daughters’ weddings by at least two years. Girls Not Brides trains 5,000 imams to speak against child marriage, reaching two million worshippers each week. As a result of these efforts, local councils now receive 25% fewer underage marriage requests as more elders support delaying marriage.

Additionally, the World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative provides $30 monthly stipends to 50,000 families who keep their daughters in school after age 15. The program has raised secondary school enrollment by 18% in Khatlon and Sughd. Vocational centers train 10,000 teenagers each year in tailoring, agriculture and information technology, and graduates earn 35% more than early-married peers within two years. Child marriage in Tajikistan rates among stipend households fell from 22% in the poorest quintile to 11%.

In the Rasht Valley, mobile classrooms provide evening classes in 120 villages, helping 85% of working girls at risk of marriage at age 14 to finish school. Government scholarships provide uniforms and textbooks to 100,000 at-risk students, raising school retention from 65% to 82% between 2022 and 2025. The program also offers nutritional support, which has lowered anemia rates by 28% among participants through fortified meals.

In 2025, health ministry clinics screened 120,000 adolescent girls for reproductive risks related to child marriage in Tajikistan and distributed 300,000 booklets about health risks. Specialized camps treated 1,100 women for childbirth complications caused by teen pregnancies. Hotlines received 7,500 calls from minors seeking help to escape forced marriages. HIV screening is now part of these programs, reducing mother-to-child transmission rates by 22% among young brides in targeted districts.

Making Progress

From 2017 to 2020, Tajikistan prosecuted 36 cases under Article 168 for child marriage and 27 cases under Article 169 for marrying minors. Officiants can receive up to five years in prison. Following recommendations from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), authorities increased oversight of nikah ceremonies and rejected 20% more parental petitions that cited cultural tradition. These enforcement steps help Tajikistan fulfill its 2023 Universal Periodic Review commitment to apply the age 18 rule across all 58 districts.

Surveys from the State Statistics Committee show that school dropouts caused by child marriage fell by 8% since the digital marriage registry started in 2023. New agreements with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan now block 90% of duplicate underage marriage applications by using shared databases. Donor-funded mobile registration units also help track child marriage in remote areas like the Pamir and Zeravshan mountains.

Tajikistan is sharing its court protocols for denying underage marriages at Central Asia summits through 2025 and is working to align marriage registration rules with neighboring countries. The Aga Khan Foundation runs 15 safe houses that shelter 900 escapees each year, offering counseling and helping families reunite. Awareness campaigns about child marriage now reach 65% of households. A 2025 poll found that 62% of household heads support marriage after age 20.

Looking Ahead

Tajikistan plans to lower child marriage rates to below 7% by 2030 through court enforcement, financial support, mobile education and community awareness, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. As more girls finish secondary school and enter the workforce, social norms are shifting. Girls who graduate from secondary school are three times less likely to marry before 18. Tajikistan’s multisector approach could serve as a model for other parts of Central Asia addressing similar challenges.

– Niaz Youssefian

Niaz is based in Cardiff, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Healing Gaza’s Children: Teachers As Mental Health Workers

Healing Gaza’s Children: Why Teachers Are Frontline Mental Health WorkersIn Gaza, more than half of the children needed mental health support even before October 2023. Psychologists warn that more than 80% of Gaza’s children show symptoms of severe trauma, highlighting the urgency of addressing mental health among Gaza’s children. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder stated that one million children have endured daily violence, leaving them with deep emotional wounds. However, psychosocial support from teachers who continue to provide lessons and mental health services has positioned them as frontline mental health workers, allowing children to process their emotions.

Beyond PTSD

Dr. Aneeza Pervez urges psychologists to reflect on how they respond to the suffering of children in contexts of war and extreme violence, arguing that healing Gaza’s children requires psychologists to address the issue openly. She asks whether silence or neutrality in the face of widespread harm is compatible with the responsibilities of psychology, as children in Gaza are individuals entitled to safety, dignity, care and psychological support.

Psychotherapist Teresa Bailey explains that trauma rewires a child’s brain and argues that these children do not suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but something more severe, because they experience traumatic terror daily.

Red Paint, Silence and Rap

A young girl from Deir al-Balah, a displacement camp in Gaza, used only red in an art therapy session, overcome by memories of violence following repeated bombings. Humanitarian practitioners should track child mental health and protection as a separate priority from wider health clusters because the funding allocated to psychosocial support remains unclear. Training teachers to support and offer pathways for these children to communicate and release their emotions is essential.

Asal al-Ladawi, 9, suffered from traumatic mutism after witnessing the death of her mother in a bombing. However, psychotherapy techniques such as virtual reality programs have aided children like her in finding their voices again and rebuilding a sense of security.

MC Abdul is a teenager who left Gaza and makes music about the ongoing suffering of people there, as well as his family. His song “The Pen & The Sword,” released in 2023, addresses the lost dreams of children living in Gaza.

Teachers as Healers

According to a 2019 report, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) received only 0.14% of Overseas Development Assistance funding between 2015 and 2017. In Gaza, SOS Children’s Villages provides specialized psychosocial support programs to help integrate children and adolescents through recreational activities. Zoya Thatlgieh of SOS Children’s Villages Palestine stated that when a child opens up to someone they trust, recovery is always possible. According to a report in October 2025, SOS Children’s Villages provided mental health assistance to 30,632 children in Gaza.

Teacher Ahmed Abu Riziq set up schools in tents to bring structure and learning to his pupils. Abu Riziq and his colleagues launched Gaza Great Minds in 2024. By 2025, more than 3,000 students between the ages of 3 and 16 were receiving lessons in tents alongside professional psychiatric support.

In displacement camps south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, more teachers have set up schools in tents. Teacher Abdulsalam explained that these tents have become a line of defense, describing education in the camps as a form of therapy as well as a source of knowledge. Teachers can detect behavioral changes in children and can support the mental health of young people in Gaza.

Hadeel al-Gharbawi, a Palestinian teacher, helps children cope with trauma through yoga practice. These classes allow children to step away from their fears and feel in control, even if only temporarily. The tent also offers educational and other recreational programs for displaced children.

Evidence of Success

Education International member organizations from South Africa, the U.K., Portugal, Italy, Spain and Australia set up a joint initiative to support the General Union of Palestinian Teachers. The project trains hundreds of female teachers across the region and financially assists teachers in Gaza and the West Bank.

Similar programs such as the Syrian American Mental Health Network have delivered and supervised training on Teaching Recovery Techniques to large numbers of children in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) has reached more than 50,000 displaced Syrians through school and camp programs, offering telepsychiatry through Yale University.

This demonstrates that teachers trained in basic mental health support can play a meaningful role in healing Gaza’s children.

Looking Ahead

Teachers can become a major lifeline for children in Gaza if they receive training in psychological first aid, helping to reduce the effects of conflict on young people. Healing Gaza’s children requires trained teachers, sustained funding and continued international support.

– Anisa Begum

Anisa is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage in the DRC: Causes, Consequences and Solutions

Child Marriage in the DRCChild marriage consists of the formal union between two individuals where at least one of the two is under 18 years of age. Even if child marriage is illegal in most countries, it still persists worldwide. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of child marriage in the world. Nowadays, in the DRC, about 2.6 million girls marry before turning 15 and 8 million girls marry by age 18 which represent, respectively, 8% of and 29 % of the women’s population. This is a national average, because child marriage in the DRC is more present in certain regions, namely poorer and rural areas, especially when conflict and displacements impacts them. With 60% of the female population marrying before 18, Tanganyika is the province with the highest child marriage rate, while Kinshasa is the lowest, with an incidence of just above 18%.

The legal minimum age to marry in the DRC is 18 years old, but this does not necessarily mean that the law can be enforced everywhere, especially in areas where customary traditions usually prevail over state legislation. Men can also engage in child marriage, but to a lesser extent than women. Only 6% of men in the DRC marry by the age of 18. Child marriage can bring catastrophic consequences on women’s health, education and employment status, often increasing teenagers’ pregnancy and drastically limiting women’s economic empowerment.

Causes of Child Marriage in the DRC

There are multiple reasons why child marriage still persists in the DRC and ultimately, aspects such as education and economic background of families, as well as influence of local traditions play a role.

The first obvious consideration is the wealth factor: the poorer the girl, the sooner she will marry. In many circumstances when a family cannot provide for their daughter, they will send her away in marriage at the earliest opportunity. This fact is particularly emphasized in areas with high internal displacement rates, usually among the poorest in the country. Another factor to consider is the education status of individuals, the more educated the girls and the more likely they are exposed to informational media, the later they would marry. Even more importantly, child marriage is often a consequence of lack of reproductive rights and knowledge of safe sexual practices.

Often child marriage happens after an unwanted pregnancy, then the girl might be asked to marry the father of the child conceived. In some cases, people can use impromptu arranged marriage to settle a rape: often, the woman is forced to marry the man that raped her. Furthermore, it is important to consider the role of tradition and differences across religions and ethnic groups. In some areas of the country, especially rural areas where customary traditions are stronger, marrying young is more accepted, sometimes even encouraged, compared to more urbanized areas, such as in the capital Kinshasa.

Impacts of Child Marriage in the DRC

Child marriage has different and sometimes dramatic impacts on the life of individuals who engage in it. Marrying younger means higher fertility rates, including teenage pregnancies and all the associated health risks both in mothers and babies. With a ratio of 107 of every 1,000 girls aged 15-19 giving birth. The DRC has one of the highest fertility rates in adolescents in the world, as well as a very high mortality rate for infants, about 45 infant deaths every 1,000 individuals.

Marrying younger introduces another health concern, as it increases the chances of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. In addition, after marriage, most girls stop pursuing education. In the DRC, only 50% of girls complete lower secondary school education, versus 61.8% of boys, a 12 percentage point gap, much more significant than the average gap of the Sub-Saharan region, 1.8.

It has also been observed that child marriage can be devastating for girls’ wellbeing. Not only do married girls in the DRC report lower self-esteem, they also are more likely to become victims of domestic violence. This could be physical violence, emotional violence or sexual violence, often perpetrated by their husband. Ultimately, child marriages usually are more likely to end in divorce or early widowhood, compared to marriage of people over 18.

Solutions for Child Marriage in the DRC

There are different solutions to reduce child marriage rates and ultimately eliminate the problem. Since child marriage in the DRC is a consequence of underlying social and economic factors, it is indispensable to address the root causes of the problem, such as poverty, armed conflict and local traditions. The African Union, which comprises 55 countries including the DRC, supports national strategies to create a social grassroot movement that would involve health and social workers as well as community and religious leaders. The aim is addressing and influencing all those cases where tradition and socio-economic background might suggest child marriage.

Girls should have access to education and health services and, more importantly, they should have the opportunity to understand that child marriage is illegal and dangerous. Radio Ondese is a successful example of a project that tries to inform girls of their rights. Radio Ondese is a radio station that David M. Munyaga founded in 2009.

Nowadays, Radio Ondese reaches an estimated 180,000 listeners in the South Kivu region, including listeners from rural areas. This radio tries to focus on raising awareness on the consequences of child marriage. It does so by inviting local experts on girls’ rights, such as lawyers or public administrators, on on-air debates where listeners can contribute by phone call or SMS text. According to Munyaga, it is quite common for girls to call the radio station and ask for further information. Considering that most child marriages in DRC occur in rural areas where cultural norms prevail over state laws, Radio Ondese is for many girls the first time they realize that child marriage is illegal. Furthermore, Radio Ondese organizes training workshops with community leaders and creates “listeners clubs,” discussion groups of women forced into child marriage.

Looking Ahead

Child marriage remains a persistent issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Research has shown that it is particularly widespread in rural regions with high poverty rates and greater exposure to armed conflict. In a country where 55% of population lives in rural areas, ending child marriage can be challenging in DRC, but the right set of policies and projects could limit the cases. Considering the catastrophic consequences that child marriage has on girls, it is more important than ever to start implementing effective solutions.

– Alice Girardi

Alice is based in Paris, France and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Child Soldiers in Mexico

Child Soldiers in MexicoAs the nation’s next generation tries to break the cycle of poverty, the presence of violence and the recruitment of child soldiers in Mexico is a major barrier to progress. Who are the charities trying to stop it and what are they doing?

The Problem

In February 2026, Red Hands Day once again reflects on a year where children, the world over, have had their youth cut short by military recruitment. One nation where this tragic scenario is both prevalent and unconventional is that of Mexico, one of the largest and most developed of the Central American nations, whose youth are engaged in a fight both for and against organized crime. 

The U.S. Bureau of International Labor Affairs estimates that 30,000 minors work in criminal organizations in Mexico. A troubling statistic that doesn’t also account for the potentially thousands of child soldiers operating in local community militia against cartel violence. On both sides of the struggle for regional control, children are fighting in conflicts, suffering trauma, injury and death, all before they are able to reach adulthood.

Poverty and the Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Mexico

The scale of this problem reflects the continued issue of multidimensional child poverty in Mexico where around 38% of the under 17 population live in poverty. In fact, it is this 0-17 age group that makes up the nation’s largest impoverished demographic.

The desperation bred by this form of early-life deprivation is a major contributor to the frequency of child criminal recruitment where a guarantee of food, family and employment are often too tempting to resist. However, this potentially fatal arrangement between cartels and their so-called ‘pollitos de colores’ (’colorful chicks’) is a growing phenomenon with an estimated 200,000 further children vulnerable to recruitment.

This crisis means that some of Mexico’s poorest families and children face an impossible choice, stay where they live and risk either attacks or forced cooperation with organized crime, or flee and join the more than 100,000 other children living in internal displacement.

However, both domestic and multinational organizations are making efforts to intervene in the communities most affected and petition the government to do more to end a practice that condemns many Mexican boys and girls to continue living in a cycle of poverty and violence.  

The major organizations operating on the crisis of child soldiers in Mexico are UNICEF Mexico and Tejiendo RedesInfancia which work with local groups in supporting at-risk children and call on the government to crack down on recruitment.

UNICEF Mexico

Addressing poverty, education and social stability in these communities is essential to preventing the practice of enlisting child soldiers in Mexico. To this effect UNICEF Mexico supports the vital social programs and protection systems that keep children in education. Operating in the nation since 1947, UNICEF Mexico has contributed to efforts in child protection, health, hygiene, and education, providing a vital voice for the most vulnerable of the developing country’s population.

UNICEF Mexico’s backing to programs such as Mi Beca para Empezar, that assists low-income families with financial aid on the condition of their children’ s school attendance, is essential in keeping the youth in the classroom and out of violent and exploitative environments. Since 2023, these efforts have helped ensure that 1.2 million Mexican children stay in education and build a better, safer and more prosperous future.

However, much more work is needed on a national structural level, so UNICEF also supports major legislative change for transformative federal intervention. Most vitally, it is actively pressuring the Mexican state to enact a “permanent national prevention and recruitment care policy” that would recognize enlisted children’s role as forced participants in crime and violent activities and seek to end their exploitation through increased interventions and improved legal classification.

Tejiendo RedesInfancia

Tejiendo RedesInfancia, a Latin and Caribbean children’s rights organization, is similarly using its network of advocates and communities to push for greater federal action. Since it received UN recommendations on the ‘Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict,’ the Mexican state has remained largely passive against the continued practice and widespread childhood criminality.

Tejiendo RedesInfancia is therefore also compelling the Mexican State to proactively adopt of these recommendations which one can summarize in three core statements:

  1. “The recognition and criminalization of the crime of forced recruitment in the penal code.”
  2. “The imperative creation of comprehensive programs of disengagement, rescue, social insertion and specialized psychological treatment for those who have been affected.”
  3. “The construction of a culture of peace from the territories, with special emphasis on schools. In addition to a substantial change in the security strategy based on militarization, punitive populism and criminalization of poverty.”

Looking Ahead

Human rights groups operating on the crisis of child soldiers in Mexico unanimously agree, government action is imperative to make a real difference in the lives of the children suffering from poverty and military recruitment. Following UNICEF’s example on poverty prevention, enacting the policy that can have a revolutionary impact on the lives of the most vulnerable and adopting the statements above may be the start of ending this tragic and destructive practice for good.

– Evan Meikle

Evan is based in Kingston Upon Hull, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Tunisia

Charities Operating in TunisiaFollowing the Arab Spring, Tunisia entered a period of political and social transition that brought both progress and great challenges. High unemployment, rising living costs and persistent regional inequality continue to affect large parts of the population. Around 16.6% of Tunisians (approx. 1.9 million people) live below the national poverty line. Food insecurity has worsened due to inflation and economic instability, while access to health care and social services remains uneven, particularly in rural communities. In this context, charities operating in Tunisia play a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups and filling gaps in public services.  Below are five charities operating in Tunisia addressing these needs.

5 Charities Operating in Tunisia

  1. Tunisian Red Crescent: Founded in 1956, the Tunisian Red Crescent is one of the country’s most prominent humanitarian organizations. It provides emergency assistance, health services and social support to vulnerable communities. With rising migration flows and increasing food insecurity, many families struggle to meet basic needs. The organization responds through disaster relief, food distribution and efforts to improve access to healthcare, especially for migrants, refugees and low-income households.  In 2024 alone, it distributed food and humanitarian assistance to more than 7,000 stranded migrants in Sfax in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), helping prevent hunger and ensure essential care.
  2. Islamic Relief Worldwide: Islamic Relief Worldwide focuses on poverty alleviation focuses on poverty alleviation and social welfare in Tunisia. Economic stagnation and high youth unemployment have left many families reliant on charitable support, especially during periods of financial strain. The organization provides food assistance, livelihood support and seasonal aid. Since 2011, it has supported nearly 1.5 million people in Tunisia and continues to assist almost 600 orphaned children by helping meet basic needs and supporting access to education, reducing long-term vulnerability.
  3. UNICEF: UNICEF works across Tunisia to support children’s health, education and social protection systems, especially in disadvantaged communities. Although progress has been made, disparities remain between urban and rural regions. In 2024, more than 430,000 children aged 6-18 from low-income households received monthly benefits, through supported social protection programs. Additionally, around 159,000 children gained access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene services in schools and health centers. In addition, UNICEF’s youth programs promote “social innovation” and “entrepreneurial skills,” helping young people build pathways to future employment. Among charities operating in Tunisia, UNICEF plays a key role in strengthening long-term institutional support for children.
  4. Oxfam: Oxfam has been operating in Tunisia since 2012, supporting the country’s democratic transition following the 2011 revolution. Despite the political reforms, socio-economic inequalities have continued to increase, particularly for women, youth and marginalized communities. Oxfam views these groups as “main actors of change” and focuses on gender justice, economic justice and citizen participation, working to strengthen civil society organizations and promote accountability. By empowering communities to advocate for their rights and access economic opportunities, Oxfam addresses the structural causes of poverty and inequality.
  5. Care for 24: Care for 24 is a nonprofit focused on empowering Tunisia’s youth by improving access to education, nutrition, health services and personal development opportunities. Youth unemployment in Tunisia remains among the highest in the region, contributing to economic frustration and social instability. One of its key initiatives, the “Meals for 24” program, seeks to provide nutritious meals to around 1,200 young people, 50 from each of Tunisia’s 24 regions, who are at risk due to economic hardship. The organization also promotes digital literacy and English language skills to expand employment prospects and encourage entrepreneurship. By investing in the next generation, Care for 24 contributes to long-term social and economic resilience.

Looking Ahead

While Tunisia has made significant improvements since 2011, economic instability, food insecurity and social inequality continue to affect millions. The charities operating in Tunisia remain essential in addressing urgent humanitarian needs while promoting sustainable development and social inclusion. As the country navigates ongoing political and economic challenges, the continued work of these organizations will be critical in building a more equitable and resilient future. 

– Ines Wargui

Ines is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of CongoThe issue of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has direct ties to violence, poverty and exploitation, as armed conflict continues to destabilize communities across the country. Widespread poverty and prolonged war push children into militarized groups, where they face abuse, coercion and life-threatening conditions. The recruitment of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlights the devastating human cost of conflict and the urgent need for international attention and intervention.

Military Presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Armed groups operate throughout eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in North and South Kivu. One of the most prominent groups, the March 23 Movement (M23), has maintained a strong presence in these areas for years. The group challenges the Congolese government over security and political control and seeks to expand its territorial influence.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), M23 has capitalized on regional instability to strengthen its military capabilities and territorial control.

In January 2025, M23 captured the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu. The group also seized control of coltan-rich regions, a resource critical to global electronics manufacturing. Access to these minerals provides M23 with a steady source of revenue, increasing its military power and influence. As fighting intensified, violence displaced approximately 350,000 people, according to the United Nations refugee agency. This mass displacement further deepened poverty and exposed children to exploitation and forced recruitment.

War and Poverty

The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks among the poorest countries in the world. As of recent estimates, more than 77% of the population lives on less than $1.90 per day. Chronic poverty severely affects children, with 46% suffering from stunted growth due to malnutrition. Armed conflict exacerbates these conditions by destroying livelihoods, separating families and forcing communities to flee their homes.

Displaced children often become “street children,” lacking protection, education and access to basic necessities. These children face extreme vulnerability and frequently experience exploitation through hazardous labor, abuse and military recruitment. Poverty strips children of alternatives, leaving armed groups free to manipulate and coerce them into violence.

Child Soldiers

Armed groups actively recruit and abduct children from the streets and displacement camps. M23 and other militias forcibly recruit children as young as eight years old and transport them to training camps. In one M23 camp, children made up at least 20% of the 1,000 trainees. Militias target children because they lack power, protection and agency.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, child soldiers are often referred to as “kadogos,” meaning “little ones” in Swahili. Armed groups force these children into dangerous roles as fighters, porters and lookouts. Militias frequently use child soldiers as cannon fodder, assigning them the riskiest tasks due to their perceived expendability. Girls face additional risks, including sexual violence and exploitation, both within armed groups and while living on the streets.

A former child soldier named Constance, living in a displacement camp near Goma in late 2024, told The Guardian, “I went to war… it was a nightmare.” Poverty pushed her to join a militia opposing M23, where she carried rocket-propelled grenades into combat. Her experience reflects a broader pattern, as UNICEF estimates that children make up approximately 30% of armed group members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Reintegration and Support Efforts

Despite the scale of the crisis, organizations continue to support former child soldiers and displaced children. War Child began operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2004, focusing on education, child protection and psychosocial support. The organization works to reintegrate former child soldiers into their communities by providing trauma-informed mental health care, access to education and family reunification services.

In eastern DRC, War Child has provided more than 14,900 children with education and protective services and delivered psychosocial support to more than 17,000 displaced children affected by conflict. These programs help children rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of re-recruitment into armed groups.

Conclusion

The persistence of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo demonstrates how violence, poverty and exploitation intersect during prolonged conflict. Armed groups continue to prey on vulnerable children, using war and economic desperation to sustain their ranks. While humanitarian organizations like War Child offer pathways toward recovery and reintegration, lasting solutions require sustained international engagement, poverty reduction and protection for children caught in conflict. Addressing the root causes of recruitment remains essential to ending the cycle of exploitation and violence.

– Alice Morris

Alice is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How the Chernovetskyi Fund Supports Georgia’s Vulnerable

Chernovetskyi FundFor thousands of vulnerable Georgians, poverty is not an abstract concept; it directly means an empty refrigerator, untreated illness or aging alone. The Chernovetskyi Fund tries to close these gaps by giving concrete help and necessary aid to those living in unfortunate circumstances and who poverty inflicts most severely.

What Is the Chernovetskyi Fund?

The Chernovetskyi Fund is one of Georgia’s largest private charitable organizations, launched by philanthropist Leonid Chernovetskyi in April 2012. The organization works to support Georgians struggling to meet basic needs due to income insecurity, illness, disability or age. The Fund’s mission focuses on supporting socially vulnerable groups, including those living below the poverty line, large families and the most vulnerable individuals facing illness, including children and adults.

Its programs are rooted in practical assistance that meets immediate needs while upholding dignity.

Home Care for the Elderly and Bedridden

The Fund’s most consequential program includes home care for older people and bedridden. Caregivers help beneficiaries perform their daily chores, including cleaning, food preparation and taking medicine. The program helps reduce health risks and helps families who can’t afford private care.

The home care initiative protects older adults from medical emergencies or institutionalization in homes and communities.

Family-Type Orphanages and Child Protection

Children who lack parental care are significantly less likely to achieve upward mobility in life and far more likely to experience long-term poverty. According to a report, children raised in unstable family environments face higher levels of social exclusion, poorer educational outcomes and greater economic disadvantage later in life. The Chernovetskyi Fund addresses this issue by supporting family-type orphanages that provide children with stable housing, education and emotional support.

Unlike large institutional settings, these homes offer a family-based environment that leads to stronger long-term outcomes and a lower risk of poverty in adulthood.

Day Centers, Canteens and Social Patrols

Food insecurity is still a daily fact for many low-income Georgians. The Fund has day centers and canteens that serve hot food to older people, people with disabilities and people without homes. Social patrol teams broaden this outreach and help locate individuals requiring immediate support.

By carrying out outreach in neighborhoods and public spaces, these teams make sure that people who do not choose to seek assistance still obtain it. This strategy not only protects against devastating deprivation but also against social isolation itself. In addition to well-defined initiatives, the Chernovetskyi Fund provides direct assistance, including food parcels, medications and household items.

Staff members assess each case individually to match aid with specific needs, ensuring appropriate support. For chronically ill children or adults caring for children, medical expenses can push families deeper into poverty. Targeted aid and caregiving help cover these costs, enabling caregivers to remain employed while keeping the household intact.

Scale and Measurable Impact

The Chernovetskyi Fund has provided more than $9 million for social assistance initiatives since its inception. In other words, thousands of vulnerable people across Georgia have benefited from its programs. The Fund’s scale enables it to respond quickly to crises while also delivering long-term support.

Reliable funding ensures continuity of care, which is crucial for addressing chronic poverty rather than offering only short-term relief.

Success Stories

Six-year-old Anna-Maria grew up in a family struggling with both poverty and illness. According to the Chernovetskyi Fund, her home once lacked consistent access to food and basic supplies, making everyday life a challenge for her and her family. After the Fund provided targeted assistance, including food, clothing and essential household items, Anna-Maria’s mother began to recover from the health issues that had heavily burdened the household.

The most joyful change came from Anna-Maria herself: she thanked supporters for helping her mother and shared, “Now she laughs and plays with me,” a profound shift from their earlier hardships.

Three young siblings—Tornike, Lazare and Luka—represent another heartwarming example of the Chernovetskyi Fund’s impact. According to the organization, the boys once lived in conditions of hardship and uncertainty. With the Fund’s support, they received essential care, meals and family outreach services that helped stabilize their home life.

Today, the brothers are healthy and happy, participating in family and community activities that poverty had once made out of reach.

Many elderly Georgians face poverty and loneliness, especially without family support or sufficient income. The Chernovetskyi Fund has reached people like Grandma Oliko and Grandpa Givi, who once lived with daily uncertainty and minimal access to care. The Fund provided regular food assistance, companionship through social visits and coordinated support that helped them remain safely in their home.

Staff and volunteers report that the couple is deeply grateful, not only for the material aid but also for the dignity and respect that come from sustained attention and care.

These personal stories show how a charity like the Chernovetskyi Fund can go beyond statistics to create real change in people’s lives. From a child’s laughter to a family finding peace and from elderly neighbors feeling seen to receiving care, the Fund’s work demonstrates a key lesson: when communities and donors engage in targeted, human-centered support, poverty becomes less permanent and more preventable.

Each example reflects the Fund’s core mission—to ensure that no one in Georgia is left behind in accessing food, health care, shelter or social support—and highlights how individual lives can improve when everyday kindness is paired with organized action.

A Compassionate Path Forward

The Chernovetskyi Fund’s work demonstrates that the most harmful effects of poverty can be mitigated when programs are targeted and human-centered. Its approach shows that dignity-focused aid, delivered consistently and at scale, can stabilize lives and strengthen communities. In the face of Georgia’s inequality and demographic challenges, the Chernovetskyi Fund plays an indispensable role.

– Salome Jincharadze

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Romania

Poverty Eradication in RomaniaVisiting Romania can feel like traveling to two separate countries. On one side, urban, rapidly advancing cities such as Bucharest and Cluj are thriving. On the other side, poverty and stagnation affect rural communities and smaller towns. 

According to the Brookings Institution, more than 25% of the population lives on less than $5.50 a day. This problem worsens because most affected individuals live in rural regions, where 75% of the population experiences poverty. Many of the citizens lack drinkable water and children struggle to maintain a well-resourced education; 40% of the children in Romania cannot read or write at a functional level, and one in five children drop out of school entirely. Romania’s communist roots in the mid-20th century account for much of the country’s persistent poverty. 

Romania’s Escape From Communism

Communist leaders imposed centralized control over Romania after World War II. Nicolae Ceaușescu became ruler in 1965 and oversaw the forced industrialization that contributed to severe poverty and repression, according to Local Histories. The Romanian Revolution in 1989 ended the regime and Romania transitioned toward a market economy. This shift continues to influence innovations in poverty eradication in Romania.

This transition proved difficult because the communist regime directly controlled many key industries. With the collapse of these industries, many small-to-medium cities relying on these industries stagnated. Eventually, through liberalization, privatization and political reform, Romania improved economically. Romania’s acceptance into NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007 marked a turning point for citizens, but it also revealed gaps in development and social justice. This felt especially true for many of the children living in vulnerable populations.

Community-Driven Change

In 2014, to address the extreme poverty that families in Romania experienced, Foundation Botnar partnered with UNICEF and the Norwegian and Romanian Governments to develop a pilot program in 45 communities in the Bacǎu region. Their solution, the Minimum Package of Services (MPS) model, aimed to expand Romanian children’s access to necessary services and improve their educational outcomes.

An innovation in poverty eradication in Romania resulted from the digital platform Aurora, which efficiently organizes and evaluates data for the MPS model. A trained team consisting of a social worker, community nurse and a school counselor used this platform to collect data on each of the family’s needs.

The program’s nontraditional approach to social change delivered many benefits:

  • Data-Driven: The integration of Aurora made the MPS model more effective by offering evidence-based guidance for supporting children and families within the social welfare system. Aurora further allows for the clear visualization of data, making the model scalable and replicable across communities and regions. 
  • Cost-effective: Preventative measures such as reducing school drop-out rates, limiting family separation and increasing immunization coverage lowered long-term spending for governmental agencies.
  • Community-focused: Families often struggled to navigate the complex welfare system. This program removed many of those barriers by providing comprehensive guidance and support to households, preventing vulnerable families from falling through the cracks.
  • Holistic: To maximize the program’s impact, teams exchange information through strong horizontal (inter-community) and vertical (national–county–community) communication. The program also prioritized comprehensive training, equipping teams with skills in data analysis and project planning.

Impact of the MPS Program

UNICEF conducted independent evaluations in 2017 and 2019 to determine the effectiveness of the program. The 2017 report found a decrease of 20% in households with children at risk of domestic violence and estimated costs fell under $46 USD per child. Furthermore, the 2019 evaluation reaffirmed its cost-effectiveness, determining that the cost per person for the MPS model was one-third for active cases and one-eighteenth for closed cases compared to similar projects funded by European programs.

By strengthening community-based services and emphasizing prevention in health, education and social protection, this initiative set the standard for innovation in poverty eradication in Romania and across Europe.”

– Sachin Kapoor

Sachin is based in Atlanta, GA, US and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Charities Operating in Kosovo

Charities Operating in KosovoMany youths in Kosovo believe that limited access to power and social influence are restricting them. Kosovo is a partially recognized country in Southeast Europe that has faced many political challenges since the 1990s. It is also one of Europe’s poorest countries due to its limited resources, with 28% of its population comprising those younger than 15-years-old.

As of 2016, Kosovo’s unemployment rate is a high 34.8%. By 2022, the World Bank estimated 25.4%-30% of the 1.8 million people in Kosovo to be living in poverty and earning incomes below the poverty line. Many issues, including women’s rights and freedom of expression, plague the country, leaving many feeling powerless. However, Kosovo’s poverty rates declined by 2022 and the World Bank expects them to decline even further. From child welfare to employment opportunities, many Kosovars and volunteers have united to fight for a brighter future. Since the political atmosphere of the 1990s, humanitarian organizations have helped vulnerable Kosovars by providing the resources they need to build their economy. While many nonprofit organizations are making a difference, five charities operating in Kosovo are making notable strides in combating poverty and improving the quality of life.

5 Charities Operating in Kosovo

  1. Action for Mothers and Children/Akcioni per Nena dhe Femiji (AMC) – Since 2013, AMC has helped mothers have healthy pregnancies and save children’s lives. It has provided home services to improve children’s lives and strengthen family medicine. As one of the charities operating in Kosovo, AMC uses education to strengthen the trust between health care workers and families through training programs and engaging activities. Since Jan. 2014, AMC’s Women’s Health Information Center program has supported more than 10,000 pregnant women and their partners. On Nov. 2, 2016, many guests, including Valerie Rockefeller Wayne and Dua Lipa, supported a fundraiser that raised $44,360 to help lower child and maternal mortality rates in Kosovo.
  2. Caritas Kosova – In 1992, Caritas Kosova’s founders believed that the cultivation of solidarity and social entrepreneurship would increase economic independence, well-being and employment opportunities. It has empowered the youth and women with training, practical work, interpersonal skill development and grants. It has also improved rural agriculture through connecting farmers, exchanging knowledge and providing subsidies. By Oct. 2025, the YourJob program had provided 6,571 youths with career counseling. As stated by Don Viktor Sopi, director general of the charity, “young people are the most secure force of the future. We must continue to support young people in their aspirations.” Through charities operating in Kosovo, youths took advantage of opportunities to integrate into the labor market, build careers and shape their futures and communities.
  3. The Ideas Partnership (TIP) – TIP is a charity that has operated in Kosovo since 2009 and has worked to improve education, lobby the government, help youths enroll in school, mediate between families and schools and distribute clothes and supplies. It focused on bursaries, led micro-finance projects such as soap-making and recycling and helped families improve their homes. TIP has used funds and grants to empower people and preserve cultural heritage while protecting the environment. As with many other charities operating in Kosovo, it has always stood alongside children and adults. On May 14th, 2025, TIP celebrated its 16th anniversary by growing with teachers, social workers and professionals from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. Through commitment, they have offered long-term support rooted in empowerment and community solidarity.
  4. The Kosovar Organization for Talent and Education (TOKA) – TOKA has operated in Kosovo since 2015, focusing on education and development for disadvantaged children. It has aimed to unlock the youths’ full potential through innovative teaching methods and long-term volunteering opportunities. More than 20,000 participants have tested their programs and more than 30,000 children have benefited from them. Educational gaps between primary schoolchildren and peers in high-income countries continue to prevent youths from reaching their full potential. TOKA’s continuous efforts to improve life trajectories, bridge the gap and strengthen partnerships with the government and global allies have helped youth gain the skills, confidence and opportunities they need, ultimately contributing to improved living conditions in Kosovo.
  5. PL4Y International – In 1999, founders established PL4Y as Sport without Borders. While operating in Kosovo, the charity’s leaders promoted inclusive education, gender equality, inter-ethnic reconciliation and youth empowerment. Collaborating with youth networks, educational authorities and civil society, the programs of charities operating in Kosovo like PL4Y strengthen life skills, psychosocial tools and academic knowledge. For example, Mirela Hysenaj, a teacher at Dardania Primary School, shared how fun activities within the Playdagogy training program fostered an empathetic classroom environment. More than 80,000 children have participated in these programs, including more than 4,000 disabled children. PL4Y has expanded from classroom programs to community fields, using the universal language of play as a tool for learning and development.

The Bigger Picture

While seemingly unrelated to tackling the broader issue of poverty, these five charities operating in Kosovo have helped struggling people access resources to improve their social standing. Education, health care and social support can create long-term benefits, including economic growth and stronger global stability. Through continued efforts by charities like these, Kosovars can strengthen their ability to build a more secure and hopeful future.

– Cindy Nguyen

Cindy is based in Albuquerque, NM, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Ways Zambia’s Free Education Policy Helps Children in Poverty

Zambia’s Free Education PolicyIn 2022, Zambia removed school fees for all public primary and secondary students through a nationwide Free Education Policy (also referred to as “Education for All”). For children living in poverty, this decision changed everyday life. Families that once struggled to cover fees can now send their children to school without facing impossible financial choices.

Within a few years of the policy’s introduction, more than 2.3 million previously out-of-school learners returned to classrooms. Since the policy began, millions of learners have returned to the classroom and early evidence shows that the reform is creating new pathways out of poverty. Here are five ways in which free education is transforming children’s lives across Zambia.

Education Is Now Accessible to All Children

Before the policy came about, many families could not afford tuition fees, exam charges or contributions to parent-teacher associations. These costs often pushed children out of school or prevented them from enrolling in the first place. However, with Zambia’s Free Education Policy, these financial barriers have been removed.

As of 2025, 80% of Zambians say that someone in their family has benefited from free schooling and it is estimated that roughly eight million learners (from early childhood to secondary school) are covered under the free education system. For children living in low-income households, this reform gives them their first real opportunity to access continuous education, opening many more doors for them later in life.

It Reduces the Risk of Child Labor and Exploitation

When families face extreme poverty, children are sometimes sent to work in agriculture, informal labor or other household enterprises to help bring in income, especially when education costs are high. Fortunately, by making education free, the policy reduces one of the main financial pressures that results in pushing children toward exploitation instead of having a better well-being by being in school. The Zambian government and education sector researchers have linked the increase in school enrollment to declines in drop-outs and reduced pressure toward child labor.

This shift gives vulnerable children a much safer and healthier alternative: attendance in school rather than engaging in exploitative work.

It Expands Future Job Opportunities

Education remains one of the most reliable paths out of poverty. By giving children the opportunity to complete primary and secondary education, Zambia’s free education policy opens doors to future jobs that require literacy, numeracy or more advanced skills. With a growing base of educated youth, more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds may access stable employment and obtain skilled professions.

Analysts describe the policy as a major investment in human capital formation and social mobility. For many children living in poverty, this offers a real chance to change their economic trajectory and contribute positively to their communities and national development.

It Creates New Teaching Jobs and Strengthens Communities

The surge in school enrollment triggered by free schooling has led to one of the largest teacher recruitment drives in Zambia’s history. In 2022 alone, the government recruited 30,496 teachers and staff. This expansion provides employment opportunities, especially in communities where poverty and unemployment are significant.

Teacher recruitment also ensures that growing class sizes can be managed, which supports better learning outcomes and helps to stabilize local economies. For families living in impoverished or rural areas, this presents a new path to stable income through teaching, helping strengthen social stability and building a more educated workforce within those communities.

School Supports Social and Emotional Development

Attending school does more than teach reading, writing and mathematics. It provides a structured environment where children build friendships, develop social skills, learn discipline and gain confidence. These social and psychological benefits are widely acknowledged by sociologists and developmental psychologists as early social interaction and peer learning foster emotional resilience, collaborative skills and a sense of belonging.

For children growing up in poverty, who may otherwise lack stable social structures or supportive environments, free access to schooling gives them a place of security, routine and community. Though quantitative data on social development under the policy is not yet robust, the general principle that schooling supports socialization is well-established. In Zambia, by making education accessible across socioeconomic divides, free education helps ensure that all children, not only those from wealthier families, have access to the social and emotional benefits school can provide.

Final Remarks

Zambia’s Free Education Policy is already reshaping opportunities for children living in poverty. By removing financial barriers, reducing the risks of exploitation, opening future career paths, creating new teaching jobs and supporting healthy social development, the policy is proving to be a powerful investment in human potential. If the government continues to support education with adequate infrastructure, resources and funding, every child in Zambia could have the chance to learn, grow and build a better future.

– Daisy Winstone

Daisy is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr