Archive for category: Developing Countries

Information and stories about developing countries.

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Female Empowerment through Fish Farming in Uganda

Fish Farming in UgandaFish farming has remarkably paved the way for female empowerment within Uganda. Supported by the United Nations (U.N.) Women, the women in the Bugiri District of Uganda are using fish farming to break down gender barriers that prevent them from escaping poverty.

The Situation for Women in Uganda

Uganda is located in Sub-Saharan Africa and has a population of 44.3 million, of which 41% live in poverty, living on less than $1.90 per day. As a developing country, women in Uganda face daily struggles. Approximately 85% of women work in the informal sector, which most often has poor working conditions, unpredictable earnings and job insecurity. Selling and trading at markets is a vital source of income for many women.

However, these women have no rights at work. Women typically struggle to platform their needs and concerns, suffering from frequent rights violations. Additionally, men dominate markets and thus, women are consequently excluded from leadership positions. In the long term, this has led to consequential restrictions on women’s economic participation across Uganda.

Fish Farming

Revolutionarily, women in Bugiri District in Eastern Uganda have broken into the male-dominated fish farming industry. Traditionally, fish farming was reserved for men, meaning women had to find other income sources. However, the women of Uganda have not only mastered the art of fishing but have simultaneously broken down the patriarchal taboo that prevents women from earning a decent livelihood.

Uganda’s Female Fish Farming Program

U.N. Women launched the Women Economic Empowerment Program to support Ugandan women defying gender stereotypes in fish farming. Initiated in 2019, the fish farming program aims to promote greater income security and decent work for Ugandan women, empowering them with economic autonomy by 2050.

U.N. Women and the Bugiri District Local Government specifically support rural women in fish farming activities in Lake Victoria. Before the program, many women with small businesses selling fish struggled. The fish farming program has trained 1,400 women in the district. As a result, there are 28 cages full of Tilapia fish, standing as a testament to the strength and empowerment of Ugandan women.

Female Empowerment through Fish Farming

The fish farming project has largely contributed to Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP). The women have generated approximately $1.15 million in sales, producing 508.5 tons of fish. Additionally, U.N. Women have provided essential supportive services in the region, such as day care services for children, supplying necessary resources and housing fisherwomen in accommodation.

On an individual level, women across the Bugiri District have significantly benefited from the fish farming project. A resident and fisherwoman in Bugiri, Rose Nakimuli, commended the project, celebrating that she has developed aquaculture skills and learned how to swim and fish. Additionally, female empowerment through the fish farming program has several economic benefits. Women learned essential business management skills, learning how to run a business from start to finish successfully.

The project also strengthened women’s involvement in government and the whole fish value chain. Subsequently, the women established this project as a private company named “Women Economic Empowerment Bugiri” (WEEB). The CEO of WEEB, Ms. Immaculate Were, stated that women are now “specialized in feeding, harvesting, preservation, marketing and trading.” In turn, gender equality across Uganda has improved within homes, as women can earn a decent income to contribute to the family. Furthermore, the fish farming project has reduced gender-based violence because women are empowered within themselves, both socially and financially, instead of relying upon men. One fisherwoman added that “men now view them as heroes.”

Looking Ahead

Overall, female empowerment through fish farming across Uganda has been significant. The continued U.N. support for female empowerment is a hopeful solution to eradicating poverty across Uganda and combating gender inequality. “Once a woman gets wealthy, that’s wealth for the whole nation,” stated Were.

– Sian Ameer-Beg

Sian is based in Durham, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Sudan’s Child Soldiers: Rehabilitation Efforts by World Vision

Sudan’s Child SoldiersSudan has experienced the largest displacement since the civil war outbreak in April 2023, affecting approximately 12 million civilians. The conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Janjaweed leader Hemedti and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has displaced more than 1 million children, primarily across South Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt. This sudden instability has resulted in numerous deaths and disabilities and has brought the country to the brink of famine.

Child Soldiers

Child soldiers often come from poor backgrounds and are forcefully recruited and, in some cases, decide to join, having witnessed violent streaks in their villages under the influence of the warring parties. In 2000, the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly warned militias. It recognized that the use and recruitment of children as child soldiers is a crime act. An optional protocol was initiated to protect children from recruitment.

Despite extra measures, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has accounted for 7,622 child soldiers in global conflicts as of 2022. The militia abducts and indoctrinates children to be porters, guards, cooks and combatants; the minors are also used as shields and for sexual exploitation, according to the U.N.

World Vision

World Vision is a Christian faith-based organization that seeks to create safe and harmonious environments for vulnerable children, irrespective of their backgrounds. It is dedicated to ending child exploitation in developing countries by tackling the root cause of poverty. World Vision’s main aim is to end all forms of child exploitation with a holistic approach, providing hope to Sudan’s former child soldiers.

Measures Set in Rehabilitating Child Soldiers

  1. Prevention: The primary focus of World Vision is to prevent child recruitment and ensure child safety by educating the affected communities on how family/community violence can lead to malleable decision-making. It believes that reinforcing protective measures can prevent recruitment. Furthermore, integrating tools and skills for young boys and girls in decision-making can lead to a more harmonious community.

    Elders and caregivers are encouraged to participate in social networks to eradicate harmful beliefs and help protect their youth. In partnership with civic organizations, community-based organizations and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), World Vision provides economic opportunities, social assistance, universal birth registration and family support funds.
  1. Reintegration: Despite the atrocities Sudan’s child soldiers have faced, many find hope in World Vision’s rehabilitation centers. So far, 2,000 children have recovered with the aid of UNICEF and the education sector in the two centers currently operating in South Sudan. Former war children receive counseling tailored to their traumas. Additionally, opportunities for a new life are created through access to formal education, various apprenticeships like tailoring and other vocational training.

    Additionally, World Vision has funded space in the Blue Nile region with a volleyball court, basketball court, board games and art equipment. Children-friendly spaces are important for the psychological development of former child soldiers, allowing them to feel like children again. One former child soldier, Grace, who was abducted at 17, shared her gratitude for the rehabilitation center and how she found hope again through tailoring.

Final Remark

World Vision’s efforts have transformed the lives of children who once knew only violence. By promoting social cohesion and providing access to education, the NGO aims to prevent further child exploitation. The long term goals is ensuring a better quality of life for the children and their communities.

– Lydie Udofia

Lydie is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Transforming Lives: Education breaks the cycle of poverty

Transforming Lives: The Power of Education in Alleviating Poverty Poverty remains one of the most pressing issues worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Among various strategies to combat poverty, education is a powerful tool capable of transforming lives and driving sustainable development. Successful educational programs and policies in developing countries prove the pertinence of this model. Education breaks the cycle of poverty and creates opportunities for economic and social advancement. 

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Education

The Galor-Zeira model, developed by economists Oded Galor and Joseph Zeira, explores the link between income distribution and investment in human capital. According to this model, income disparity widens in economies where access to education is limited, leading to persistent poverty. In contrast, broad access to education empowers individuals and communities by providing the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in the labor market and improve their economic prospects. It provides long-term benefits such as higher earning potential and social mobility, pulling individuals out of the intergenerational cycle of poverty. 

Successful Educational Programs and Policies

  1. Bangladesh’s BRAC Schools. BRAC is an international development organization founded in Bangladesh that focuses on providing quality education to children in marginalized and underserved communities, among other initiatives driven by poverty alleviation and human rights. It has implemented innovative educational initiatives, including social enterprise schools that focus on play-based learning, with higher qualified teachers, digital content and advanced facilities. BRAC’s schools have significantly improved literacy and pass rates while also creating economic opportunities for its students, empowering people to rise above poverty. 
  2. Ghana’s Free Senior High School Policy. In line with Goal 4 of the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals, Ghana implemented the Free Senior High School Policy in 2017. The aim of the policy isto provide free secondary education to all students. This policy increased enrollment rates by 11% by reducing the financial burden on families, representing a significant step toward inclusive education. 
  3. India’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme. With the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, a free school lunch is provided to children in public schools to address malnutrition. Furthermore, the free meal encourages school attendance and enrollment. Although the program experienced issues with implementation feasibility and financial constraints, the scheme has had a positive impact on educational outcomes and the well-being of children by helping improve the children’s learning abilities, increasing enrollment, reducing dropout rates and overall, increasing social equality. 
  4. Kenya’s Bridge International Academies. Bridge International Academies Foundation provides low-cost, high-quality education, aiming to ensure that children from underserved communities achieve academic excellence. By putting students at the center of its model, Bridge has improved educational access for children from low-income families. 
  5. Peru’s Enseña Peru. Enseña Peru recruits professionals, principals and teachers to teach in under-resourced schools, aiming to improve the quality of education. Studies found that the intervention had positive and statistically significant average effects on educational outcomes in Peru. 
  6. Uganda’s Universal Primary Education (UPE). Uganda launched UPE in 1997 to ensure free primary education to all children in the country. Since then, it has implemented various policies focused on educational quality and access, including investments in education infrastructure, teacher training and curriculum development. Although challenges such as overcrowding in classrooms and inadequate funding remain, the policy has significantly improved educational quality and access while also contributing to increased gender equality and inclusive education. 
  7. Brazil’s Bolsa Família. Bolsa Família integrates education and socio-economic welfare by providing financial assistance to low-income families. Assistance is provided based on a condition of school attendance and regular health checks. It promotes a holistic approach to poverty alleviation by strengthening families’ access to basic rights and ensuring social transformation. In this way, Bolsa Família reduces both current and future poverty by breaking the cycle of poverty. The virtue of the Bolsa Família is that it reaches a significant portion of Brazilian society that has never benefited from social programs. Furthermore, it demonstrates the benefits of combining social policies with education.
  8. Vietnam’s GPE Vietnam Escuela Nueva (VNEN). VNEN, adopted by Colombia, aims to build a new school model by focusing on innovative teaching methods, student-centered learning and reforming curriculum. Promising results of encouraging small group learning, problem-solving, more learning opportunities and frequent information sharing among teachers have been the development of creativity, self-esteem, responsibility as well as social and communication skills among students.

Future Directions and Implications

Education holds the transformative power to alleviate poverty and drive sustainable development by empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. Examples from developing countries demonstrate that successful educational programs and policies could create lasting positive impacts on communities. The Galor-Zeira model underscores the importance of investing in human capital for economic growth and reducing income disparity. 

These educational programs and policies can potentially help break the cycle of poverty. They enable individuals to invest in their future without incurring debt. By ensuring that education is accessible and affordable, these ongoing initiatives aim to create opportunities for economic mobility. They empower individuals to contribute to their communities and economies. 

– Ilgın Özkul

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Elderly Poverty in Botswana

Elderly Poverty in BotswanaWith Botswana’s extended family system, different generations keep closely in touch and often live under the same roof. It is refreshingly different from the isolating nuclear family set-ups common in other parts of the world. However, it also means that the responsibility of the young orphans of HIV and AIDS victims falls disproportionately on older generations, who bear the brunt of the financial obligations that come with caregiving. Thus, elderly poverty in Botswana is a considerable challenge.

Elderly Poverty in Botswana

Many elderly are impoverished but unable to take part in productive economic activity comfortably. Some force themselves to partake in hard labor like land tilling and alcohol brewing to keep afloat. Caregiving further strains those who suffer from non-communicable age-related health problems, like arthritis, according to the Journal of Nursing Scholarships. These issues, however, are not restricted to caregivers. They are symptomatic of the wider condition of the Botswanan elderly.

More and more people are reaching old age in Botswana, with the number of older people (60+) as a proportion of the population reaching 7% in 2020. Yet, socio-economic development has not kept pace with this increase. Elderly poverty in Botswana is a salient issue, with 91% of the older population living below the poverty datum line, or the level of income needed by a household to achieve minimal levels of well-being across different parameters.

Vulnerability to Poverty

One answer is that many Botswanans tend to leave the labor force relatively earlier, beginning at age 50. This is often because of ill health, participation in lower-productivity activities like subsistence farming, and obligations to undertake unpaid care work, as outlined above. This significantly reduces the period over which their retirement savings can build up. It also increases the number of years that such savings must provide for, according to the 2022 UNFPA report.

For those who do not exit the workforce so early, the legal retirement age is 60, according to the Journal of Nursing Scholarships. The five-year gap between this and the state pension age – 65 – leaves many in financial insecurity.

Households headed by older persons in Botswana tend to have relatively lower per capita income and more dependents than wage-earners, UNFPA reports. A more detailed individual-level analysis finds that the elderly show higher levels of multidimensional poverty than any other age group.

Although the old-age public pension scheme mentioned above is a step in the right direction, many have trouble accessing benefits. This is because of lengthy commutes to pay points and delays in processing life certificates.

Inadequacies in Public Health Care

Botswana has an effective public health care system, with minimal out-of-pocket expenses for citizens. Recent advances have reduced the incidence of communicable diseases. But it is yet to adapt to the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases: for example, 36% of 50 to 59-year-olds now self-report hypertension. Close to 34.5% of older men and 65.8% of older women are overweight or obese.

BMC Proceedings reports that there is a lack of expertise in treating such diseases across health care providers, especially in rural areas. National health care guidelines are not adhered to strictly. It follows that those who already suffer because of elderly poverty in Botswana are hit even harder by the uneven access to high-quality health care.

Additionally, studies estimate that only 3% of older adults have a good diet. Assessment scores show poor intake of dairy, fruits and vegetables. Many older people also report irregular access to drinking water, according to the 2022 UNFPA report.

Support and Empowerment

The government has responded to these difficulties by developing a National Healthy Ageing strategic programme, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). This includes a more thorough public health response to the needs of the elderly population. According to WHO, it also adopted the WHO’s Integrated Care for Older People guidelines to roll out a comprehensive health monitoring tool in 2022.

Masego Leepile’s Beno Society, founded in 2004, focuses on empowering the elderly to be self-reliant. Along with providing palliative care, it also encourages their social well-being by organizing “community wellness days, festivals and campaigns.”

The Sisters of the Charity of Nazareth administer the Pabalelong Hospice close to the capital city of Gaborone. Its experienced team provides home care to more than 90 patients nearby, and accessible palliative care services to people throughout the country.

Botswana has witnessed remarkable economic growth since its independence and has successfully lifted thousands of citizens out of poverty.

– Shiveka Bakshi

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

Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Helping the People of Vanuatu

People of VanuatuVanuatu, an Oceanic country of more than 80 volcanic islands, has a population of 334,506 people as of 2023. However, around 15.9% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2020 as a result of the high risk of natural disasters and rapid population growth, which has put a strain on health and education services. Many organizations are helping the people of Vanuatu by empowering them to break out of poverty, which will positively affect future generations. Below are three organizations helping the people of Vanuatu.

Progress Pikinini

Progress Pikinini is a charity dedicated to giving the children of Vanuatu a brighter future. Founded in 2015 after Cyclone Pam’s devastation, it provided schools and children with essential education tools and everyday items such as clothes, shoes, bed linen and toys. The organization also donates school supplies, arts and crafts materials and funds for special projects. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has focused on country-wide initiatives, including building play equipment and libraries, educational resource projects for schools and providing clean drinking water.

CARE Australia

CARE Australia is an international nonprofit organization that assists people experiencing poverty, empowers women and girls in their local communities and helps them achieve social justice and break the cycle of poverty. It works with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women, such as earning an income, gaining access to a fair share of resources, leading and participating in decisions affecting their lives and aiding climate disasters and other crises.

In Vanuatu, CARE’s Leftemap Sista project aims to help girls live without constant fear of violence, earn an income and make decisions about their lives. Operating in Tafea and Shefa, the project focuses on young single mothers, girls who have not finished school, survivors of violence and women living with disabilities.

CARE also helps communities in Vanuatu prepare for future disasters and the impacts of varying climatic conditions by establishing and training local disaster committees, conducting disaster simulations, providing First Aid training and trialing new disease-resistant crop varieties. Due to the drought and water shortages caused by El Niño in 2016, CARE has been working with local communities to rehabilitate water systems. It has also constructed toilets and run hygiene and sanitation classes in schools, focusing on menstrual hygiene for girls.

Save the Children

Save the Children is an international organization founded in 1919 that focuses on children’s rights. It supports health, education, child protection, emergency response to natural disasters, adverse weather adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Operating in Vanuatu for 40 years, Save the Children has worked with the government to strengthen the education system.

Save the Children has partnered with the Global Partnership for Education to ensure schools are well-resourced and effective learning environments for all children, including those with disabilities. The organization provides life-saving food, shelter kits and learning resources in natural disasters. It collaborates with the government to strengthen disaster response and preparedness. Additionally, Save the Children has introduced health care initiatives that include training local health care providers, strengthening health care systems and promoting preventive care, such as providing vaccinations for curable diseases.

In March 2023, Vanuatu was hit by category four cyclones that destroyed food gardens and homes, prompting the government to declare a six-month state of emergency. In response, Save the Children launched a food preservation project involving the growing, harvesting and exporting of local foods to Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila. There, the food is transformed into shelf-ready ration-pack meals that can be stored for up to two years, ensuring preparedness for future natural disasters.

Looking Ahead

Vanuatu is working toward ending poverty with the help of international organizations and innovative approaches to disaster response and preparedness. Nonprofits such as Progress Pikinini, CARE Australia and Save the Children Australia have significantly contributed by offering support and providing vital resources for the people of Vanuatu to thrive. As a result of international aid and help from the government of Vanuatu, the country is on a path toward a more prosperous future for its citizens.

– Kimran Gill

Kimran is based in Leicester, UK and focuses on Celebs and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Guinea

Elderly Poverty in GuineaAlthough life expectancy was previously low due to health issues leading to early death, advancements in technology, urbanization and globalization are expected to increase the elderly population in low-income African countries. With an overall lack of resources in line with few studies and policies made for older adults, elderly poverty is a concerning issue in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with the world’s highest poverty rates. “In Guinea, the country is currently facing problems related to aging, not because of the low demographic weight of the elderly (about 6% of the total population) but because of their increasing number.”

Reasons behind Elderly Poverty

Most of the elderly population live in rural areas (65%) and have not received education (82%). As they age and become less able to perform labor, it is hard for older adults to earn income. Deterioration in body function also leads to malnutrition, diseases and illness. Formally, in a traditional family, family members and offspring cared for older people.

However, recently, Africa has been going through a change initiated by colonialism. With development and modernization, change was made toward a Western family structure of a nuclear family or young people moving to urban areas and leaving older people behind. As a result, older adults are often left vulnerable. They have little or no support they would otherwise have had in a traditional setting.

Strategy of Governance

Some solutions to combat poverty emphasize the need for stronger governance and a more effective social pension system. A study that simulated pension systems in 15 low-income sub-Saharan African countries found that considering fiscal capability and operational feasibility, a non-contributory pension program targeting poor elderly individuals was ideal. A targeted social pension was deemed more practical than a universal pension system.

A “Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper” by the Guinean government in 2013 stated that the urban-rural divide and low-income distribution to the poor contribute negatively to national poverty. While the paper does not exclusively cover the topic of elderly poverty in Guinea, it emphasizes efforts regarding policy-making, governance and economic development to combat issues of regional growth, employment and poverty.

A Pan-African Way

However, there is another way of dealing with issues, especially in regard to older people. It is to embrace the African culture and approach rather than implement Western values and modernized social structures. Pan-Africanism is a term that calls for unity within the African region and criticizes colonialism. The book “Aging in Africa” emphasizes the importance of providing support to older adults through family generations. It writes that “this is how Africa had its strength in the decades past and this should be where it draws its strength in the future.”

Conclusion

While there are nongovernmental organizations such as the World Food Program and Helen Keller International operating inside Guinea for poverty allegations, there are not many significant measures taken to deal with elderly poverty. Continuous interest and an in-depth understanding of elderly poverty in Guinea are required. A Pan-African approach, embracing and preserving the African culture of valuing older people, can be implemented to deal with poverty.

– Minji L. Kim

Minji is based in Preston, Lancashire, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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FGM in Somalia and The National Development Plan

FGM in SomaliaSomalia has one of the highest rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world, with nearly 100% of women aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure. This practice is rooted in cultural, religious and social norms, perpetuating control over female sexuality and upholding gender inequality. Despite being illegal, female genital mutilation persists due to societal pressures, weak enforcement of existing laws and unstable governance. Traditional practitioners, often older women in the community, typically perform FGM, leading to severe health complications for the victims.

Reasons for Persistence

  • Cultural and Religious Beliefs: FGM is viewed as a cultural practice to mark the transition from girlhood to womanhood. The practice is also mistakenly linked to religious expectations and beliefs.
  • Social Pressure: There is a risk of ostracism if families do not conform to this practice held by groups. This process often aligns with practices such as child marriage. FGM is a way to preserve family honor and ensure daughters are “pure” and “virginal” women.
  • Limited Access to Education: There is a lack of awareness regarding the pain, danger and injustice of FGM.

The National Development Plan

The Ninth National Development Plan (NDP9) is a comprehensive governmental framework designed to guide Somalia toward sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction between 2020 and 2024. This plan addresses politics, improved security, economic growth and social development. Furthermore, gender equality and women’s empowerment are pivotal objectives of NDP9. A significant focus is placed on combating harmful practices like FGM.

NDP9 incorporates strategies to combat FGM through laws, public awareness campaigns and education programs targeting both men and women. This includes the Ifrah Foundation’s “Dear Daughter” campaign, which hopes to reduce FGM by promoting personal empowerment and asking parents to pledge that they won’t cut their daughters. The aim is that a three-pillar approach of education, advocacy and action will begin to lay sustainable foundations for FGM eradication.

Comparison with Kenya

With previously high rates of FGM, similar initiatives and legislation in Kenya have seen FGM drop to approximately 15% among women aged 15-49. Effective grassroots activism, education and support from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have led to significant reductions in FGM prevalence, as well as the criminalization of those practicing. Organizations like the Kenyan anti-FGM Board and Amref Health Africa have been instrumental in these efforts. This comparison suggests that increased governmental stability and specific FGM groups can facilitate a quicker eradication of FGM in Somalia.

Activism, Advocacy and Advice

Activists like Shamsa Sharawe have played a crucial role in the fight against FGM in Somalia and Europe. By bringing the attention of international communities to the issue, Sharawe’s advocacy highlights the physical and psychological harm caused by FGM. Her efforts and those of various NGOs have been instrumental in pushing for more robust policies and community-based interventions. They display that this is not an issue of the past. FGM is a continual injustice and attack on female autonomy, dignity and freedoms.

Survivors of FGM, like Ifrah Ahmed (founder of “Dear Daughter“), have become vocal advocates for ending the practice. They emphasize the importance of education, community dialogue and international cooperation. Additionally, by sharing their stories, survivors help break down stereotypes and stigmas associated with female genital mutilation, advocating for survivor support and defending women’s dignity and integrity.

– Olivia Howard

Olivia is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Water Rights: How NGOs Respond to Tanzania’s Water Crisis

Tanzania’s Water CrisisTanzania faces an ongoing water crisis due to the lack of access to clean water and sanitation, which many families face. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as End Water Poverty are working hard to combat Tanzania’s water crisis and provide individuals with their right to clean water and sanitation.

Tanzania’s Water Crisis

Tanzania is an extremely dry country, with one-third considered arid to semi-arid. Several large lakes surround Tanzania that provide water for those who live nearby. However, the reality is that many do not have access to freshwater and instead must resort to contaminated groundwater from wells or bacteria-infested surface water. According to the Water Project, water-borne illnesses account for more than half of the population’s diseases due to the lack of sanitary water options, with malaria and cholera being the most common.

Alleviating the Pressure on Children

According to WaterAid, 25.7 million people in Tanzania lack clean water near their homes. That means that two out of five people in Tanzania are required to travel long distances to collect safe water. This task is predominantly placed on women and children.

One young girl, 11-year-old Tausi Katambarai from the Kigoma Region of Tanzania, was tasked with trekking 10 kilometers daily to collect 20 liters of water from a well she would need to carry on her head to carry home. Her responsibility to collect water for her family meant that she could only attend class twice a week, which had an extremely negative effect on her education.

To combat this, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) partnered with Water Mission Tanzania to drill boreholes in the Kigoma Region and piped water to schools and villages. This is part of a larger program of 15 projects that has “significantly transformed the lives of vulnerable groups, including women, girls and children,” according to Eng: Denis Arbogast, Project Manager at Water Mission. Teachers at Tausi Katambari’s school have praised the initiative and reported that class attendance has improved significantly since gaining nearby water access.

The #ClaimYourWaterRights Campaign

End Water Poverty is a “global civil society coalition” that campaigns to fulfill people’s human rights to sanitation and safe water. It works at different levels to advocate for governments to respect and protect what it calls “water rights,” a shorthand for the human rights to water and sanitation.

The #ClaimYourWaterRights campaign was first launched in 2019 and aimed to provide various groups with knowledge and confidence to advocate for water rights using the international human rights framework. The campaign focused on informing governments of their duties and educating vulnerable communities whose rights had been violated and their entitlements as holders of water rights.

Additionally, each year, the NGO grants $1,200-$6,000 to projects that support the campaign through advocacy and community mobilization.

The WaterCredit Solution

Another NGO that hopes to solve Tanzania’s water crisis is Water.org, which has been piloting water and sanitation programs in the country since 2017. According to the initiative, the country’s high demand for water and sanitation has created a dynamic market for water products such as storage tanks, rain harvesting devices and pipes.

The WaterCredit Initiative is Water.org’s loan program, which provides financing and resources to individuals facing water scarcity. Since its inception in Tanzania, the charity has disbursed 13,000 loans, granting more than 230,000 people access to household water and toilet solutions.

Hope for the Future

While the water crisis in Tanzania continues to impact millions of people daily, there is hope that the work of NGOs such as UNICEF, End Water Poverty and Water.org can go some way toward safeguarding individuals’ water rights.

– Carla Messinger

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

Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage in Lebanon

Child Marriage in LebanonIn Lebanon, 20% of girls are victims of child marriage. In 2017, UNICEF published a regional study on child marriage in Lebanon, reporting that the percentage of child marriage in the country varies with nationality. The study reported that 6% of the victims were Lebanese, 12% were Palestinian refugees from Lebanon, 25% were Palestinian refugees from Syria and 40.5% were Syrian refugees. The unstable political situation in the Middle East has made Lebanon a focal point for refugees who also become victims of child marriage.

Poverty and Child Marriage

Poverty affects 44% of the population in Lebanon. Between 2019 and 2021, the GDP per capita in Lebanon fell by 36.5%. In addition, The World Bank re-classified Lebanon from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country in July 2022. With unemployment hitting 300,000 individuals and a great increase in the intake of refugees, the rate of child marriage has seen growth, according to UNICEF.

Conflict causing a large refugee intake strained the Lebanese infrastructure and finances, resulting in refugees finding themselves undocumented and finding a solution in child marriage.

Those who live in Lebanon have also seen a rise in prices for their most basic needs, with inflation increasing by 200% since 2019, according to Anera. This results in many Lebanese, also non-refugees, having to marry off their daughters to survive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in child marriage in Lebanon. Since the beginning of the pandemic, up to 10 more million girls worldwide are at risk of being victims of child marriage in the next decade. With school closures during the pandemic, the probability of child marriage could be 25% higher.

A Change Is Possible

UNICEF report shows that an approach to education can change the perception of child marriage. The report shows that 62.3% of girls who go to school are against child marriage, followed by 45% of girls who dropped out and 37.2% of girls with no education.

This demonstrates that there is a relationship between child marriage and education. Therefore, an increase in political pressure on educational policies in Lebanon and the Middle East could have a positive impact by reducing the cases of child marriage.

Lebanon does not have a personal status law that regulates issues like the legal marriage age. Instead, 18 different religious groups are regulating this issue, according to DW. In December 2020, The Sunni Supreme Islamic Council approved raising the minimum age for marriage to 18. Likewise, between November 2020 and December of the same year, Shiite Muslim religious authorities claimed to raise the minimum age of marriage to 15, DW reports.

A Structural Approach

ABAAD is an organization that fights for gender equality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. ABAAD collaborated with Queens University to study what factors affect child marriage, aiming to obtain through data collection an understanding of why child marriage happens and how its cause(s) can be intersectional.

The study targeted different groups, ranging from mothers of victims of child marriage to community leaders and as was known previously, showed that some of the root causes of child marriage are education, political situations, instability and poverty.

ABAAD’s study, however, also provided a conclusion that is central to future strategies to prevent child marriage in Lebanon. The results demonstrated that female and male participants responded differently to the causes of child marriage, showing that the approach is gendered. From this, ABAAD concluded that future strategies, therefore, can target groups who have a differentiated opinion and aim to shift this gendered narrative. Such as challenging the gendered male narrative of being responsible for a family’s income.

Different factors affect the situation of child marriage in Lebanon. This is seen in how child marriage ranges with nationality, with studies demonstrating that education can impact the approach to child marriage, proving how its perception ranges with different societal groups.

Child Marriage in Lebanon therefore has multiple intersectional causes. With progress from the religious communities and organizations such as ABAAD that target these root causes, one can see a slow but positive shift.

– Daniela Maldonado

Daniela is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Jamaica

Charities in JamaicaAccording to a report by the World Food Programme (WFP), 58% of Jamaica’s population experienced severe food insecurity in 2022. Addressing critical issues such as food insecurity and period poverty and providing essential aid to individuals affected by regional turmoil, such as that in neighboring Haiti, remains vital for meeting Jamaica’s community needs. In addition, implementing robust mentorship and empowerment programs for vulnerable populations is crucial for fostering sustainable growth and development. The active involvement of various charities in Jamaica is making a significant impact in addressing these diverse community challenges. Here are five charities operating in Jamaica.

Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor (FFTP) Jamaica is the largest charitable organization in Jamaica and it has been assisting since 1982. Through its transformative initiatives, the organization collaborates with more than 1,300 churches and institutions to distribute food, medicine, educational supplies and other essential items. FFTP has successfully executed numerous projects in Jamaica, focusing on education, medical care, housing and agriculture.

One of FFTP’s initiatives is the Build Back the Love for Jamaica campaign, launched to commemorate the charity’s 40th anniversary in Jamaica. The campaign aims to improve socioeconomic conditions by providing shelter, implementing sustainable projects and offering resources and training for individuals and families.

Moms on a Mission

A group of mothers in St Ann, called Moms on a Mission, is addressing period poverty by distributing sanitary napkins to schools in the parish. The group was founded by Marcia Rankinson-Stanley, who was inspired to focus on girls’ needs after learning about Jamaica’s lack of access to sanitary pads. By donating “48 packs of sanitary napkins to the school every month,” the charity’s efforts have significantly impacted students’ lives, reducing absences due to the lack of menstrual products.

SOS Children’s Village Jamaica

Established in 1970, SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica is a private, nongovernmental organization that works with children who have lost parental care. It follows a rights-based approach as defined by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Child Care and Protection Act of Jamaica.

In Jamaica, more than 80% of children experience violent discipline at home and thousands require external care and protection. As part of SOS-Kinderdorf International, the world’s largest private child welfare organization, SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica provides essential care and support to these vulnerable children and young people.

Currently, the organization cares for more than 60,000 children in more than 550 of its village communities, established in 125 countries, including Jamaica. Additionally, it has educated and equipped more than 290,000 underprivileged children in the nations where it operates. The initiative emphasizes the belief that no child should grow up alone and encourages child sponsorship to make a lasting difference in the lives of at-risk children.

Looking Ahead

These charities operating in Jamaica are making significant progress in addressing food insecurity, period poverty and child poverty. Through their continued work, life in Jamaica should only improve.

– Deonna Jackson

Deonna is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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