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Deaf People in Tanzania: From Exclusion to Opportunity

deaf people tanzaniaIn Tanzania, living with a disability is often connected with marginalization and poverty. Among the most affected are members of the deaf community. Individuals face deeply entrenched barriers to education, employment and financial inclusion. For many years, systemic challenges have caused widespread social exclusion and a lack of economic agency. However, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Across the country, deaf people in Tanzania are increasingly turning to small business ownership. With vocational abilities, support from NGOs and gradually improving public policy, they are building businesses that uplift not only themselves but also their communities. These stories reflect more than personal triumph; they signal a shift in how inclusive development can be achieved in low- and middle-income countries.

Understanding the Context

Tanzania has more than 500,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, yet many face major barriers to education. According to government data, more than half of this population cannot read or write in English or Swahili. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) says people with disabilities should have equal access to education. This poses a challenge, as Tanzania lacks enough trained teachers who know sign language. Most deaf students drop out before secondary school because classrooms are not adapted to their needs. This prevents them from gaining the basic skills needed for future jobs and independence.

The CRPD also protects the right of people with disabilities to work and earn a living. In Tanzania, many deaf individuals could be left out of the job market because they did not receive a proper education. Without training or support, they could often rely on family or informal work to survive. Social stigma and a lack of workplace accommodations could make it harder to find stable jobs. This exclusion could not only affect individuals but also hold back the country’s economy by leaving a large group of people underemployed and unable to contribute fully to national development.

Entrepreneurship as a Path to Empowerment

Entrepreneurship is becoming a valuable path to employment for deaf individuals in Tanzania, offering a way to overcome traditional job market barriers. FUWAVITA, a deaf women’s organization founded in 2018 with the support of Light for the World, empowers its members through economic skills training. Based in Dar es Salaam, the group teaches deaf women how to create and sell handmade products like soaps, batiks and beaded items. After completing the training, many participants launch small businesses that generate income and promote financial independence. This initiative not only creates sustainable livelihoods but also builds confidence and community leadership among deaf women and other deaf entrepreneurs in Tanzania overall.

Harnessing Technology for Inclusion

In Tanzania, the Federation of Disabled People’s Organizations (SHIVYWATA) is working to amplify the voices and rights of people with disabilities through advocacy and awareness. As a beneficiary of the Voice program, SHIVYAWATA promotes inclusive participation and campaigns for equal access to resources, including digital platforms, with a strong focus on reaching marginalized groups such as the deaf community. Its public engagement and visibility work had garnered recognition for fostering disability rights in innovative ways.

Meanwhile, DS International supports deaf people in Tanzania by working with local organizations that focus on advocacy, education, vocational training and more.

Building a More Inclusive Ecosystem

Tanzania has unveiled strategies regarding national disability and guidelines on disability-inclusive planning to ensure that individuals with disabilities are part of the national development. These initiatives aim to integrate disability inclusion across sectors such as education, employment, health and economic development. By addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusive planning, the government is working to create an enabling environment where individuals with disabilities can participate equally in society. This approach reflects a commitment to equity and sustainable development in Tanzania and a more inclusive approach to society where deaf entrepreneurs can thrive and help strengthen their communities and the country as a whole.

A Model for Sustainable Development

Deaf people in Tanzania are breaking the cycle of poverty and changing how society views disability. They are proving that with the right support, people with disabilities can drive meaningful change. Tanzania combines grassroots programs, vocational training and national policies to empower these individuals.

As donors and development agencies search for effective poverty reduction strategies, Tanzania’s deaf people’s movement stands out. It shows that accessible economic systems benefit everyone- not just people with disabilities, but entire communities.

– Vasara Mikulevicius

Vasara is based in West Bloomfield, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Invisible Inequality: Disability and Poverty in Singapore 

Disability and Poverty in SingaporeSingapore is home to one of the world’s most affluent and exhilarating economic markets, a world-class healthcare system and an exquisite cuisine. Yet, beneath this polished image, lies concerns that receive far less attention: the invisible inequality around disability and poverty in Singapore. These matters continually involve barriers and challenges that the Singapore government is helping to eradicate.

SG Enable is an agency that centers around disability and poverty in Singapore, aiding anyone from different underprivileged backgrounds. It also aims to make Singapore a more inclusive society by helping to advocate and raise awareness.

About Disability and Poverty in Singapore

According to the Singapore government data, around 3.1% of Singapore’s adult population lives with some form of disability, the rate rising to 13.3% among those aged 50 and above, the biggest percentage seen. Students in Singapore cover the smallest percentage at 2.1%.

While the numbers may seem modest, households and communities deeply feel the effects. People with disabilities (PWDs) in Singapore are significantly less likely to be employed: only 32.7% of working-age PWDs held jobs as of 2023, compared to more than 80% in the general population. 

Saltandlight, a foundation that provides a digital gathering space for Christians globally, interviewed Aaron Wong, who has a type of muscle dystrophy called charcot-marie-tooth disease and decided to return to Singapore in 2025, where he grew up. Upon returning, Mr. Wong detailed his tough transition into Cheshire House, a nonprofit care home: “I had to be assisted by hired help whom I barely knew with dressing up and toileting. It was humbling and humiliating.” He described Cheshire House as a “godsend” and said that he “started to see that [he] was not in Cheshire Home as a means to an end, but there was meaning and purpose in me being here within its walls with 110 other people.” 

Those living with a disability can contact SG Enable for further help. Otherwise, there are other ways to seek help through the specific organization such as The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SA Deaf) or the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH).

Addressing Disability and Poverty in Singapore

Through multiple initiatives, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced many ways to help those most affected. The Enabling Masterplan of 2030 was announced on October 11, 2022, which outlines the plan for Singapore as a society that is inclusive for all in 2030, as it was created by, for and alongside persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Along the way, the government has also announced new measures in place to help such as flexible work schedules, and building disability-friendly buildings and sites.

The high cost of living exacerbates this inequality around poverty too. In 2021, The National Institute of Health surveyed the possible correlation between disability and poverty in Singapore. The study’s analysis further revealed that individuals with lower levels of education and those who were unemployed or economically inactive were significantly more likely to have disabilities. This association indicates that individuals facing economic hardship might be at a higher risk of disability, or conversely, that the presence of a disability could lead to reduced educational and employment opportunities, thereby increasing the likelihood of experiencing poverty. 

However, the government is taking several measures to help bridge the gap between disability and poverty in Singapore. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCYS) introduced subsidized health care, housing and education, and a Ministry spokesperson told the BBC that “Singapore has an extensive social safety net.” 

The ComCare Endowment Fund

The ComCare Endowment Fund also emerged in June 2005, which financially aids low income people and families through support programs to the public. To qualify, those applying must have a total income for the household of $1,900 or less, or a per capita household earnings of $650 or less. The Straits Time reported that ComCare had distributed more than $236 million to those in need, a Singapore record since the Fund’s creation. 

One can define a developed nation by the dignity and opportunity it provides to its most vulnerable citizens, not by GDP or worldwide rankings. Singapore’s next frontier of prosperity may not be innovation or money, but rather deepening its social contract.

– Sumayyah Karim

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Disability and Poverty in Cabo Verde

Disability and Poverty in Cabo VerdeAs is the trend around the world, there is a correlation between disability and poverty in Cabo Verde, with those with disabilities being more likely than their able counterparts to live under the poverty line. However, the International Labour Organization (ILO) commends the island nation for establishing a social protection floor for some of its most vulnerable communities, including those with disabilities, the elderly and children. It is one of the first African countries to do so.

According to the latest studies, an estimated 6% of the population of Cabo Verde is living with some form of disability. However, these figures were published in 2010 and are considerably low in comparison to the rest of the global population, highlighting that they are both out of date and likely to be an underestimate. Given the limited data on disability and poverty in Cabo Verde, it can therefore be difficult to form a complete understanding of what life is really like for those living with disabilities.

Pre-Pandemic

In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cabo Verde saw a considerable reduction in its national poverty rate, from 35.2% in 2015 to 27.7% in 2019. This decline was in part due to the active steps the government made to improve social inclusion for its disabled population. 

For example, in 2017, in partnership with Handicap International, the National Human Rights and Citizenship Commission produced and disseminated an informative document on disability rights. Titled ‘Un Mundu Pa Nos Tudu’ (‘A World for Us All’), the document details common challenges faced by people with disabilities and debunks myths surrounding the disabled community, helping to improve levels of inclusion.

During the Pandemic

However, the pandemic pushed an estimated additional 88 million people worldwide into poverty, and the situation in Cabo Verde was no different. By 2020, almost a third (31.3%) of its population was living in poverty, reversing previous progress.

In a report published in 2021, the International Disability Alliance found that the pandemic revealed several key areas where support for the disabled population falls short. These include limited participation of people with disabilities in health policy decision-making, insufficient prenatal care for mothers with disabilities and a mental health care network which excludes the disabled community. 

Post-Pandemic

Despite this, the government has implemented policies in the aftermath of the pandemic to continue the positive advancements they made before the outbreak, both with respect to poverty levels and social protection for people with disabilities. In 2022, the poverty rate began to fall again and people with disabilities started to see visible improvements to their standard of living.

Established in 2016, the Rede Nacional de Campanha da Educação para Todos, Cabo Verde (otherwise known as the National Network of The Education for All Campaign, Cabo Verde) was able to resume its efforts to improve the lives of disabled people across the country. Led by Dr Marciano Monteiro, who lives with visual impairment, the coalition advocates for increased funding for inclusive education.

In line with the government’s aim of promoting equal opportunities for all, the Ministry of Education, in partnership with the coalition, published a comprehensive report detailing a new set of regulations for schools across the country. These rules guarantee the inclusion of all children with special educational needs, as well as fee-free education, from basic to tertiary, for all children with disabilities.

These changes have already resulted in visible developments within the education system and the situation regarding disability and poverty in Cabo Verde. The quality of teaching, especially with respect to how teachers can support those with diverse educational needs, has greatly improved, leading to an increase in the number of disabled people who stay in school for longer.

Looking Ahead

In making considerable practical adjustments to education and healthcare, the government in Cabo Verde has enabled the disabled population to receive the support they require. This in turn is helping the country break the cycle of poverty.

– Elsa Tarring

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

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Addressing Disability and Poverty in Sudan 

Disability and Poverty in SudanSince the beginning of the ongoing war, two years ago, disability and poverty in Sudan have increased while life conditions and healthcare access have diminished. More than 13 million people are displaced internally or to neighboring countries, representing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

After 21 months of fighting, the terrorist militia known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced more than 11.5 million. Most of them internally, 3.3 million to neighboring countries including Egypt, Chad and South Sudan. The displaced Sudanese live in horrible conditions in camps, they lack proper supplies and 25.6  million are food insecure. Doctors Without Borders estimated in February 2024 that 13 children died from starvation every single day. 

On top of living in dire circumstances, the Sudanese are exposed to constant bombings, sexual violence and ethnic cleansing. The American secretary of state, Anthony J. Blinken, has described the RSF’s actions as genocidal. Here is information about disability and poverty in Sudan and efforts to address it.

Disability in Sudan

The Swedish International Corporation Agency estimated that there are 1.9 to 3.8 million disabled people in Sudan, representing 10-15% of the total population. This estimate considers the under reporting of untreated patients. The most common disabilities are blindness at 31% and mental disability at 24%.

While some of these disabilities are hereditary, a large number of impairments have risen throughout the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Injuries from bullets, artillery and bombs have led to severe physical harm such as burns and fractures, sometimes resulting in lifelong injuries like amputations.

Health Care Access

Armed conflict and poverty play a big role in health care access. Before the war, only 50% of people who managed to reach a health facility were offered proper treatment, the weakened health system puts 8 million of children in dire condition at risk as 78,000 babies die every year from preventable causes like malaria.

This access is even more limited to people with disabilities. In 2015, a research studying health care access across Sudan, Namibia, Malawi and South Africa showed that 8.18% of people with no activity limitation had problems accessing health care, while the percentage of people with some or severe activity limitations who lack health care access was 12.24% and 12.10% per month.

The lack of access to health care has only worsened since the beginning of the RSF attacks in April 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 108 attacks on health care facilities by September 2024, the percentage of facilities and public hospitals partially or totally dysfunctional is 70-80% in areas worst affected by the crisis and 45% in other parts of the country, leaving millions of people helpless.

Poverty in Sudan

The 2014 Multidimensional Poverty Index estimates of Sudan indicated that 52.3% of the Sudanese population is multidimensionally poor and 17.7% are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. These figures are in constant increase, total poverty rates rose to 80% in 2018 and to 97% in 2020.

Due to the ongoing conflict, living conditions have deteriorated and a great number of the population have lost shelter and income. A study compared the decrease of resources between 2021 (before the conflict) and 2023 (during the conflict), it expected the poverty rate to increase by 4.5%, affecting 39.3 million Sudanese. It estimated that the war led to the loss of $15 billion of Sudan’s economy by the end of 2023 which is equivalent to 48% of Sudan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is due to the attack on states that produce sectoral goods as well as the loss of jobs in industry, services and agriculture which amount to 5.2 million jobs lost, representing almost half of the Sudanese workforce.

Though the damage is on a national scale, disabled people struggle more, they are in constant need of food and welfare supplies. Before the conflict, they received financial support from non disabled people through religious donations known as zakat, but the war led to the collapse of the zakat system and begging at the local market is now the main source of income for the disabled Sudanese in Darfur. They are reliant on family members who at times of crises might  leave them behind in a desperate pursuit of safety.

Efforts and Solutions

Many efforts have emerged to diminish disability and poverty in Sudan, whether domestically or internationally. The UNICEF Sudan social protection programme, which is in the eastern states where the malnutrition rates are higher, is directly supporting 300,000 beneficiaries through monetary, informational and care provisions to mothers from the conception of their babies to two years after their birth. This has proven to reduce maternal mortality, infant mortality and malnutrition.

Meanwhile, in November 2023 and with the support of UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Education launched the National Strategy on education of children with disabilities from 2013-2016, followed by the first National Council on education of children with disabilities with the support of UNESCO, UNICEF and Plan international. The strategy aimed to integrate a holistic model to cater to the educational, social, health and protection needs of disabled children as well as safeguarding their rights.

Nayla Prosthetics, a Sudan Disability Movement, launched before the war, which has provided prosthetic and financial support to people with mycetoma, a chronic infection caused by fungi and bacteria mainly affecting farmers. Thanks to this initiative, the beneficiaries have regained mobility which promoted their recovery and job availability.

The team designed a prosthetic capable of reading electrical signals from the amputee and reacting to them with movements. It features a simplified design, a wrist rotation and sensory feedback so that the amputee feels when they touch it and all of this is available for less than $1,000. Thanks to grants and donations, the organization only keeps growing. 

Looking Ahead

Access to the bare necessities of life was already a challenge for most Sudanese, the current war has only accentuated their struggle. Disability and poverty in Sudan is at an all time high and millions of people are vulnerable to starvation, untreated wounds and incessant violence.

– Yasmine Belabed

Yasmine is based in Algeria and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Addressing Disability and Poverty in Tunisia

Disability and Poverty in TunisiaAccording to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), a positive correlation exists between disability and poverty in Tunisia. Disabled people are more than twice as likely to live in poverty. Seventeen indicators determine the MPI, including health care, employment, education, living conditions and physical security. As of 2017, Tunisia’s disability prevalence is approximately 14% within a population of 12 million. Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has taken action to reduce disability poverty in its communities. The following article will explain the connection between disability and poverty in Tunisia, amplify Tunisia’s recent achievements in reducing disability-poverty and discuss further improvements.

The Connection Between Disability and Poverty in Tunisia

  1. Educational Setbacks: Mental and physical impairments hinder disabled children from attending school. Oftentimes, educational facilities in developing countries do not have accessible transport for students who require wheelchairs or special equipment. Mental disabilities prevent students from learning at the same rate as their peers. This educational gap has direct links to future unemployment and financial instability for disabled persons. 
  2. Lack of Employment: In Tunisia, 40% of disabled people are unemployed, a critical factor in the prevalence of disability-poverty. Inadequate education, limited legal protection and disability stigma drive unemployment. While the statistic is unknown, women with disabilities are more likely to face discrimination according to the Tunisian General Trade Union.
  3. Poor Access to Health Care: Disabled citizens struggle to obtain quality healthcare. Many healthcare facilities are not wheelchair accessible. Hospitals in developing countries often lack basic equipment such as X-ray machines, exam tables and scales, which prevents service to disabled patients. Healthcare services for disabled patients also tend to be more expensive.
  4. Infectious Disease Prevalence: Infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic diseases, are common in Tunisia and worsen disability-poverty. Specifically, infectious disease may cause disabilities, particularly in childhood, by impairing motor, cognitive and sensory function.
  5. Unsafe Living Conditions: Dangerous environmental factors can instigate disabilities. Poor sanitation and dangerous infrastructure increase the likelihood of developing a physical impairment. Additionally, unsafe living conditions worsen the health of disabled persons, hindering employment and access to special services. This enacts a cycle of poverty. Impoverished conditions worsen disability, and disability encourages poverty’s increase.

Tunisia’s Advancements in Disability-Poverty Reduction

  1. Disability Cards: As of 2012, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) administers disability cards to Tunisians with physical and mental impairments. These cards allow disabled persons to acquire special services and government protection from discrimination. Disabled persons holding these cards are also ensured transportation, health care, access to recreational areas and employment opportunities.
  2. Government Funding: The Orientation Act 83 is a federal step to prevent disability and poverty in Tunisia. Organizations are funded in their provision of special education, workshops, vocational training and rehabilitation services. A direct effect of this act is the establishment of four special education institutions in Tunisia.
  3. Official Representation: Tunisia’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) originated in 2008 and provides government protection to disabled persons. Three stakeholders make up the CRPD: the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). These departments are largely responsible for improving the living conditions of people with disabilities.
  4. Social Organizations: Prior to the 2011 Jasmine revolution, social movements fighting disability-poverty were unheard of. Today, numerous associations exist to protect the welfare of disabled persons. The Tunisian Organization of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Tunisian Association for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Parents and Friends of Persons with Disabilities Association of Tunis are all organizations dedicated to the reduction of disability and poverty in Tunisia.
  5. Election Aid: In 2014, Tunisia implemented the use of sign language in all election-related communication. This applies to voting registration, electoral polls, political speeches and national television programming. In 2019, the country implemented new voting technology — braille and sign language lexicons — further aiding citizens with vision or hearing impairments. As a result, Tunisia’s educational gap is reduced and disabled participation in society has increased.

Barriers in the Fight Against Disability Poverty

  1. Limit Social Stigma: Much of the Tunisian population treats disabled persons as second-class citizens or “charity cases.” Disability stigma results in negative outcomes on employment and educational opportunities for the impaired. Employment’s decrease results in poverty’s increase.
  2. Reliable Enforcement: Although Tunisia has laws to protect the welfare of disabled persons, there is a lack of enforcement of these laws. Disabled citizens’ legal rights are not effectively monitored.
  3. Repair COVID-19 Damage: Disability-poverty increased during the pandemic due to higher unemployment. Not only were jobs harder to find, but disabled persons often require contact assistance, putting them at greater risk for disease transmission. Disabled students struggled with remote education, heightening the education gap. Tunisia’s COVID-19 recovery ended towards the end of 2021, but the impact of the pandemic remains prevalent for the disabled community.
  4. Tunisian Parliament Suspension: The Tunisian Parliament was suspended after the July 25, 2021, constitutional referendum. This suspension has prevented the Parliamentary Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and other Vulnerable Groups from implementing field programs to aid disability-poverty.
  5. Broaden Disability Diagnosis: Although the disability card has reduced disability poverty in Tunisia, it is difficult to acquire these cards. They are given only after an approved medical assessment. This assessment may not account for all psychological impairments. 

Looking Ahead

Although disability and poverty are still a problem in Tunisia today, significant progress has occurred and points to future improvements. 

– Helen Cusick

Helen is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Economic Prospects: Disability and Poverty in Italy

Economic Prospects: Disability and Poverty in ItalyItaly’s young people with disabilities live at the intersection of two systemic failures: underfunded support services and a labor market that often views them as liabilities. A 2023 study by CBM Italia and Fondazione E. Zancan found that nearly nine in 10 families with a disabled member struggle financially, highlighting the link between disability and poverty in Italy. Instead of cash handouts, 90% of these families emphasized the need for “humanized” support such as home care, accessible therapies, mobility aids and social programs. Drawing from interviews with nearly 300 individuals aged 14 to 55, the survey highlights the persistent link between disability and poverty in Italy.

Poverty and Isolation Undermine Independence

Approximately 5.6 million Italians—about 9.7% of the population—live in absolute poverty. The study also found that one in six families received no institutional support and more than 70% had no friends or community network to help. Without access to day centers or assisted living, parents become full-time carers, which limits young people’s independence. Despite legal frameworks like Law 104/1992 and Italy’s 2009 ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, many young Italians with disabilities still face marginalization in both policy and practice.

Gaps in Education Access

Italy’s inclusive education reveals significant shortcomings upon closer inspection. About 338,000 students with disabilities (4.1% of pupils) attended school in 2022–23, but demand continues to outpace support. The student–aide ratio is 1.6:1 and one-third of support teachers lack specialized training. Additionally, 12% are assigned after the school year begins. Inclusion is highly discontinuous: some 60% of disabled students change their support teacher every year. Parents report that once children reach the age of 16–18, most free supports end abruptly. As a result, many families privately pay for therapies or aides, from physiotherapy to educational tutors. According to the European Commission, in the Piedmont region, only 2.9% of people with disabilities have attained a university degree, with most leaving the education system after lower secondary school.

Barriers to Employment

Limited qualifications restrict future opportunities. Only about 36% of Italians with disabilities hold paid employment, compared to 60% of their nondisabled peers. The unemployment rate for disabled adults sits at 20%, nearly double that of others. In the CBM/Zancan survey, 38% of respondents were declared legally unable to work. In the South, that figure rises to 46%. Law 68/1999 mandates companies to hire workers with disabilities, but participation remains limited. Many eligible youths do not register for job quotas and few secure long-term employment. Northern regions offer more services and placements, while southern youth rely primarily on disability pensions.

Toward Inclusive Solutions

Italy’s disability policy still has critical gaps. Public spending on social and support services is low and uneven and complex bureaucratic assessments fragment aid. To foster autonomy and inclusion, the OECD’s 2023 report recommends expanding day centers, improving training programs and enforcing quota laws with real incentives.

– Lucrezia Frascati

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

Photo: Flickr

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Disability and Poverty in the DRC: Destitution With Stigma 

Disability and Poverty in the DRCThe Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as the DRC, is the second-largest country in Africa. Its current instability is due to multiple conflicts over the years, such as the ongoing Democratic Republic of Congo-Rwandan conflict. The people most at risk for going into extreme poverty due to this factor, plus multiple different factors, are those with disability in the DRC.

Disability in the DRC has been a subject of scrutiny for decades; despite recent breakthroughs for rights, disabled people are often in poverty due to social stigma. About 10% of the population in the DRC has a disability, often due to poverty or conflicts, with the physically disabled more likely to be in poverty and stigmatized. With the shadow of past wars and the ongoing conflict in the DRC, disabled people are more than ever at risk of going into extreme poverty and even death. Here is more information about disability and poverty in the DRC.

Stigmatized and in the Background

The DRC has one of the lowest health care access rates in the world, making it difficult to provide disease prevention and sufficient care. Many diseases are preventable through vaccines, such as polio and measles. Without health care and mental health aid in the country, they can resurge and wreak havoc on communities, causing more disability in the DRC.

Many people with disabilities in the DRC struggle to receive acceptance in their community, both from peers, who fear them due to their disability, and their families who can view them as a hindrance. The stigma surrounding disabled people means that their families are more likely to abandon them compared to abled people. This may leave them in dire situations and poor mental health.

The physically disabled among the population find it hard to get an education, due to stigmatization from educators who do not understand the latest laws and policies when it comes to disabled rights. This can lead to illiteracy among disabled children, thus leading to extreme poverty, which can lead to medical deaths without support.

This means that DRC’s disabled people are more vulnerable to extreme poverty compared to its able-bodied citizens. DRC’s disabled population is viewed in a negative light due to their disability, due to the lack of education about disabilities among the populace. A lot of the population (including disabled individuals) believe that something otherworldly, such as punishment by god or witchcraft, cause disability.

Tribulations for Disabled Rights

To make matters more difficult for the disabled, there is a lack of resources for the disabled in the country, despite a law passed in 2022 to protect their rights. The difficulty of implementing policies to improve their lives, mixed with the stigma of disability from their peers, has made it a struggle to find purpose and receive opportunities.

Additionally, the DRC planned a policy to help those with mental health struggles in 1999. But this policy does not include a law about how it will treat those with disabling mental illness, with mental illness without assistance affecting 80% of those under 40.

Despite the DRC’s trade and industry of mining resources, the wealth does not go to the citizens who have worked to procure them. About one in six people in the DRC lives in extreme poverty, and 73% of the population lives on $2.15 a day. For those with disabilities, it is not enough to support themselves, with approximately 10.5 billion living with disability in the DRC, 96% of them live in poverty.

This has contributed to the poverty in the DRC amongst those with disabilities, both in finding work and education that is willing to support them. These multifaceted factors, such as conflict, economic instability and disability, have caused them to be stuck in a state of destitution that is difficult to leave.

Hope Amongst Conflict

The situation with the disabled in DRC seems like a difficult conundrum, but with proper support and awareness provided by aid, they can have improved lives. Organizations such as Humanity & Inclusion have assisted in providing health care to those with disabilities, such as giving prosthetics and therapy to children who have disabilities or are developing one.

Humanity & Inclusion is a nonprofit organization that originated in 1982 and has helped more than tens of millions of people globally in 2024. It helps with emergencies and long-term developments, from removing explosives left behind from wars to working with disabled people to better their future opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Aid for people with disabilities is essential for any developing society to grow both in happiness and in economics. Disabled people need crucial support to thrive in society, so they can give themselves the independence they desire and the hope to create a life they can feel happy about.

– Anastasia Flerchinger

Anastasia is based in Richland, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Disability and Poverty in Panama in 2025

Disability and Poverty in PanamaPanama struggles with poverty. As of 2019, 21.5% of the population in Panama is living in poverty. With the last recorded population count at around 4.459 million people, that would mean that almost 1 million are currently below the poverty line in the country. However, a major demographic within those impoverished in Panama is the disabled population.

The troubles of poverty can be amplified for those living with either physical or mental disabilities. As of 2010, about 5% of Panamanian adults suffer from functional difficulty. These people often have lower chances of finding a job or finishing their education, which in turn harms their ability to improve their standards of life. This can often lead to disability and poverty intertwining and reinforcing each other, making it harder for people with these disabilities to get themselves out of poverty. In fact, disabled people in Panama have a poverty rate of 46% as opposed to 19% for those without a disability.

The Panamanian Social Security Fund (CSS) has been an important organization for supporting the country’s disabled population, mainly by handling social security benefits to those in need since 1941. However, with a new law implemented, the country grows concerned over how much the organization will be able to help fight against disability and poverty in Panama.

New Law and What It Means for Panama

The Panamanian government officially implemented Law No. 462 on March 18, 2025. According to Morgan & Morgan, this law implements a number of structural changes to how the CSS will administer benefits, including automatically taxing independent professionals with a 9.3% tax income to cover a number of contributions. This will include benefits to the disabled.

However, Panamanian citizens have expressed concern over how this law will affect them, as unions express concern about a shift in focus towards individual workers for pensions. Protesters are also claiming that this law will mostly benefit the companies rather than the individuals that might need these pensions. However, it is unclear how this law will affect the fight against disability and poverty in Panama.

Organizations That Address Disability and Poverty in Panama

While it is unclear how this law will affect Panama in the long run, it is important that citizens from outside of the country know how poverty is heavily affecting the disabled population. As for what can be done, there are organizations outside of the CSS that have taken to also fight against disability and poverty in Panama. Here are a couple of examples:

  • Fundación Oír es Vivir: Fundación Oír es Vivir  is an organization that specializes in preventing and treating deafness, and it has partnered with the global organization Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to spread awareness and care for deaf Panamanians. Dr. Cynthia Guy founded Fundación Oír es Vivir in 2008 and the organization raised more than 15,000 pounds to restore hearing to 100 children in a current project. The organization’s end goal is to raise around 25,000 pounds to help families who cannot usually afford to restore their children’s hearing; this will serve as a great opportunity for all of these families to improve their chances of breaking the poverty cycle. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower also has a branch in Panama, although its website is exclusively in Spanish.
  • Special Olympics: Special Olympics is an organization working in Panama that promotes physical health for both physically and mentally disabled children and adults. It also promotes disabled athletes and has 2,565 athletes from Panama registered according to its fact sheet. Improved physical health may help disabled people and hopefully leave put in a better position to garner employment.

Looking Ahead

Poverty will always be difficult to combat, but those who struggle with a disability alongside poverty need even more special support, both within and outside the country. While the future of Panama is currently unclear, spreading more awareness and supporting the country’s disabled will help create a better Panama and hopefully improve its quality of life.

– Jose Gabriel Lopez

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

Photo: Pixabay

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Accessible Education for Disabled Children in Botswana

Disabled Children in BotswanaMost people know Botswana as an extension of South Africa with its lush grasslands and exotic animals. It is classified as an upper-middle class country with high reliance on the diamond mining industry. While Botswana’s wealth has increased, the distribution of it has not been exactly fair and disabled children in Botswana suffer its consequences the most. Some of these consequences are difficulty accessing education. Although great steps have moved this country forward, poverty still exists and systematic change is necessary.

Disability and Poverty in Botswana

It has been reported that an estimated 15% of African children account for the majority of disabled peoples around the world. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that approximately 4.5% of Botswana’s population live with a disability and identifies the multidimensional poverty index at 20.84%.

Medical researchers, Jill Hanass-Hancock and Bradley Carpenter find that the current disabilities prevalent in Botswana are mental and sexually transmitted disorders ranging from around 13.7% as well as musculoskeletal, neurological and sense organ diseases that range 6-10%. Further, the UNDP underlines that extensive research has proven the great challenges that the disabled community faces socio-economically due to the increased poverty and lack of access to education, transportation and facilities.

Researchers Ermien van Pletzen, Bryson Kabaso and Theresa Lorenzo that “to alleviate poverty [it is important to increase] the levels of social, educational, economic and political inclusion of people with disabilities” as well as educate and advocate for the basic human rights of these rural families.

Authors Khaufelo Raymond Lekobane and Thabile Anita Samboma have stressed that a child-centered approach to the Botswana poverty crisis is the best response to solving these critical issues. An example is the The Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle of the 2030 Agenda.

Justice for the Disabled

According to findings from UNICEF, few disabled children in Botswana are enrolled in school, with barriers including poor infrastructure and no teacher training in special education. Another strong issue regarding improvised areas versus developed areas is the large gap of disabled student (only 2%) accessibility to higher education. Initiatives to close the educational gap with disabled Botswanans have included inclusion education policy-making, increasing special education needs for marginalized groups who experience anything from behavioral issues and unfortunate circumstances or language barriers. In 2015, the government passed a new National Policy on Gender and Development improving education equality with more resources and training while protecting women from any form of prejudice. 

Policy and Action

One can trace the first policy of equal opportunity education back to 1977 with the Education for Kgahisano policy. This policy aims “to ensure that all citizens of Botswana including those with special needs have equality of educational opportunities…to prepare children with special educational needs for social integration by integrating them as far as possible with their peers in ordinary schools…to ensure a comprehensive assessment that is based on the child’s learning needs, and not on group norms, and which is followed by individualized instruction.” This policy was a huge stride for inclusivity within the disabled community.

Botswana children deserve to have all their needs met and their education customized to their learning modes. The personalization of learning is key for all children. All teaching methods should incorporate and consider diverse modes of learning. This policy enacted the assurance of equal opportunity education and assessment for all disabled and impoverished children.

Structural Improvements

The physical and sanitary needs of disabled people in Botswana, which include “blindness and inability to use legs account for the greater bulk of disability,” should inspire more access to clean water and bathrooms, ramps and easy access to facilities. In response, the Building Control Regulations implemented infrastructure improvements such as wheelchair accessible ramps, high-visibility strips and picture signage. When students can better adapt to their environment, the learning process becomes enormously easier.

Quality Education

The government’s Vision 2036: Achieving Prosperity For All plan addresses that fundamental resources for human development are essential, further stating, “education and skills are fundamental to human resource development.” Although this statement means well, only around 43% of children between the ages of 4 and 5 attend accessible learning programs with the budgets lending more to tertiary education programs. Even with 98% enrollment, primary school children are failing at a high rate of 33%. Out of this number, children with disabilities encounter structural barriers, rural concerns and no specialized teacher training leading to lower enrollment in primary and secondary schools. Looking at higher education, around 2% of students are disabled, magnifying the alarming lack of concern around disabled aid.

Functional policies are essential to provide full-access to early childhood development, more teacher support, enhanced learning environments and monitoring. Luckily, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education and UNICEF have partnered to push these efforts forward. In another vein, UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Schools Initiative and Botswana have made it a priority to place more formative methods of education, rather than summative.

The Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development acquired the IEP (2011), placing “an inclusive education system which provides children [and] young people …with access to relevant and high quality education which enables them to learn effectively, whatever their … life circumstances, health, disability, stage of development, capacity to learn or socio-economic circumstances.”

The Results

In early 2025, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education in Botswana produced a Temporary Teacher solution, allocating budgets to temporarily relieve the staff shortage. Yet, with recent staff protests, it appears that the hopes for better pay and working conditions continue to be a cause worth fighting for.

Socioeconomics will always have a connection to the quality of education the children of Botswana receive. Indeed, Vision 2036 has noted education’s importance in the country’s future wealth and positive efforts have occurred. 

– Melody Aminian

Melody is based in Irvine, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Disability and Poverty in Nicaragua 

Disability and Poverty in NicaraguaNicaragua is home to almost 7 million people and is known for its bewitching terrain of grand lakes and vibrant volcanoes. The Central American country is rich in agriculture and colonial architecture. However, disability and poverty in Nicaragua is a concern to many. The efforts to take action on these issues are very low, with political officials choosing to ignore them. People with disabilities often live in extreme poverty due to the lack of measures taken to protect them.

Roughly 10-15% of the population in Nicaragua is disabled, which is around 700,000 to 1 million people. People experience numerous types of disabilities, ranging from physical, mental and intellectual. The most common being limb amputees and individuals with paralysis. The causes can vary from conditions present at birth, chronic diseases such as noncommunicable diseases, or exposure to occupational hazards. A large contributor is deficiencies in pre- and post-natal care and not having proper access to medical resources during pregnancy. 

The Parallels Between Disability and Poverty in Nicaragua

About 12.5% of the population lived in poverty as of 2023. While it is unknown how many people with disabilities are living in extreme poverty, disability and poverty are exceedingly relevant to each other. Disabled citizens in Nicaragua often do not have access to employment opportunities, increasing their chances of living in poverty.

They often face nationwide discrimination and ridicule. The social stigma in Nicaragua perceives these people as “less than human.” People with disabilities in Nicaragua often do not have access to public health facilities and other institutions. In Nicaragua, in the absence of modern medical advances, those with disabilities struggle for services beyond basic care. Only 10%, who are classified as having severe disabilities, receive regular health care and are able to do home improvements.

Individuals with disabilities encounter inhumane treatment in their homes and in public. They experience neglect domestically and often cannot meet their basic needs, such as adequate shelter and food. Being isolated from their families because they are perceived as inferior can hinder their emotional development, causing serious effects on their mental health. Both their families and the government often abandon them, failing to protect their rights.

Political State of Nicaragua

In recent events, Nicaragua has amended its constitution to grant expansive powers to the president, Daniel Ortega. This comprises influence over media, extending the presidential term to six years, the vice president, Rosario Murillo, becoming a co-president, and permission to pick any number of vice presidents. These tyrannical sets of laws will block any Nicaraguan process. This also could be critical for the protection of persons with disabilities, which previously under laws were deficient.

Under the Nicaraguan law “Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” 2% of public officials should be people with disabilities, yet legislation does nothing to enforce this or meet the quota by any means. The law that aims to protect people with disabilities is not respected. The United Nations has stated its concerns about the measures “acted upon” under the law. On Apr.23, 2024, the UN, in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, expressed observations on the treatment of the disabled in Nicaragua. Some of the topics discussed were what legislation has done to recognize their discrimination, if there is a system in place for receiving grievances and action taken in this connection and the poverty among children with disabilities. With these repercussions from the government, the safety of these citizens will be endangered.

Efforts From the Community

There are rare services offering aid to disabled people in Nicaragua. In Juigalpa, Nicaragua, there is a small organization that helps protect disabled people. External funding and local efforts to create a safe haven for people supports Fundacion Cristiana Comunitaria para Personas con Discapacidad Ruach, translated Ruach Christian Community Foundation for People With Disabilities. It provides care and attention. Individuals participate in activities that boost social skills, self-esteem and overall happiness. It protects them from abuse and neglect that comes within their households.

Ruach has stated that its main goal is to change society’s perspective and remind others that these people, individually, have something positive to offer to the world—that they have skills and attributes that are capable of creation. The project currently works with seven adults but hopes to expand to support 24 disabled people across the nation. Today, it has raised enough money to give people with disabilities a home to be themselves. Its dedication shows that disability and poverty in Nicaragua are not hopeless.

Conclusion

Individuals with disabilities in Nicaragua face economic hardships, jarring discrimination and difficulty accessing health facilities. These pressing concerns showcase an intersection of poverty and political neglect. As the government continues to ignore the marginalized group, the social stigma of persons with disabilities worsens. This makes it essential for change in Nicaragua. Society, organizations and individuals should address discrimination, advocate for modern medicine and reinforce the laws that are intended to protect their rights. Ultimately, fostering an inclusive environment can benefit in recognizing the contributions and skills disabled citizens possess.

 – Kassandra Ticas

Kassandra is based in Gardner, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr