Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Tackling Food Waste In Indonesia

Food Waste In IndonesiaAccording to the 2025 International Database Census, Indonesia has the fourth-largest population globally, with more than 283 million people living in the lush “Emerald of the Equator.” Compared to other populated nations in Asia, like India or Bangladesh, Indonesia has a relatively low population density—aside from the island of Java—with civilians spread across the different provinces of the archipelago. That said, Indonesia still has the highest population among the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), creating both challenges and opportunities for sustainable living.

Historically, Indonesia has had difficulty maintaining a sustainable relationship with food consumption, as well as with lumber, fossil fuels, land use and water. Even though Indonesia may appear to have enough resources to provide for everyone, more than 8% of its population—about 24 million people—lives in poverty. While facing numerous ecological issues and overconsumption, Indonesian federal policymakers have attempted to address these problems while managing other environmental challenges that have arisen in recent years.

Causes of Food Waste in Indonesia

On the surface, food waste may seem like an issue that can be tackled easily. However, many developed nations, especially the most populated ones, have had continuous trouble adapting to cultural factors, logistical issues and faulty manufacturing. For Indonesia specifically, these issues, along with harvest losses and the country’s climate, speed up the process of food waste compared to other nations.

Harvest loss is a detrimental issue for Indonesian produce farmers because significant amounts of their crops are lost before reaching the market due to a lack of access to modern technologies for harvesting, processing and storing crops. When these crops face exposure to Indonesia’s constant humid climate, the conditions quickly cause spoilage, either before or after they reach a retailer.

When citizens of Indonesia search for produce at vendors or markets, perceptions of food quality often influence high food waste. Much of consumer behavior has progressively been influenced by Western consumption patterns that suggest a lack of interest in food that may not appear aesthetically pleasing, leading to the discarding of large amounts of food. Unfortunately, this cultural phenomenon of waste does not only reside on the individual level.

According to information reported by news portal Tempo, the biggest contribution to wasted food comes from hotels, restaurants, catering, supermarkets and the behavior of people who like to leave their food. Aksamala Foundation research results in 2016 showed that 35% of restaurants in Jakarta throw away excess unsold food per day, with an average of 2-3 kilograms per restaurant. 

Consequences of Food Waste

Plenty of consequences have emerged from overconsumption, most notably food insecurity. When retailers have limited access to fresh produce or when produce spoils quickly, prices can rise due to supply issues. Although Indonesia may remain one of the world’s largest food producers, the amount of waste, if managed properly, can meet the food needs of more than 3 billion people; it still faces challenges within its supply chain when delivering food to those in impoverished areas who require immediate access to quality nourishment. Environmental and economic impacts are the two other major consequences of food waste.

The World Bank assessed in 2019 that Indonesia lost $29 billion in one year due to food waste. Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has conducted a study that food waste accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the amount of natural resources that go to waste when growing produce that immediately gets thrown out.

Spearheading a Sustainable Change

As of 2024, Indonesia has lowered its food waste per capita to 51.95 kg, compared to 2021 when the waste per capita was 75.66 kg. When tackling these issues, Indonesia relied on technological and digitalization methods, including artificial intelligence (AI) networks that can identify patterns, predict the molecular structure of bioactive compounds and predict the expiration of a commodity.

Other methods, such as data systems, have proven useful when tracking produce in transport from rural to urban areas, ensuring appropriate preservation. If an issue arises in the supply chain, it becomes easier to isolate and resolve. Many other traditional strategies carried out among the public consist of encouraging community efforts toward upcycling organic and non-organic waste through individual efforts or organizations like Waste4Change, supporting the country’s goals for a more sustainable future.

– Sam Barbagallo

Sam is based in Tewksbury, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Recycling Ghost Nets Fights Poverty Globally

Recycling Ghost NetsAbandoned fishing nets, nicknamed ghost nets, are a significant source of marine waste contributing to environmental problems. All the way from Asia to Africa, innovative people and organizations around the world are recycling ghost nets that would otherwise be destroying the habitats of marine life and the livelihoods of locals. Their efforts serve two worthy goals; besides helping to save the planet, recycling ghost nets fights poverty by creating jobs in underserved nations.

Ghost Net to Soccer Net in the Caribbean

Sandals Foundation, owned by Sandals Resorts (a chain of resorts based in the Caribbean), started a program called Future Goals. It works to pick up environmentally-damaging ghost nets discarded in coral reefs, repurposing them into soccer nets for local kids beginning in the island of Curaçao.

They want to encourage more kids throughout the Caribbean to play soccer (locally known as football). The program hopes to foster life skills in disadvantaged youth, opening opportunities in their futures. Simultaneously, the Future Goals program promotes environmental sustainability in Caribbean communities.

From Under the Sea to (Magic) Carpet in the Philippines

In the Philippines, commercial fishing once sustained the local economy. However, now, most of the fish supply is depleted and only the plastic waste remains, leaving local communities without a living, and thus 60% are below the poverty line.

With the help of organizations like NetWorks, Filipino fishermen clean up the waste and recycle the fishing nets by turning them into carpets. Both retrieving the materials from the ocean and making these carpets out of recycled materials provide these Filipinos with jobs and a source of income. The process has been so successful that it has spread across communities in the Philippines.

One Man’s Trash Is Another’s Treasure in Cameroon

When invasive plant species disrupted the ecosystem in one fishing village in Cameroon, the livelihoods of local communities quickly became unstable, and countless fishermen lost their jobs. NetWorks also established a program in Cameroon, providing them with jobs retrieving fishing nets from the water to be recycled. In return, they receive stamps, which they can exchange to pay for fundamental services like health care and even their education.

Fishing Nets in Seychelles to Patagonia Shorts

Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, constantly experiences firsthand the effects of ocean pollution with ghost nets washing up on shore. One startup, Brikole, receives old fishing nets from Spanish and French fishing companies and then employs locals to process the materials and ship them to a company that makes products for big-name clothing companies including Patagonia. Each sustainable step of the way, recycling ghost nets fights poverty.

Plastic is infamous. With a decomposition date hundreds of years in the future, each neglected plastic bag, thrown-away bottle, and discarded fishing net contributes to global environmental concerns. Simultaneously, the news constantly recycles a gloomy narrative that global poverty is a hopeless situation. Yet innovative people around the world have found a solution fighting both problems rather than giving up hope. Surprisingly, their efforts have proven how recycling ghost nets fights poverty in diverse places–the Caribbean, the Philippines, Cameroon, and Seychelles. These repurposed fishing nets have transformed into employment opportunities for locals, acting as a buoy while poverty threatens to capsize low-income communities in developing countries.

– Klara Jones

Klara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Pedaling to Prosperity: African Cyclists

Africa's cyclistsIn 2024, Biniam Girmay, the Eritrean cyclist, won several stages of the Tour de France; this was the first occurrence of a black rider winning a segment of the race. Further, this was the first time an African obtained the prestige of wearing a green jersey during any tour. In addition, Rwanda is to host the 2025 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships, another remarkable development in Africa’s series of firsts.

Racing is making substantial strides for inclusivity, diversity and multilateral cooperation. The inclusion of the African market benefits both the sport and the continent, which is now a great opportunity for material advancement and international investment.

The First Few Stages

The globalization of cycling is accompanying the inevitable march of progress. As companies, ideologies and values leak across the globe, the sport of cycling is pedaling into the limelight; meter by meter, creeping into the center of cultural exchange. The notoriety began in 2022, when Girmay won a stage at the prestigious Giro d’Italia and thrust Black Africans into the center of cycling. Over the past several years, Girmay has remained a successful sprinter, securing various victories across various races and stages.

His acumen was reaffirmed in 2024, with his green jersey, during the Tour de France. Girmay initiated an organized effort from the UCI to breach the African market and has remained an inspiration for many African cyclists. About the state of the presence of African cyclists, Girmay said, “It’s really good for the impact, a good vision for young talent, because if you work on that, especially in the European teams, if they invest a lot in African cycling for sure we can have a more global sport. And that’s always nice to see.”

Pushing Forward

Since then, the UCI has initiated establishing a training center for aspiring Black African cyclists. More than 10 to Brittany, France, to train for future competitions; the athletes originate from many countries, each representing their distinct cultures on the European roads. The aspiration of the program, endorsed by both the UCI and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is to have local athletes excel in the regional Kigali championship. As such, they have been targeting young riders, hoping that, in two years, sundry successful characters will graduate from this program. The project began in 2023, hoping to prepare a generation of people capable of shining during the Rwandan competition.

The aforementioned World Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, is the axis for this whole affair. Announced in 2024, during the Zurich Championship, the monumental decision possesses the potency to establish a robust cycling community in Africa. With, on average, 124 countries broadcasting the race and more than 330 million viewers, this event is phenomenal exposure for the region.

The Last Few Stages

The tournament itself provides the potency for a thriving tourist industry. Any single international event unleashes a myriad of positive, economy-stimulating effects. This venture hopes to both inspire local athletes and expose the world to Rwanda. With each cyclist, a team, along with several fans and mechanics, will follow in tandem. These individuals will be exposed to the sprawling hills, vibrant grass and vivid culture.

This affair is an opportunity for Rwanda’s tourism industry to thrive, not only for the tenure of the competition but also for the residual effects of exposure. With this, faculties and institutions of commerce will be erected, providing adequate edifices for the constituents to operate, interact with and purchase from. For comparison, there was a 4.8% increase in foreign tourists during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

As for the athletes themselves, with the introduction of an additional sports industry, more aspirants will have the opportunity to be sponsored. While it is difficult to establish oneself in a sport requiring substantial infrastructure, heroes grant locals international exposure, thereby revitalizing the sport and the residents. Further, there is debate regarding “muscle drain,” or the impact of physically capable laborers leaving their respective nations for better opportunities.

Despite all of this, professional athletes are given the ability to return to their respective communities with connections and wealth. Potentially inspiring a new generation of athletes, all of whom can escape poverty by being thrust into the limelight. An amalgam of the aforementioned themes is present in Kenya, wherein the town of Eldoret benefited from the reinvestment of the country’s professional athletes.

The Finish Line

The finish line has yet to be crossed and many countries still suffer from poverty. However, as the bike pedals forward, the checkered line becomes more perceptible. The competition, the athletes-in-training and the current stars all provide distinct chances for prosperity.

Progress induced by globalism establishes the possibility of flourishing tourism and hospitality industries and reinvestment from athletes. As the line draws near, the glistening prospect of wealth becomes palpable. The internationalism of cycling is beneficial for the sport, as an abstraction and for the people.

– Jackson Hufman

Jackson is based in Glenwood, MD, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Looking Forward: Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Ukraine

Poverty Eradication in UkraineIt has been more than three years since Russia escalated the Russo-Ukrainian War after its forces invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, plunging Ukraine into one of its most abysmal humanitarian crises yet. As a result of the current political strife between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine’s poverty rate reached 37%. While the tragedy in Ukraine pervades civilian life, multiple NGOs, human rights organizations and charity initiatives have helped soothe the current poverty crisis in Ukraine. Here are five current innovations in poverty eradication in Ukraine.

The World Bank Initiatives

In 2023, the World Bank raised $38 billion for emergency financing relief initiatives for Ukraine. They also instituted the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) to help the Ukrainian government fund administrative services, implement relief efforts and plan Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction agenda. The URTF is also being used to fund efforts to repair infrastructure and reinstate public services, such as public housing and healthcare.

European Aid

In 2025, Spain, Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and the Nordic countries allocated a total of €72 billion in aid for Ukraine, marking a record for the most funding Europe has ever allocated to Ukrainian relief efforts. Indeed, many European countries increased their contribution to Ukraine after the U.S. decided not to allocate any funds to aid initiatives for them this year. The Nordic Countries and the U.K. are currently at the forefront of Europe’s foreign aid initiatives, filling the U.S.’s significant financial gap.

UN efforts

In 2024, the U.N. spent a total $685 million in foreign aid for Ukraine, allotting these funds to restoring economic growth in Ukraine, building housing and healthcare and education initiatives, amongst other efforts. In total, the U.N. supported 230,000 civilians through vocational training/job programs, helped 31,000 Ukrainians find housing and delivered around 800 metric tons of medical supplies to frontline regions.

CARE relief efforts for Ukraine

CARE International is currently working with numerous NGOs and other human rights organizations to implement innovations in poverty eradication in Ukraine. It is currently in partnership with the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services, the International Renaissance Foundation, Ukraine House and multiple women’s rights organizations to help provide humanitarian assistance, financial/operational assistance in the development of Ukraine’s democratic government and institute various programs that protect women’s and minority rights. CARE also partners with People in Need to help provide basic survival materials to Ukrainian citizens. It also developed a 24/7 psychosocial assistance hotline to safeguard the mental well-being of Ukrainian citizens.

Restore Ukraine

Founded in February 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine, Restore Ukraine prioritizes restoring Ukrainian cities and communities. Currently, they are in partnership with the International Organization for Migration, the International Justice Mission, Project Dynamo, MATTER, Goodwill, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and United Help Ukraine, amongst others, to help distribute food, hygiene kits and construction materials to help sustain different shelters and hospitals in Ukraine. It has distributed more than 300 tons of food and 650 tons of construction materials since the start of its organization, helping more than 4,000 Ukrainians receive survival materials in the midst of the current political turmoil.

The Future

While many charity organizations, NGOs, and human rights organizations have mobilized to help institute poverty eradication innovations in Ukraine, the fight for poverty alleviation in Ukraine is far from over. Issues regarding income inequality, household financial well-being, labor market shortages, destruction of infrastructure and various other issues continue to tarnish the economic, social, and political state of Ukraine. The immense global contribution to the restoration of Ukrainian democracy and the well-being of its citizens signifies hope for the state of Ukraine. The efforts to eradicate poverty in Ukraine persist, no matter how long it may take to stabilize the welfare of its citizens.

– Ava Lachini

Ava is based in Author’s City and State: Los Angeles, California, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Telemedicine in Sierra Leone is Improving Health Care Access

Telemedicine in Sierra LeoneSince the civil war, the health care system in Sierra Leone has suffered immense destruction, the infrastructure is lacking proper medical supplies and trained personnel, and the country is still struggling with infectious diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS. Sierra Leone has among the lowest life expectancy rates in the world.

Most Sierra Leonean people live in rural areas (55%). This poses an inconvenience when it comes to reaching medical care, which is mainly available in urban areas, considering the deteriorated road and railway networks.

About Telemedicine

Telemedicine has emerged in the last decades to bridge the gap of health care access for difficult-to-reach areas around the world as well as for individuals who struggle to meet appointments by providing medical attention from a distance using electronic devices. This innovation can range from teleconsultation, where the patient can express symptoms to their doctor through a laptop, to telesurgery, where a surgeon uses robotic technologies to perform a surgery on their patient remotely.

The use of telemedicine in Sierra Leone could be a game-changer for the health care system.

Mobile Health

In 2011, when health workers and traditional birth attendants received phones, SIM cards, solar panel powered battery chargers and a virtual private network as well as proper training on how to use them, they reported a significant improvement in health care access in the Bombali district.

Health workers called their clients to remind them about appointments and inform them about the arrival of their medicine. Instead of regular in-person meetings, which could be challenging for patients living far from health facilities.

People started utilizing health services more after the provision of cell phones, and the remote communication with the health workers strengthened the clients’ trust and notified them of the workers’ availability and the need for another visit. The health workers’ phone reminders encouraged their clients not to miss their appointments.

The cell phones not only reinforced communication between the health workers and their clients but also between health workers themselves, they called to inform each other about the delegation of duties as well as the schedule of meetings and activities. This stronger collaboration has eased the decision to refer ambulances, which then led to timely arrivals of ambulances and the rescue of urgent cases.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote patient monitoring has significantly changed the healthcare system around the world, but particularly in countries that lack access to health establishments and social health specialists in rural areas.

The Sierra Leone Telemedicine Network has been operating since 2009 and has allowed patients in rural areas, otherwise deprived of proper care, to receive at-home consultations through their digital devices, like desktops or cell phones, without having to travel long distances.

This monitoring technique usually involves the use of wearable devices that measure the patient’s vital signs from a distance.

A recent study in Sierra Leone used wearable gadgets capable of measuring the heart and perspiration rate of hospitalized patients with Lassa fever remotely. Though most of the data was discarded for poor quality, indicating the need for funding to enhance the effectiveness of these devices.

Health Care Initiatives

Several initiatives have been made to alleviate the struggle of health care access for the civilians of Sierra Leone. The Minister of Health Dr Demby has inaugurated the first nationwide Health Train Campaign earlier this year. It aims to travel to all districts of the country to study the available health care resources, identify the needs and supply civilians with immediate and adequate medical attention. It seeks to follow the “Life Stages” design so that people at different stages of life, whether children, young adults, pregnant women, elderly people, receive the appropriate care they need.

In 2010, UNICEF, launched the Free Healthcare initiative (FHCI), which offered pregnant and lactating women, children under the age of 5, disabled people and Ebola survivors with free medical care and supplies in the hopes to combat the abnormally high mortality and morbidity rates among these vulnerable groups in the country.

The Rural Health Care Initiative has worked diligently to strengthen healthcare access in Sierra Leone’s rural areas. It provides medicine and transportation for patients, medical attention to expecting mothers and their newborns, malaria diagnoses and immunizations for children and help grow the country’s agricultural system by cultivating sustainable food and supporting farmers.

Conclusion

Telemedicine in Sierra Leone has played a huge role in improving healthcare, enhancing health worker performance, strengthening the relationship between the healthcare providers and the patients, delivering timely and accurate higher quality care and bridging the gap towards receiving medical attention for people living in rural, hard to reach areas. Although the current infrastructure available in Sierra Leone consists of many obstacles for telemedicine, the evolution of the healthcare system is a slow work in progress.

– Yasmine Belabed

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

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Thailand: The New Land of Opportunity

Migration to ThailandThailand is a popular subject on the topic of migration. The Southeast Asian country is beloved for its tropical climate, scenic beauty and historical sites. However, its beauty is not the sole reason for increased migration to Thailand.

Migration is an umbrella term involving the movement of people from one place to another, whether temporarily or permanently. Immigration, a sub-branch of migration, refers to people moving to a new country and settling there either semi-permanently or permanently. Both migration and immigration have increased in Thailand in recent years. Here are three reasons why people migrate to Thailand.

3 Reasons Why People Migrate to Thailand

  1. Economic Opportunities: Thailand has a moderately stable economy which is favorable to workers in neighboring countries. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Thailand’s “sectors such as fishing, agriculture, hospitality, domestic work and manufacturing are heavily reliant on migrant workers for manpower.” The majority of workers migrating to Thailand are from Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Myanmar seeking better opportunities and higher wages than their respective countries.
  2. Refugee Migration: According to the 2024 Migration Report from the United Nations Thailand, “Thailand hosts at least 5.3 million non-Thai nationals, marking an 8 per cent increase compared to nearly 4.9 million” in the previous report. This sharp increase is due in part to intensifying conflict in Myanmar. Since 2019, Myanmar migrant populations in Thailand have doubled to 1.8 million, with an estimated 150,000 living in refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border. In response, the National Screening Mechanism (NSM) launched in 2023 to assist migrants in applying for “protected person” legal status to prevent deportation.
  3. Reduced Cost of Living: Western Expats from Europe and the United States have identified Thailand as a popular residential destination to escape high costs of living. From health care to groceries to living expenses, Thailand offers around a 50% reduction in average cost. With the popularization of the “Digital Nomad Visa” and other offerings, immigrants are able to enjoy reduced cost of living and increased financial flexibility, while contributing to Thailand’s economy.

Impacts of Migration to Thailand

Migration has a profound effect on Thailand’s economy. According to a report from the International Labor Organization (ILO), immigrant workers contribute to virtually all sectors and are “associated with an improvement of labor market outcomes of the native-born population.” Because a large percentage of this population has employment, the report estimates that income per capita will rise significantly. Of course, migrants and low-income, rural Thai residents still face hardships.

In a 2022 report, the World Bank noted that Thailand made “remarkable progress in reducing poverty from 58% in 1990 to 6.8% in 2020.” However, as that progress has slowed, large gaps in wealth equality are revealed, leaving nearly 80% of the poor population in rural areas earning an income that is only 68% of their urban counterparts. This income inequality disproportionately affects the recent and ongoing influx of migrants who take on roles involving fishing and agriculture.

Additionally, there is research that suggests a link between migration to Thailand and public health. In a research paper that BMC Public Health published, migrants “may impact public health by transmitting communicable diseases to the local population.” This impact depends on the type of disease in question. Yet, while a rise in migration is associated with more cases of respiratory and other infectious illnesses, it is also linked to a decline in diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. While health care in Thailand is free to all, regardless of legal status, NGOs have been crucial for migrant groups to secure equal access to health care. According to interviews that Human Rights Watch conducted, the Mae Tao Clinic is a hotspot for Myanmar nationals that offers primary care services to undocumented migrants.

Looking Ahead

Overall, migration to Thailand offers valuable and significant benefits to the growth and development of the country, and in return, migrants enjoy the benefits of improved economic conditions, refugee support and a manageable cost of living. Thailand’s approach to migration is unique and serves as an example to the world of how opening one’s border can lead to unexpected positive outcomes that challenge conventional views on migration.

– Jamaya Newton

Jamaya is based in Somerset, NJ, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Russia

Rule of Law in RussiaThe rule of law is central to any functioning democracy, ensuring the exercise of power within legal limits. However, the rule of law in Russia has become fragile under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. Since first taking office in 2000, he has consolidated power through the suppression of opposition, constitutional manipulation and influence over the judiciary and legislature, eroding the independence of legal institutions. As legal checks disappear, rising inequality and poverty become characteristic of the Russian state, with the burden falling on those with the least protection. This article explores how Russia’s legal system prioritizes loyalty over justice, reinforcing structural exclusion.

Separation of Powers in Russia

Russia is an authoritarian political system led by President Putin, who has remained among the highest authority ranks since his first election in May 2000. Throughout his years in government, he has reshaped the balance of power to secure his dominance and weaken institutional checks. In 2004, he announced a stage of recentralization, dismantling many regional powers and bringing political authority under tighter Kremlin control. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, this shift entrenched centralized, top-down governance rooted in loyalty to the president and dominated by Kremlin-aligned political parties. With control over the courts, most of the media and the legislative branch, the Kremlin continues to repress citizens’ rights domestically while adopting foreign policy decisions that defy international norms, further eroding the rule of law.

The emergence of informal mechanisms has allowed state ideology to shape legal interpretations and enforcement, with unofficial directives treated as binding by the political system. As government transparency declines, informal rules overshadow international law and constitutional provisions, weakening the principle of equality before the law. This undermines the impartiality needed to combat corruption, ensure fair resource distribution, or secure fundamental rights. The breakdown of judicial independence leaves marginalized groups without meaningful legal recourse and institutionalizes exclusion.

The Legislative Branch: The Duma and the Federation Council

Composed of the Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council (upper house), the Russian Federation’s legislative branch should be independent, but the President controls many of its decisions. The Duma confirms that the President nominates the Prime Minister and other state ministers and passes laws that the executive proposes.

Regional governments and parliaments select 85 of the 170 Federation Council members, while the president directly appoints 30. Notably, the president has considerable influence over regional governors through recentralization. The president nominates governors instead of allowing public elections, and regional legislatures, that pro-Kremlin parties dominate, confirm them.

The result is the political sidelining of regional voices and minority populations. Areas marked by inequality have no formal channel to advocate for social support or investment. The lack of regional autonomy or accountability leads to disparities between Moscow’s political elite and the rest of the population, weakening public trust in the rule of law. 

The Constitution and the President

It should be no secret that the Russian Constitution has granted President Putin significant power, raising serious concerns about how far that power has extended and how this shift impacts the rule of law. According to the document, the president is the head of state and the guarantor of the constitution, giving him control over most foreign and domestic policy decisions. Endowing him with sweeping legislative powers, the Constitution allows Putin to appoint security ministers, making these issues almost exclusive to the president’s competence.

In 2020, Putin introduced constitutional amendments that further reduced citizens’ rights while expanding executive power. These changes extended presidential terms, enhanced control over the judiciary and granted former presidents lifelong immunity and a permanent seat in the Federation Council. Legal accountability is virtually absent in a system with no meaningful electoral competition or judicial independence. This structure allows the state to ignore inequality while preserving elite privilege and those outside the core political apparatus face systemic neglect.

Russia and the Rule of Law Today

One of the most significant legal tools for controlling dissent is the 2012 “foreign agents law.” Initially applied to NGOs receiving international funding, it has since expanded to target media outlets, advocacy groups and individuals. The 2022 revisions added the broad and ambiguous “foreign influence” category, allowing the state to label critics as national security threats. As a result, the government has cracked down on civil society groups, especially those advocating for human rights, ethnic minorities and the economically vulnerable, forcing them to operate underground.

Poverty in Russia remains a pressing issue, particularly in rural areas and among minority populations. According to the World Bank, around 12.1% of Russians lived below the national poverty line in 2022, with the rate disproportionately affecting families and those in underdeveloped regions. Weak rule of law exacerbates this problem by limiting access to fair legal recourse, reinforcing corruption and enabling the misuse of public funds intended for social welfare.

Following the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s courts became even more visibly biased, enforcing laws that serve state narratives. The state now regularly carries out political trials, arbitrary detentions and harsh sentencing. With growing restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, the Kremlin reasserts dominance and undermines the rights of its citizens.

In response to these challenges, some initiatives continue to push for reform. The EU-Russia Civil Society Forum and its “Legal Discourse” program seek to enhance the potential of the participation of NGOs in the discussion of legal matters between the European Union and Russia. This platform emphasizes the importance of promoting and protecting values like human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, government accountability, administrative compliance and judicial independence.

Resistance and Civil Society

Despite growing repression, Russian civil society continues to resist. Journalists, activists and ordinary citizens risk their freedom to challenge state abuse. Though weakened since the 1990s, moments like the 2011–2012 electoral protests and quiet acts of defiance in response to the invasion of Ukraine reflect a resilient spirit. Individual resistance now outweighs mass movements, with citizens using subtle, creative means to oppose the regime.

Organizations such as Global Call to Action Against Poverty and Caritas of Mother of God Archdiocese have been working to fight poverty within the federation. Making information about patient rights more available to citizens, GCAP’s Russia program aims to improve healthcare in impoverished communities. Caritas of Mother of God Archdiocese, formerly known as Caritas Russia, is a national agency operating under the Catholic Church that focuses on providing the poor and victims of disasters, accidents and armed conflicts with medical and social support. Recently, the organization has been supporting families that have fled Ukraine into Russia, supplying them with food, hygiene materials, medicine and bedding.

Looking Ahead

Authoritarian control has severely damaged Russia’s legal institutions, leaving its citizens with a system that silences opposition and allows inequality to grow unchecked. Under Putin, the rule of law in Russia has withered, concentrating power in the hands of the elite while marginalizing large segments of the population. Through constitutional manipulation, centralized political appointments and laws targeting dissent, the state has built a framework that prioritizes loyalty over fairness. 

Yet, resistance endures. Programs such as the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum and grassroots initiatives such as Caritas and GCAP demonstrate that, despite repression and challenges with the rule of law in Russia, the fight for the protection of the vulnerable and the promotion of justice continues. In the face of adversity, quiet resistance remains a tool for fighting for a more inclusive, equitable, and lawful future.

– Rafaela Paquet

Rafaela is based in Montreal, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender Wage Gap in Mauritius: Technology and Market Growth

Gender Wage Gap in MauritiusMauritius, commonly known as the paradise island of the Indian Ocean, stands at the crossroads of progress and opportunity. Despite its rapidly evolving economy, one gap remains stubbornly wide: the gender wage gap. In 2024, women earned 20% less than men on average, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported. Meanwhile, in 2020, Statistics Mauritius estimated that 11% of women were living below the poverty line as compared to 9.6% of men, thus highlighting the fact that women are at a higher risk of poverty.

In the private sector, the gap is even wider as women earn around 30% less per hour as compared to men. This disparity pushes well-educated women into a poverty cycle or economic insecurity. It primarily affects women who work in growth industries who receive a fraction of what similarly qualified men earn.

The gender wage gap in Mauritius is not merely a statistical issue. It is a reflection of deep-rooted systemic inequalities. However, by embracing inclusive business models and digital solutions, the country has the tools to make equal pay more than just a goal.

Sectoral Divide and Underrepresentation

According to the World Bank Blogs, the rate of labor force participation of women is 57%, while men account for 88%. Although women comprise the majority of students in tertiary educational institutions, their participation in the labor force is significantly lower than men. This gap in participation increases women’s poverty risk as unpaid domestic duties significantly reduce earning opportunities. This also indicates that the educational achievements of young women do not guarantee employment opportunities or equal pay. Thus, women are overqualified yet underpaid. 

Even though tech-driven industries are growing at a rapid rate, women hold only 10-15% of ICT roles. This is because women are concentrated in lower-paying fields such as health, education, hospitality and administrative roles. Hence, there is a low representation of women in ICT and manufacturing. This is mainly because women tend to lean towards jobs in lower-paying fields. Employers often underpay women in ICT roles compared to their male counterparts, even when they work in the same fields.

Societal Norms Attributed To Working Women

Social norms and cultural values are factors that also contribute to widening the gender pay gap. However, they tend to go unnoticed. Society often assigns traditional roles to Mauritian women as the providers of children and takes care of the elderly. Many still view women as the primary caretakers of the family who are also responsible for a plethora of domestic activities. Working women have to manage these household duties on top of working a full-time job. 

According to the AfroBarometer 2017, more than seven in 10 Mauritians report that they prefer that the role of women in the family consists of being responsible for the home and child care. Moreover, working women devote three times more of their day than working men to domestic chores and child care. This is because men are considered breadwinners and their main role is to bring a consistent flow of income into the household. Therefore, working women have reduced earnings time as they contribute a large share of their time to household duties. This, in turn, leads to a higher risk of poverty for women.

Solutions and Innovations

The gender wage gap in Mauritius reflects systemic inequality. However, various promising solutions suggest a future of equal pay. For instance, initiatives such as PwC’s EQUAL-SALARY certification encourage companies to review their salary structures and publicly pledge to uphold equal pay for equal work. 

Mauritius updated its Workers’ Rights Act in 2019 to include flexible hours and compressed workweeks, along with mandatory paid paternity leave. The government designed these policy shifts to ease gender imbalances and support women in staying active in their careers. Thus, efforts to reduce the gender wage gap in Mauritius are gaining momentum through policy reforms.

Furthermore, organizations and institutions are launching new workshops, roundtables and scholarship programs to encourage women to be more involved in the ICT sector as mentorship plays a key role in building skills and confidence.

Looking Ahead

With such initiatives in place and actions across policy, business and education, Mauritius is getting closer to bridging the gender wage gap. By investing in digital literacy, promoting equal pay policies and encouraging women’s involvement in high-growth industries, Mauritius has the opportunity for a future of equal pay. Tackling the gender wage gap in Mauritius could unlock significant economic and social benefits. It is not just an equity issue, it is a poverty‑reduction strategy.

– Anagha Rajithkumar

Anagha is based in Charlottetown, Canada and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Agricultural Exports in Egypt Reaches Highest Level in Years

Agricultural Export in EgyptLocated in North Africa, Egypt is known for its ancient history, with landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza and other iconic sites in Cairo still standing today. The country has a population of approximately 106.6 million people, with 14.7 million living in poverty, earning less than $3.65 daily. However, this poverty rate is projected to decline as Egypt’s employment rate continues to rise. Increased investment in sectors like agriculture plays a key role in driving economic improvement across the country.

Agricultural Expansion in Egypt

Agricultural export in Egypt has reached an all-time high of 6.24 million tonnes as of July 2025, an increase of 575,000 tonnes from last year. These exports include crops grown in Egypt as well as those imported from neighboring or distant countries. Notable increases have been recorded in potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, grapes and various fruits. Among them, citrus fruits saw the largest growth, with 1.9 million tonnes exported.

In addition to Egypt’s homegrown produce, agricultural goods are now arriving from new trade partners such as South Africa, Uzbekistan, the Philippines and others. These new import-export relationships allow Egypt to access products that cannot be locally produced, potentially benefiting its citizens and expanding market variety.

What Does This Mean for Egypt?

Approximately 96% of Egypt is covered by desert, making access to arable farmland extremely difficult. This geographic challenge limits opportunities for widespread farming and often delays access to fresh produce. However, the recent increase in agricultural exports in Egypt contributes to the economy by allowing everyone fresh and healthy produce, meats and other grown foods, regardless of social class. Additionally, this growth in the agricultural sector is creating more job opportunities for individuals living below the poverty line.

According to the World Food Program (WFP), manual labor, including farming, employed 20% of Egypt’s population in 2020. While this data is from 2020, the recent surge in agricultural exports suggests a promising future for the sector, potentially accelerating economic growth and improving livelihoods. With many Egyptians engaged in various forms of manual labor, the expansion of farming plays a crucial role in producing high-quality goods and sustaining income opportunities for a significant portion of the population.

How This Impacts the Country

Agriculture has played a vital role in Egypt since ancient times. As the sector continues to increase, it contributes directly to economic growth. A stronger economy, in turn, creates more opportunities for citizens, supports healthier living and fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between the government and its people.

As Alaa Farouk, Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, continues to implement policies that support agricultural exports in Egypt, the country will be well-positioned to thrive economically and socially in the years ahead.

– Erin Lee

Erin is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Fighting Rural Poverty in Latin America

Rural Poverty in Latin AmericaSignificant progress has been made in fighting rural poverty in Latin America for years. Just 20 years ago, more than half of Latin America was impoverished. By last year, this number had dropped by half. However, some of this progress had been reversed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with poverty peaking at 30% in 2021.

However, Latin America has continued progressing, lowering poverty rates to pre-pandemic levels, at 25%. Meanwhile, rural poverty continues to be a serious problem, with the inequality between rural and urban areas driving much of the issue 60% of Latin American poverty remains rural. For instance, while access to sanitation and clean water increased across Latin America, progress continued to lag in rural areas.

Much of the recent progress in fighting rural poverty in Latin America can be attributed to specific programs in Mexico and Brazil, two of Latin America’s biggest countries. Focused government programs like Bolsa Familia and PROSPERA have helped lift thousands of families out of rural poverty. While rural poverty in this region continues to be a major issue, with the rural impoverished being especially vulnerable to recent spikes in poverty, the government’s focus on rural poverty can result in millions being lifted out of poverty.

History and Nature of Poverty in Latin America

Rural poverty is a persistent challenge across the world. According to the World Bank, most of the 700 million who live in extreme poverty are from rural areas. However, Latin America was the outlier to this global trend before its success in combating poverty. In 2001, the International Monetary Fund found that most Latin American poverty was entrenched in urban areas.

This unique urban poverty profile did not prevent the region from significantly reducing poverty. Latin America and the Caribbean saw total poverty decline from about 50% in the early 2000s to roughly 30% by around 2012. By 2019, the poverty rate had fallen to approximately 28% before stagnating and slightly rising during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Pandemic: Back From the Peak

However, the pandemic began to reverse much of this progress. In addition to the global effect on public health, the pandemic deeply affected people with low incomes in Latin America. According to economist Ebru Topcu, Latin America is the region most affected by the pandemic. The crisis followed years of slow economic growth and limited improvements in social indicators, exacerbating the region’s vulnerabilities.

As a result, it triggered severe economic contractions with widespread social and economic consequences. These challenges fueled significant social unrest in several countries, particularly in late 2019. With limited access to vaccines and hospital beds, Latin America has suffered greatly from both the pandemic’s health toll and its worst economic recession in the last two centuries.

This impact was even more severe in rural areas, where poverty remains persistent due to limited access to more readily available resources in urban centers. Despite these challenges, the region gradually began to recover. By 2022, the poverty rate fell below 30%; by 2024, it had dropped to 25%.

Two Models: Brazil and Mexico

Hugo Nopo, senior economist for the Poverty and Equity Practice Group at the World Bank, explains that much of this progress was due to specific policies pursued in Brazil and Mexico. In Brazil, the Bolsa Familia program qualifies low-income families for direct transfers on the condition that they keep their children in school and bring them in for health checks.

The program supports 13 million low-income families, directly improving their living conditions, as most of the funds go toward essentials like food and clothing. Beneficiary Dinalva Pereira de Moura shared, “[the program] has been a marvelous thing for me and my family. My children know that when we receive the money, they will have more to eat and that makes them happier. And they don’t skip school, because they know that the money depends on their going.”

Mexico’s PROSPERA program is modeled similarly to the Bolsa Familia program and previous Mexican policies, which started in 1997. PROSPERA reached more than six million families across Mexico by conditioning transfers on basic benchmarks like school attendance and doctor check-ins. The National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy rated the program as one of the most effective at combating poverty.

Looking Forward

There continues to be progress in fighting rural poverty in Latin America. While Mexico and Brazil lead the way by incentivizing effective educational and medical practices, much remains to be done. Nopo explains that while there is reason for hope, fighting rural poverty in Latin America will require more action.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr