Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

, ,

Understanding the Gender Wage Gap in Mozambique 

Gender Wage Gap in MozambiqueMozambique is among the poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of just $647 and ranking 182nd on the Human Development Index. Among the myriad challenges Mozambique faces as a result of this multidimensional poverty is its gender wage gap, which represents the average income of women compared to men. Addressing the gender wage gap in Mozambique is an important issue of social justice. 

Mozambique’s situation is typical of its regional context. In East and Southern Africa, women earn on average 21% less than men. This unjust state of affairs reflects broader regional gender inequalities relating to education access, as well as deep-rooted attitudes regarding social roles. Here are three key factors affecting the gender wage gap in Mozambique:

1. Women Work Fewer Hours Than Men

The gender wage gap in Mozambique is only 1.6% at the hourly level, but 14.9% at the monthly level. This means that women earn significantly less than men throughout the course of the month, embedding long-term income disparities. One explanation for this is the substantial role of unpaid domestic labor such as child-rearing, which women usually perform, often rendering them unable to work for as many hours as men. Discriminatory working practices are also a concern in this regard.

2. Social Attitudes to Gender Are Highly Restrictive

Gender roles in Mozambique are traditional and deep-rooted. The largest employment sectors for men are “masculine” in nature — manufacture, construction and transport — while for women, the largest sectors are household work and education. Unpaid domestic labor reflects a social contribution that is ‘unseen’ in terms of income. Estimates have indicated that 37% of women and men would need to switch occupations in order to reverse the gender wage gap that these imbalances cause.

Restrictions upon women’s autonomy in Mozambique begin in childhood. About 53% of Mozambican women marry before the age of 18, while 153 of every 1,000 adolescent females (15-19 years old) gave birth in 2023. These alarming figures demonstrate how many young women end up in domestication before they have any notions of formal employment.

3. Educational Attainment Is Highly Imbalanced

The gender wage gap in Mozambique is more pronounced (23.4%) for those who only have a primary level of education than for those who have a post-secondary level of education (13.8%). This is in the context of more girls completing secondary education than boys. Therefore, women who fail to complete secondary education end up with greater wage imbalances and worse socioeconomic prospects.

Moreover, the female literacy rate in Mozambique is substantially lower than the male literacy rate (49% to 72%). This prevents vast numbers of women accessing higher education and the higher-skilled, higher-paid employment opportunities that it beckons.

How the Gender Wage Gap in Mozambique Affects Women

One impact of the gender wage gap in Mozambique is the financial disempowerment of women, including through a lack of financial independence and long-term economic security. Significantly fewer women than men have a banking account (38.7% to 61%), and fewer women than men receive support for the future through pensions or life insurance. Low literacy rates and education levels compound this impact, making many women dependent upon their husbands. The gender wage gap can therefore be understood both as a symptom of and as a cause of restrictive societal expectations of women: it reinforces the deep-rooted inequalities within Mozambican society that give rise to it in the first place.

Reasons To Be Hopeful

Foreign governments and NGOs are offering development aid to target the root causes of the gender wage gap in Mozambique as a matter of priority. For example, Canadian development aid funds the Empowering Adolescent Girls to Learn and Earn (EAGLE) scheme, which aims to help 4,200 adolescent girls in Mozambique improve their educational attainment. Working with community leaders in the highly impoverished Monica and Sofala provinces, the scheme focuses on girls who have previously been forced out of school through marriage or pregnancy. The program provides accelerated literacy, numeracy, business and vocational classes, equipping the girls with important life skills required to enter formal employment and become more economically empowered. So far, EAGLE has helped enroll almost 1,000 girls in primary school, and 99% of participants have passed their National Literacy and Numeracy exams.

Furthermore, the World Bank is aiming to increase the number of girls completing primary and secondary education on a large scale through its Improving Learning and Empowering Girls in Mozambique program. Through a $299 million funding commitment from the U.S., the initiative has significantly increased the primary level grade retention of girls living in highly impoverished areas by providing resources such as textbooks and equipment and leading teacher training programs. At least 55,000 students have benefitted so far.

Looking Ahead

Although the gender wage gap in Mozambique appears to be an insurmountable challenge, development aid programs such as these indicate that where there is the political and economic will to address deep-rooted gender inequalities, issues of female economic empowerment can slowly be overcome. 

– Joseph Webb

Joseph is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

,

The Push for Social Services in Nigeria

Social Services in NigeriaNigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is home to more than 200 million people. That number could double by 2050, placing a lot of pressure on the nation’s ability to provide resources like affordable housing and other social services. For many Nigerians, especially young adults striving for independence, affording a home of their own is already a major challenge. Without financial support, this problem is set to worsen.

The Struggle to Find Social Services

Housing is more than just shelter for a lot of people. It also relates to stability and a quality of life. In Nigeria, where millions of people live in poverty, the housing crisis is high due to the lack of accessible social support systems. Many citizens are left to navigate high living costs, underemployment, and rising rent prices without government aid.

The housing crisis emphasizes the broader issue of limited access to social services in Nigeria. Social services are typically defined as essential resources that governments or nonprofit organizations usually provide to help individuals meet their basic needs. These services may include health care, food assistance and subsidized housing. While it is important to avoid long-term dependency, many individuals facing poverty, displacement, or other challenges need temporary support to regain stability and move forward.

Property and Perspective

James Sosan, a property owner from Nigeria currently residing in the United States, shares his perspective on the affordable housing crisis. With properties in both Nigeria and the U.S., Sosan has noticed major differences in affordability and government involvement. He told The Borgen Project, “In Nigeria, it is difficult to live on your own, especially without help.” He goes on to say the cost of living is high, and there is not much government support that helps people make ends meet.

Sosan explains that many young Nigerians who attempt to live independently often struggle to maintain housing. “They end up returning home,” not because they want to, but because they have no choice. It delays independence and creates this cycle where people stay financially dependent on their families for much longer than many would like. This kind of dependency could have an effect on long-term success and trap individuals in cycles of poverty that are difficult to break. James is disappointed by the lack of social services in Nigeria and wishes for more to be done.

Solutions

While access to such services remained limited, some initiatives in Nigeria are working to reverse this trend. One of the most prominent initiatives is the Renewed Hope Agenda. The agenda was launched under the Tinubu administration to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians. A significant part of this agenda involves working with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). A multi-phase approach is in progress to create job opportunities. Recently, the second phase was approved, focusing on providing citizens with practical job skills in various industries. The NDE is working to strengthen the nation’s employment rate while providing people with important skills.

To further support the overall goal, the government has also launched the 3 Million Technical Talent Program. Led by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Ministry of Communications, the program aims to train 3 million Nigerians in high-demand digital fields like artificial intelligence, software development, and more.

This initiative could allow Nigerians to establish a strong footing in the tech world. Furthermore, it could foster a community of skilled professionals who can participate in the rapidly growing digital economy.

Lastly, the Renewed Hope Housing Program is addressing Nigeria’s severe housing deficit by developing affordable housing across multiple states. These units are made for low-income families and are supported by public-private partnerships. These efforts aim to tackle both economic instability and the social barriers that trap many Nigerians in cycles of poverty.

– Knia Parks

Knia is based in Pepper Pike, OH, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Cartel Crisis: Addressing Child Poverty in Ecuador

Child Poverty in EcuadorIn recent years, Ecuador has become one of the world’s largest trader of cocaine, resulting in widespread gang violence and instability. At the same time, 45% of its under-14s are living below the poverty line, making them highly vulnerable to joining gangs and perpetuating the crisis. The World Bank and Cross International have administered aid programmes designed to address child poverty in Ecuador during its cartel crisis.

Overview of Ecuador’s Cartel Crisis

Ecuador is a small and highly biodiverse South American country bordering the world’s two leading producers of cocaine: Colombia to the north, and Peru to the south. Historically, Ecuador has been considered one of the more stable Latin American nations, largely evading the well-documented cartel-driven violence that has plagued its neighbours.

However, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and despite not producing the drug itself, around 70% of the world’s cocaine now passes through Ecuador, BBC reports. Large criminal organizations from Albania, Mexico and Colombia have colluded with local gangs to control Ecuador’s ports and their shipping routes. Devastating violence has followed: there were 781 murders in January 2025 alone.

President Daniel Noboa — re-elected in April — has instigated a State of Emergency, including a nightly curfew, on several occasions, and has promised to crack down on the violence. Yet even with notorious gang leader Fito being extradited to the U.S., the violence is continuing and spreading inland: on 28 July 2025, 17 people were shot dead in the small town of El Empalme.

Child Poverty in Ecuador

Child poverty is a major social issue facing Ecuador, with the World Bank reporting that 45% of under-14s live below the poverty line. The implications make for grim reading: malnutrition affects 23% of Ecuadorian children; many, especially in rural areas, cannot access education; several fall victim to child sexual abuse. Poorer children in cities often have to work on the streets to support their families, and schooling itself is often so poor that it fails to help those from disadvantaged backgrounds out of poverty.

Child Poverty and the Cartel Crisis

Inner-city slums such as those in the capital, Quito, and in the major port city of Guayaquil, are perfect targets for criminal gangs and a focal point of Ecuador’s cartel crisis. Many have been branded “breeding grounds” for child and adolescent gang violence, whereby children growing up in overcrowded houses and unsafe neighbourhoods, and who lack strong support networks, develop a distorted concept of violence as a normal element of home life.

Criminal gangs seek to exploit young people’s lack of social and economic opportunities, instilling fear in impoverished communities. Some inner-city schools struggle with “micro-trafficking”, whereby older children recruit younger children into gangs within the school grounds. Teachers report feeling afraid of teaching children whose parents are gang members, for fear of drawing their attention.

Addressing Child Poverty in Ecuador’s Cartel Crisis

Two significant aid programmes are seeking to address child poverty during Ecuador’s cartel crisis. In February 2025, the World Bank committed to a $110 million U.S.-funded “Social Safety Net” program, focusing on improving child development and tackling the most significant dimensions of child poverty in Ecuador. Among its interventions are cash transfers for households with children under 3 years old and cooperative work with Ecuador’s Ministry of Health to increase the provision of nutrition services across the country to address child malnutrition.

Additionally, Cross International provides direct aid to children living in poor inner-city slums. Cross International provides food and academic support for primary schools to support families who do not have the time or resources to feed or academically assist their children. For those in secondary school, Cross International have innovatively established a night school, acknowledging those children who have to work in the daytime to support their families, according to its website. These measures explicitly aim to support at-risk children living in poverty during Ecuador’s cartel crisis.

Although the situation in Ecuador is undeniably bleak, these aid schemes are providing vital support in addressing child poverty and reducing the risk of Ecuador’s cartel crisis engulfing many more young people.

– Joseph Webb

Joseph is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

200,000 Invisible Lives: Migration to Malaysia

Migration to MalaysiaIn a cramped, poorly maintained home, a Rohingya mother of three avoids stepping outside – not out of fear of violence, but arrest. Despite fleeing persecution in Myanmar, she now lives without legal protection, access to health care or the right to work. Her story is not unique. For tens of thousands, migration to Malaysia represents a final hope, only to enter a cycle of legal invisibility and daily struggle.

Malaysia hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Southeast Asia. However, the lack of a formal legal framework for refugees leaves them deeply vulnerable to poverty, exploitation and systemic neglect.

Who Comes and Why?

As of May 2025, around 200,260 refugees and asylum-seekers are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. More than 179,000 are from Myanmar, including 117,670 Rohingya, 29,620 Chin and 31,730 other ethnic minorities. They fled ethnic violence, forced displacement and persecution. Others come from more than 50 different countries, including Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq and Syria.

As of 2025, men make up 64% of refugees and asylum-seekers, while women account for 36%. Alarmingly, more than 50,000 are children under the age of 18, many of whom have never stepped foot inside a formal school.

Migration to Malaysia is often undertaken in desperation. Neighboring countries often turn away refugees or deny long-term protection, and many see Malaysia as a stepping stone to resettlement. However, few are successfully resettled.

Legal Status and Daily Reality

One will find that daily life is arduous for refugees in Malaysia. The country has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. Malaysia does not legally recognize refugee status. Under the Immigration Act 1959/63, refugees and asylum-seekers are considered undocumented immigrants and are subject to arrest and deportation. The UNHCR issues refugee cards, but these offer no protection under Malaysian law. The consequences of this legal limbo are wide-reaching, affecting every aspect of daily life for those who experience migration to Malaysia. These include:

  • Work: Refugees are prohibited from working legally. Many work in informal sectors with long hours, poor conditions, low wages and no labor protection. Without labor rights, they face wage theft, exploitation and workplace abuse, with little to no recourse.
  • Education: Public schools in Malaysia do not accept refugee children. Community-based learning centers fill this gap. However, many of these centers are underfunded, overcrowded and unrecognized by the government.
  • Health Care: Refugees do not qualify for subsidized public health care. While some clinics treat UNHCR cardholders, the costs remain prohibitive for many. Many often delay treatment or avoid seeking care altogether due to financial constraints and fear of arrest.

Civil Society Response

In the absence of formal state protection, civil society and humanitarian organizations play a crucial role in supporting those migration to Malaysia affects. ElShaddai, which is based in Klang, provides education and health care to refugee families. In 2022, there were 18 ElShaddai learning centers located in Selangor, Kelantan, Pahang and Sabah serving 1,400 children from marginalized communities. Today, the organization operates more than 20 learning centers across Malaysia to provide preschool to diploma-level education.

Founded in 1991, Tenaganita is a Malaysian human rights organization that supports refugees through legal aid, psychosocial counseling and community empowerment. Its Refugee Action Program works with eight Burmese-led refugee groups to assist in wage negotiation, education access and protection from detention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization coordinated relief efforts that reached more than 2,200 families in more than 100 locations across the Klang Valley.

The Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI) supports refugees through its food aid and social service programs, including education, psychological counseling and skills training. As of now, MSRI reported 1,400 families supported and 721 clients served.

A Potential Turning Point

In July 2025, Malaysia’s Home Ministry announced plans to launch a national refugee registration system. The initiative aims to improve data transparency and complement the work of the UNHCR. While the plan’s implementation details remain vague, it signals a possible shift toward greater state involvement and accountability in managing migration to Malaysia.

If effectively executed, the system could lead to better service provision, targeted aid distribution and a path toward formal recognition. However, without accompanying legal reforms, refugees will remain unprotected.

The Path Forward

Migration to Malaysia will continue as long as regional conflict and instability persist. Refugees contribute to Malaysian society – they work, raise families and engage in communities – yet outside of the legal framework.

Malaysia has the opportunity to lead in Southeast Asia by adopting a clear refugee policy. Recognizing refugee status, granting work rights and providing access to basic services are essential steps. A legal and humanitarian approach to migration can ensure that the thousands who seek safety in Malaysia are no longer invisible.

– Kai Xian Lim

Kai is based in Lille, France and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

How Disability and Poverty in Dominica Take Effect

Disability and Poverty in Dominica Dominica is a developing nation in the Eastern Caribbean with a population of more than 74,000. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with a few smaller sectors, including tourism and manufacturing. Dominica is considered a developing country due to several factors, such as internal governmental issues and vulnerability to environmental disasters. While Dominica is not the poorest country, it does have a considerably high poverty rate. An unstable economic trajectory impacts those already considered poor and can lead to higher future poverty rates. This situation affects more than just poverty levels, and it can have a domino effect that can affect other areas such as crimes rates, education, health care and disability rates.

Disability and poverty rates often have a cause-and-effect relationship. Poverty can cause disability rates to increase, and disability can cause poverty rates to increase. Considering it is a developing country, disability and poverty in Dominica is always changing.

Poverty in Dominica

The most recent poverty percentages are unclear, but previous estimates suggest a rate of around 43% since its founding. A Country Poverty Assessment concludes that “poverty is more heavily concentrated in rural areas: more than 1 in 3 rural households are poor compared with 1 in 5 urban households.” Since this assessment, disasters like Hurricane Maria and COVID-19 have also affected the country’s economy. Other organizations report that the poverty rate is currently closer to 29%. As Dominica is vulnerable to disastrous natural events, economic challenges pose a continuous threat.

Solutions To Address Poverty

Expectations are in place for percental changes, but no official data is present for current households. Strategies to improve the country’s poverty rates have been presented in the National Resilience Development Strategy. This policy offers a broad range of solutions to issues, one being poverty. Three formal strategies offer improvement in poverty rates. One strategy focuses on creating opportunities for those with low/no income. Another strategy concentrates on other affected areas like education and housing. The final focuses on building assets and the availability of public services.

Poverty’s Effect on Disability

While disability and poverty rates are two separate categories, sometimes they can be interlinked. More than 60% of those with disabilities are facing a severe risk of poverty. Disability affects one in five people living in extreme poverty. Poverty can infect several factors of a person’s life-such as malnutrition and dangerous living conditions-which can directly result in disabilities. Poverty deals with an isolating economic pressure that can be amplified with a disability and vice versa.

In a regional report on Latin America and the Caribbean, “When persons with disabilities seek work, they tend to acquire low-skilled positions, especially in urban areas. The economic impact of having a household member with disabilities is also evident in high unemployment rates for heads of households.” With limited income, limited health care options and limited opportunities, this creates a dangerous pipeline for the disability and poverty percentages, let alone for those in a developing country.

Disability Representation in Dominica 

As it is considered a developing country, disability percentages have been on the rise since its establishment. A census done in 2011 provides inaccurate statistics that only further prove exclusivity in Dominica. The Population and housing Census estimates that around 3,400 citizens in Dominica live with a disability. The percentages between 2001 and 2011 provide increasing statistics, rather than decreasing. Sight-related disabilities increased by 46%. Those with body movement disabilities 35%, and in another category labeled “other,” experienced over 80% increased. Both men and women live with the effects of disability and poverty in Dominica, while women average higher in mobility-based disabilities. Men average a higher percentage in behavior-based disabilities. With the heightening vulnerabilities to natural disasters, policies are forming to advocate for those affected by disability and poverty in Dominica.

Policies and Organizations in Place

While Dominica faces critical evolving challenges with disability and poverty rates, promising policies and strategies are emerging. The Growth and Social Protection Strategy (GSPS) provides a strengthening foundation for growth ideas and development. This strategy offers a reformation process that promotes growth, economically and socially. The GSPS aims to reaffirm and enable internal growth investments and poverty reduction strategies.

More recently, successful investment opportunities are relocating to Dominica, which should provide both domestic and foreign investment relationships. Besides official policies, groups and organizations have been forming in support of an inclusive environment for everyone. The Dominica Association of Person with Disabilities (DAPD) is an organization that advocates for equal opportunities and supports those with disabilities. Nathalie Murphy, a founding member of the organization, lives with a sight disability. This organization advocates for the development and welfare of those with disabilities in Dominica. The DAPD has coined a National Dollar Day initiative, which has a goal of fundraising $70,000 for the cause. Other organizations can form on common ideals and beliefs and can inspire one another to take different approaches to shared policies.

Looking Ahead

The increasing population in Dominica offers the country a chance to build its economy to support its citizens. The connection between disability and poverty can create intertwining hardships that affect other surrounding factors. With current reformation plans in place, Dominica’s economy can grow. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded that Dominica is projecting positive economic shifts in the near future. Further expansion in growing markets can prove to change Dominica and its future. With the formation of organizations, forums, policies and committees, people can come together to strengthen Dominica and its citizens. 

– Emma Rowan

Emma is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

The Benefits of Telemedicine in Rural Africa

Telemedicine in AfricaAfrica is home to more than 1.5 billion people. The differences between the North and sub-Saharan regions often characterize it. The majority, approximately 1.29 billion, live in sub-Saharan Africa, which remains significantly less urbanized than the North. Although urbanization is steadily increasing across the continent, most people still live in rural areas. As of 2024, 56% of the sub-Saharan population resides in rural communities.

Despite Africa having the highest disease burden compared to the other continents, it also has the lowest ratio of health workers to the population. It carries nearly a quarter of the disease burden on a global scale, yet only holds around 3% of health care workers. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Africa has a mere 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people, compared to 37.6 doctors per 10,000 in Europe. In addition, an estimated deficit of 11.1 million health care employees is projected by 2030, with most of the disparity affecting Africa.

Telemedicine Services in Africa

Combined with the excessive burden of disease outbreaks and largely understaffed health care facilities, Africa’s health care systems are overwhelmed and unable to serve their population equitably. Those living in sub-Saharan Africa are notably disadvantaged, with the region having the lowest ratings in well-being and satisfaction with health care services. Most people live in rural areas and their access to health care services is even more limited. In response, many rural areas in Africa have introduced telemedicine services and the results are promising.

Telemedicine involves using apps designed for personal communication devices like tablets and phones to deliver various health care services. Some telemedicine services offer telephonic or face-to-face communication with health care workers, SMS for treatment support or questions and online platforms to view medical records or schedule health consultations. Many African companies are investing and creating these online platforms to better serve their communities, especially those in rural areas with limited access to health care resources. Below are three telemedicine platforms implemented in different sub-Saharan African countries.

EasyClinic in Rwanda

EasyClinic is an online platform designed to improve health care access and efficiency, especially for Rwandans in rural communities. Key features of EasyClinic include generating prescriptions in only 30 seconds and delivering them via Email, WhatsApp or SMS, along with consultations with medical professionals through chat or video.

EasyClinic also utilizes AI to generate prescriptions and notes and send appointment reminders. In addition, the platform provides AI-powered diagnostic services based on the patient’s history and general symptoms.

Daktari Smart Program in Kenya

Launched in November 2021, the Daktari Smart Program utilizes telemedicine to provide specialized care to children in Kenya. This program allows Gertrude Children’s Hospital Specialists to connect with health care providers at rural facilities in Africa, allowing them to evaluate patients more accurately using telemedicine services.

The online connection also increased education for local providers and health care volunteers in more rural areas. In addition, the platform can operate at a low bandwidth, between 512Kbps to 2Mbps, ensuring the services are reliable even in rural areas with poor internet service.

Thus far, the program has provided free health care services to more than 32,400 children in Kenya, saving them time and money. This has also created more jobs for health care employees, increasing rural facility staff by 300 workers. The program has also trained more than 300 volunteers throughout Kenya’s rural communities, improving health care access for many.

Rocket Health in Uganda

Founded in 2012, Rocket Health is Uganda’s most-used telemedicine app, providing full service to more than 25,000 patients. To ensure primary care is more affordable and accessible for all Ugandans, the startup focuses on 24/7 online consultations, medication delivery and the collection of laboratory samples from patients’ homes.

Rocket Health is also introducing a new AI diagnostics feature that would allow doctors to quickly run patients through a set of questions to help them identify diseases faster. The AI service can identify up to 90% of medical conditions in combination with telephone assessments and remote lab tests. Online consultations have skyrocketed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with Rocket Health providing more than 400,000 online consultations.

Conclusion

Telemedicine platforms like EasyClinic, the Daktari Smart Program and Rocket Health are transforming how health care is accessed and delivered across rural regions in sub-Saharan Africa. In areas where health care systems and workers are overwhelmed, these digital solutions provide a virtual bridge between underserved populations and life-saving health services. By combining mobile technology with AI, diagnoses are often delivered faster and more accurate, allowing for even more patients to be assessed.

For rural communities that have long been excluded from equitable health care, these technology innovations are more than convenient; they are essential. As the sub-Saharan region continues to face systemic health challenges, telemedicine stands out as a key tool for closing the health care gap in the most remote and vulnerable communities in Africa.

– Grace Johnson

Grace is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

INSP: Street Papers Tackle Homelessness and Poverty

INSPThe notion of a street paper was first established by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to tackling homelessness and poverty based in Glasgow, Scotland. According to the INSP, street papers are‘magazines or newspapers sold by people experiencing poverty, homelessness or other forms of marginalisation. Together with investigative journalists, people living on the streets report on the challenges they face, detail their own personal experiences of homelessness and write poetry to express themselves. Not only do homeless people contribute to the written content of the papers, but they also sell them on the street and keep the proceeds.

Shifting Public Perception Through Street Journalism

Vendor Programme Director of Street Roots, the street paper based in Portland, Oregon, DeVon Pouncey, outlines how the introduction of street papers has allowed readers to see how systems have failed people, rather than people on the streets have failed themselves. This helps redefine the general negative public perception of people experiencing homelessness, supporting efforts to address homelessness and poverty. The INSP has helped to found street papers in 35 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Since the first street paper was published in New York in 1989, the INSP has supported almost 400,000 people in poverty.

Employment, Voice and Empowerment

Street papers not only help address homelessness and poverty by providing people on the streets with work, but also give them a platform to express themselves and share their stories, allowing them to represent and speak for themselves. By featuring content written by homeless people, street papers raise the profile of social justice issues, such as the rise in the number of people who work but still live in poverty, or the criminalisation of rough sleeping in Australia. This challenges global preconceptions of people living in poverty. In selling the papers on the street, vendors also gain social skills and a renewed sense of confidence. In addition to the income and skills earned from selling the papers, the INSP is also committed to creating lasting change for homeless people, which is why it partners with local services to help find housing, provide employability training and supply food and clothing.

Boca de Rua: A Model in Brazil

Boca de Rua (Mouth of the Street), published in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is one example of a street paper. Founded in 2000, it features text, photos and drawings by 30 homeless people who then sell the papers and keep the profits. Boca de Rua also has a supplement, Boquinha (Little Mouth), which presents the work and activities of a group of 15 children and teenagers at risk of homelessness. Coming together in leisure spaces such as parks and theatres, the young people participate in games and create crafts and music, which is then documented in Boquinha. Boca de Rua has also partnered with Casa Alice (Alice’s House), a space for its vendors to take part in festivals, markets and classes and to access a library and lessons in reading.

The Global Impact of Street Papers

The INSP has a global readership of 3.2 million people supported by more than 900 volunteers. In 2021 alone, vendors sold 13 million street papers in 1350 towns and cities, allowing them to earn more than  £17.9 million. This model helps address homelessness and poverty in communities around the world.

– Elsa Tarring

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

Photo: Pexels

, ,

KFC in South Africa: Fueling Economic Prosperity

KFC in South Africa: Fueling Economic Prosperity in Underdeveloped Markets Since Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) arrived in South Africa in 1971, it has grown into one of the most popular fast-food chains in the country, fueling economic prosperity in the region just after the financial crisis of 2008. With more than 900 stores across the country, it has created employment opportunities. The brand has created thousands of jobs, both directly through restaurant staff and indirectly via local suppliers, logistics and advertising, helping put money not only in the people of South Africa’s pockets, but also boosting the economy. For many South Africans, KFC represents more than just a quick meal; it serves as a source of employment and a pathway to financial stability.

KFC’s Economic Footprint and Social Responsibility in South Africa

Through its Add Hope initiative, KFC has raised more than R1 billion to fight hunger in South Africa, providing at least 80,000 meals daily to vulnerable children. The program partners with more than 130 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), supporting sustainable feeding schemes and empowering communities. A 2024 impact study by the Gordon Institute of Business Science found that Add Hope contributes to improved health outcomes, school attendance and long-term socioeconomic development. It’s a model that shows how corporate social investment can be both strategic and transformative.

A Blueprint for Fueling Economic Prosperity

According to the OECD’s 2024 Emerging Markets Report, foreign direct investment (FDI) in these regions is rebounding, with Africa and Latin America showing strong potential for sustainable development in the future, especially when companies localize their operations and invest in infrastructure, education and community partnerships. Standard Bank projects that East Africa’s infrastructure boom could push its business value from $37 billion in 2024 to $54 billion in the coming years. This kind of growth opens doors for new markets and companies willing to engage deeply with local economies.  

Cultural Integration

When KFC made the jump to South Africa, it had to adapt its menu to reflect South African tastes and cultural norms, a move that helped build trust and brand loyalty. Other companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and IKEA have also thrived by tailoring their products and marketing to local preferences.

Looking Ahead

As KFC continues to serve more than just food in South Africa, its story reflects a broader narrative: global brands have the potential to contribute to development while doing business. By anchoring themselves in local needs—through employment, cultural respect and social investment—companies can potentially help foster economic resilience in underdeveloped markets.

KFC has established a presence in South Africa that goes beyond corporate growth; it offers a model for supporting economic development in regions often overlooked by global expansion. When brands take similar approaches with intentionality, success can also be measured by improved livelihoods, stronger communities and more inclusive economies.

– Dylan Fly

Dylan is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Poverty Reduction in Gabon

Poverty reduction in gabonGabon is a country with valuable natural resources like oil, timber and manganese. Yet, despite this wealth, more than one-third of its people live in poverty. High youth unemployment makes the situation worse. The political transition in August 2023, although challenging, has led to a stronger national focus on development. The National Development Plan of the Transition (PNDT) is at the heart of these efforts, aiming to reduce poverty in Gabon.

PNDT

The PNDT is Gabon’s main plan for solving economic and social challenges during the two-year transition that began on August 30, 2023. It focuses on five main goals: “political and institutional reforms, development of strategic infrastructure, intensification of economic diversification, development of human capital and social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.” All these goals connect directly to reducing poverty in Gabon.

A major goal is to invest in key infrastructure, like roads, energy, and health care. The PNDT wants to move Gabon away from depending only on raw materials and instead grow industries that add more value, like timber processing. This approach could create more jobs and reduce the country’s reliance on unstable resource prices.

Key Initiatives for Poverty Reduction in Gabon

One major effort to reduce poverty is the Emergency Community Development Program (PUDC). Launched with help from the UNDP, it aims to provide clean water, electricity, and better infrastructure in rural and peri-urban areas. It also encourages small businesses, youth employment and local planning. Gabon has invested 120 billion CFA francs into this program, with 66.7 billion already used.

Gabon is also improving health care through the National Health Insurance and Social Coverage Fund (CNAMGS). Started in 2008, CNAMGS first helped the poorest groups, students, and seniors, and now covers over half the population.

The transitional government is working to diversify the economy by focusing on industries beyond oil, such as forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism. These areas are seen as having strong potential for creating jobs and supporting rural development.

Addressing Governance and Fiscal Sustainability

Poverty reduction in Gabon is closely tied to better governance. This means improving transparency, accountability, and the use of public money, especially oil revenues. Poor management in the past has led to high debt and slow economic growth.

The PNDT also focuses on improving financial management. One step is the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which should be fully running by June 2024 to make public finances more efficient. The 2024 budget aims to raise more revenue, cut tax breaks, and modernize customs and tax systems. The IMF has stated that Gabon’s economic success depends on moving toward more transparent and inclusive governance.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Gabon is making strong efforts to fight poverty and inequality, but the success of these changes depends on fixing long-standing problems in governance, finances, and business conditions. Urban areas, where 90% of the population lives, still face concentrated poverty. To solve this, Gabon needs balanced development that supports both cities and rural areas.

– Cameron Jones

Cameron is based in Hendersonville, TN, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Disability and Poverty in Latvia

Disability and Poverty in LatviaLife becomes a hardship when an injury causes disability. The case is even worse for individuals with permanent disabilities, and often experience neglect from society. As such, without proper care, they are significantly more at risk of living below the poverty line. For disabled individuals living in impoverished nations, resources and care can be nonexistent. Although the perception of disabled persons in Latvia improved, disability still has significant links to being at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Here is more information about the links between disability and poverty in Latvia.

Social Isolation and Mistreatment

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, links poverty and social isolation together through the at risk of poverty or social exclusion metric (AROPE). Isolation and mistreatment from society can in turn exacerbate poverty. In 2021, Eurostat projected that in Latvia, 37.5% of disabled persons over the age of 16 were considered AROPE. Latvia’s rate was the highest in the Baltic States and was among the highest in the European Union. This number has grown since 2015, whereas only 566,000, or 28.5% of residents, were considered AROPE.

Paired with the fact that the number of disabled persons in Latvia is growing, individuals under AROPE require even greater attention in order to not suffer poverty’s devastation.

Poverty Alleviation for the Disabled

Latvia has one of the largest wealth gaps in the European Union. Data from 2012 demonstrates that the top 10% of the population received 26% of the entire income. In 2023, data from the Central Statistical Bureau listed that the richest population’s income was 6.3 times greater than the income of the poorest, rendering Latvia as a top country with wealth inequality. 

With a percentage of the affluent population, it is possible to provide greater support to individuals in poverty. However, little is occurring to benefit disabled and impoverished individuals. Since 2005, the social minimum has been 64.03 Euros per month, equivalent to that of the benefit given to disabled individuals. In addition, the minimum disability pension ranges from 64.03 Euros to 170.75 Euros per month. 

Given that these rates have been unchanged since 2005, it is difficult for individuals under these funds to sustain a viable lifestyle, especially as inflation increases the cost of living every year. In addition, Latvia’s classification of a poor person, an individual who is not earning more than 128.06 Euros per month, has not changed since 2001. As the minimum benefit that disabled citizens receive is significantly less than the minimum amount necessary to be in poverty, disabled individuals experience significant disadvantages.

A Path Forward for the Disabled

Despite clear societal hardships for disabled individuals and increased risk of poverty, treatment has improved. In 2010, the Independent Living Institute, which is dedicated to promoting rights of individuals with disabilities, stated that “the view of people with disabilities has improved.” Latvia addressed the matter of living conditions for the disabled in 2009 with draft legislation discussing personal assistance and the specifics of individual care. The legislation provided minimum requirements for social services and assistance to the disabled, and outlined the responsibilities of local governments in providing such care. Although the legislation did not move forward due to a financial crisis, the fact that officials discussed this demonstrates that Latvia acknowledged disability and the risk of poverty.

This shift is due to borders opening and the changing of stereotypes of disabled persons. As Latvians gained the ability to travel abroad and view how disabled individuals were treated in other countries, their own perceptions began to change positively. 

Since the increased awareness of disability and poverty in Latvia, greater progress has occurred to ensure that the disabled are cared for and less at risk. Interest groups such as the Independent Living Institute have played a significant role in lobbying the Latvian government to consider and implement disability care legislation, and was critical in signing onto of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Looking Ahead

While stigma surrounding disabled individuals still exists, more respect and acknowledgement of their capabilities and hardships ultimately create better treatment and greater equity. The first step to reducing disability and poverty in Latvia is to first understand and take issues of disabled individuals seriously. With support from individuals and groups fighting to promote accessible resources, the disabled population will be less likely to be at risk of poverty, and should live happier lives.

– Owen Wu

Owen is based in Westborough, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash