Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Child Marriage in Tanzania

Child Marriage in TanzaniaTanzania’s Marriage Act of 1971 establishes the minimum marriage age for girls at 15 with parental consent and 18 for boys. The law also allows 14-year-old children to marry under special circumstances if a court approves. Despite this, 29% of Tanzanian girls marry before their 18th birthday and 5% marry before age 15, which could breach the Marriage Act unless courts have specifically authorized these marriages. Similarly, 4% of boys marry before age 18. Although these marriages are not illegal for boys, they still impact young males. Child marriage rates across Tanzania reveal significant regional variations, soaring to 59% in Shinyanga, 58% in Tabora, 55% in Mara and 51% in Dodoma, while rates are much lower in Iringa at 8% and Dar es Salaam at 19%.

The Current Child Marriage Situation

Child marriage remains prevalent in Tanzania, driven by outdated beliefs of male superiority and influenced heavily by poverty. The concept of “Mahari,” or bride price, involves a husband offering money, cattle or clothing to a bride’s family, making marriage a financially appealing option for girls with few other income opportunities. In addition to affecting girls, child marriage also impacts boys under 18.

Family honor plays a significant role, with premarital sex viewed as a severe taboo that can lower a girl’s dowry and damage her family’s reputation. Teenage pregnancy rates are high; a 2016 study revealed that one in four girls aged 15 to 19 had begun childbearing. Tanzanian society strongly disapproves of pregnancy outside marriage, often leading parents to marry off pregnant daughters. Schools routinely test for pregnancy and pregnant girls face bans from re-entering the educational system.

Country-specific practices and rituals also contribute to child marriage in Tanzania. “Nyumba ntobu,” one of such practices, involves an older, wealthier woman paying a bride price for a young girl to become her wife. A man is then selected to impregnate the girl and any children born from this union are raised as the older woman’s child. This is just one of many factors that contribute to the prevalence of child marriage, significantly affecting young girls across Tanzania.

National Initiatives to Combat Child Marriage

Between 2017 and 2022, the government implemented numerous action plans to support girls facing the threat of child marriage. As of 2022, the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children worked to reduce child marriages to 10% and cut violence against women and children by 50%. Following the implementation of this plan, authorities established 16,343 Women and Children Protection Committees across all levels, from villages to the national level.

In 2017, the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children conducted a national survey on the drivers and consequences of child marriage. Additionally, the ministry developed the National Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Strategy and Implementation Plan for 2019-2022 and collaborated on the Cross-Border Anti-Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Plan of Action for East African countries to prevent female genital mutilation/cutting practices across borders during the same period.

Firelight Foundation

Firelight is committed to ending child marriage in Shinyanga, a northern city in Tanzania, believing that success in this challenging region could inspire broader change throughout the country. To combat child marriage, Firelight supports 12 grantee partners who implement a range of strategies, including economic strengthening through income-generating activities, livestock pass-on programs and psychosocial support for children rescued from child marriages. It also offers vocational and educational support for at-risk children, skillful parenting programs, community awareness campaigns via radio or drama, law enforcement interventions, training for local child protection committees, the establishment of child rights clubs in schools and training for teachers on child rights.

Looking Ahead

Tanzania continues to struggle with high rates of child marriage, particularly in regions like Shinyanga and Tabora. National efforts, such as the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children, aim to reduce these rates, but cultural and economic factors remain significant obstacles. Organizations like the Firelight Foundation are actively working on the ground, supporting local initiatives that promote economic independence and provide educational opportunities for at-risk children. Ongoing efforts are essential to address the root causes of child marriage and ensure a safer future for Tanzania’s youth.

– Sadie Virgin

Sadie is based in Newport, South Wales, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Understanding and Addressing Gendered Poverty in Mozambique

Gendered Poverty in MozambiqueIn the southeast African nation of Mozambique, around 63% of the population lived in poverty in 2020, surviving on less than $1.90/day. Gender inequality further exacerbates this phenomenon – Mozambique ranks 139th out of 159 countries on the UNDP Gender Inequality Index. Gendered poverty in Mozambique takes the form of women having fewer educational and employment opportunities and being confined to a traditional role as mothers. While the government has fought this issue, much more is necessary to bring gender equality and economic prosperity to Mozambicans.

The Current State of Gendered Poverty

Most Mozambican women are in employment, but they work primarily in the informal sector for meagre wages. For example, in agriculture, the nation’s largest industry, 52.9% of employees in rural areas are women.

Most women engage in agriculture to provide for their families, but they are still mostly in traditional roles while men pursue more private sector jobs and economic mobility. With COVID-19 disproportionately affecting young women by halting access to education, employment, and food, they have since become even more disposed to early marriage and living in poverty compared to Mozambican men.

The nation’s government has attempted to combat gendered poverty in Mozambique. For example, a 2019 law banned the marriage of girls under the age of 18 to promote female autonomy and engagement with the economy rather than becoming mothers at too young of an age.

Furthermore, the Family Law and Law Against Domestic Violence have protected women’s rights in marriage and the family, such as inheritance, divorce, and personal rights.

Internationally, the government of Mozambique has signaled its intentions to protect women’s individual and family rights by adopting The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women the Optional Protocol to the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples‟ Rights and the Rights of Women.

Although this emphasis on gender equality has seen positive effects like near-equal levels of female representation in low-level government positions, government policies have not done nearly enough to bring about gender equality as a tool for overcoming poverty.

International Efforts

Instead, foreign assistance and international organizations have stepped up to reinforce gender equality efforts. For instance, the United States Agency for International Development has implemented several programs targeting impoverished women in Mozambique. Working with the Mozambican government, USAID has introduced female farmers to more nutritious crop varieties and seeds while sharing efficient agricultural strategies and technology to provide for a growing population, according to its website.

USAID has also enforced the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) in Mozambique, reducing HIV rates in the country and providing safe testing and medical equipment to Mozambicans with HIV/AIDS, primarily women.

Additionally, USAID’s Vamos Ler! Program promotes higher rates of girls’ attendance in school through a curriculum that encourages role models of both genders, while also ensuring that students have the hygiene they need to remain enrolled in school, according to its website.

Another effort that recognizes the role of education in eradicating poverty is the World Bank-funded “Eu Sou Capaz” program, which gives both school uniforms and bicycles to young girls in school as an incentive for education and provides skills training to girls who have already completed schooling, according to World Bank.

The initiative has seen a narrowing in the educational gender gap and intends to expand its resources to cover more young Mozambicans in the coming years.

Looking Forward

These efforts toward gender equality are the first step in remedying gendered poverty in Mozambique. With decreased AIDS and maternal deaths and increased education and employment opportunities, Mozambican women will be able to step outside the home and become integral members of their developing nation’s economy. However, these programs cannot assert their full force without changing cultural views in Mozambique. Currently, society remains dominated by men in practice and in the minds of Mozambicans who perceive traditional family structures as the nation’s backbone.

A combined approach of national, international and cultural changes emphasizing a new role for women could help uplift Mozambique from extreme poverty.

– Cole Zickwolff

Cole is based in Carlsbad, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Shedding Light on Period Poverty in Rwanda

Period Poverty in RwandaAccording to the U.N. Women, period poverty is “the inability to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities and education.” Period products range from tampons to painkillers to heating pads. In Rwanda, period poverty affects an estimated 18% of the female population.

Alternative Materials: The Risk

Without access to menstrual products, many women use alternative materials (e.g. newspaper), and for longer than the recommended three hours per pad/tampon, increasing “the risk of infection such as urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis.” However, period poverty in Rwanda needs a solution because of more than sanitation issues. Due to their periods, the 18% of girls impacted have no choice but to stay home from school, missing four to seven days a month. This, in turn, hinders their chances of securing a job once they graduate, according to Together Women Rise.

Menstrual products are no different, nor less crucial, than toothbrushes, deodorant and vaccines, but are severely undermined as a streamlined necessity.

Stigma and Accessibility

Menstruation is often a taboo topic for some people. Whether due to cultural standards or general omission from the discussion, this has led to “characterizing the menstruating bodies as abnormal or abject.” As a result, problems relating to menstruation are rarely topics of discussion either, including period poverty in Rwanda. Furthermore, women who need to find these products cannot ask their peers, as menstrual health comes with a stigma, hindering their access to pads and tampons as well.

For the small percentage of Rwandans who can access menstrual resources, their products remain largely unaffordable, as “a pack of sanitary pads costs…roughly a day’s wage for many women,” according to Together Women Rise. Note that sanitary pads and tampons are the most popular period products to buy.

The Good News

Menstrual stigma, as a worldwide hurdle, is slowly declining in the wake of various policies and advocacy efforts. The PLOS Global Public Health is taking recent strides toward making menstrual health a top priority. One policy regarding period poverty is “the Kenyan Policy for Menstrual Hygiene Management” whose primary focus is providing Kenyan schoolchildren with menstrual education. If successful, they plan to expand such policies to other countries.

Outside of awareness efforts, nonprofits are also beginning to include period kits as items to donate along with their international aid. Days for Girls, an organization whose donations only go toward period products, takes the stage as a top contender for ending period poverty. According to its 2022 report, the organization distributes period products to more than 294,000 individuals globally per year. Best yet, it has a history of efforts going to girls in Rwanda since 2015.

In manufacturing eco-friendly products, Days for Girls tackles all angles of period poverty in Rwanda. Like most developing countries, general sanitation is as much a problem as period poverty, so by limiting the number of pads that get discarded, they also reduce the amount of trash otherwise accumulating from menstruation.

Closing Words

Period poverty in Rwanda is a concurrent issue affecting many of the lives of girls and women there. Rwandans are struggling to afford these products, and hence, often skip school or use unsafe materials like socks and newspapers. The good news is that institutions are increasingly turning their attention to supplying sanitary pads and spreading overall awareness of menstrual health. In ending both the lack of access and stigma on periods, and giving period poverty the attention it deserves, Rwandan women will thrive knowing they don’t have to choose between education, their safety and health care.

– Nadia Haeryfar

Nadia is based in Ashford, CT, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Organizations Fighting the Feminization of Poverty in Africa

Organizations Fighting the Feminization of Poverty in AfricaAfrica, the world’s second-largest continent, shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It holds the highest extreme poverty rates globally, with 23 of the 28 poorest countries, where poverty rates exceed 30%. With the poverty line set at $1.90 per day, Africa’s poverty rate is estimated at 35.5%. Over the past decade, the disparity between the poverty rates of women and men has widened, a trend often described as “the feminization of poverty.” While the continent has one of the highest rates of female labor participation ─second only to Asia─ vulnerable employment (such as unpaid family work) remains the norm.

Women Against Poverty

Compared to others, households led by women face a one-third higher risk of poverty, an issue often referred to as “the feminization of poverty,” which highlights the disproportionate number of women and children among the poor. In response, Women Against Poverty (WAP), a nongovernmental charity founded in Tanzania in 2012 by Mary Gemela and Cresensia Shirima, works to improve the socioeconomic conditions of girls and women in vulnerable conditions. The organization champions an agroforestry transformation in the developing world. It aims to substantially increase the use of working trees on smallholder rural landscapes, thereby ensuring food, nutrition, income, health, shelter, energy and a regenerated environment for women in these communities.

African Women’s Development Fund

Since its founding in 2001, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has been funding women-led organizations across Africa. AWDF supports grassroots, local and civil social movements that empower women. The foundation uses a philanthropic approach shaped by its early financial challenges to support feminist movements. Understanding the vital role of financial stability in building and maintaining organizations, AWDF commits to providing feminist groups with the necessary funding.

A wide array of organizations advocating for African women receives grants from AWDF. To qualify, organizations must be women-led, employ a staff that is at least 70% female, have operated for over three years and maintain a structured governance system dedicated to empowering African women. Eligible organizations can receive funding between $2,000 and $100,000. Over the past 22 years, 1,555 women’s rights and feminist organizations in 47 African countries and five Middle Eastern countries have received a total of $4.7 million from AWDF.

United Nations Women Africa

Globally, for every 100 men aged 25 to 34 living in extreme poverty, there are 122 women in the same age group. In sub-Saharan Africa, this disparity increases, with 127 women for every 100 men experiencing extreme poverty. Providing gender-responsive services, production resources, and market access in agriculture, industry and trade can significantly enhance the economic empowerment of women and youth in Africa. United Nations (U.N.) Women aim to empower up to 2 million women through regional and national interventions that increase income and build assets, wealth and business leadership. The program increases women’s access to productive resources and business services, addresses policy and regulatory barriers and enhances women’s participation in and benefits from the extractive industry, agriculture and trade. It also focuses on developing women’s and youth’s agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills across the value chain.

Looking Ahead

The feminization of poverty in Africa highlights women disproportionately affected by economic hardship. Organizations such as Women Against Poverty (WAP) and the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) are working to change this by providing women with the tools and resources needed to improve their livelihoods. Additionally, U.N. Women Africa is focused on empowering women through access to business opportunities and addressing policy barriers, ensuring that women can play a key role in driving economic growth and poverty reduction. These ongoing efforts are essential for fostering long-term development and creating a more equitable future.

– Minji L. Kim

Minji is based in Seoul, South Korea and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The ZAI Method: Reversing Desertification in West Africa

The ZAI MethodLand degradation is affecting farmers around the world; in desert climates, already arid land is becoming barren, affecting crops and farmers’ livelihoods and survival. A micro-catchment system invented in the ’80s to restore these degraded drylands has been successful in improving the agricultural yields in these areas. It continues to be adapted for new climates to combat similar regions.

The ZAI Plant Pit system

This system, called the ZAI Plant Pit system, was developed in the ’80s by Burkinabe farmer and agronomist Yacouba Sawadogo. The Zai method was originally used in Mali. However, it was adopted and improved in the northern regions of Burkina Faso. It was used to restore the degraded drylands that were closer to the Sahara Desert. Other countries in Western Africa that also suffer from frequent drought or soil fertility issues have adopted this method to improve their agricultural yields with success.

The system consists of dug holes in the land that are then filled with organic compost during the dry season before planting seeds. The compost attracts termites that burrow into the soil, breaking it up and creating crevices that can hold water. The dimensions of these holes vary according to the type of soil and determine how much water they harvest. The ZAI method is successful in producing crop yields in areas where soils have been so degraded that water can no longer infiltrate deeper into the soil and the topsoil has been washed or blown away.

How It Works

Barren land provides multiple challenges when trying to restore soil fertility. Surface crusts must be broken up to plant seeds, but excessive disturbance can lead to moisture loss. Zai pits break the crust just enough for seeds to germinate without losing additional moisture. During the wet season, when rains are sporadic but intense, water must be used efficiently. Zai pits direct all available water into the soil and toward the plants. The displaced soil forms mounds beside the pits, channeling water down into the surrounding pits.

This method captures surface runoff, concentrates water at the plant roots and improves soil infiltration. Additionally, materials like manure, fertilizers and compost are concentrated at the plant roots, ensuring efficient nutrient absorption. The technique is simple and can be implemented with minimal resources. Zai pits restore organic content and productivity to the soil, making them an effective response to long-term agricultural challenges like climate emergencies. As rainfall becomes more erratic and droughts more frequent and prolonged, methods like the Zai technique are increasingly essential.

By concentrating resources like water for crops and preventing desertification—a process where fertile land turns into desert, often due to drought or deforestation—the Zai method enhances soil productivity and organic content. This technique not only revitalizes the land but also supports the livelihoods of the people who depend on it.

Impact

In the desert lands of West Africa, the Zai method has been highly successful in boosting crop yields. It has shown excellent results in reclaiming abandoned land for agriculture in Burkina Faso and Mali. Due to its success, the Zai method is being adapted for crop cultivation and forest regeneration efforts in Central and East Africa and is gaining global recognition.

Final Note

While the Zai farming system is simple and offers many benefits, its success is geographically limited. Not all areas with low rainfall have the “composting termites” essential for optimal productivity with this method. Although Zai pits can still be used in regions without these termites, water infiltration and crop yields may be lower. Additionally, digging the pits is labor-intensive and can only be done during the dry season, which restricts the timeframe for this work. Proper training is also crucial, as the size and placement of the pits are key to the system’s effectiveness.

– Hodges Day

Hodges is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Child Marriages in Malaysia: Tradition, Law and Reform

Child Marriages in MalaysiaMalaysia, an up-and-coming developing country that has fought its way through Portuguese, Dutch and British colonization from 1511 to 1824. It is also recognized as one of the 17 megadiverse countries, rich in natural heritage and biodiversity. Despite its progress toward modernization, Malaysia has seen an alarming increase in child marriages.

Law

Countries like Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Malaysia all have one thing in common: the Shariah jurisdiction, which is a form of religious law that is based on Islamic scriptures. The Shariah jurisdictions are split into three different systems:

  1. Classic Shariah system: Sharia law serves as the national law and the judiciary is often overseen by a monarch, as seen in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Brunei.
  2. Secular system: Shariah courts handle only personal affairs and have no authority over the country’s legal system, as in Indonesia, India and Nigeria.
  3. Mixed system: The most common system, where the national legal system coexists with Shariah jurisdiction over specific areas such as marriage, divorce, child custody, dress code and alcohol consumption.

While the jurisdiction of religious laws may appear suitable in some contexts, certain practices may be seen as extreme. For example, in 2019, Brunei’s Sharia jurisdiction introduced a new penal code that mandates death by stoning for offenses such as blasphemy, apostasy, sodomy and insults to Islam.

Correlations

The correlation between child marriages and Sharia courts lies in the fact that Sharia jurisdictions often bypass the legal age requirement for marriage, putting many vulnerable children at risk. One of the most common reasons for child marriages is financial hardship, leading parents to arrange marriages for their children in hopes of securing their future. Unfortunately, this often results in children missing out on their childhood and education and possibly facing abusive relationships.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a total of 1,856 children were married in 2018, 1,372 of whom were female and 170 of whom were male, making 83% of such marriages under the Muslim faith. Unfortunately, according to data from the Shariah Judiciary Department of Malaysia, the approval rate for underage marriage during 2005–2015 was around 82%, with the Law Reform Act 1976 (LRA) unable to detest the Shariah court, allowing the lives of 1,856 children and many more in danger.

Reform

In response, Malaysia’s Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has launched the National Strategy for Addressing the Causes of Child Marriages, which will run from 2020 to 2025. The plan includes six factors, such as low household income, lack of education and negligent laws. It aims to provide social protection for low-income households, improve access to sexual reproductive health and parenting education, increase school attendance and address stigma around child marriage in communities. The strategy also calls for stricter laws to prevent underage marriages and ensure accurate data on marital status.

This strategic plan has already shown positive results, reducing the number of child marriages in Malaysia from 1,856 in 2018 to 1,042 in 2021, a reduction of approximately 44%. Although there’s still much work to be done, more nongovernmental organizations are collaborating to put an end to child marriage ultimately.

– Rayden Lim Jun Ee

Rayden is based in Tropicana, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Youth Empowerment Initiatives in Uganda

Youth Empowerment Initiatives in UgandaMr. Mondo Kyateka, Commissioner of Youth and Children Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) in Uganda, stated “41% of Ugandan youth are not in employment, education, or any form of training”. This statement, made during a two-day workshop for youth skills development in March 2024, highlights the need for youth empowerment initiatives in Uganda.

The Life Skills Toolkit and Upshift, two UNICEF-supported youth empowerment initiatives in Uganda. Both initiatives implemented programs within local communities in Uganda to empower youth and adolescents with confidence and soft skills. The training offers learning opportunities to school-leavers as the educational content is sensitive toward different experiences with access to education.

Access to Education

UNICEF reports that Uganda has made progress in school attendance. However, it continues to face challenges in developing accessible education for children and adolescents. According to UNICEF, 40% of children aged 3-5 years old access early childhood education compared to 20% in 2011. Eighty percent of 6 to 12-year-olds attend primary school, while 25% of secondary school-aged attend secondary school. Ugandan Empowerment and Career Development (UECD) explains that children can attend primary school for free by four children per family however, families usually have to purchase essential materials i.e. books and uniforms.

Access to education correlates to monetary wealth, as the secondary school attendance of the wealthiest 20% in Uganda is five times higher than that of the poorest 20% of the population, according to UNICEF. UECD suggests that in most cases, the secondary school requires private financing, presenting a great difficulty for families. Additionally, factors that affect access to secondary education include child marriage, pregnancy and abusive environments, UNICEF reports.

The Life Skills Toolkit

In 2022, the government introduced the Life Skills toolkit as one of several youth empowerment initiatives in Uganda targeted at formal and informal educational institutions. The Republic of Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports recommends teaching the program across schools and clubs. The educational content aims to reach adolescents out of school, particularly young women (p.8).

The program is currently active in forty primary and secondary schools across the Kikuube district in West Uganda. Jane Afoyocan, a UNICEF Education Specialist expresses that her office intends to implement the Life Skills toolkit program to its full extent for each adolescent enrolled in education. UNICEF-trained volunteers deliver the program to youth out of school.

Inside the Toolkit

The toolkit’s content targets participants between 10 and 19 years old and is taught in sessions lasting up to an hour. Each session follows a structure of an opening circle, an introduction of the topic, an activity allowing the practice of a skill, time to reflect and a closing circle, according to a 2022 report.

The program works through seven modules teaching resilience-building competencies. One of these competencies is building self-esteem to encourage participants to reflect on their identity, strengths, weaknesses and responsibilities. The program teaches cooperative skills to build and maintain relationships in preparation for an active adult role within the community. It encourages critical thinking through identifying the causes and consequences of conflict, and to detect bias and prejudices, according to a 2022 report.

The competency of communication skills includes active listening, communication of ideas and perspectives, and the function of non-verbal communication. Participants learn strategies for managing emotions and stressful situations. The program also develops an appreciation for diversity in backgrounds and identities. Indeed, it highlighs that within diverse communities, more diverse contributions and solutions can be offered, according to a 2022 report.

The program provides lessons with a strong hope for the future as this positively affects psychosocial well-being. The toolkit helps set goals and develop action plans in personal and community contexts. It fosters creative thinking and expression through arts, innovative problem-solving and imagining new possibilities. Another important competency is leadership skills for which adolescents partake in local transformative projects reflective of their ideas and vision.

Impacts of the Life Skills Toolkit

The toolkit has proven successful in multiple ways. Student’s participation and performance in class has improved. Increased entrepreneurial activities among students have been reported. Early school leavers have been encouraged to re-attend school. Girls’ and boys’ awareness and conversations concerning menstruation has increased and self-confidence is higher among students who participated in a Life Skills Toolkit program, according to UNICEF.

The Upshift Programme

Upshift is another youth empowerment initiative in Uganda supporting entrepreneurial learning and social innovation skills in youth and adolescents. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that Upshift has impacted 2.2 million adolescents across 42 countries through mentorship and workshops. The program teaches its participants a seed-financing model to raise money for their own business startups.

Kyangwali is a refugee settlement in the Kikuube district where 10 groups received mentorship from staff at community-based organizations trained to provide Upshift support. Pupils enrolled in the groups learn to identify challenges and create solutions, UNICEF reports.

Upshift’s Approach

Upshift’s model aims to adapt to local ecosystems and follows several principles. The first principle is experimental learning, linking educational content to real-life situations. The second principle is human-centred design which aims to provide practical tools and approaches that participants can implement across various aspects of life. The social purpose of the program aims to develop the local community, and global citizenship and address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program nourishes teamwork and cooperation skills and challenges participants take part in larger projects.

Impacts of the Upshift Programme

UNICEF exemplifies how business ideas developed from Upshift training sessions. In an interview, Shukuru Mugenyi, an Upshift participant, shares how Upshift sparked a discussion on the lack of preventative measures against malaria. A business idea to create rosemary-repellent soap to sell in Kyangwali was born. The soap’s mosquito-repellent nature was tested and determined to be effective, enabling entrepreneurs like Mugenyi to scale up their business ventures.

Conclusion

With only 25% of secondary school-aged youth attending education, there is a clear need for youth empowerment initiatives in Uganda to reduce dropout rates, increase access and improve the quality of education. UNICEF Uganda aims to empower young people by creating opportunities for active citizenship, employability and life skills. Mindful development of such programs with the inclusion of insights from local communities is important to respond to specific needs and situations. Initiatives such as the Life Skills toolkit and Upshift help improve the number of youth and adolescents engaging in employment, education or training.

– Tanisha Groeneveld

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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UN Women Empowering Women in the Caribbean

Women in the CaribbeanThe Caribbean is known for its vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes. However, there is also a hidden persistence in its struggles against poverty and inequality. This is particularly the case in terms of gender, specifically for women. About 2.2% of women and girls in the Caribbean live in poverty at the $1.90 poverty line. Additionally, for every 100 men living in poverty, there are approximately 113 women, highlighting the gender disparity in economic hardship.

The United Nations (U.N.) Women is an organization dedicated to collaborating with Caribbean communities on initiatives aimed at addressing poverty and promoting female empowerment. Additionally, it focuses on promoting gender equality, economic empowerment, leadership and ending violence.

Causes of Gender Poverty in the Caribbean

Numerous factors contribute to the poverty faced by women and girls in the Caribbean. One key factor is education. While girls often outperform boys in school, many women struggle to transition to higher education or the workforce. This is due to unequal family responsibilities, early pregnancies and societal expectations. According to the World Bank, “one in three young women are not engaged in education, employment or training and are constrained due to their unequal role in family responsibilities, early pregnancy and gender norms that relegate them to the domestic sphere.”

The second factor is social norms and gender roles. In the Caribbean, traditional gender roles often confine women to the domestic sphere. This limits their opportunities for economic advancement and reinforces the cycle of poverty. Additionally, a significant contributor to women’s poverty is the prevalence of female-headed households. In many families, women are seen as the primary providers, which increases dependency and places significant financial strain on these households.

About UN Women’s Work in the Caribbean

The U.N. Women is actively engaged in several key areas to promote gender equality and empower women in the Caribbean. The purpose of the organization in the region and also globally is to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. Some of the key areas it focuses on include:

  1. Leadership and Political Participation: U.N. Women supports initiatives to increase women’s participation in political and public life.
  2. Ending Violence Against Women: The organization offers several programs, including awareness campaigns, support services and policy advocacy, to fight gender-based violence against women.
  3. Economic Empowerment: It focuses on enhancing women’s economic opportunities by providing training, resources and support to help them enter and thrive in the workforce.

Successful Programs in the Caribbean

The U.N. Women has implemented highly successful programs that have been instrumental in empowering women in the Caribbean. Some of these include:

  1. Joint Program to Empower Women and Youth in Agri-Fisheries: Launched in 2020 in collaboration with the Government of Japan and other U.N. agencies, this program supported more than 162,000 people in the Caribbean, particularly women and marginalized youth. It focuses on enhancing livelihoods in agriculture, fisheries and small business sectors across countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Dominica.
  2. Women leadership: The organization has also supported the implementation of the Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership (CIWiL), which fosters training programs for women aspiring to take a political or leadership role. This helps women in terms of reputation and participation in decision-making.
  3. Economic Empowerment: The nonprofit has also partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to strengthen the rights of domestic workers in the Caribbean. In Jamaica, U.N. Women helped the Household Workers Association to become a formal union, providing a platform to promote the rights of more than 50,000 workers in the country.

Final Remarks

With the ongoing support of U.N. Women, there is hope that women and girls in the Caribbean will one day achieve lasting success and break free from the cycle of poverty. Indeed, by providing resources, education and opportunities, these efforts are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for the region’s women and girls.

– Destiny Cobos

Destiny is based in Brooklyn, NY and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Energy Poverty in Portugal

energy poverty in portugalPortugal’s household energy costs have gradually increased. Yet in 2017, the percentage of households unable to keep houses adequately warm was almost three times higher than the EU average. Low household income, low energy performance and high energy costs contribute greatly to energy poverty in Portugal. Many people lack the financial resources to access adequate energy services making it difficult to maintain home ownership. The Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGE) estimates that between 1.9 million and 3 million people are in energy poverty in Portugal, while 660,000 to 740,000 live in “severe” energy poverty. The Portuguese National Long-Term Energy Poverty Mitigation Strategy was approved in early 2024. This means these four major initiatives have been implemented to eradicate energy poverty in Portugal by 2050.

Increasing Energy Performance and Access

A 74-year-old who lives with his wife in Portugal in a social housing apartment said “I cannot keep it [the fan] on for long because it also uses a lot [of electricity]…” DGE aims to apply renovation, and replacement, with new or efficient equipment and sustainable technologies and materials to increase energy performance. As a result, it could help homes stay warm, not compromising the well-being and health of households. This prioritization of efficiency could provide lower energy costs, allowing households to focus on careers and education.

Those living in energy poverty in Portugal will have access to essential energy services, and new forms of energy production. For example, renewable energy communities allow for energy sharing. This would ease the financial strain on households suffering from energy poverty in Portugal as the entire community assists with the payment of energy bills, according to DGE. Independent households living in energy poverty can no longer have to sacrifice time and resources to meet high energy costs through collective energy communities, therefore improving their quality of life and financial stability.

Raising Awareness and Reducing Consumption

By promoting educational campaigns and providing tools for energy efficiency measures, awareness could lead to monitoring of energy consumption and improved energy practices. An example of this was EDP’s “Your Energy: Show Your Power!” initiative that took place in Lisbon for students. It raised awareness of living conditions in homes that suffered energy poverty in the country and energy sustainability through interactive lessons and activities.

Reducing the burden of energy consumption focuses on price support mechanisms and guiding principles. It would lead to a bigger increase in household disposable income as the price of energy will remain affordable, regardless of the consumer’s geographical, economic or social situation, according to DGE. This supports a higher quality of life as households living in energy poverty in Portugal no longer have to sacrifice time and resources to meet high energy costs.

Energy Poverty in Portugal: The Future

The Portuguese National Long-Term Energy Poverty Mitigation Strategy discusses four strong strategies to combat energy poverty in Portugal. By increasing household energy efficiency, this initiative aims to reduce energy poverty in Portugal by replacing old technology with newer, efficient equipment. Universal access to energy services makes energy much more accessible to people who live in rural areas or in socio-economic situations that suffer from energy poverty. Raising awareness of energy poverty in the country is also a significant aspect of fighting energy poverty as it educates people on better energy practices and energy consumption monitoring. And lastly, affordable prices support a higher quality of life and financial stability for households who suffer from energy poverty in Portugal because of expensive costs.

– Chelsey Saya McLeod

Chelsey is based in Southampton, Hampshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The ABCs for Poverty Reduction in Ghana

Poverty Reduction in GhanaIn Ghana, 38% of the population is between 15 and 35 years old. Young people have the desire and capacity to contribute to national development, which, in turn, supports poverty reduction efforts in Ghana. To get young people involved, they must be given a seat at the table. The government has committed to creating more opportunities to enhance their involvement. Millennials and Gen Zs are skilled at using innovative and creative approaches to improve technologies and systems that benefit growing sectors, such as agriculture and entrepreneurship. 

Agriculture

Agriculture remains one of Ghana’s oldest and most vital professions, employing 33% of the population and encompassing crops, livestock and fisheries. The sector accounts for an impressive 54% of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP). Currently, only 5% of agricultural jobs are held by youth. Hence, the government is implementing targeted policies and providing sustainable funding to boost youth participation.

The 8th annual Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference was held in Accra in August 2024. It aims to produce a policy paper on attracting and supporting youth in the agriculture sector. The conference focused on the future of agricultural innovation, youth employment and food security in Africa — all crucial factors in reducing poverty in Ghana.

Count on Crops Hub Limited is an African-led, youth-based organization dedicated to improving agricultural production and driving inclusive agrarian transformation in Ghana. In addition, it runs the Agric4Girls initiative, which addresses the urgent need for economic opportunities and contributions that women and girls can make to the agricultural sector.

Business

Post COVID-19, the Ghana government has created the COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (CARES) specifically to engage youth. CARES aims to:

  • Make the Ghana Stock Exchange a leading source of long-term financing for domestic business,
  • Facilitate foreign companies’ investment in the country,
  • Create the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) with more than $180 million loan from the European Investment Bank.
  • Fund the YouStart Initiative that will create over one million jobs for young people by giving them access to capital and mentorship to launch and grow their businesses.

The Enterprise and Youth Support Fund (EYSF) was started in conjunction with Ghana CARES in 2021. It offers an online investment platform and “youth bank” that will specifically target start-ups for young Ghanaians. They are encouraged to use innovation and fresh perspectives to create a sustainable economy that reinvests in its people.

One business that has flourished under these government initiatives is Gold Coast Tokota, a footwear brand founded by Kwaku Kumi. The Ghana-based company prides itself on using eco-friendly materials that minimize environmental impact. Supporting this brand promotes traditional craftsmanship, strengthens the local economy and advances sustainable fashion — all contributing to poverty reduction in Ghana.

Communicate Knowledge

Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo is urging all citizens who study abroad to return and share what they have learned with their communities. Access to correct information is integral in ending the cycle of poverty. Students and recent graduates can bring new knowledge and ideas back to the country. This knowledge can teach people across many sectors how to grow in their endeavors.

The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Ghana is a significant society for the Ghanaian people. Alums from the two universities work toward spreading and explaining how this knowledge contributes to the transformation of Ghana.

Summary

Ghana is modernizing its agricultural sector by applying the skills of young Ghanaians to create food security. Furthermore, the agriculture sector is providing employment opportunities in one of the country’s oldest professions. Supporting young entrepreneurs is another key focus. Investing in the youth today will help grow businesses that strengthen the economy and create jobs for the community. Additionally, making critical information accessible to all Ghanaians fosters growth across various sectors, ensuring that education and knowledge-sharing drive innovation and progress.

– Alysha Miller

Alysha is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr