Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Women’s Rights in Cameroon

Women's Rights in CameroonAfter 56 years of independence, with almost 50% of the population being women, the condition of women’s rights in Cameroon is still dire. Followed by rebel groups, COVID-19 and inflation due to the Ukrainian War, Cameroon is facing gender-based violence. In Cameroon, 979,000 people need gender-based violence services, with 94% of them being women and girls.

Politics

In 1949, under British and French rule, women in Cameroon submitted a petition to the U.N. They demanded the elimination of racial discrimination, increased economic opportunities and better economic services for women and children. The New Constitution 2012 and the 2015 National Gender Policy got more women elected to cities, legislatures and senators. In 2020, women in Cameroon occupy 33% of parliamentary seats, compared to only 11% at the beginning of 2000. Nonetheless, the total time in parliament is still dominated by men, at 95%.

Education

About 70% of Cameroonian girls are illiterate. Cameroon’s Ministry of Women’s and Children’s Empowerment notes that only 80% of girls attend school. It is also reported that 40% of Cameroonian girls drop out in their fourth and fifth years of primary school.

According to cultural norms and expectations of women in Cameroon, they assume that they do not need education like boys. The main barriers for women to education are poverty, early marriage and early pregnancy

Improving Women’s Rights in Cameroon

Some organizations advocating for the rights of women and girls in Cameroon include:

1. Women for a Change Cameroon (WFAC)

Founded in 2009, WFAC is a feminist advocacy organization working with and for women’s sexual and reproductive health rights, leadership and development. Through the African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FMNET), WFAC educates women and girls on gender equality and sexual reproductive health. By strengthening women’s voices, WFAC is committed to the advancement of women, gender health and complete service to society.

2. Women in Alternative Action Cameroon (WAA)

WAA Cameroon was founded in 2004 with a vision to promote communities free from gender-based violence, stigmatization, discrimination and exclusion of women, youth and girls in Cameroon and the Central African sub-region. The nonprofit supports young people by allowing them to speak out, discuss and promote peace in their environment.

3. Mother of Hope Cameroon

Mother of Hope Cameroon (MOHCAM) is a nonprofit youth and women’s organization in the North West Region of Cameroon. MOHCAM promotes and fosters the rights and development of youths and women. The organization advocates and fights against all forms of abuse faced by youths and women in homes, schools and communities.

– Afra Amirah
Photo: Flickr

The Importance of Mental Health Services in Afghanistan

The Importance of Bringing Mental Health Services to Afghanistan Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, many women have faced severe mental health struggles. The government urgently needs to introduce mental health services in Afghanistan to prevent women from experiencing suicidal thoughts and to help them cope with living in a dangerous country.

Mental Health Crisis Post-Taliban Takeover

Introducing mental health services in Afghanistan aims to support many women and vulnerable individuals facing dire circumstances. The Taliban’s takeover has instilled fear in many, including a young pregnant woman named Fatima, who, amid reports of sexual abuse and the killing of men by Taliban members, fears for her life.

In 2023, the BBC reported that half of Afghan women were already suffering from mental health issues before the Taliban’s return, with many now facing even greater mental decline and contemplating suicide.

Revamping Afghanistan’s Mental Health Care

Years of war and poverty have shattered Afghanistan’s mental health care systems. After the Taliban’s initial fall in 2001, the shortage of health care staff and supplies hampered efforts to rebuild the Afghan care system. The Ministry of Public Health now prioritizes the reconstruction of Afghanistan’s care system, incorporating Afghan mental health into the Basic Package of Health Service by 2003.

Moreover, the Basic Package of Health Service has collaborated with the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) National Health Service (NHS) to manage health care for the Afghan people, reflecting a shared responsibility for Afghanistan’s mental health care alongside the U.K.’s health care system.

The Role of HealthNet TPO

The Basic Package of Health Service, inspired by the Mental Health Act of 1983, aims to help individuals struggling with mental health issues by ensuring they can access health care professionals.

A survey conducted by the Basic Package of Health Service found that 48% of Afghanistan’s population is under 35 years old, with 20% of Afghan youth requiring mental health care and an additional 10% possibly needing services but inclined to decline treatment. Services like HealthNet TPO are available to help, dedicating themselves to rebuilding communities affected by disasters and conflicts.

Aid for Afghan Refugees: Support Services

Support from donors like the European Union has made significant progress in treating mental health disorders in Afghanistan, training more than 325 psychological counselors to provide counseling and emotional support. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy suggests incorporating therapeutic support services into resettlement programs as a standard practice.

  • The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). Offers relocation opportunities for Afghans living in crisis. While many Afghan refugees have successfully relocated, families continue to struggle with culture shock, concerns for relatives in crisis areas and employment challenges.
  • The Refugee Council. Provides essential therapy for refugees after moving to a new country. Its New Roots project encouraged refugees to meet, share stories and find employment opportunities, although it ended in late 2023. Such initiatives greatly support those fleeing war-torn areas and could be even more valuable in conflict zones.
  • Group therapy and therapeutic workshops. Have been shown to significantly aid individuals struggling with mental health, fostering a sense of community, reducing isolation and enhancing the ability to relate to oneself and others.

Fostering Hope

The Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan poses significant challenges to the progress of mental health initiatives, particularly for women challenging traditional roles and men grappling with societal expectations of aggression and strength. Despite these obstacles, the focus remains on delivering one-on-one support to address the deep-seated mental health issues within the community. Increasing mental health services in Afghanistan is crucial for reducing aggression among men and boosting the confidence of women. Continuous efforts and support aim to empower the Afghan people, allowing them to lead fulfilling lives and find solace during conflicts, embodying a vision of resilience and hope for the future.

– Phoebe Vaughan
Photo: Pexels

Technology and Poverty in Jordan

Technology and Poverty: The Tech That Failed Jordan’s PoorJordan is a country still in recovery from the downturns of the global pandemic. Still, even as the economy reopens and tourism returns, a startling percentage of the nation struggles to establish the basic financial security needed to be reinforced against poverty. Unemployment sits at 22.3%, above pre-pandemic levels and the percentage of the population currently within positions or work or searching rates at only 33%, one of the lowest in the world. Technology and poverty should fit together in the process of identifying and addressing the country’s most destitute. However, one such program to address that ended up causing problems of its own.

Technology and Poverty

Takaful is a World Bank-backed National Aid Fund program designed to identify in-need, low-income families and provide them with financial aid within what its limited budget affords. The algorithm would evaluate different households, assigning eligibility for the program based on a series of 57 undisclosed factors.

These factors aim to determine the appropriate allocation of aid that can be customized to support families with the most pressing needs. Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its assessment of the program, identified it as excessively inflexible in its criteria for support and aid delivery. This rigidity has resulted in the exclusion of essential assistance to particularly vulnerable families that depend on the support to survive.

Consequences of Technology and Poverty

Data provided by households in need and compared against government records from more than 37 agencies reduced the nuance of poverty down to quantitative statistics. However, these statistics failed to convey the full scope of the issues in question and the required support to alleviate them. The rigid nature of the computer systems presented unrealistic roadblocks. There is an inability for households to apply if their expenses were deemed higher than their income within a range of 20%.

Owning a car could be counted against the valuation of poverty,  irrespective of the practical role the vehicle plays in the household’s daily life. HRW’s report on the algorithm running the program even identified gender-based discrimination, disproportionately affecting households led by women. This discrimination manifested in lowering eligibility or cutting such households from the program entirely.

A Cautionary Tale

The intersection of technology and poverty in Jordan, coupled with the emergence of poverty-targeting algorithms, aims to streamline the formidable challenge of addressing poverty. However, the danger lies in the potential neglect of how poverty uniquely affects everyone it touches. Takaful has found its way into 120,000 households since launching in 2019. However, this algorithmic hiccup has undermined the impact this program could have had in establishing economic sustainability on a household-to-household level.

This whole affair has gone some way to highlighting the pitfalls of blanket classifications. It underscores the importance of multidimensional assessments and feedback. This could contribute to reinforcing future initiatives, ensuring that future iterations inside Jordan and any other developing country struggling to balance limited aid amongst a struggling populace retain that all-important human touch.

The Way Forward

The World Bank, using the data discovered in the report, has fortified its stance that human-run institutions should not and could not be replaced by algorithms. HRW has guided this matter, pushing for governmental reforms and the establishment of substantive universal societal protections similar to those championed by the World Bank and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Supporting the Indian Health Service

The Indian Health ServiceThe American Bar Association (ABA) states that Native Americans are the most impoverished ethnic group in the U.S. One in four Native Americans lives in poverty. The unemployment rate for Native Americans has remained at 50% for decades. Overcrowding and lack of economic opportunities on reservations associate poverty with reservation living. This ugly truth ties within the very history of America.

Native Americans have always experienced relatively worse health problems than other races. One can observe this trend since the beginning of America, with different waves of diseases like smallpox wiping out tribes. Forced isolation has weakened their immune system considerably. When combined with poverty, Native people, in almost every case, have a lower life expectancy than Caucasian people suffering from the same diseases, from heart disease to diabetes. Additionally, Native Americans die at higher rates from things like suicide and homicide.

The Indian Health Service (IHS)

The Indian Health Service, or the IHS, addresses the challenges Native Americans face regarding health issues. This division of the Department of Health and Human Services provides direct medical care and advocates health for native tribes and people in the U.S. The program covers and assists anyone of native lineage.

Panics over modern diseases, such as COVID-19, led to the creation of this division to prevent diseases from spreading throughout the entire country by stopping them among the indigenous people first. Nevertheless, this program may have been one of the brightest moments in American history, offering equality to a minority at a time when this was unthinkable, recognizing both native and white people as worthy of government care. It acknowledged both Native and White populations as deserving of government care.

Throughout various administrations, the Indian Health Service has often been the first to face budget cuts, limiting its resources to a mere few billion for comprehensive assistance. The IHS has struggled to adapt to telemedicine and lacks many facilities, making it difficult for tribe members to access them all the time.

Improving and Funding

The good news is that Washington DC and lawmakers fully understand the difficulties the Indian Health Service faces and know it needs rapid improvement. The Trump administration provided an extra billion to the IHS during the COVID pandemic, acknowledging its underfunding. The Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contributes an extra $700 million annually until 2026 to support tribal water and sanitation systems.

Further, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently granted $55 million to the IHS to modernize and expand the health care facilities of 15 tribes. The money will be used to buy the medical technology many facilities lack and hire more indigenous workers. The solution to the health issue Native Americans face already exists in the Indian Health Service. The goal is to help it thrive as a program now.

– Varsha Pai
Photo: Freepik

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Palwal District School in India Offering Affordable Education

Affordable EducationIn the heart of the Bamnikhera village in the Palwal district of India stands Kishora Vidya Mandir, a school symbolizing hope and transformation for the local community. This educational institution has been instrumental in providing quality affordable secondary education to children in the town at an affordable cost. Consequently, it has broken barriers and empowered students, particularly women, to pursue education and escape poverty. The Borgen Project spoke with Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Chairman of Kishora Vidya Mandir, who shared valuable insights about the school.

Poverty remains a significant challenge in the northern Indian state of Haryana despite its rapid economic growth and industrialization. According to the latest available data from the Niti Ayog, the state’s poverty rate stood at 7.07% from 2019 to 2021. While this represents a decrease from previous years, the persistence of poverty highlights the need for targeted interventions. One of the contributing factors to poverty in Haryana is the unequal distribution of wealth. The state has witnessed substantial economic development, but its population has yet to share the benefits equitably. Additionally, rural areas face unique challenges as communities reliant on agriculture contend with unpredictable crop yields and limited access to modern farming techniques.

Regional Challenges and Affordable Education

Lack of affordable education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, limiting opportunities for individuals to secure well-paying jobs. Palwal, an agriculture-dependent region, has long grappled with poverty, limiting many children’s access to secondary education. Consequently, education often takes a back seat due to financial constraints, making it difficult for students to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Kishora Vidya Mandir has emerged as a beacon of hope in these challenges. The school was established in 1994 with 90 students enrolled and since then, it has been committed to providing quality education to every child in the community, irrespective of their financial background. The institution believes education is the key to breaking the chains of poverty and is determined to make it accessible to all. One of the unique aspects of Kishora Vidya Mandir is its focus on offering education at a low cost. This initiative has proven to be a game-changer, enabling families, even those facing financial difficulties, to afford quality education for their children.

The success stories emerging from Kishora Vidya Mandir are a testament to the impact of its commitment to education. The results have been excellent in the last five years, with more than 90% of students graduating from 10th grade and almost 87% graduating from 12th grade. It is worth mentioning that some students were the district toppers in rural areas and the school has grabbed the 10th state position among the thousands of state-run schools.

Practically, Sharma also shared with us that Ms. Poonam, a student who graduated from Kishora Vidya Mandir, eventually cleared the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and went on to study engineering from the notable NIT Kurukshetra, a renowned engineering college in India. These achievements bring pride to the school and instill confidence and empowerment among the students.

Growth, Partnerships and Collaborations

Over the years, Kishora Vidya Mandir has experienced significant infrastructure and student enrollment growth. Today, around 650 students are a part of the school and receive up to senior secondary education in all three streams, i.e., science, commerce and arts. In addition to affordable school fees, school buses are provided to students from distant villages. The institution’s success can be attributed, in part, to the partnerships and collaborations it has fostered.

Local businesses, philanthropic organizations and government initiatives have supported the school’s mission. These collaborations have provided financial assistance and brought in expertise and resources to enhance the overall educational experience for the students. One such collaboration is a computer diploma course certified by India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development. It is run after school hours and on Sundays to educate the students who have completed 12th grade or anyone willing, irrespective of age.

Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Bamnikhera

Kishora Vidya Mandir stands as a beacon of hope in the Bamnikhera village, demonstrating that education can be a powerful tool in eradicating poverty and empowering communities. The school’s commitment to providing affordable and quality education has transformed the lives of countless children, breaking down barriers and opening doors to a brighter future. As Kishora Vidya Mandir continues to grow and inspire, it serves as a reminder that education is about acquiring knowledge and building a foundation for a more equitable and prosperous society.

– Srishti Arora
Photo: Pixabay

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Fighting Poverty With Data in Africa

Fighting Poverty With DataThe digital revolution in the 20th century brought a host of sweeping changes to the way populations live and work. Among them is the importance of data in addressing global challenges, such as poverty. Data provides the basis for informed decision-making and bridges the gaps to solutions for those most impoverished.

Data in low-income countries is typically collected through in-person household surveys that are on paper, extensive, often costly and infrequent. Organizations throughout Africa are partnering on projects that strive to change that. Here are four projects fighting poverty with data in Africa.

Open Data in Sierra Leone’s Mining Communities

Mining communities in the West African country of Sierra Leone are vulnerable to extreme poverty. The diamond mining industry in Sierra Leone generates hundreds of millions of dollars; however, there is a lack of transparency regarding the allocation of these funds. Evidence suggests that a significant portion rarely returns to local communities, highlighting issues such as a lack of oversight in the sector and inadequate compensation for the labor involved.

In 2022, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched the Disclosure to Development “D2D” Sierra Leone Project to tackle the lack of data surrounding mining revenue flows. The project seeks to address this issue by forming partnerships with local government agencies and engaging local individuals interested in data collection. The IFC aims to utilize the collected data to create markets and opportunities for the local community.

Boosting Data Accumulation in Kenya

In 2007, the World Bank collaborated with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to improve data collection to bolster development. In 2019, they improved data collection efforts from a 15-year gap between population reports to a quarterly gap. This included technical assistance to create an online archive for the government, transitioning over from pen and paper. KNBS also implemented several surveys to ascertain updated labor and poverty statistics quarterly.

The frequent dissemination of results also boosted the Kenyan economy by providing more frequent and reliable financial metrics for figures such as GDP. Although the data collection project concluded in 2020, the World Bank reported in Nairobi in 2023 that the Kenyan government is actively working to ensure that the benefits of the partnership’s progress are equally distributed among the poor and vulnerable populations.

Data Collection Framework in Madagascar

Data and Evidence to End Extreme Poverty, a consortium of universities and governmental organizations, developed Measurement Indicators for Resilience Analysis (MIRA) as part of their central mission in fighting poverty with data in Africa. MIRA is a data collection framework that collaborates with community members who take surveys via mobile applications. The data collected measure factors such as the persistence of natural disasters and statistics contributing to a household’s resilience.

This gathered data is then provided to relief organizations serving the populations most affected. Using low-cost, platform-based systems and relying on “enumerators,” who are locals from within the community of focus, the data is updated monthly. This frequent updating ensures the availability of actionable information for communities and organizations seeking to provide support.

Multilateral Data Project in Mozambique

In 2022, the African Development Bank (AFDB) and the World Bank’s Geo-Enabling Initiative extended membership of their Remote Appraisal Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (RASME) project to Mozambique (the sixth African country to join). With Mozambique’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, the program launched with the capability for both online and offline usage in remote areas using satellite and smartphones.

RASME allows for more timely and accurate monitoring of multilateral AFDB initiatives in Mozambique, focusing on wide-ranging sectors to help the population. These include “agriculture, transportation, water, sanitation, energy, communications, mining and finance.” Beyond helping the populations in these areas, the partnership has resulted in more than a billion U.S. dollars of investment into Mozambique.

Final Remark

As the digital revolution continues to progress, the necessity for timely and accurate data collection to increase solutions and aid for the areas that are most in need cannot be under-appraised. From protecting local populations to creating multilateral economic opportunities, data collection can have positive impacts on countries that need it most.

– Ava Johnson
Photo: Flickr

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Child Soldiers in Ethiopia 

Child Soldiers in EthiopiaEthiopia’s long history of armed conflicts endangers the well-being of children, subjecting them to trauma and putting them at risk of recruitment for combat. Child soldiers in Ethiopia are continuously caught between the chaos of conflict and political instability. Their rights are violated as they find themselves susceptible to physical harm, sexual violence and abductions.

Conflict Background

The debris of the Tigray War, which ended in 2022, has brought a new internal conflict to the country. Ethnic relations and political tensions between Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) caused the Tigray War to break out in 2020. The TPLF had previously been the leading force in control of the federal government, opposing Ahmed’s agenda. The Tigray War was notably characterized by ethnic violence and became of international concern.

During the war, the TPLF army used child soldiers in Ethiopia as a shield, positioning them on the front lines of the war zone. While the use of child soldiers is a violation of human rights and international law, the TPLF denies the proven accusations, stating that the children are only used to collect and gather weapons left behind.

After the war and under the premise of wanting to minimize crime based on ethnicity, the Ethiopian government began fighting militias and regional forces. This even included ones to which the government was an ally during the Tigray War, most notably the regional forces of Amhara. According to a 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Ethiopia published by the U.S. Department of State, both militias and the government are using child soldiers in Ethiopia in the current conflict. The Ethiopian government also denies the allegations.

Becoming Child Soldiers

Children become child soldiers for different reasons. Some are kidnapped; others are threatened or manipulated into joining. Armed forces favor kids for their physical endurance and because they raise fewer suspicions. However, some of them become soldiers as a way to escape poverty.

Child soldiers are not only those on the front lines; they are also used in war in any other capacity. This includes using children as cooks, spies or most recently suicide bombers. Girls who are recruited are subject to gender-specific vulnerabilities such as sexual assault, sex trafficking and unwanted pregnancies.

The Fight Against Child Soldiers

Child soldiers are victims who are forced onto battlefields and manipulated to stay. Many struggle to re-integrate into society when conflicts are over and face discrimination by their families and communities.

Organizations such as Children and Armed Conflict, part of the United Nations, focus on combating the recruitment of children for war. As stated on the site, “The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child outlaws child soldiering, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child established 18 as the minimum age for children’s participation in hostilities.”

The campaign Children, Not Soldiers, launched in 2014, achieved a wide range of success in the fight against child soldiers. Despite ending only two years later, long-lasting actions were achieved, such as the end and prevention of child soldiers in the DRC and Sudan. While the campaign had a major impact in other African countries, Ethiopia did not become part of the campaign.

Ethiopia’s continuous state of conflict endangers children and perpetuates a cycle of child soldier recruitment. While the issue has drawn international attention, there is much more work required to end the phenomenon of child soldiers in Ethiopia.

– Paula Pujol-Gibson
Photo: Flickr

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UK AI for Development Program

UK AI for Development Program Aims to Boost AI Benefits in AfricaOn November 1st and 2nd 2023, the United Kingdom (U.K.) in collaboration with a host of different international partners, such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the government of Canada and local partners in Africa launched the U.K. AI for development program. The initiative unveiled at the AI safety summit at Bletchley Park, seeks to utilize AI to alleviate some of the most salient challenges felt by developing nations, harnessing this technology to speed up drug development, tackling food insecurity and using cutting-edge technology to create a more equitable and prosperous future.

The U.K. AI for development program pledged £80 million to be able to achieve its goals with the U.K. providing £38 million worth of funding to tackle the aforementioned issues and to spur technology-led innovation within the African population, facilitating long-term development.

Tackling Food Insecurity

Sub-Saharan Africa experiences the most severe effects of undernutrition, with some countries seeing a regression in nutritional improvements contrary to global trends, including rising cases of conditions like stunting. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have significantly hindered progress in addressing food insecurity. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains, while the conflict has driven up global food prices. Additionally, climate change with its most acute impacts in the global south, threatens food security by disrupting the factors necessary for food production.

U.K. AI for development program will aid in alleviating these challenges by integrating AI into Sub-Saharan African practices, in which farmers are generally operating through non-mechanized practices. The introduction of AI will allow for the uptake of the different facets of ‘precision farming’ which allows for more food production through the reduction of wastage and accurate allocation of resources, more reactive and informed planting decisions with regards to conditions induced by climate change, the reduction of inputs (conservation) and improved market efficiency and technology such as geographic information systems, microcomputers, and global navigation satellite systems to inform the farmers on optimal seed selection, crop rotations, irrigation and various other decision processes in the production process.

AI-led soil fertility measurement systems can identify yield-limiting factors, guiding farmers on the optimal locations for planting crops to maximize production and advising where to avoid planting until chemical balances become more favorable. Moreover, this boost in production can complement AI-based market tools that enhance communication among market participants. As a result, consumers gain access to more affordable and diverse food options, while reducing wastage that often results from overestimating market size. Together, these innovations contribute to mitigating the factors that lead to food insecurity.

AI for Development: Medical Innovation

In part, £100 million in funding will be used to accelerate the use of AI in health care and medical sciences. AI when used in conjunction with medical practices can have significant positive impacts on tackling disease, hospital function and inefficiencies in drug development, all of which contribute to mortality rates, disability rates and hospitalization all of which have the potential to stifle the prosperity of a nation.

Through the U.K. AI for development program, Africa can benefit, by reducing the traditionally protracted timeline associated with drug production, which is typically 10-15 years and costs approximately $2.5 Billion. Furthermore, Africa is primarily an importer of foreign medicines, relying on Asian-made supplies, but utilizing AI will allow these barriers, such as the high cost to be reduced and so will allow Africa to participate in the pharmaceutical development process.

Additionally, health care services can access crucial patient data in a more streamlined, contextual and timely manner. Efforts are underway to facilitate remote consultations via AI, especially in rural areas where distances from health care facilities pose challenges.

Technology Fluency and AI Innovation

The U.K. AI for Development Programme acknowledges the critical role of African nations in the discourse on AI and its future. It mirrors the U.K.’s aim to use AI as a ‘force for good.’ Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, emphasizes the power of inclusivity. This approach enables Africans to transition from merely consuming high technology and AI to producing it. The initiative specifically aims to ensure that at least five African nations become influential in the global conversation about AI.

They must be able to keep pace with this AI ‘revolution’ and not fall victim to previous lags in technological advances due to a lack of local capacity and knowledge, to be able to experience self-determined social growth. Examples of how this will be achieved are through investment in post-graduate study programmes in Nigeria and the provision of locally focussed data sets which are open to use for the country.

Leap Forward in Sub-Saharan Africa

The U.K. AI for Development program, in collaboration with African partners, recognizes the essential criteria for the success of AI technologies: relevance, affordability and usability within the communities they aim to benefit. By actively engaging with local organizations that share their vision, the project is significantly enhancing technological literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative stands as a beacon of innovation, demonstrating the profound impact that tailored, accessible AI solutions can have in transforming lives and fostering sustainable development across the region.

– Tevin Muendo
Photo: Unsplash

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Cricket and Poverty Reduction in India

Cricket and Poverty Reduction in IndiaAccording to Wisevoter, India’s poverty rate in 2023 was 21.9%, which ranked it as the 79th country most affected by poverty globally. However, the 2023 National Multidimensional Poverty Index report highlights India’s considerable progress in reducing this percentage. The report indicates that India’s population living in multidimensional poverty has decreased from 24.85% to 14.96% since the last recorded statistics. Hence, a remarkable achievement and India aims to continue this positive trend. This article highlights the relationship between cricket and poverty reduction in India.

Cricket and Creating a Distinct Identity

Cricket has played a significant role in India’s fight against poverty, with a history deeply intertwined with the nation’s quest for autonomy and the ability to shape one’s destiny. A sport introduced by the British Empire became a symbol of resistance for India during its struggle for independence. The game allowed individuals from impoverished backgrounds to achieve economic and social mobility. Pamala Devan stated, “Cricket has enabled social mobility among the Indian people, allowing cricketers from humble origins to master the sport and move to larger cities to showcase their cricketing skills.” This aspect of cricket has provided many with the opportunity to improve their lives and status within society.

Furthermore, the British Empire hoped that by introducing an ‘English’ game, they could control the lower class, when in fact, they provided India with a vehicle to assert their own identity whilst being given a tool to ascend the position the British sought for them, as subservient. Cricket allowed this process to continue post-independence, where the economically disadvantaged can escape poverty via an Indian symbol of freedom: cricket.

The Economic Advantages of Cricket

Cricket’s role in reducing poverty in India is significantly aided by its significant role in India’s economy, providing a considerable economic advantage. As Pamela Devan notes, India is the world’s largest cricket consumer, generating 60% of the world’s cricket income. With a population of more than one billion, India naturally boasts the most prominent TV audiences. Moreover, cricket is not simply a passive spectator sport for many Indians and South Asians; many have also played the game.

Playing cricket, particularly for those from impoverished backgrounds, offers a means of escaping poverty and achieving international stardom, a path that has been available for several decades. This can also increase exposure to Indian culture and showcase world-class cricket players through events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and on international stages, allowing audiences to enjoy the sport.

The Indian Premier League (IPL)

Cricket’s role in reducing poverty in India involves collaboration between the Indian Government and cricketing organizations. In 2014, the economic benefits of increased visibility became clear when two teams reported significant profits: Kolkata Knight Riders announced a profit of Rs 14.15 crore ($2.12 million) and Kings XI Punjab reported earnings of Rs 12.76 crore ($1.91 million). The IPL has showcased its marketing prowess by signing players with high market values, ensuring excellent returns on investment both internationally and regionally.

Cricket: A Catalyst for Change in India

The collaboration between the Indian government and cricket organizations, including the IPL, highlights a unique approach to addressing poverty while fostering national pride. These partnerships have not only elevated India’s stature on the global stage but also underscored the potential of sports as a vehicle for social and economic development.

The strategic use of cricket in poverty alleviation efforts exemplifies a successful model for integrating sports into national development agendas. The link between cricket and poverty reduction in India is strengthening the economy through initiatives and providing valuable insights for other nations. The positive impact of cricket in India serves as a powerful testament to the role of sports in driving meaningful change and improving lives across the globe.

– Jordan Cunningham
Photo: Pexels

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On the Brink of Eradication: Polio in Pakistan

Pakistan and Polio: On the Brink of Eradication Polio was once a disease that threatened children across the world, its outbreak was a constant cause of worry among communities in every country. However, thanks to successful worldwide immunization, more than 2.5 billion children have received a polio vaccination since the late 1980s and polio is largely a disease of the past. However, children still face the threat of polio in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, where the disease remains endemic.

Polio is an extremely infectious viral disease, largely affecting young children under five. Symptoms can range widely from flu-like illness to paralysis or even death, with paralysis victims often permanently losing use of their legs or arms. This life-altering virus spreads via fecal-oral transmission or occasionally through contaminated food or water and can spread rapidly through communities if not managed carefully.

Eradicating Polio in Pakistan

In an effort to tackle the persisting threat of the virus, Pakistan launched its Polio Eradication Programme in 1994 and has since seen a significant decline in polio cases, with cases dropping from 20,000 annually in the 1990s to only eight cases in 2018.

The country’s eradication strategy prioritizes:

  • Quick and early detection, containment and elimination of outbreaks
  • Efficient and widespread vaccination
  • Dedicated and properly trained frontline workers
  • Continued government attention and support
  • Coordinating their efforts with neighboring Afghanistan, where polio is also a pressing health issue.

Vaccine Home Delivery

In 2000, the year Pakistan launched home delivery of the oral polio vaccine (OPV), there were a reported 119 cases of polio in Pakistan. Although figures were initially on the decline, with only 32 cases reported less than a decade later, these figures have been steadily increasing since 2008. In 2019, there were 146 cases of polio in Pakistan reported.

Many parents and carers are beginning to refuse the vaccine for their children, proving to be a critical factor in polio’s resurgence. In polio-endemic countries such as Pakistan, children require multiple doses of the vaccine in order to build up sufficient immunity from the disease.

Tracking Reasons for OPV Rejection

In an attempt to address the rising rejection of OPV, the World Health Organisation (WHO) developed a tally sheet for frontline workers to make a record of the various reasons for vaccine refusal.

Here are some of the notable reasons for rejection:

  • Religious beliefs
  • Children unavailable to receive OPV (such as being unwell or sleeping)
  • Demand of compensation
  • “Campaign fatigue”, whereby parents had lost patience with repeated OPV campaigns

However, despite this regression in the 2010s, polio in Pakistan has been back on the decline in recent years. Cases dropped by 36% from 2019 to 2020, with numbers continuing to drop in 2021. This is reassuring progress for Pakistan and all the more impressive when considering the additional challenges the Coronavirus pandemic posed to the safety and efficiency of successful OPV rollout.

Polio in Pakistan: The Future

In 2023, there were six reported cases of polio in Pakistan. As the country continues to press on with its fight against this life-altering virus, there seems reason for optimism for the future. Consistent and thorough vaccination campaigns continue to be carried out across Pakistan, but it seems that successfully and thoroughly eradicating polio relies upon both the continued efforts from the government and health care workers in hand with consistent cooperation from parents.

– Rose Williams
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