Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Wheels of Change: Motivation’s Wheelchair Initiative

Wheelchair InitiativeThe current proportion of international aid going towards disabled people is insufficient. Only 0.1% of all aid in 2021 went towards projects primarily focusing on disability. Therefore, Motivation, an international development charity and social enterprise focusing on wheelchair provision and assistive technology (AT) in low-income countries, is so important.

The Stats

The WHO’s Global Report on Assistive Technology states, “Access to assistive technology is a human right and a precondition for equal opportunities and participation.” Around the world today, more than 75 million people need appropriate wheelchairs and services to enable mobility and unleash their full potential in society. Four in five people live in developing countries, and sadly, less than 10% have access to the support they are entitled to, preventing millions of people from contributing to society. Furthermore, without AT, disabled people and their families encounter restricted opportunities for education and employment, leading to diminished health and well-being, as well as heightened rates of poverty.

Poverty and disability exist in a vicious cycle, with poverty leading to disability and disability worsening poverty. Delivering wheelchair services to those who need them can, therefore, help break the link between poverty and disability as well as a long list of societal benefits. The majority of the world’s disabled people live in the Global South, and only 0.5% of international aid emphasizes disability inclusion. This is where Motivation’s wheelchair initiative comes in.

Motivation

Motivation, registered as a U.K. charity in 1992, launched several projects last year in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and India. They implement a “user-focused and user-led” approach to their programs and products. It has a long and successful history of providing appropriate wheelchairs, their most widespread AT product. Appropriate wheelchairs suit the user’s needs and their living environment. A one-size-fits-all approach using the cheapest wheelchair can cause secondary injuries or disabilities and be discarded quickly. Motivation, therefore, designs and supplies wheelchairs that fit correctly are safe, durable and affordable. It also hires physiotherapists, clinicians and professionals for mobility training and maintenance so users can modify and repair their chairs. 

Motivation had an incredibly impactful 2022. More than 1,300 disabled people received wheelchairs that fit their needs, along with mobility and life skills training. The absence of AT for children with disabilities results in lower school completion and poverty later in life. Motivation’s efforts saw more than 430 disabled children regularly attend primary school, develop improved eating habits, and become more included in their families and communities. Disability is rarely just a burden for one person; families, dependents, schools and local government are also affected. Therefore, on a grand scale, Motivation impacted at least 99,000 lives last year — a testament to the power of assistive technology and Motivation’s wheelchair initiative in developing countries. 

Why Motivation’s Wheelchair Initiative Matters 

Motivation’s wheelchair provision unleashes human potential. Through assistive technology, countless individuals gain the ability to actively contribute to the workforce, unlocking untapped potential and broadening the talent pool. Proving appropriate wheelchairs can also foster more significant social and political stability. By reducing the association between disability and poverty, people’s economic conditions improve, leading to greater social harmony. Additionally, empowering individuals to lead independent lives alleviates stress on strained health care and welfare systems in developing countries.

Fighting poverty creates jobs and market expansion, and Motivation’s vision is no different. Access to wheelchairs drives market activity for products and services, fostering job growth in the technology sector and its affiliated industries. This cycle generates economic advantages and is pivotal in global economic development. It improves cooperation among nations, promoting global trade in the disability needs sector.

– Sam Waterkeyn
Photo: Flickr

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2 Organizations Helping Women in India

Women in IndiaA civilization’s treatment of women reflects its stature. Among the many reasons India’s ancient culture is admired, a prominent one is the high position accorded to women. Manu, the renowned law-giver, stated, “Where women are respected, gods dwell.” The status of women in modern India is considerably lower. In 2021, the World Bank reported that fewer than one in five women had formal employment — a number on par with pre-Taliban Afghanistan. It is concerning that, despite India being more liberal and developed, its female labor participation remains at this level.

These statistics reflect an increasing number of Indian women leaving formal employment, even as the economy grows. Major factors that contribute to these statistics include:

  • Dangerous or inaccessible work environments.
  • Underpaid labor.
  • Lack of training or employment skills.
  • Domestic labor demands.
  • Conservative beliefs that women should not work outside the home.

MasterG Class

Launched in 2015, MasterG is India’s first all-women garment design and skill development organization. Its founder, Gayatri Jolly, studied fashion design at Parsons in the United States, then returned to India to advance the training of women in fashion. Fashion design in India is a male-dominated industry, socially excluding women from garment manufacturing.

In an interview with Global Connections Television in 2015, Jolly defined fashion as a way to empower and sustain women, and help impoverished people all over the world. MasterG has an entrepreneurship program that aims to train those living in urban slums in a way that makes them immediately employable. It teaches six months of garment construction skills and ends with the gift of a sewing machine to each trainee.

After working with big labels such as Doodlage and NorBlack NorWhite, MasterG launched an independent label called Heimat — the German word for belonging. This in-house label changes the organization from charity-driven to market-driven, increasing trainee skills beyond design and construction to include marketing and sales.

MasterG also launched digital learning programs in regional languages through Coursera, to widen its reach in the country. Upon program completion, trainees have a variety of employment paths, including working in design or export houses, opening small tailoring and garment shops and becoming teachers. They acquire skills in using smartphones for education and leverage platforms like Instagram for showcasing and selling their garments online.

SEWA Foundation

Established in 1972, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is the largest Central Trade Union in India, with membership exceeding 2.5 million people as of 2023.

Its founder, Ela Bhatt, studied law and spent her early career working with the Textile Laborer’s Association. This experience inspired her to focus on organization and coordination as a way to uplift the poor in a sustainable way. In the 1970s, 90% of India’s workforce were unprotected laborers, most of them women in domestic or agricultural labor at home, or selling products at markets. SEWA originated to redefine employment beyond an employer-employee relationship and provide basic protections for these women.

Through decentralized and affordable approaches, SEWA makes essential services easily accessible, ensuring the financial sustainability of support systems. These include SEWA Bank, health services, national insurance, managing school, a center for training and research and the Mahila Housing Trust.

In 2021, SEWA orchestrated Women, Work, and Food Systems: Voices from Grassroots. This national dialogue provided a platform for informal sector women workers in India to share their issues, challenges and solutions, integrating them into the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS) workstreams. The dialogue focused on enhancing the visibility, identity, and livelihood of female workers in the food industry.

Among its achievements, SEWA formed RUDI, an agribusiness enterprise fully owned and managed by the female farmers of Gujarat. SEWA also organized 600 women in the Jammu Kashmir Valley and taught them new agricultural techniques and technology, communications, marketing, leadership and management skills. This enabled them to sell their products directly to markets, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

An Indian Express report suggests that women’s increased participation in entrepreneurship could elevate India’s GDP by $700 billion by 2025. By creating and managing businesses, female entrepreneurs not only provide job opportunities for fellow women but also serve as inspiration for others to join the workforce, contributing to substantial economic growth. With organizations that bring value and recognition to women’s labor, as well as skills training, women from all sections of society gain a better future.

– Asra Mairaj
Photo: Pexels

Addressing Elderly Poverty in Guatemala

Elderly Poverty in GuatemalaIn Guatemala, approximately 65% of the elderly population lives in poverty. This group experiences persistent gaps in access to basic services and has limited access to employment and other productive opportunities, despite the newly created Economic Contribution Program for the Elderly. 

Additionally, extreme weather events have reversed gains in human capital, destroyed infrastructure, reduced agricultural output, intensified food insecurity, spread diseases and disrupted services. Guatemala’s poverty and inequality rates are among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. Poverty is rampant in Guatemala, but some organizations are tackling this problem and aiding those in need.

MAAN Association

This organization supports elderly adults who do not have access to shelters or protection from the environment. MAAN partners with nursing homes to give the elderly in poverty a safe place to live and access to care they may need. The self-supporting group offers custom-sized wheelchairs to seniors with mobility issues. It also connects the elderly with basic resources, such as medicine, medical consultations and donated food. 

MAAN also offers legal support to seniors who are experiencing elder abuse or neglect. This includes seniors whose children kick them out, mortgage their homes without consent or steal their pensions.

International Volunteer HQ

International Volunteer HQ is a volunteer-abroad company with a program focusing on elder care in Guatemala. It pairs international volunteers of all ages with elders, providing one-on-one recreation and socialization, house cleaning and food services, bolstering the physical and mental health of the elderly in poverty. By receiving inexpensive care from these volunteers, the elderly are more able to engage in productive activities. This can help lift them out of poverty. Additionally, this organization provides connections that most of these citizens have not experienced before, including exposure to other cultures and languages. 

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is addressing elderly poverty in Guatemala by helping senior citizens take control of their health. The organization leads a “take control of your health” program that aims at encouraging self-care among Guatemala’s elderly population living with noncommunicable diseases. This six-week educational program includes tips to control blood pressure and diabetes, complete more physical activity, eat smaller portions, stay hydrated, interpret food labeling and take medication on time. By giving these citizens access to better health care information, PAHO is alleviating the cycle of elderly poverty in Guatemala and enabling the elderly to participate in productive economic opportunities.

Looking Forward

In Guatemala, the MAAN Association, International Volunteer HQ and PAHO are working to alleviate elderly poverty by improving health care, fostering social connections and promoting economic participation. With increased focus on reducing elderly poverty, Guatemala can become a more resilient and productive country.

– Sara Agosto
Photo: Pixabay

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Innovation and Technology in Nicaragua

Technology in NicaraguaThe nation of Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with almost 25% of families struggling below the extreme poverty line living off less than $1.25 per day. With more than 1.3 million citizens suffering from a lack of economic opportunity, access to decent health care and roadblocks to change, the country’s trajectory is in a downward spiral. However, the modern face of innovation and technology has provided opportunities for specialized groups to have a real effect on many contributors to national poverty.

Tackling Teen Pregnancy

In Latin America, the number of teen pregnancies (between the ages of 15 and 19) are some of the highest percentages in the world. In 2019, that recorded statistic reached as high as 83.3 cases of pregnancy per every 1,000 women. These pregnancies and the rise in STIs associated with them, when occurring within low-income families, present challenges to the medical, social and economic positions of those affected, further inflaming already struggling families and limiting future life opportunities. 

Sometimes, prevention of teen pregnancy altogether can be as simple as reaching out to and educating teens on safe practices, which was the goal of Teen Smart International’s (TSI) program in Nicaragua. In 2019, TSI developed information packets (micro-messages) delivered through email and mobile apps — delivery venues frequented by the demographic in question. As of 2022, efforts saw as many as 50,000 teens engaged with the online program over the three years, with 98% reporting being satisfied with the results, presenting a viable avenue for improving the education and eventually even the lives, of Nicaragua’s youth.

Technology in Farming

As an agriculturally reliant country, many of Nicaragua’s poorest families have to weather the many challenges and developing complications of fishing and farming, from water scarcity to market and environmental instability, to keep themselves fed. As of 2022, 16.78% of the country’s GDP could be attributed solely to the agricultural sector, necessitating efforts to empower struggling farmers.

Non-Profit International Development Enterprises (iDE) tackle these areas by addressing road bumps on the path to climate sustainability and providing technology to smooth them over. It established ‘iDEal Technologias’ in Nicaragua to directly support the various small farms of Nicaragua and keep them sustainable across competitive and unforgiving markets. Smart application of technology and innovation in Nicaragua, such as providing low-pressure irrigation systems combined with long-term consultancy, helps bridge the gap between what these farms need and what they can feasibly acquire as poor farmers. The iDE, in particular, has managed to seriously transform the lives of the farmers they work with, increasing the annual profits of their partners and reinforcing opportunity and the broader economy. 

Expanding Health Care

Health Care has remained a point of contention for Nicaragua’s developmental goals throughout most of the 2000s, with limited hospital coverage, lack of general health insurance and a high poverty rate limiting access to potentially life-saving medication and even just enough to keep children from suffering the effects of malnutrition. Advancements to the health care system can come slowly in Nicaragua, but the aftermath of COVID-19 helped spur efforts to preserve vaccines. 

A vaccine storage center opened in Nicaragua, funded with foreign investment from the governments of Canada and Japan, the GAVI alliance, PHAO and UNICEF — providing storage for vital vaccinations that support 30% of the country’s population. With these upgrades to technology and innovation in Nicaragua, the country’s health care can work better to promote the immunization of children and pregnant women and provide a buffer in the event of any viral outbreaks in the future.

Poverty statistics have improved steadily over the past decade. With the rigors of creative innovation and the utilization of modern technology, we have started to see further improvements in addressing pain points, which is key to dealing with the causes of poverty in Nicaragua. The trick is bridging the space between modern technology’s benefits and the feasibility of bringing these tools to developing countries and solving that the biggest hurdle to overcome is the joining of technology and innovation in Nicaragua for the future.

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Flickr

Creative Solutions for Nutritional Deficiencies

For the majority of developed nations, iodine deficiencies are rare. Table salt and most U.S. farmland where food is grown are infused with iodine. However, this is not the case in India, where approximately 350 million people risk developing an iodine deficiency. Foods rich in iodine, such as seafood, dairy or eggs, are oftentimes inaccessible or too expensive to consume regularly. Iodine produces thyroid hormones, which control the body’s metabolism. During pregnancy and infancy, thyroid hormones are responsible for brain development. Pregnant and nursing mothers and their newborn babies have the highest risk of developing an iodine deficiency. Newborns with an iodine deficiency are at risk of brain damage and stunted growth, while pregnant and nursing mothers may face fertility problems and miscarriages. Though supplements exist, millions are unable to afford their expenses. 

The Life Saving Dot

To combat this unfortunate reality and provide tangible solutions for nutritional deficiencies, Grey For Good partnered with Neelvasant Medical Foundation and Research Center to invent the “life-saving dot.” Indian women traditionally wear bindis, colored dots at the center of their eyebrows, for religious purposes or to signal that they are married. Recently, bindis have grown in popularity, and most Indian women wear them. The life-saving dot is a bindi coated in iodine that delivers the recommended amount of 150-220 micrograms of the mineral to consumers every day. To reach as many people in need as possible, the life-saving dot costs only 10 rupees, or 16 cents, for a packet of 30 bindis. 

Risks Associated with an Iron Deficiency

In addition to iodine, iron deficiencies are common worldwide, affecting over two billion people in both developed and underdeveloped nations. Iron is responsible for the transport of oxygen throughout the bloodstream. When one doesn’t have enough of this vital mineral stored, fatigue, shortness of breath and lack of concentration are expected side effects. According to the NHS, “Severe iron deficiency anemia may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure, where your heart is unable to pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.” Iron is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency, disproportionately affecting menstruating women, children and those eating a primarily vegetarian diet.

The Lucky Iron Fish

In 2008, a nonprofit (unnamed at the time) set out to innovate another creative solution for nutritional deficiencies. The organization dedicated itself to finding a sustainable and accessible source of iron for the rural Cambodians. Cambodians consider fish as a symbol of good luck. Hence, “The Lucky Iron Fish” was born. The Lucky Iron Fish is a cooking tool that provides consumers with their recommended daily dose of iron when combined with a few drops of citrus and boiled in water for 10 minutes. Consumers can add the fish to their boiling soup or curry dish to iron-fortify their meals. More than 285,000 lives have been positively impacted by this innovation. The nonprofit, now known as “Lucky Iron Life,” partners with organizations and community members worldwide to provide educational resources to help address and present solutions for nutritional deficiencies in their communities. 

–Sophia Loizos

Photo: Flickr

Addressing Infant Mortality in Sierra Leone

Infant Mortality in Sierra LeoneInfant mortality is a horrific issue that all countries face on some level, but developing countries face much more severely. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines infant mortality as any death that occurs before a baby’s first birthday. It also defines infant mortality rates as “the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births.” Although it is unfortunate need to track such a thing, there is hope that tracking these statistics could help lead to improvement. This hope is especially real for Sierra Leone, a country that experiences one of the highest cases of infant mortality worldwide.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a beautiful country in West Africa that shares borders with the Atlantic Ocean, Guinea and Liberia. Although it is rich in beauty, it is one of the poorest nations in the world. As a result, many people lack necessities such as food, water, shelter and medical care. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that 57% of people in Sierra Leone are food insecure. This is due to a plethora of issues, such as ongoing conflict and war in the region, Ebola outbreaks, unpredictable natural disasters that make farming difficult, and a long history of corruption in government. It is no wonder that under such difficult circumstances, the infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone is so high.

Infant Mortality in Sierra Leone

Infant mortality rates in Sierra Leone are much higher than the world’s average. Project Hope shared the statistic that “at 1,360 deaths per 100,000 live births,” Sierra Leone’s infant mortality rate is “six times higher than the global average.” Additionally, mothers are more likely to die during childbirth as well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2019, 717 mothers died annually for every 100,000 live births in Sierra Leone. Children mainly die from diarrheal infections, malaria, pneumonia and malnourishment. Mothers tend to die from pregnancy complications such as hemorrhages and labor issues. Sierra Leone hopes to improve these systems since these issues can be fixed with the proper medical resources and necessities. 

Improvements 

Infant mortality rates in Sierra Leone have been decreasing over the last few years due to measures taken, but much more work is necessary. Programs to address poverty can play an amazing role in decreasing infant mortality rates and also helping to save and support expecting mothers. For example, one program that the Quality Essential Health Services and Systems Support Project (QEHSSSP) runs, which has funding from the World Bank, integrated community health systems into Sierra Leone, and expecting mothers said they could see a real difference in their medical care.

Even just the accessibility of having such a program seemed to make a positive difference. Statista revealed that the “infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone decreased by 2.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (-2.73%) in 2021 compared to the previous year.” Hopefully, this trend will continue. With more education and resources, the infant mortality rates in Sierra Leone can reduce. 

Looking Forward

Infant mortality is a devastating reality that often comes as a result of poverty. Luckily, by tracking the information on where, how and why these deaths occur, we can find hope for a better future for expecting mothers and infants. Sierra Leone is a great example of change that is needed and is beginning to take place. With more time, research and improvement, it is possible that infant mortality in Sierra Leone can decrease. 

– Rachel Breeden
Photo: Flickr

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Solving Nigeria’s Food Emergency

Nigeria’s Food EmergencyCurrently, Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa, is facing a significant food shortage crisis. According to a UNICEF report in January, “nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken.” Now, in July, Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has declared the country in a state of national emergency over food. Further, The Conversation reports that almost 6 million children across northwest and northeast Nigeria have been subject to acute malnutrition, with nearly 2 million suffering severely. Several causes have led to Nigeria’s food emergency; therefore, it is vital to understand them before proposing solutions. 

Causes 

UNICEF’s report covering the Nigerian food emergency crisis suggests the floods that occurred in 2022 contributed greatly: “Widespread flooding in the 2022 rainy season damaged more than 676,000 hectares of farmlands.” The floods resulted in a devastating loss of harvests, creating an increased level of food insecurity for a considerable number of families. Additionally, conflict and violence throughout the country have increased food shortage levels. This, combined with extreme shifts in weather, has created an overwhelming food insecurity status across Nigeria, meaning potential solutions that can bring the country out of this state of emergency are desperately needed.

Education 

Action Against Hunger has continuously worked to alleviate Nigeria’s food emergency issue and has developed numerous education programs to help prevent food insecurity. The organization’s Porridge Moms program aims to educate mothers impacted by a lack of food on creating nutritious meals, thus reducing malnutrition levels in the Nigerian population. This system not only creates a long-term solution but also generates a support system for Nigerian women who have endured suffering. Action Against Hunger was able to help almost 3 million people in 2022.

Developing Income-Generating Activities

Nigeria requires both short and long-term results to ensure a reversal of their food emergency. In response, the World Food Program has prioritized the development of income-generating activities in the country: “We give cash support in the short term, while providing training so displaced people can acquire skills and employment in the long term.” The WFP has worked to create opportunities for the affected Nigerian population in vegetable gardening, aquaculture and food processing, enabling communities to prevent further food shortages from occurring in the future. 

Preventing Soil Erosion

A report from the World Bank has revealed that uncontrollable floods in southern Nigeria triggered significant soil erosion, leading to the destruction of numerous crops and farms. Soil erosion is an indirect consequence of climate change. The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) proposed numerous mechanisms to combat changing weather patterns. Such mechanisms included waste management, stormwater diversion plans and early-warning systems. NEWMAP has reported that more than 12 million people benefitted from their program.

Despite the causes that have led to Nigeria’s food emergency, many organizations are proposing a vast multitude of solutions across all areas to alleviate food insecurity. With help from the rest of the world, the country of Nigeria can look to a brighter future with the assistance of the charitable organizations already devoted to the country.

– Ibrahim Azam
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Child Poverty in the Philippines

Child Poverty in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago just east of Vietnam, comprising more than 7,000 individual islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is the second most-populated country in Asia, which tourists know as being home to a rich culture and popular cuisine. However, many Filipinos struggle with the consequences of intense wealth disparity within the Southeast Asian country, which has resulted in significant child poverty in the Philippines as well.

Child Poverty in the Philippines

According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), child poverty in the Philippines is a pressing issue. UNICEF stated in its report on the Southeast Asian country that children experiencing poverty in the Philippines face “deep-rooted deprivations and vulnerabilities that impede their survival, development, protection and participation.”

Intense wealth disparity, combined with the general instability of the country’s infrastructure, has created an environment where government programs “are not enough to reduce families’ vulnerability” and do not provide enough of a foundation for these vulnerable populations “to protect themselves against risks and losses to their income.” UNICEF explained that poverty exposes children to circumstances that “threaten their survival and growth.” In the Philippines, more than one-third of Filipino children live below the poverty line and face this harsh reality day-to-day. 

UNICEF described how those experiencing child poverty in the Philippines “easily end up suffering from poor health and malnutrition,” which harms their potential to thrive as adults. In turn, these factors negatively affect the overall future of the country’s workforce, and generational poverty continues. 

Arms of Love International

Because of the high incidence of childhood poverty in the Philippines, humanitarian organizations working to provide aid within the country are more relevant than ever. One of these organizations is Arms of Love International or Arms of Love.

According to the Arms of Love website, Robert Benson founded it in the Philippines in 2001. Benson faced abandonment and abuse as a child and felt moved to provide the essential foundation to succeed that he received from a family that took him in during a time when he needed it most. 

Benson described how he felt “the call from God to build homes for abandoned and abused children.” Arms of Love now provides “a home and a loving family for children who desperately need a safe place to live and grow” in the Philippines. The organization’s goal is to provide support now so that in the future, “communities are healthier and stronger.”

The Residential Care Program

Its website also highlighted the organization’s belief that “every child has the right to a home of safety and security.” The harsh reality is that children receiving aid from Arms of Love “share one thing in common- they have nowhere to live and no one to care for them.” Because of this, the organization’s key goal is to provide shelter, support and “a place they may always call home” when these children need it most.

Arms of Love operates two main programs to achieve its goal of alleviating childhood poverty in the Philippines. The first is the Residential Care Program. This program operates through establishing residential homes for “abandoned, abused, and orphaned” on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. Within these homes, children receiving aid from Arms of Love receive “comprehensive care, like education and health care, while living in a family environment with house-parent couples.” This care is in addition to ensuring their most basic needs are satisfied.

The Independent Living Program

Beyond its Residential Care program, Arms of Love also operates the Independent Living Program. The organization wants the children they help to “succeed in life and to ultimately be able to support themselves and have their own healthy family.” With this, the organization works to go beyond just satisfying these children’s most basic needs and seeks “to break the cycle of poverty itself” and “change the legacy” of the families it helps. 

With this, its Independent Living Program completes the work that the Residential Care Program started. In this program, Arms of Love “teaches students to be responsible young adults through part-time employment, budget training,” and more to ensure those receiving aid can succeed independently. These students are then set up in independent living situations and provided aid.

Looking Ahead

Child poverty is a deep-rooted issue in the Philippines. Disparity of wealth and socioeconomic pressures are some factors contributing to this issue. Because of this, the work that Arms of Love and similar humanitarian organizations are doing to create sustainable change is much needed within the country.

– Rosemary Wright
Photo: Flickr

How An Internet Connection Can Prevent Poverty in Pakistan

Poverty in PakistanPoverty in Pakistan rose to 39.4% in 2023. This implies there are many new reasons to prevent poverty in the country. In the past, Pakistani policymakers were tasked with finding solutions to alleviate poverty. Unfortunately, the challenges posed by economic inequality and the widespread nature of poverty hindered the effectiveness of their efforts, resulting in a limited number of successful solutions.

Fortunately, more than 183 million Pakistanis now own smartphones with preloaded internet access. This signifies that a substantial portion of the population can connect to the internet and engage with billions of other users online. Here are 8 reasons why having an internet connection can help reduce poverty in Pakistan.

Education

The benefits of school pupils having internet access include having trackers on their phones, keeping their school informed about their attendance and online schooling for those unable to access education venues in their local areas. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial role of internet connectivity for young Pakistani students. Lack of access left them in isolation, missing out on valuable educational opportunities.

Terrorism

Poverty in Pakistan does have a link to terrorism because those from poverty-stricken areas are more likely to become involved in terrorist organizations. It is widely acknowledged that many terrorist organizations actively utilize the internet, particularly internet chatrooms, to spread their ideology and identify potential recruits. Given that social media serves as a primary platform for social interaction among young internet users, this presents a significant concern.

Given that social media serves as a primary platform for social interaction among young internet users, this presents a significant concern. Fortunately, the Violent Extremism Prevention Unit (VEPU) is dedicated to identifying potentially dangerous accounts and taking prompt action to eliminate them. In 2023, more than 700 potentially dangerous accounts were removed from the web, thus protecting Pakistani users from danger.

Food

Through a combination of education and access to updated knowledge on farming practices, the people of Pakistan can make significant strides in agriculture. A digital avenue facilitating this is the Kisan Card Scheme, a government initiative providing cards to farmers and information on successful productivity to farmers. This program aims to facilitate registered farmers to “get benefits from various government schemes like subsidies, loans, insurance, etc.”

Financial

To help those struggling financially, the World Bank initiated the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to act as a safety net for those struggling with poverty. Through the BISP program, Pakistani people can use their internet connections to perform an online banking interaction, after which funds can be transferred from the World Bank to support them in meeting their essential needs.

Domestic

Women in Pakistan face many issues, such as restricted mobility, limited lifestyle choices and the persistent threat of abuse. In 2013, recognizing the need for a supportive platform, Group Soul Sisters Pakistan was established on the social networking site Facebook. This private group chat serves as a space for women to share their stories and offer mutual support to one another.

Employment

Social networking plays a pivotal role in job or apprenticeship searches and its absence can impede employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Those with internet access can create accounts on platforms such as Rozee or Total Jobs to facilitate the exploration of professions that align with their skills and preferences, thereby enhancing their chances of securing employment.

Medicine

Telemedicine is a concept that can help treat those in poverty-stricken areas rurally. This helps prevent the patients from traveling miles to receive medical attention. As of 2022, telemedicine formats include virtual videos and text messages providing medicinal incite for patients, which are distributed out rurally.

Politics

Access to the internet provides an empowering avenue for the disadvantaged people of Pakistan to voice their concerns and challenge their government. Since the internet became widely available in the ’90s, individuals from various social classes have been able to closely monitor their political leaders, enabling a more engaged and informed citizenry.

– Phoebe Vaughan
Photo: Flickr

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Empowering Women: Community Libraries in Rural Asia

Rural Asian LibrariesIn the heart of rural Asia, community libraries are emerging as vital centers for women’s education and empowerment. Once viewed as simple repositories for books, these institutions are transforming into dynamic spaces that offer much more than just reading material. They are becoming crucial in bridging the educational gender gap prevalent in many rural areas. Here is more information about community libraries in rural Asia.

Education in Rural Asia

Education in rural Asian communities often faces obstacles like limited resources and gender biases. Community libraries in rural Asia are challenging this by providing accessible educational tools and programs. In rural Bangladesh, for instance, libraries not only provide a diverse selection of books but also host computer training and literacy classes specifically designed for women. These initiatives are pivotal in enhancing women’s abilities to secure better employment and improve their living standards. The resources and learning programs available in these libraries have opened doors for women, offering them a chance to learn new skills and gain knowledge that was previously out of reach.

How Community Libraries are Helping

The transformative power of community libraries in rural India is evident through numerous initiatives aimed at revitalizing these spaces. These libraries have become more than just places for reading; they have become active centers of learning and empowerment for local communities. Through diverse programs such as adult education and digital literacy, women in these areas are acquiring invaluable skills and knowledge. This has not only created new opportunities for personal development and employment but has also played a significant role in the social and economic upliftment of their communities. The success stories emerging from these libraries are a testament to the crucial role they play in fostering a culture of continuous learning and empowerment.

The libraries are also helping to foster a sense of empowerment and community involvement among women. Empowered with newfound skills and knowledge, women are increasingly taking on more active roles within their communities. This shift is gradually altering traditional gender dynamics, allowing for greater gender equality and community development. Women’s empowerment through education can lead to broader social changes, contributing to the overall progress of these rural areas.

Despite their successes, these community libraries face challenges, such as funding constraints and cultural barriers that sometimes hinder women’s participation. However, the future seems hopeful with increased support from nongovernmental organizations and governmental initiatives aimed at expanding educational resources and opportunities in these rural areas.

Looking Ahead

Community libraries in rural Asia are much more than just book lending facilities; they play an important role in shaping the future of women’s education and empowerment in these regions. As they continue to break down barriers and open doors to new opportunities, they pave the way toward a more inclusive and equitable society. The story of these libraries is one of resilience, hope and the transformative power of education.

– Hana Al-Khodairi
Photo: Flickr