Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Addressing Malnutrition in Burundi

MalnutritionBurundi, a landlocked country in East Africa, has long grappled with the persistent challenge of high chronic malnutrition rates. In 2019, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that Burundi has one of the highest rates of stunted growth among children at 54%. It also reported that 58.8% of children living in rural areas face an increased risk of experiencing stunted growth. Here is more about malnutrition in Burundi.

The Challenges

Food insecurity, inadequate health care infrastructure and socioeconomic challenges have long contributed to the cycle of malnutrition among the less privileged in Burundi. The Burundian government has made substantial efforts to change this status quo.

Over the years, the government has made significant efforts to bring the country’s acute malnutrition rates down to 4.8%. Recent plans, which a partnership with UNICEF facilitated, are implementing comprehensive strategies targeting the combat of chronic malnutrition in Burundi through a multisectoral approach.

Vitamin Supplements and Health Advice

UNICEF has backed several government initiatives targeting children and breastfeeding mothers, including a nationwide campaign to increase access to vitamin supplements. In 2023, 1.2 million children aged 4 to 6 received two doses of vitamin A supplements, while 500,000 children under the age of 2 received access to micronutrient powders. The supplements were accompanied by hygiene, sanitation and food care advice handed out to more than 500,000 mothers and caretakers. More than 245,000 women benefited from a targeted service aimed at reducing anemia and malnutrition rates. More than 75,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition received sufficient health care as part of the initiative. This health program aims address and improve chronic malnutrition rates in 2024.

Steering Committee (COPIL) Project

In September 2023, the second Steering Committee met to implement the third phase of a project fighting malnutrition in Burundi’s most vulnerable provinces, including Kayanza, Muyinga and Ngozi. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has invested nine million Swiss francs into the project since December 2021. The initial two phases of the project were effectively executed in Ngozi from 2013 to 2021, resulting in a notable reduction in chronic malnutrition rates among children under the age of 5 in the province. The project’s third phase intends to reduce chronic malnutrition rates to 5% across at least 60% of populations spread across Ngozi, Buye, Kiremba and Gahombo. The committee made adjustments after it examined the successes and failures of the initial phases, with the focus shifting to increasing access to basic sanitation and the production of fortified flour.

WFP Anticipatory Action

Heavy rainfall associated with El Niño in November 2023 triggered flooding, causing internal displacements and contributing to food insecurity among Burundi’s rural population. Given that 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, the country is vulnerable to experiencing a severe shortage of essential food commodities during intense climate disasters.

The World Food Program (WFP), in partnership with the Burundi Red Cross, activated the Anticipatory Action Plan to safeguard the livelihoods of those facing heightened food insecurity caused by the El Niño period. In August, the WFP assisted nearly 7,900 households in constructing resilient structures, including kitchen gardens and small animal breeding facilities, with the aim of enhancing access to nutritional food sources.

An Education and Child Nutrition Program

The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated, serves as a global feeding program aimed at assisting more than 31 million children in 48 countries. In 2022, Burundi became the latest participant in the program, gaining 6,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities and 2,000 metric tons of local commodities to assist in school meal provisions. More than 80,000 Burundian children were predicted to benefit from the aid.

While these initiatives demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to battle malnutrition, significant challenges continue to persist. Issues such as persistent poverty, lack of awareness and limited access to health care continue to hinder progress. Therefore, additional evaluation mechanisms must undergo development to ensure the effective implementation of these programs and extend their reach to a larger segment of the population, thereby building upon the progress the country has initiated. The government must continue to focus its efforts on new, modified programs to alleviate the suffering among all men, women and children enduring the effects of chronic malnutrition in Burundi.

– Megha Gupta
Photo: Flickr

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5 Innovative Solutions for Global Water and Sanitation Crises

Innovative SolutionsAccording to the United Nations (UN), more than 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and nearly half of the world’s population (3.5 billion) do not have access to safe sanitation. Therefore, striving for universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation practices will not only reduce the number of deaths due to waterborne illness, but it will also help to reduce the global disease burden by 10%. Several unconventional and innovative solutions are currently underway to address global water and sanitation crises.

1. Lifestraw

This product enables the conversion of any contaminated water source into clean, safe drinking water. The small, portable filtration device removes about 99% of contaminants, such as bacteria, parasites, chemicals, microplastics and pesticides.

For every 500 LifeStraw products that consumers buy, LifeStraw donates a LifeStraw Community Purifier to a school in need, ensuring safe drinking water for 100 kids for five years. By the end of 2022, the innovative solution had provided safe water to more than 7 million kids and 2,500 schools.

2. Peepoo Bag

The Peepoo bag is a portable, self-sanitizing and biodegradable toilet. It comprises a thin film for people to use in the absence of clean facilities. The bag includes a layer of urea that helps sanitize and break down human waste into fertilizer that individuals can then use for up to a month.

Previous studies of the Peepoo bag in Bangladesh and Kenya found the product to be especially useful to women and children due to its usefulness in situations when it was difficult to leave the house. Mothers with access to the bag also report their children were sick less often. Almost 90% of users in the study said the bag was better than their normal sanitation practices.

3. Bottle Bright

Bottle Bright, the company, offers all-natural, biodegradable cleaning tablets designed for thorough cleaning of drinking containers. These tablets use effervescent technology, enabling foaming and dissolving in water without the need for chlorine or harsh chemicals.

With each Bottle Bright package sale, the company commits to donating an equal amount of tablets to people in developing countries facing challenges in transporting water and maintaining cleanliness. Bottle Bright has distributed more than 60,000 tablets to developing communities to date.

4. Waterstep Bleachmaker

The BleachMaker utilizes electrolysis to purify large quantities of drinking water quickly, producing chlorine through the combination of salt, water and electricity to effectively eliminate harmful bacteria. The portable device can produce up to five liters of bleach every hour, providing quantities that can be used for water disinfection and medical sanitation.

In 2022, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Governments of Japan and Malawi worked together to install BleachMakers in 46 hospitals and health facilities across Malawi, empowering “public institutions to locally produce chlorine bleach more cheaply within the convenience of their facilities’ budgets.”

5. Everly

Through the creation of flavored drink mixes with clean ingredients and crucial electrolytes, Everly demonstrates a commitment to ending dehydration and waterborne diseases. For every pouch of Everly drink mix sold, the company donates a pouch of rehydration salts to ColaLife, a nonprofit committed to improving access to essential medicines and health products in developing countries. 

ColaLife gained attention for its innovative approach to utilizing the existing networks of companies like Coca-Cola to distribute health products. Specifically, they focus on oral rehydration salts and zinc supplements, which are vital in treating dehydration caused by diarrhea, a leading cause of child mortality in many developing regions.

Through Everly’s commitment to partnering with ColaLife, more than 1.5 million packets of rehydration salts have been donated to help mothers and their children in countries like Zambia gain access to life-saving nutrients.

The Importance of These Innovative Solutions

These innovative solutions for global water and sanitation crises are advantageous in that they are non-infrastructure solutions, meaning they can be implemented to help people in developing areas without political support or pushback.

While implementing policy and investments that safeguard necessary human health needs is the key to long-lasting progress in developing communities, these technological innovations are evidence of convenient, immediate opportunities for positive change. 

– Bella Simokaitis
Photo: Flickr

How the Tourism Boom in Cambodia Has Impacted Urban Poverty

Tourism Boom in CambodiaIn recent years, Cambodia has experienced a surge in tourism, attracting travelers with its rich culture and traditions, ancient temples and unique landscapes. While the recent flood of tourists has promoted economic growth and development, the tourism boom in Cambodia has also positively impacted poverty in urban areas of the country.

The Economic Impact

In the first seven months of 2023, Cambodia welcomed 409% more international visitors, a significant growth compared to the same period in 2022. The tourism boom in Cambodia has caused a significant economic boost in the urban centers, particularly in cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. The rise in tourist arrivals has led to a surge in demand for services, creating employment opportunities in many sectors, such as hospitality, transportation and retail.

Employment Opportunities

One of the most visible impacts of the tourism boom in Cambodia is the increase in job opportunities. Specifically, the hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants and tour guides, has experienced significant growth, providing jobs for a large portion of the urban workforce. Due to the growth of this sector, there was an increased demand for specialized training. In 2023, the Ministry of Tourism responded by providing hospitality training to approximately 4,106 young people from economically disadvantaged families. These trainings took place across 10 Cambodian provinces and helped to strengthen the hospitality sector.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Beyond traditional employment, the tourism boom in Cambodia has spurred entrepreneurial activities. Many individuals have taken the opportunity to establish small businesses catering to the needs and preferences of tourists. In fact, in the first 11 months of 2023, the Ministry of Commerce recorded 11,056 new businesses. This number showed an increase of about 15% in new businesses compared to the previous year.

Infrastructure Development

Recognizing the potential of tourism as a cause of economic growth, the Cambodian government has invested significantly in infrastructure development. Remote communities, previously isolated due to inefficient transportation networks, are now much better connected. As a result, economic development is fostered with new markets for local products and creating trade opportunities.

Community Development

The positive impact of the tourism boom in Cambodia goes far beyond the economic realm, benefitting community development and social welfare. As tourism revenue flows into the country, the Cambodian government and local authorities have increasingly directed these profits toward needed services, such as education and health care. 

Tourism revenue has been channeled into building schools, providing scholarships and improving educational infrastructure. Similarly, the health care sector has received much-needed attention. Medical facilities in regions with a high influx of tourists have been enhanced, ensuring that both local residents and visitors have access to quality health care services.

Overall, the boom in Cambodia tourism has generated a large profit. This revenue has helped create new job opportunities, enhance infrastructure and improve the quality of life for impoverished communities in the country.

– Trisha Borde
Photo: Flickr

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SAP Launches Educate to Employ Initiative in South Africa

Educate to Employ InitiativeIn November 2023, SAP, in collaboration with UNICEF and other public-private organizations, such as the National Youth Development Agency, activated its Educate to Employ Initiative in South Africa. The initiative aims to “introduce a pathway that will possibly resolve the disproportionate levels of youth unemployment.”

Unemployment in South Africa 

Although South Africa the most industrialized country in Africa, it ranks among countries with the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, with a reported 51.25% of its youth facing unemployment. According to the Republic of South Africa’s Quarterly Labor Force Survey in 2023, individuals aged 15 to 34 experience particularly high levels of unemployment. Notably, 60% of those between 15 and 24 years old are without employment and around 34% of young people in this age group are not engaged in employment, education or training.

How SAP is Helping

SAP will work towards granting equal opportunities for “underrepresented individuals, including minorities from diverse ethnic backgrounds, women, differently abled individuals, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged.” It will select about 100 applicants from a pool of 18,000 across the continent. The selected individuals will undergo remote training over a six to 12-month period.

The SAP Student Zone Portal allows students to learn about the latest SAP solutions for free. “The curriculum also encompasses employability skills, technology in the workplace, business foundation knowledge, SAP foundational knowledge and SAP skills certification.” Upon completion of the course, they will have the opportunity to secure various IT internships in departments such as consulting, development, analysis and support within the SAP ecosystem. 

Businesses alone cannot close the age gap in the workforce. According to a study that the National Research Foundation conducted, “the education system fails to adequately provide youth with even basic skills, such as literacy and numeracy, that employers require.” Studies show that although multiple factors are at play when it comes to youth’s access to the job market, they mainly suggest interventions that can address and offer “skills, social capital and information gaps that young people face.”

Focus on Socio-emotional Skills

Programs like this initiative focus on socio-emotional skills, also referred to as “soft skills.” These skills include emotional intelligence, problem-solving and critical thinking. Businesses that participate in programs like Educate to Employ will also have the opportunity to gain access to certified and diverse talent and help “bridge the demand and supply gap for SAP skills and accelerate digital transformation within their respective countries through a digitally skilled workforce.” 

“We welcome SAP’s continued investment into skills development for the youth and extend our congratulations to UNICEF and SAP on their partnership. The South African government is encouraged by the initiative and we look forward to supporting efforts to scale the SAP Educate to Employ initiative,” expressed Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, at an event that showcased the SAP Educate to Employ initiative in Johannesburg.

Eugene Ho, the Global Corporate Social Responsibility Director for Future Skills at SAP, said the company is not focusing on bridging the gap between education and the world but rather finding a solution “to global unemployment, increasing the competitiveness of economies and enhancing their attractiveness to investors, all of which are essential for growth.”

– Noura Dakka
Photo: Flickr

Eliminating Gender-Based Violence in Uganda

Gender-based Violence in UgandaSpotlight Initiative is a United Nations (UN) program aiming at eliminating violence against women and girls. In partnership with the European Union (EU) and other organizations, it stands as the world’s largest targeted effort to end all forms of gender-based violence. The initiative’s interventions center around six primary pillars. However, its main focus is grassroots and creative efforts, as it “believes that civil society is at the core of transformative and sustainable change.” Spotlight Initiative highlights five people who have participated in its training courses, how it has affected their lives and how it has helped them eliminate gender-based violence in Uganda.

Angela Muhindo

Angela Muhindo, a resident of Kasese District in Western Uganda, has had a physical disability since childhood, exacerbating the gender-based violence and exclusion she has faced throughout her life. In her community and many others, this is simply the norm and these same women and girls face much difficulty accessing proper health care, education and employment. Without income and land, they are even more vulnerable to exploitation. Being female and having a disability makes one “two to three times more likely than other women to experience violence.”

After Muhindo inherited her mother’s land, her uncles attempted to steal the land from her with force, believing that as a woman with a disability, she had no right to the land. To better understand her rights, she attended a Spotlight Initiative-supported training course that the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU) ran through UN Women, where she learned about inheritance rights and realized that she had legal rights to the land. With this information, she stood up to her relatives and fought for what was rightfully hers. She now lives on her land, speaks about gender-based violence in Uganda and advocates for those living with disabilities on a local radio station.

Timothy Mbene Masereka

Timothy Mbene Masereka, a village health team member in Kasese District, Western Uganda, treated community members with various illnesses. However, he felt helpless in one major health issue he witnessed over and over again: violence against women and girls, especially during his house calls. Acknowledging the predominantly male-centric nature of his community, he grappled with a deficiency in the expertise required to address this pervasive problem in a locality where discussions about gender-based violence were deemed taboo and shameful. In Uganda, 95% of women and girls experience some kind of gender-based violence after the age of 15.

Masereka attended Spotlight Initiative training sessions where he learned how to talk to men and boys about such violence, teaching them to be part of the solution and not the problem. He learned how to coach couples in resolving disputes using conversation and how to identify and support women experiencing violence, finding ways to remove them from such situations.

Lilian Nakayingo, Chantal Mukeshimana and Marcyline

Lillian Nakayingo, Chantal Mukeshimana and Marcyline, all living in Kasese District, Western Uganda, have escaped violence and become activists in their community. They all attended Spotlight Initiative-supported training courses, which equipped them with the knowledge they needed to help themselves and other women in their community. Their efforts, combined with many others, will continue the civil society efforts and create this sustainable and transformative change in ending gender-based violence in Uganda and other low-income and middle-income countries.

Other Impacts of the Initiative

One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence and in Uganda, nearly every woman or girl will experience gender-based violence at some point. However, these small and large targeted efforts made by activists worldwide and Spotlight Initiative’s global reference groups are creating transformative and sustainable change to bring an end to one of the most pervasive issues in human rights today.

The program has also supported the change in legislation that advantaged male children in inheritance and land issues. With its support, the Ugandan Parliament passed the Succession (Amendment) Bill in March 2021, formally recognizing women’s rights in owning land. Additional efforts that the initiative has made include supporting the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) to advocate for an end to discriminatory policies preventing pregnant women and girls from their right to education. Spotlight Initiative’s dedication to the “Leaving No One Behind” principle and their dedication to representing groups in other intersecting forms of discrimination sets them apart, creating a positive impact in developing nations and ending gender-based violence.

– Aadya Deepak
Photo: Flickr

Mobile Money for Remittances

Mobile Money for RemittancesCurrently, more people are using mobile phones in sub-Saharan Africa than in the United States (U.S.). In December 2016, the region had 420 million unique mobile subscribers, but the actual number of people with access to mobile phones is likely larger, since this refers only to individual SIM connections, and it is often the case that a whole household will share one phone.

Although this level of mobile access has been rapidly growing in Sub-Saharan Africa, the trend does not apply to financial services. As of 2021, only 40% of adults had a bank account, with banks being located predominantly in cities. The wake of mobile money has transformed the financial landscape and has allowed for financial inclusion for the most impoverished. In particular, mobile money for remittances is removing obstacles to remittance aid.

Costly Financial Transactions

Transferring money to and within Africa poses several challenges.

For those living in rural communities, money transfers are almost always cash-based and require either in-person delivery or an intermediary, such as bus drivers. These processes are time-consuming, often costly and involve high levels of risk.

Essentially, many African migrants sending money (known as remittances) home to their families face significant challenges. Even if they themselves have access to mobile money for remittances, transferring them is extremely costly. The cost of sending money to some African countries is as high as 20% of the transferred amount. To avoid paying such high fees, migrants often resort to more informal means, thus exposing themselves to theft or fraud. This often results in them losing money to fraud or transactional costs, and their intended recipients never receiving the hard-earned money.

Establishing a stable system and lowering the cost of sending remittances to Africa is of even greater concern when considering its significance as an aid source for African families. As of 2022, remittance flows to Africa stood at $100 billion. It therefore accounts for more financial aid than either Official Development Assistance (ODA) or Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

It is therefore evident that the costs of financial transactions are hampering Africa’s growth.

Mobilizing Money

A recent study by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the U.K. government has cited that “it is possible that mobile money opens the door to structural change and economic development.” The study took place in Mozambique and focused on rural households since most poverty in Africa is in rural areas.

By closely monitoring the process of introducing mobile money to an area that had previously only operated on a cash basis, the study yields significant findings. The findings focus on how mobile money could increase migration and therefore is likely to drive urbanization.

Moreover, improving mobile money for remittances is key to the process of empowering individual households. By increasing the stability and safety of such platforms, and closely managing these services, financial transactions have the potential to become cheaper and easier for those sending money back to their families.

The FCDO report also finds that having the stability of mobile money access, there is a higher probability of a migrant emerging from the household, and thus of receiving remittances. It concludes, “the expansion of mobile money services should be a priority for policy.”

Multiplying the Effects of ODA

The FCDO’s research into this topic is promising as an area of government interest. In the most recent White Paper for International Development, the U.K. Foreign Office stated that ODA budgets strategically “unlock larger volumes from other sources.” Investing in lowering the cost of using financial services can decrease obstacles for migrants who are using mobile money for remittances and sending money to their households. It is, therefore, one such source of multiplying the effect of ODA spending and grants households in Africa the autonomy to achieve financial stability and rise out of poverty.

– Luke Gouldson
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

5 Facts About Child Mortality in Somalia

Child Mortality in SomaliaSomalia is a country in the Horn of Africa. Despite Somalia’s mostly homogenous cultural identity, political violence has long threatened its efforts toward stability. In 1960, territories from an Italian colony and a former British protectorate combined to form the Somalia Republic. However, not long after the republic’s inception, Mohamed Sian Barre overthrew its popularly elected president to install a socialist dictatorship, reigning until his sudden overthrow in 1991.

Despite U.S.-backed peacekeeping efforts, a bloody civil war would persist for decades, destroying Somalia’s centralized government. In 2012, an African peacekeeping mission deployed troops from neighboring Ethiopia, tentatively restoring a centralized order. However, Somalis still struggle with the far-reaching consequences of war. Among its population of 17 million, nearly 70% live below the poverty line. Children, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden, facing inadequate health care, malnutrition and ongoing conflict that threaten child mortality in Somalia. For every 1,000 births, 62 infants die prematurely and one in eight children die before reaching the age of five. Here are five facts about child mortality in Somalia.

1. Displacement Threatens Somali Families

Despite efforts towards political stability, Islamist terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to both Somalia’s government and its most vulnerable citizens. Al-Shabaab is a faction of Islamic insurgents that has been active since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War. Though primarily concentrated in Somalia, al-Shabaab has been linked to numerous terrorist attacks across East Africa, imperiling civilians and forcing their relocation. 

More than 3.8 million Somalis have experienced displacement, often undertaking long journeys with their children. Many children have died along the way, often succumbing to hunger or disease. Displaced children are frequently separated from their families or willingly embark on journeys in search of essential resources or opportunities. Sadly, these children often become vulnerable to maiming, sexual violence or recruitment into military organizations.

2. Armed Forces Recruit Somali Children

In 2020, the United Nations (UN) released a report detailing the prevalence of child soldiers in various Somali military organizations. According to the report, armed groups recruited nearly 1500 children to their respective causes, with some recruits as young as eight years old.

Al-Shabaab emerged as the primary recruiter, while government organizations such as the Somali Police Force were also found to have enlisted child soldiers. According to a similar UN report released in June 2022, approximately 800 children were either killed or maimed due to their association with armed groups. Spurred to action, the Somali government has implemented anti-recruiting tactics, such as screening military personnel and organizing awareness campaigns.

3. Food Crises Increase Child Mortality in Somalia

Somalia is suffering its worst drought in 40 years. Though once agriculturally rich, five failed rainy seasons have severely hindered food production, damaging crops and killing livestock. Similarly, the war in Ukraine has stymied grain imports. The resulting food crisis has particularly endangered Somali children, with more than 1.4 million children likely to suffer from acute malnutrition. Malnourished children experience stunted growth, delayed cognitive development and weakened immune systems. Similarly, malnourished children are 11 times more likely to die of diarrhea or measles than nourished children. 

4. Poor Health Care Jeopardizes Somali Newborns

Ongoing conflict and strained infrastructure have crippled the Somali health system, leaving only one-third of health facilities currently operational. This scarcity has limited new and expectant mothers’ access to trained midwives, clean water and proper postnatal care. Similarly, as extremist organizations continue to disrupt civilian life, many mothers face challenges in accessing medical facilities and ensuring proper vaccination for their infants. Unvaccinated children are vulnerable to a host of communicable diseases, including measles, polio and whooping cough. Consequently, four in 100 Somali children do not survive their first month of life.

5. Humanitarian Efforts Combat Child Mortality in Somalia

More than 8.25 million Somalis need humanitarian aid, prompting action from a broad international community. In 2023 alone, the European Union (EU) allocated €85.3 million to improve health care, facilitate cash transfers and implement disaster warning systems. Similarly, to better protect children’s health, UNICEF has partnered with WHO and the Somali government to implement vaccination programs. In offering vaccines primarily to children and other vulnerable populations, UNICEF and its partners aim to promote herd immunity over time.

Looking Ahead

Child mortality in Somalia continues to complicate its attempt toward stability. Vulnerable to routine violence, food shortages and an ailing health care system, Somali children often fail to reach adulthood or even adolescence. Though ongoing conflict has hindered improvements in civil infrastructure and quality of life, a committed international community still works to ensure each child has a chance at life. 

– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr

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USAID’s Investment in West Bank Women’s Education

West Bank West Bank, named for its association with the Jordan River, constitutes one of the two main Palestinian regions, the other being the Gaza Strip. Geographically enclosed and located near the Mediterranean Sea in the Levant region of West Asia, this territory has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.

With a poverty rate of 13.9% among its population, the West Bank faces significant challenges, largely attributed to the absence of stable and beneficial employment opportunities. Additionally, the lack of effective transportation, influenced by its geographical location, further hampers residents’ access to areas where such opportunities may be more abundant. Even if the needed transportation was in order, low levels of education hold its people back from getting jobs with salaries above the poverty line.

Education in the West Bank

The energy crisis in Gaza has severely impacted education, leaving students to study without adequate light or internet access. Restrictions in “Area C” of the West Bank have led to a shortage of schools and constant threats of demolition. Movement barriers, including checkpoints and the Separation Wall, hinder Palestinians’ access to education. Israeli travel bans and the Gaza blockade prevent students from attending universities in the West Bank. Without access to schools directly within the West Bank area, its people cannot move freely to find the education they are searching for.

Saffa Girls School

The Saffa Girls School in Ramallah Governorate, West Bank, was established in 1992. Since then, it has only continued to expand positively through implementing programs such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Model School Network Program. This USAID initiative, implemented by the America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST), aims to improve the quality of West Bank women’s education.

Saffa Girls’ School and 56 other schools have benefited from the program, receiving training for teachers and administrators. This program has contributed to the construction or rehabilitation of schools and various infrastructure projects, benefiting almost one million people. This has allowed schools to reduce class sizes and eliminate the need for students to learn in shifts. Between 2008 and 2009, the nonprofit organization Anera constructed two new floors within the Saffa Girls’ School. The new floors hold eight classrooms and a science lab. Not only does this give students more space and opportunity for learning, but this construction also opens up new job opportunities for adults living within the community.

Empowering Women Through Education

The Saffa Girls’ School is portrayed as a haven for learning, growth and empowerment. The girls attending the school are expected to become women who contribute significantly to their families, as breadwinners and mothers who prioritize education for their children.  When you can properly educate the women of the world, it causes a pattern of positive change to flow throughout the entirety of the communities they reside within. West Bank women’s education is a growing entity that will soon change the trajectory of everyone residing within the region.

The Impact

Abeer Ali Badran, the school’s principal, took the initiative to collaborate with USAID to extend improvements made to the school’s facilities and educational resources throughout the community. This effort reached a total of 93 schools similar to hers in the West Bank.

Students in USAID-supported schools, including Saffa School, scored 7% higher on standardized tests compared to other students in their districts. This outcome underscores the significant impact of the dedicated efforts of USAID and Badran on the lives of students in the Middle East, with the promise of continued positive influence in the future.

Conclusion

Investing in the education of women in the West Bank is not only an investment in their progress but also in the overall advancement of society. When women receive education at the primary level, it opens doors for them to pursue higher education, providing access to valuable information. This access empowers them to break the continuous cycle of poverty embedded in their surrounding community.

– Tristen Jerkins
Photo: Flickr

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East African Ports Surge Ahead: Closing the Gap with West Africa

East African PortsAs of 2023, East Africa’s efforts to revitalize its ports have catapulted the region into a new era of economic betterment, closing the gap with its West African counterparts. This maritime resurgence has not only transformed the transportation sector but has also become a driving force behind the region’s job creation and economic growth.

Revitalization Efforts and Implementation

Recognizing the need to modernize to compete globally, East Africa initiated strategic plans to revitalize its ports. Investments in infrastructure and technology were needed to streamline the processes of rejuvenating and creating new and more modern ports. The objective was clear: to develop efficient and competitive ports capable of handling increased trade volumes. 

Collaborations with international partners and private investors fueled the implementation, setting the stage for a transformative process. In cities like Mombasa, foreign investors like Japan have shown a serious long-term commitment to modernizing the East African ports. In 2016, Japan spent $10 billion on African infrastructure to create new ports and in 2020, Japan showed support to Mombasa’s $193 million budget to update their container terminals.

Job Creation and Economic Impact

As East African ports surge, their economic activities have translated into a significant increase in job opportunities for neighboring communities. In a recent deal made with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the expansion of port projects in Kenya is anticipated to bring about job creation and business opportunities.

The African Report has also found that even though the population of people is more prominent in the West, the traffic of goods coming into ports is 60% in the East while the West has 50%. East African ports have played a pivotal role in connecting businesses to global markets, thereby lifting communities from poverty.

Ports as Catalysts for Poverty Reduction

The revitalization of East African ports has become a potent weapon in the fight against poverty. According to a recent report by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, East African ports “generate revenue, create jobs and stimulate infrastructure development.” 

In nations like Kenya, ports like Mombasa are still making deals with investors to revitalize their ports and, in doing so, stimulate job opportunities. In fact, Kenya’s efforts to rejuvenate its ports and stimulate economic growth are already showing progress. A Statista study in 2022 found that the extreme poverty rate in Kenya has dropped from 19% to 17% and predicted that it will drop to 11% by 2030.

Quantifying Success

Increased trade volumes and streamlined port operations have resulted in higher revenue for the countries involved. A port in Tanzania that handles 85% of the country’s maritime traffic on its own has ranked first among the African ports in terms of progress in 2022. 

Terminals originally considered indecent in Northeast Africa, such as Tangier in Morocco and Port Said in Egypt, have overtaken Southeast ports like Durban, Mombasa and Djibouti in container traffic rankings among the top 10 African ports. 

Kenya’s Mombasa received 1.32 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers, marking a 10.2% rise from the comparable period in 2022. This increase from 1.2 million TEUs occurred despite the challenging global economic conditions.

Local Leaders’ Perspectives

Local leaders play a crucial role in championing the transformative impact of revitalized ports. Olivier De Noray, Managing Director of Ports & Terminals at Africa Global Logistics, emphasizes, “It’s not a question of catching up with the West, but rather of starting a phase of port renewal.”

Looking Ahead

East African ports’ infrastructural growth is a testament to the transformative power of strategic investments. The revitalization of ports in the region has not only caught up with West Africa but has surpassed expectations, creating job opportunities, boosting economies and significantly contributing to poverty reduction. As East Africa continues to invest in its maritime infrastructure, the region is poised for sustained economic growth, promising a brighter future for its people.

– Quinn Higby
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Period Poverty in Yemen 

Period Poverty in Yemen Due to an almost decade-long civil war, Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. With almost 80% (approximately 26.38 million) of the country’s population now living in poverty, girls and women are not able to always have access to menstrual products. For girls living in poverty in Yemen, getting their period could completely change their lives. The effects of poverty on menstruating women are often a neglected topic. ‘Period poverty’ refers to the situation where menstrual products and other necessities may not be obtainable. In some cases, period poverty may be a factor driving many people further into extreme poverty. 

Education and Mental Health

As of October 2023, UNICEF reported that there were already more than 2.7 million children in Yemen out of school. The budget for schools and the education sector have not received significant attention due to the economic crisis and conflict. Therefore, when at school, children lack the basic resources they need to have a safe and comfortable learning experience. 

Due to the poor levels of sanitation, many of the schools will not have access to toilets or sanitary products. This means that many girls will stay home and have to miss days of school every month, to cope with their period safely at home, often resulting in them falling behind and failing their classes. Some young women may even have to leave their education as they would not be able to efficiently continue with their studies while doing this every month. Leaving school may lead a girl’s family into further poverty as there would be fewer chances to earn money without an education. 

The World Bank Group has been working to help period poverty in Yemen by constructing sanitation facilities in schools, allowing girls to be able to stay in school and have proper access to toilets and sanitation, therefore reducing the number of girls dropping out.

Period poverty may also lead to severe mental health issues. Mood is heavily affected during a woman’s cycle and some even fall into deep depression as a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Living in poverty may have already taken a toll on a woman’s mental health, but experiencing their period monthly further affects their quality of life.

Cultural Impacts 

Along with the current civil conflict, the role of being a woman further adds to how vulnerable a person is in Yemen. Many countries in the Middle East still carry a stigma concerning periods. These countries, like Yemen, may refrain from seeing periods as a natural process but rather as something unclean or something to be ashamed of. Due to the way many view periods, it is often easy for them to not discuss the topic at all. This means that many girls do not learn about their periods, and how to prepare for the day it arrives. Due to both cultural and religious taboos, women may experience exclusion from activities or segregated from men, meaning that they may not always get the help they would need during this time i.e. the help of a male doctor. This limits their ability to educate themselves on menstruation. 

In Yemen, the responsibility of the household usually falls on the women. Expectations are that they cook, clean, fetch water and take care of the children. Since the beginning of the civil war in 2014, the number of female-led households has risen. This has made it increasingly harder for those living in poverty to cope with these tasks while on their period. Those who have had to leave education due to their period may have to enter into marriages for the financial benefit of their families. 

Sanitary Products and Hygiene

The severity of period poverty in Yemen means that there is minimal access to sanitary products for females living in poverty. The women often will not have a supply of pads and tampons and are not likely to be able to afford them. Some may even stand for a prolonged time just so they do not sit and stain anything with blood. Limited resources mean that many women have to use rags and pieces of cloth that may not always be clean.

The shortage of drinkable water also affects the periods of women. The World Bank declares Yemen as one of the world’s most “water scarce” nations in the world, with more than 18 million people in the country not having access to clean drinking water. The need for clean water is not only for consumption, as it is also necessary for hygiene purposes. Poor hygiene and the use of unclean products can be very harmful leading to irritation, infection or even Toxic Shock Syndrome. 

The French NGO Premiere Urgence Internationale, has been fighting period poverty in Yemen by distributing reusable pads. It began their distributing pads in the north of the country, and as of 2022, were able to hand out this product to those in the southern city of Aden. They have also used this as an opportunity to teach some women how to create reusable pads. This has helped some women gain an insight into menstruation that they may have had before. Making these pads also allows them to educate more young women on their periods and even how to produce their own sanitary pads. 

Looking Ahead

The fight against period poverty in Yemen has only gotten more intense as the country’s conflict continues. Girls and women have struggled thus far for sanitary products, and the future of menstruation in Yemen is still uncertain. However, with the help of organizations like Premiere Urgence Internationale, women in Yemen can at least have more support and education about their periods, allowing their time of the month to be a little more bearable. 

– Fejiro Efih
Photo: Flickr