Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Child Marriage in Maldives: The Quiet Crisis Behind Paradise

Child Marriage in Maldives
Child marriage in Maldives remains a quiet issue, particularly affecting young girls with limited access to education and reliable protection services. Although the legal marriage age is 18, exceptions and informal unions have historically placed vulnerable girls at risk.

Rural Pressures and Uneven Access to Education

UNICEF’s 2025 situation analysis reports that, in a 2016 survey, 2% of young women and men ages 20 to 24 had married before age 18. However, families living on remote islands face higher economic insecurity and limited access to secondary schooling. This results from the lack of functioning secondary schools on remote islands, requiring students to travel or relocate, an option that is impossible for many families.

Varying interpretations of national legislation also influences child marriage in Maldives. While national laws set the legal marriage age to 18, judicial exceptions have historically allowed marriages below that age. Family law formerly sanctioned under-18 marriages with court approval surrounding the occurrence of puberty in young girls, reflecting earlier legal frameworks that permitted exceptions. Economic insecurity and educational barriers may increase girls’ vulnerability, although the supplied data do not establish that relationship for particular islands. Supreme Court approval is required for underage marriage and UNICEF data provides more insights.

Journalists and human rights groups have documented cases where girls leave school to marry, often entering households where they have little autonomy. Early marriage can restrict girls’ access to employment and expose them to domestic instability, especially when they marry older men. NGOs working in the Maldives emphasize that education remains the strongest safeguard against early marriage, yet consistent, high-quality schooling varies widely across the archipelago.

Policy Progress and Persistent Challenges

The Maldives has strengthened its child protection laws in recent years. The 2019 Child Rights Protection Act criminalized child marriage; however, UNICEF’s 2025 review notes that other legislation still allows under-18 marriage in special circumstances with Supreme Court approval and recommends harmonizing the laws. Nonetheless, enforcement remains difficult on remote islands, where limited oversight means informal religious ceremonies can bypass legal requirements and go unregistered, leaving girls without the protections that formal documentation is intended to provide.

Child protection officials note that informal marriages are one of the biggest obstacles to enforcing the law. Several cases surfaced involving informal unions that only came to light when girls sought medical assistance after the act had been passed. Incidents like these highlight the need for stronger community-level reporting systems and greater awareness of legal protection.

Collaborative Efforts for Change

Several organizations are actively working to reduce child marriage in the Maldives through education, community engagement and child protection services. UNFPA Maldives, operating in the country since 1976, runs programs across the country focused on empowering girls through providing safe spaces for refuge and education on gender-based discrepancies. Survey findings indicate that child marriage has declined, but the evidence does not attribute this change to any particular organization.

Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) focuses on raising awareness surrounding children’s rights. In 2009 ARC registered in the Maldives. Since then, campaigns such as ‘Hope’ have operated in the country, working toward preventing child abuse. These initiatives seek to raise awareness of children’s rights and child protection.

Together, education, child protection and community engagement may help strengthen support for vulnerable girls.

A Positive Path Forward

The Maldives’ progress highlights that change is possible when legal reform, community engagement and education come together. By expanding access to schooling, strengthening child protection networks and supporting girls’ ambitions, organizations across the archipelago are helping to ensure that every girl can choose her future freely. While challenges remain, the growing collaboration between communities, NGOs and government agencies offers a hopeful path toward ending child marriage in Maldives and improving opportunities for girls across the islands.

– Lottie Oldreive

Lottie is based in Devon, England and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Veritree Business Growth: A Step Closer to Restoring Nature

Veritree Business Growth
Veritree uses new tracking technology to manage, maintain and accurately gather data on how many trees are being planted through its projects, providing business investors and partners with accurate data.

Company Background

Veritree was officially started in 2019 by the founders of another company, Tentree. Tentree was launched in 2012 by founders Derrick Emsley, Kalen Emsley and David Luba. The company began as a consumer-based business that promised every item sold would result in 10 trees being planted. In just two years, Tentree had successfully planted more than one million trees. Two years later, the company became a certified B Corporation. In 2019, the founders launched Veritree to use technology to track and provide accurate data on trees being planted, allowing business investors to track progress accurately. Veritree reports reaching 100 million trees planted and verified by 2025.

Promise and Impact

Veritree is committed not only to the restoration of forests but also to the humanitarian impact of such development. It aims to restore communities and help developing countries through restoration, technology and job opportunities.

Woman-Led Projects

Veritree has provided women in Haiti with tools and projects to empower themselves, gain financial stability and restore the ecosystem. Along with Mother Tree, Veritree sought to reverse the trend and give women opportunities to farm, grow and create their own businesses.

Fanme Limye is one of the woman-led associations to emerge from Veritree’s project in Haiti. The association employs more than 194 artisans, 72% of whom are women. Their mission is to provide women with training and employment, offering financial stability and skills to enter the economic world. They seek to promote women’s rights, raise awareness and advocate for women.

Businesses Growing

Through Veritree’s initiative and easy-to-track technology, businesses are seeing real impact not only on their contributions but also on their operations. Oak Bay Beach Hotel stated that it has seen increased interest in its sustainability programs that can be verified with Veritree. Hopper donates trees on behalf of its customers. Hopper promotes tree planting to customers, while a BCBusiness profile reports that Veritree’s partnerships helped fuel 6,000% revenue growth since 2021. Sutton Place Hotels sought to become more sustainable while saving on labor costs. They invested in Veritree and advertised a cost-saving initiative to customers, committing to plant 10 trees for every night customers opt out of overnight housekeeping. This proved to be an effective way to engage with customers, saving $36,000 in annual costs.

Projects

Agroforestry projects in Haiti, Senegal, Rwanda and Tanzania are creating an integrated system of trees, woody plants and livestock on the same land to create healthier soil and effective biodiversity, promoting land productivity.

Terrestrial projects in Kenya, Brazil, the U.S. and Australia work to restore and expand forestry on depleted lands to reduce carbon emissions, regulate water resources and create a biodiverse ecosystem.

Mangrove restoration projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Brazil are replanting mangrove trees in coastal areas to prevent erosion, enhance biodiversity and sequester carbon emissions.

Kelp sea-forestation projects in Canada are committed to regenerating sea forests to restore ocean health, improve water quality and protect marine habitats.

These are a few of the projects that Veritree led to save the planet and restore nature. These ongoing efforts not only restore the planet’s natural resources but also provide jobs, equality and financial stability to developing countries. Veritree states its restoration projects help generate employment and support women in communities including Haiti and East Africa. The company reports having planted and verified more than 100 million trees worldwide.

– Shannon Waters

Shannon is based in United Kingdom and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Modernization of India’s Railways Can Support Poverty Reduction

India's Railways
India’s railways transport millions of passengers daily, connecting cities and communities across the country. However, connectivity between major cities and tier-2 and tier-3 cities has been historically uneven. Since the turn of the century, increased government investment has accelerated railway modernization, including faster trains, upgraded stations and new safety technologies. Services such as Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat, alongside the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, are reshaping passenger rail connectivity across the country. This article examines how these investments can expand economic opportunities and potentially contribute to poverty reduction.

Why Does Railway Connectivity Matter?

Smaller cities, rural communities and remote regions often have weaker connections to jobs, education and health care. Poor connectivity can limit businesses’ access to larger markets and make it harder for workers to pursue opportunities outside their immediate areas. Better connectivity can also encourage tourism and increase spending in less-developed regions. The Borgen Project spoke with Lakshya Bafna, an international business student with a scholarship from Macquarie University. He said, “From an economic-development perspective, improved railway connectivity reduces generalized transportation costs—not just the ticket price, but also travel time, reliability and the cost of accessing economic opportunities.”

Vande Bharat: Faster Connectivity and Economic Opportunity

The first Vande Bharat service was launched in 2019 between New Delhi and Varanasi. Since then, the service has expanded across India. While its fares may make it inaccessible to some lower-income households, its economic effects can extend beyond direct passengers. Faster connections can help workers reach economic centers, facilitate business activity and increase access to tourism destinations. These effects may contribute to the growth of smaller cities along its routes. Bafna explained that “positive externalities and indirect economic benefits” are important, noting that Vande Bharat can contribute to “positive effects on labor market forces, increased productivity and business activity, increased tourism, infrastructure spillovers, and improved railway network effects.”

Amrit Bharat: Expanding Affordable Connectivity

Amrit Bharat is a non-air-conditioned long-distance train service operated by Indian Railways, designed to provide affordable travel for low- and middle-income passengers. By reducing the cost of long-distance rail travel, it can make employment and economic opportunities more accessible to lower-income households. While Vande Bharat demonstrates how faster connectivity can create economic spillovers, Amrit Bharat illustrates how affordability can make those opportunities accessible to a wider population. Bafna said, “This is arguably a more direct poverty-reduction mechanism because affordability determines whether lower-income households can actually participate in the transport network. Affordable rail services can reduce the cost of accessing employment.” He continued, “For example, suppose someone lives in a smaller town but works in a larger city. If affordable rail makes daily or weekly commuting economically viable, the worker gains access to a much larger labor market.”

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Modernizing India’s Railway Gateways

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a railway station redevelopment program aimed at modernizing facilities across India. Announced in 2022, the scheme targets more than 1,300 stations for redevelopment. Upgrades include improved passenger facilities, accessibility infrastructure and wider platforms designed to accommodate growing passenger numbers. By making stations more accessible and functional, the scheme can improve people’s ability to use rail services and connect with employment, education, health care and markets. Better stations can therefore complement improved train services by making the wider railway network more accessible to communities.

How Can Railway Modernization Support Poverty Reduction?

Better rail connectivity can expand the geographical area in which people can seek employment. Railway construction, maintenance and associated activities can also generate jobs. Improved mobility can give workers and businesses greater access to markets and suppliers, while lower transportation costs can make economic activity more efficient.

Railway modernization can also support local economic activity around stations. Bafna said, “A railway station can function as an economic node, not merely a place where passengers board trains.” He explained that modernization can create opportunities in construction, maintenance, retail and services, while potentially increasing demand for hospitality, taxis and logistics. Better stations could also make surrounding areas more attractive to businesses and investors, creating additional opportunities for employment and economic activity.

Kavach: Strengthening Railway Safety

Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system that the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) developed to improve railway safety. The system provides automated train protection and collision-prevention capabilities, including protection against Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), overspeeding, rollback and certain side, head-on and rear-end collisions. Kavach can also automatically apply brakes in specified situations, including when a train exceeds its permitted speed or when the system detects two trains moving toward each other on the same track section.

By adding another layer of protection to train operations, the system can support safer and more reliable rail services. Reliable rail services matter to passengers and businesses that depend on trains for mobility and the movement of goods. However, Kavach should not be presented as a direct poverty-reduction measure. Instead, safer, more reliable railway operations may limit disruptions to the movement of people and goods, complementing broader railway investments in connectivity and affordability.

Who Benefits From Railway Modernization?

The modernization of India’s railways requires significant public investment and can create employment through construction and infrastructure projects. Upgraded stations, including wider platforms, escalators and lifts, can also make rail services more accessible to passengers such as students, migrant workers, vendors and transport operators. However, connecting a poorer region with a wealthier one does not automatically make its residents richer. The benefits depend on affordability, accessibility, employment opportunities and local economic capacity. Bafna said the economic impact of railway modernization should be evaluated “not only by passenger numbers or travel-time savings,” but also by its effects on productivity, labor mobility, market access, employment, regional development and the distribution of benefits across income groups.

Conclusion

The modernization of India’s railways does not directly reduce poverty, but it can support the economic conditions that help communities escape it. Better rail connectivity can reduce transportation and logistics costs, expand access to employment and markets and create opportunities for businesses, tourists, students and migrant workers. If lower-income communities can access these opportunities, railway modernization may contribute to higher incomes and long-term poverty reduction. Ultimately, rail infrastructure is not a cure for poverty, but a tool connecting communities to economic opportunities.

– Dhruv Bandhu

Dhruv is based in Bengaluru, India and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How Hydrogel in Zambia Could Help Women Protect Livelihoods

Hydrogel in Zambia
Forests can be an important source of income for families in rural Zambia. Forest products contribute about 20% of rural household income, while forests and other natural resources support the livelihoods of about 60% of rural households. For women who depend on these resources, environmental degradation can put an existing source of income under pressure.

The Booma Women Cooperative

In Southern Province, the Booma Women Cooperative is investigating whether hydrogel can help recently planted trees withstand dry conditions. The cooperative uses natural resources such as mongongo to produce oils and cosmetics, linking forest resources to women’s existing livelihood activities.

Women in Mukuni Village, Southern Province, collect forest resources for food and income. Mongongo nuts are one such resource, traditionally collected and processed by local communities. The Booma Women Cooperative buys mongongo seeds from local women and processes them into cooking and cosmetic oils for local shops, lodging facilities and wellness centers. The cooperative also produces cosmetic oils and butters from other locally sourced forest products.

Mendel University reports that the cooperative gives women opportunities to earn income by collecting and selling mongongo products.

Drought and Forest Pressure

These livelihoods face pressure from environmental degradation. Drought, logging, charcoal production, agricultural expansion and uncontrolled fires can place additional pressure on forests. Research from the International Growth Centre found that drought-related crop failures can push smallholder farmers toward charcoal production as a coping strategy, increasing pressure on forests.

Testing Hydrogel in Drought-Prone Areas

Hydrogel absorbs water in soil and gradually releases moisture as surrounding conditions become drier. Hydrogel can retain water in soil and release moisture gradually; its effects on seedling survival vary by species and conditions.

At the Booma Women Cooperative, researchers from Mendel University in Brno are testing whether hydrogel can support tree establishment in drought-prone areas. The project receives funding and support from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Czech-UNDP Partnership. It initially aimed to support at least 400 native and oil-bearing trees. By early November 2025, more than 1,500 seedlings from eight species had been sown, and more than 1,000 had germinated. Six species are native and two are introduced.

Women receive training in planting, hydrogel application and early seedling care, while researchers collect field data and use sensors to monitor tree growth and local conditions. A 2023 field study of four Central European tree species found that hydrogel treatment reduced seedling mortality by 1% to 9%, although responses varied by species.

Future Income Benefits Remain Uncertain

The potential economic benefit of the Booma project depends on whether the seedlings survive and mature. If they do, the trees could eventually contribute to forest resources used for activities such as mongongo collection and processing. However, the project has not yet demonstrated that hydrogel will produce this outcome in Southern Zambia.

It remains uncertain how many seedlings will survive and mature, whether the technique will perform similarly under local conditions and whether healthier trees will eventually produce enough forest products to affect women’s incomes. The cost and scalability of hydrogel also remain questions.

Most importantly, Booma members have not yet received measurable income benefits from the project. Evidence that hydrogel can improve seedling survival under some conditions does not establish that it will increase incomes in Southern Zambia.

The Booma project is testing whether a drought-adaptation technique can help protect forest resources connected to existing women’s livelihoods. Whether the approach eventually strengthens those livelihoods remains to be determined.

– Zeba Vagh

Zeba is based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Improvement for Higher Education in Fiji

Higher Education in Fiji
Throughout the years, there has been some slight improvement in Fiji’s education system by increasing accessible education through zero-tuition fees. Although Fijian students are provided with free primary and lower secondary education, they still have to pay for college tuition when planning or attending a higher educational institution. Tuition and other living costs can be barriers for students from low-income households.

Affording higher education in Fiji can be a major stress factor for students from low-income households, especially when considering transportation, books, meals, housing, and other scholarly expenses. However, the Fiji government and nonprofit organizations have been making progress by making higher education affordable and accessible for all Fiji Island residents. Here are some methods reflecting Fiji’s improvement in higher education by providing equal opportunities and funding more financial opportunities.

Academic Excellence for Women

On Sept. 20, 2023, the Permanent Secretary of Education, Selina Kuruleca, confirmed that women in Fiji are completing their education more often than men. High school graduation for female students is at a 97% rate, while male students have a 79% rate. About 60-65% of college and higher education enrollment are female-identifying students.

Nonprofit organizations have encouraged and funded opportunities for Fijian women to attend higher educational institutions. For example, Graduate Women Fiji was established in 1983 with a mission to support higher education for women by promoting fellowships and global networking for members. Graduate Women Fiji promotes women’s education and professional development, including opportunities in fields where women have historically been underrepresented. Programs that fund scholarships and grants for women pursuing higher education in Fiji exemplify how funding for women’s academic excellence can break financial barriers women face while earning a college degree.

The Higher Education Commission

The Higher Education Commission was established in 2010 to prioritize the services of higher education for Fijian residents. It is a government regulatory body that supports the delivery of higher education in Fiji. Its goals are to meet the necessities and standards of students, teachers, and other faculty members. The Higher Education Commission Fiji confirms that there is major improvement in operating grants for institutions such as the University of South Pacific and Fiji National University. The commission states, “For 2025-2026, the Government has invested $83,042,808 in operating grant to HEIs and $3,431,739 in capital grant.” Fiji National University reported signing a government grant agreement for 2026–2027 that includes FJD 74.49 million in operating funding. These grants will support more funding toward career training, workforce development, and more opportunities for students from different financial backgrounds.

Ministry of Education’s National Budget

On June 26, 2026, the Fiji Ministry of Education announced that higher education in Fiji will continue to thrive after receiving a National Budget of FJD 883 million [$392,937,119 USD]. The largest allocation of Fiji’s education system will be funded for teacher salaries, schools and scholarships. The budget provides FJD 160 million [$71,200,384 USD] for tertiary scholarships, which will help more than 23,000 new and currently enrolled college students. The government of Fiji assisted 53,000 students by writing off more than FJD 650 million [$289,251,560 USD] in college debt.

The Education Ministry in Fiji continues to plan on improving accountability by providing more scholarship programs. The Higher Education Commission’s published funding figures for 2025–2026 total FJD 86,474,547 in operating and capital grants, while the FJD 74.49 million figure relates to a separate Fiji National University agreement. Both government-led and nonprofit organizations prioritize improving higher education in Fiji by opening more grants and scholarship opportunities with less stress over affording a good college.

The Impact of Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants create a positive impact for college students from low-income families because they encourage them to pursue education that will provide the skills needed for well-paid jobs. Fiji’s methods of fighting poverty include funding higher educational institutes for students seeking opportunities in studying for a job that will offer better income. Government funding and scholarships aim to make further education and training more accessible.

Funding grants and scholarships benefit Fijian students who face poverty by providing affordable access to education and training. To give students a chance at obtaining jobs that promise higher wages after graduation, the Fiji government proposed expanding training opportunities in universities. To reduce the number of residents moving out of Fiji to find better job opportunities, the government proposed more higher educational institutions to expand training courses to ensure that every resident will develop the skills needed to prepare for a career of interest.

Fiji National University has set a strategy to expand technical and vocational education and training in response to Fiji’s skills needs. Higher education in Fiji addresses the country’s labor skills gap by creating more training programs to ensure that students will have a future where their careers are related to educational background, potentially improving access to employment and income.

– Kristen Wheeler

Kristen is based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions, Global Health, and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Boom of Freelancing in Pakistan

Freelancing in PakistanFreelancing in Pakistan has experienced one of the largest surges in recent years. Pakistani freelancers earned $557 million in foreign exchange during the first half of fiscal year 2025-26. Pakistan has 2.3 million active freelancers, ranking it among the top five freelancing countries in the world. The government has introduced several policies to support young freelancers, and the chief of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, Ibrahim Amin, states that this continual progress could lead to generating up to $3 billion in exports in a few years.

Freelancing provides citizens with opportunities to work remotely and earn dollar-denominated income, benefiting some unemployed young people. The rise in the gig economy emerged after the 2008 financial crisis, as people took on part-time jobs to meet basic needs. The online hiring system is less expensive and allows a greater range of applicants to apply for jobs, giving women and unemployed youth more opportunities while they stay at home.

Government Efforts and Poverty Reduction

The government has provided freelancers with a tax incentive to route payments through the country’s banking system. Freelancers registered with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) pay only a 0.25% tax on foreign gains. The government has focused on improving freelancing prospects due to the high 11.4% unemployment rate among youth by creating the 2023 Freelancing Policy. The PSEB has also invested in digital skills. Reports indicate that most freelancers earn around $200 to $800 a month. The Software Export Board teaches new skills ranging from creative design to SEO.

Freelancing offers an alternative source of income outside sectors such as agriculture, which can be vulnerable to weather and other natural conditions. It provides a more stable opportunity by teaching new skills so people can escape poverty. Pakistan Tech Destination has 600,000 IT professionals registered, and PNY training teaches skills like jewelry making to help locals earn their keep. Global markets also connect rural populations, increasing the number of laborers earning higher than the minimum wage.

A New Opportunity for Women

Researchers reported that women’s workforce participation was 24% in 2014. After COVID-19, a shift toward IT marketing and online work gained popularity. Freelancing provides new opportunities for women in Pakistan, where it is culturally challenging for them to work in offices. Freelancing allows for flexible shifts, enabling women to balance house chores and family responsibilities.

Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and PeoplePerHour have emerged, offering courses with important skills for women to improve their earnings. Some research estimates that women make up 15-25% of Pakistan’s freelancers. Freelancing offers women greater flexibility and access to income, although participation and earnings vary. It provides household income security and gradually enhances economic security for the country.

Future Prospects

Freelancing could contribute to Pakistan’s economic opportunities and help broaden access to income beyond major urban job markets. It might lead to a reduction in poverty with an increase in training centers for local people and tax incentives for freelancers to acquire earnings through formal banking systems. The government could recognize the advantages of this developing sector and aim to provide opportunities to address the lack of jobs in Pakistan.

– Eshal Fatima

Eshal is based in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and focuses on Business and New Markets, Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Malaria Education in Madagascar

Malaria Education in Madagascar
Madagascar, an island country east of Mozambique, faces significant poverty and malaria challenges. According to World Bank estimates, 69.2% of its population lived below the international $3-a-day poverty line in 2021, measured in 2021 purchasing-power-parity dollars. Malaria outbreaks have placed additional pressure on communities and health services.

What Works and What Does Not in the Current System?

Geography is crucial when discussing the incidence of malaria infection and why it is harder to contain in Madagascar than in other places with high malaria incidences. Madagascar is an island country heavily impacted by weather events such as cyclones and droughts. Its landscape includes both endemic lowlands and epidemic-prone highlands that create transmission zones, making it very hard to monitor and control the disease. This leads to the necessity of personalized or regionally specific prevention techniques, like malaria education in Madagascar alongside the use of ITNs and residual spraying.

WHO reporting identifies Madagascar as a malaria-endemic country where malaria cases increased markedly in 2024. The risk of malaria differs across communities and transmission settings. The implementation of the highly effective insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) have been in effect since the early 2000s and continue to be some of the most useful methods of preventing the disease. Although the CDC notes that indoor spraying lasts about three to six months and does not prevent people from being bitten, it simply kills mosquitoes that land on the sprayed surface.

Malaria-specific social and behavior change communication encourages the use of proven prevention methods, including insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Community health workers can explain how to use these interventions and when to seek diagnosis and treatment. Another program for malaria control came from the ACCESS Program and the Ministry of Public Health and National Malaria Control Program partnering to create a community-centered program involving community health volunteers. This program included home visits for early detection and pre-referral treatment for severe malaria in children under five. By the end of ACCESS in 2025, nearly 14,000 community health volunteers were actively delivering malaria prevention and treatment services. ACCESS reports that more than 180,000 people received integrated community services in 2023-2024.

Time to Add Something New?

Although these programs extend prevention and treatment services, malaria remains a serious public health challenge in Madagascar. While the connection to community health volunteers has helped, and there has been some form of malaria prevention education through social and behavior change communication, the programs in place revolving around educating people on general malaria prevention and treatment methods in Madagascar need more investment to reach all villages across the country’s landscape.

A study done in Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire by The Lancet Global Health found that pairing malaria education with the use of ITNs cut disease risk as much as indoor spraying combined with insecticide nets. The research showed a 22% reduction in cases in the following 10 months compared to just using nets alone. This evidence suggests malaria education in Madagascar could help reduce malaria alongside the use of insecticide nets and residual spraying. These findings suggest that targeted malaria education could complement nets, spraying, diagnosis and treatment in Madagascar, although this study in Madagascar has not demonstrated the same result.

Looking Ahead

Strengthening locally appropriate malaria education through community health workers and social and behavior change communication may complement existing prevention, diagnosis and treatment efforts. Reaching remote communities remains essential.

– Lily K. Gibson

Lily is based in Connecticut, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Solar Water in Rural Malawi is Improving Health

Solar Water in Rural Malawi
Solar water in rural Malawi is helping families get safer and more reliable water. In Karonga District, new solar-powered water systems were built at Chikutu and Thawiro health posts and nearby villages. The systems now provide clean water to more than 2,000 people. Before the project, some families depended on rivers and rainwater for their daily needs. These factors made access to safe water difficult and increased the risk of diseases such as diarrhea and cholera.

Life Before Safe Water

Previously, many families in the area had no easy access to clean water, and in some cases, they had to get it from rivers or use rainwater. This was not always a safe arrangement, particularly for children. The Chikutu Health Post also had difficulties with water supply since the health workers needed clean water both to look after patients and to keep the health post clean. It was therefore important to have a safe source of water close by for the health center.

How Solar-Powered Water Systems Help

The new water systems use solar power to pump water from underground. The water is then stored in tanks and brought closer to the health posts and nearby communities. This gives families a safer source of water and means they do not have to depend as much on rivers or rainwater. The systems also give health workers easier access to the water they need each day. Solar-powered water systems are already in use in various areas of Malawi. The systems use solar power to pump water to places where people need it. This system includes homes, schools and health centers. In 2024, UNICEF-supported solar water systems provided safe water to 48,000 people in Malawi. Around 23,500 of them were children. Similar systems are now being used in different parts of the country, not only in Karonga.

Better Water, Better Health

It is also important to have safe water in order to prevent diseases; in 2023 the Chimaliro Health Centre noted 40 cases of cholera and one death. The health center and the families living nearby had been using water from the same borehole, a source that at times was not safe. Later on a solar-powered water system was set up in the area. Once the new system began to operate, the health center recorded no cases of cholera in 2024 and the health workers also had more water at their disposal for cleaning and looking after patients.

More Time for School

Solar water in rural Malawi can also save time for students. In Machinga District, some students at Mpalangwazi Primary School had to collect water before going to school. Because of this, they sometimes arrived late. Later, six solar-powered water points were built at the school and in nearby villages. Teachers said that students started coming to school on time more often. The school has more than 1,000 students, so having water closer to them can save time before and during the school day.

Water Access in Malawi

For many people in Malawi access to clean water is still a major problem. WaterAid states that about 17% of the population have no access to clean water and that 56% lack proper hygiene facilities. In rural areas people often have to walk long distances to get their water or have to depend on sources that might not be safe. The problem also affects health centers since clean water is needed by patients, the staff and for the daily cleaning. WaterAid has worked with health centers in Malawi to improve their water and sanitation services. This has involved the installation of piped water systems powered by solar energy.

Solar power is useful in rural areas since it allows the water to be pumped without relying on a regular electricity supply. Once the water is pumped, it can be stored and used by the health center and people living nearby. It is also beneficial for families to have a source of water nearby because it saves them time. Rather than spending part of the day searching for or gathering water, people have more time available for going to school, working and looking after other matters. This is particularly important for women and children, who are usually in the position of having to collect water for their families.

Looking Ahead

Many people in Malawi still do not have clean water close to where they live. Having safe water resources that are easy to access could result in less time being spent collecting it and a reduced health risk. It would also make it easier for schools and health centers which need water every day. Solar water in rural Malawi is already reaching communities that once had difficulty finding safe water.

The projects in Karonga and other districts are only part of the work that still needs to be done but the results so far give reason for hope to the people. As more communities receive safe water systems, more families can have a healthier and safer place to live. For families who have spent years worrying about where their next bucket of clean water will come from, having safe water close to home can be the beginning of a better future.

– Mert Sungur

Mert is based in Bursa, Turkey and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Floating Technology In Bangladesh Is Transforming Flood Zones

Floating Technology in BangladeshBangladesh’s flood-prone geography leaves nearly 60% of the population exposed to high flood risk, disrupting livelihoods, education and food production. In response, communities are using floating technology in Bangladesh to adapt to rising waters and build long-term resilience.

Bangladesh’s Growing Flood Challenges

Bangladesh has always suffered from flooding due to its location and river systems. Severe flooding has repeatedly displaced families and heightened the risk of waterborne disease.

Experts have warned that the risks from flooding will only increase due to a forecast of increased rainfall in upcoming years.

In 2024, heavy rainfall resulted in overcrowded temporary shelters, compromising the protection of vulnerable young girls. The flooding situation is not getting easier, but the country has begun to combat this devastating common occurrence.

Floating Schools Keep Education Afloat

One example of floating technology in Bangladesh is floating schools. Due to floods causing significant disruption, the country has started to work around it.

Roads in the most flood-prone villages become submerged easily, making children’s school runs very difficult. Floating schools have been created to ensure education remains consistent and undisrupted by floods. Instead of students making the journey to school, the floating school mechanism goes to them.

Since the first floating school launched in 2002, a report published in 2025 described more than 100 floating schools, libraries and health boats together, with more than 70,000 children benefiting from the initiative.

Floating Farms and Food Security

Another example of floating technology is floating farms. These systems allow crops to be cultivated in places affected by prolonged flooding.

Floating farms are essentially “artificial islands” that rise and fall with the river’s tide. They are most popular in Barisal, Gopalganj and Pirojpur. Farmers create platforms out of water hyacinth, plant seeds on these rafts and move them into flooded areas. Nutrients are released into the crops as the raft decomposes, making this process effective in the long run.

Many villages rely on these buoyant rafts to keep their food supply stable during floods. Ultimately, the floating farms and gardens offer a hopeful solution to the food deprivation caused by extreme flooding.

More Floating Innovations

In some flood-prone regions, boats have been transformed into mobile health clinics, libraries and community centers that bring essential services directly to isolated populations.

Floating health facilities provide basic medical care to residents who might otherwise struggle to reach clinics during flood periods.

Floating libraries give children and adults access to books and learning materials, supporting literacy and educational development.

These services help reduce the barriers that flooding creates while ensuring that communities remain connected to critical resources. By bringing assistance to people rather than expecting travel through difficult conditions, floating technologies improve accessibility and strengthen community resilience.

A More Resilient Future for Bangladesh

As changing weather creates flood risks, floating technology offers a promising path forward for vulnerable communities. What began as local solutions has evolved into a broader model of climate adaptation, helping people maintain access to education, food production and essential services even when floodwaters rise.

Continued investment in floating schools, farms and community services could expand opportunities for thousands more families in flood-prone regions. These innovations not only help communities withstand environmental challenges but also support long-term goals related to poverty reduction, food security and sustainable development.

Bangladesh’s success demonstrates that effective climate solutions do not always require costly infrastructure. By combining local knowledge with practical innovation, communities are finding new ways to thrive in changing conditions. Continued support from NGOs like Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, development organizations and government programs will play an important role in expanding these initiatives.

As other countries face increasing climate-related flooding, Bangladesh’s floating technologies may provide valuable lessons for building a more resilient future.

– Lottie Oldreive

Lottie is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Wood-Burning Stoves in Mexico

Wood-Burning Stoves in Mexico
Many people in Mexico continue to cook meals over open fires or inefficient stoves using wood and other polluting fuels. In 2019, Gold Standard estimated that about 20% of the country’s population used firewood for cooking. New, more efficient wood-burning stoves in Mexico can reduce smoke exposure and firewood use while respecting local cooking traditions.

The Health Risks

Daily exposure to smoke from open fires can contribute to serious respiratory and cardiovascular illness, with women and children often facing the greatest exposure. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that about 2.1 billion people cook using open fires or inefficient stoves fueled by polluting fuels, and household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 2.9 million deaths in 2021.

Energy Inefficiency and Deforestation

Open fires can also be energy inefficient, requiring families to purchase, harvest and transport more firewood. Where wood is harvested unsustainably, this can contribute to forest degradation and adds time and cost for households.

The Tlecuil-Alessia Stove

The Tlecuil-Alessia stove offers an efficient, smoke-reducing solution to this problem. Alessandro Mendoza-Galina, a permaculture expert, developed it in Malinalco with support from Fundación Comunitaria Malinalco. The traditional tlecuil hearth inspired the design and it uses an insulated combustion chamber, three comals and a fume extractor.

In deprived, rural areas, gas or electricity stoves are not a good solution due to lack of financial resources and infrastructure. The Tlecuil Stove still relies on the firewood families are accustomed to using, but its innovative design requires much less of it. The enhanced efficiency of the insulated combustion chamber reportedly reduces firewood consumption by 67%, allowing families to save time and money. Esther, a participant in the Tlecuil program, explained that thanks to the new technology, where her family used to have to make 10 trips for firewood, they now only need to make two. With smoke funneled out of the kitchen, the harmful side effects of smoke exposure are reduced too. A 2007 study of Patsari stoves in Michoacán found that average kitchen carbon monoxide levels fell by 66% and fine particulate matter levels by 67% after installation.

Community and Tradition

The Tlecuil program is community-focused. Workshops are in place for participants, allowing local women to come together and cooperate in the learning process. They learn how the oven functions, how to use it and its various health and environmental benefits. Next, with financial and operational support, families build their own Tlecuil in their home, meaning the oven is suited to their individual needs. Once the ovens have been built and the construction left to dry for 15 days, participants meet again to compare and share observations, techniques and food.

The program’s founder, Mendoza-Galina, is a strong believer in protecting tradition and indigenous customs. The ovens cater to centuries-old cooking techniques, allowing families to eat the same food, prepared the same way as before, but this time with less indoor smoke and lower firewood use.

The Tlecuil-Alessia approach combines efforts to reduce household smoke and firewood use with respect for local community and cooking traditions.

– Amelia Krone

Amelia is based in London and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr