Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Fighting Period Poverty in Spain

Period Poverty in SpainOften, places that suffer from poverty also face period poverty issues. In Spain, two in 10 women reportedly suffer from period poverty. Fortunately, there are also people fighting against it, with Spain becoming the first European country to introduce menstrual leave at the beginning of 2023.

What is Period Poverty?

Menstruation is stigmatized and most women have inadequate access to health and hygiene services during their periods. As a result, the term “period poverty” emerged to describe the lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual education and sanitation.

In What Ways Does Period Poverty Affect Women?

Period poverty can affect women in a variety of ways.  Research shows that lack of access to affordable supplies has a negative impact on mental health. Similarly, women and girls face medical risks such as urinary and genital tract infections and toxic shock syndrome from wearing pads or tampons longer than the recommended time to cut expenses. Not having sufficient and appropriate means of access may further prevent people from attending school and engaging in the workforce as they fear leakage and public ridicule. In the long term, this can have a negative impact on the economic situation of women and girls.

How Does Spain Tackle Period Poverty?

Period poverty is not solely a phenomenon of the Global South. Women and girls in Spain report that up to 39.9% of them suffer from lifelong period poverty. To a large extent, period poverty in Spain particularly affects socioeconomically disadvantaged people, migrant groups and non-binary or trans-menstruating people. The Spanish government initiated a series of progressive legislative changes that are considered major steps in the fight against period poverty. In addition, several nongovernmental organizations are operating to bring the issue into the mainstream and advocate for women in precarious circumstances.

Tax Reduction

Previously, the Spanish government taxed menstrual products as “luxury goods” at a rate of 10%. As of September 2022, however, this has changed with a reduction in the tax rate to 4% and the renewed status of period products as “essential goods.” This change not only provides financial relief for women but also recognizes their needs. Though this tax cut is a decisive step toward ending period poverty in Spain, menstrual products are still not readily available for everyone.

Menstrual Leave Policy

In February 2023, Spain became the first European country to grant women the right to paid menstrual leave. In this way, the government addressed pain related to menstruation such as cramps, nausea or dizziness, which affects more than half of all menstruating women. Thus, with a medical certificate, they have the option of taking up to three days of paid leave, which can be extended to five days according to the severity of their pain.

NGO Power

The organization, Rezero, launched a project called “New Period” in Catalonia to fight period poverty in Spain. They pioneered the first network of menstruation-friendly toilets in the city of Barcelona with 100 contact points and additionally focused on the frequently neglected practice of including menstruation in the curriculum of Spanish schools. Moreover, Rezero prioritizes sustainability to the extent that its campaign promotes the purchase of reusable products through a directory of local and sustainable brands. Organizations such as Rezero ultimately show that menstrual equity is indeed possible.

Going Forward

Spain’s commitment to addressing period poverty paves the way for improved and more egalitarian living conditions for Spanish women and girls. While the achievements to date are important milestones, period poverty remains a complex problem. Moving forward, ongoing trends suggest that it is essential to achieve proficient levels of menstrual education and the free distribution of period products to ensure menstrual health in Spain.

– Miriam Schuller
Photo: Pixabay

Chinese Investment in Latin America

Chinese investment in Latin AmericaWith the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has become a major investor in Latin America in recent years. Between 2005 and 2020, Chinese investment in Latin America increased from $12 billion to $350 billion. This investment, which is part of a grand Chinese initiative, has had a significant impact on the region in terms of economic growth, infrastructure development and technology transfer. However, these benefits of Chinese investments also come at potential costs, with negative impacts on the environment and looming threats of dependency.

Pros of Chinese Investment in Latin America

  • Economic growth and employment: Chinese investment has helped boost economic growth and improve poverty rates. For example, Brazil witnessed economic growth of 3.3% between 2001 and 2013, along with a reduction in poverty from 13.6% to 4.9%. In general, Chinese investments have increased growth by creating more jobs. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Chinese investment created around 1.8 million jobs in Latin America between the 1990s and 2016.
  • Infrastructural development: China has invested in both hard and soft infrastructure and has become a major stakeholder in the power distribution sector, transmission lines, railroads and mining sector. According to Forbes, China has invested $17 billion in LAC, with a main focus on the energy sector. As of November 2022, Power China is working on 50 projects in 15 LAC countries. Similarly, countries like Bolivia, Peru and Argentina (Lithium Triangle) have received significant Chinese investments as they are the source of 56% of the world’s lithium. China also controls all of Peru’s iron production and a quarter of its copper production.
  • New Technologies: Chinese investment has also facilitated the transfer of new technology to Latin America. Huawei holds the largest share in the Latin American telecom market and is leading the implementation of 5G networks. Similarly, as of 2022, Hikvision, a Chinese security camera enterprise, has become the largest security system operator in Mexico. These new technologies are pivotal in enhancing digital connectivity and security.

Cons of Chinese Investment in Latin America

  • Environmental impact: Most of the Latin American exports to China come from the agriculture and mining sectors, which generate 15% more greenhouse gases than the average. China’s involvement in the construction and mining industry raises concerns about its development practices. In March 2023, a group of 50 civil society organizations presented a report to the U.N. about the ecological damage caused by Chinese development practices. According to the report, a Chinese company operating the San Carlos-Panantza copper mine in Ecuador would have impacted 70% of the native land if the court had not canceled the project’s environmental license.
  • Debt Trap: Critics argue that China is creating a debt trap by offering huge loans, thereby creating dependency. An example of this is the Hambantota port case in Sri Lanka, where the host country was unable to pay back the Chinese loan and had to give up its port on lease to China for 99 years. Similarly, in 2021, Venezuela owed $1 billion to China due to a failed deal regarding iron extraction.
  • Transparency: Many have expressed concerns about the transparency of Chinese trade practices and the use of corrupt means to influence government officials. According to Patriot Ledger, China is increasingly using its investments to gain political influence in Latin America. The report found that China has been providing loans and investments to Latin American countries in exchange for support for China’s interests on the world stage.

Looking Ahead

Chinese investment in Latin America has had a mixed impact on the region. While it has helped boost economic growth and improve infrastructure, it has also had some negative environmental impacts. This highlights a need for continuous assessment of the impact of Chinese investment in Latin America to ensure the overall progress of the region.

– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Unsplash

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The Impact of Peruvian Coca Farming 

Peruvian Coca FarmingPeruvian anti-drug police seized 58 kilograms of cocaine, destined for Belgium, at the port of Paita, Peru in May 2023. The cocaine packages had the Nazi flag and the blocks had the imprint of the name “Hitler.” In March 2023, Peruvian authorities discovered 2.3 tonnes of cocaine that were to undergo transport to Turkey.

Cocaine from Peru goes to South American countries for domestic consumption or to further destinations such as Asia, Europe and the United States (U.S.) that have a high demand for the drug. Peru is the second largest producer of cocaine and cultivator of the coca leaf, the primary ingredient in cocaine, in the world, according to The Guardian. In 2021, Peru produced 785 metric tons of cocaine and cultivated 84,400 hectares.

Peruvian coca farming majorly contributes to increased deforestation rates of the Peruvian Amazon, the prevalence of child labor and poverty in rural areas. Several U.S. government programs are continuously collaborating with the Peruvian government to implement strategies to eradicate illicit coca, create alternative development projects, ban illegal narcotics and minimize domestic drug abuse.

Deforestation and Indigenous Communities

Illegal coca production has spread across the Peruvian Amazon during the pandemic due to minimal state presence. The center of the illegal drug trade in Peru is the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM). The VRAEM and several other parts of the forest are being “felled and burned” to make space for coca fields, contributing to deforestation. Not only is the number of illicit coca farms expanding, but the proliferation of laboratories converting coca leaves into cocaine and the construction of clandestine airstrips for drug trafficking are posing significant environmental threats. As a result, these activities contribute to the degradation of the natural habitat and ecosystems in the Amazon region. In addition, deforestation of the Amazon exacerbates climate change by releasing an increased amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to a rise in the temperature of the Earth’s surface.

Peruvian coca farming is negatively impacting the hundreds of indigenous communities who live in the Amazon. The expansion of coca farming leads to the encroachment of ancestral indigenous lands which can result in the displacement of entire communities. The expansion of coca production also places community members at heightened vulnerability, increasing the risk of being forcibly recruited into the production process and becoming addicted to cocaine. Indigenous leaders and environmental activists have become targets of violence for openly opposing drug trafficking. Almost 20 local leaders have been killed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Insight Crime.

How Coca Farming Targets Children

Many families who cultivate coca in Peru use child labor because children are too young for prosecution for illicit activity. In areas where coca production rises, there is a corresponding increase in the use of labor in those areas. According to Maria Sviatschi, when children are part of illegal labor markets, they acquire industry-specific skills at an early age. This often puts the children on “a criminal life path” in the cocaine industry. When these children grow up, they are 30% more likely to face imprisonment for violent and drug-related crimes. They are also 30% more likely to have lower earnings, consequently increasing poverty rates in Peru.

Illicit Coca Eradication and Poverty Reduction Efforts

During the pandemic, the national poverty rate increased to 30.1%. The U.S. The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is collaborating with the Peruvian government and anti-drug police to eradicate illicit coca activities. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crim (UNODC) has worked with the Peruvian government and farmers for decades to provide alternative development opportunities to decrease poverty rates and boost economic growth through legal avenues. The project targets “endemic coca-producing” areas where there are high poverty rates.

Looking Ahead

Collaborative efforts between the Peruvian government, the U.S. and international organizations are making strides toward eradicating illicit coca activities and reducing poverty. Programs focused on alternative development and poverty reduction are providing opportunities for communities previously involved in Peruvian coca farming to pursue legal avenues of economic growth. By addressing the root causes of illicit coca production, these initiatives aim to contribute to the preservation of the environment and the well-being of indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon.

– Surya Patil
Photo: Flickr

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Top 5 Charities Operating in Iraq

Charities in IraqIraq has faced economic devastation, political corruption and violent conflicts for more than two decades. With more than 1 million displaced Iraqis, the country is in desperate need of support. Here are the top 5 charities operating in Iraq.

Top 5 Charities Operating in Iraq

  1. Save the Children: Since 1991, Save the Children has been a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting displaced children and families in Iraq. Their child protection programs have played a pivotal role in safeguarding and rehabilitating Iraqi children. Over 337,000 children facing perilous circumstances have benefited from their efforts, which include enhancing water supply, training educators and providing crucial psychosocial support.
  2. Caritas Iraq: Also known as the Brotherhood of Charities, Caritas provides food aid to the underprivileged in Iraq. The organization maintains social centers that offer medical care and food assistance to disadvantaged families. Since the ISIS attacks in 2014, it has helped nearly 400,000 Iraqis cope with hardships. Caritas currently provides more than 5,000 families monthly with psychological and social programs to support them through war trauma and displacement.
  3. Iraqi Children Foundation: The Iraq war and occupation by ISIS have had devastating consequences, especially for Iraqi children. Charities like the Iraqi Children Foundation focus on their well-being, particularly those who have endured abuse, neglect and exploitation. Through impactful programs like Hope Buses, medical care and social services, the foundation collaborates with trusted partners to provide immediate support and valuable mentorship. By 2021, it had helped and protected thousands of vulnerable children in poverty-ridden neighborhoods in Baghdad.
  4. Free Yezidi Foundation: After the Yezidi genocide in 2014, the Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) emerged as a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting and assisting the Yezidi community. It empowers women to assume leadership roles, facilitate trauma healing and aid survivors in applying for reparations. Their commitment has provided invaluable support and resources to the Yezidi community on the path to recovery and empowerment.
  5. MADRE: MADRE is an international women’s rights organization that protects and empowers women facing threats from fundamentalist forces. MADRE supports women who have experienced abuse and terror through safety shelters and advocacy campaigns. It nurtures and empowers women, enabling them to assume leadership positions and contribute to shaping a world where marginalized women have a voice in policy and decision-making.

One Step at a Time

Despite the challenges, nonprofit organizations are making a tangible difference in Iraq. While eradicating poverty takes time, the collective efforts of these five charities are advancing the journey toward a brighter future for Iraqi citizens. The lasting effects of the war necessitate dedicated individuals committed to making a difference in the livelihoods of poverty-stricken communities in Iraq.

– Dunia Matta
Photo: Flickr

Music’s Positive Effect on Poverty

Music's Positive Effect on Poverty
Music is a universal and abiding pastime for a reason. It is much more than an added pleasure; many agree that it has the power to transform lives. In 1975, Venezuelan Dr. José Antonio Abreu observed that music can dramatically change the lives of impoverished children. He founded El Sistema, a music education program that teaches orchestral instruments to under-resourced children.

El Sistema-style programs have been adopted in the Dominican Republic and Colombia by the NGO Music for Development to harness the power of music and lift children out of poverty. Similarly, the NGO Playing For Change Foundation creates music programs to spur social change. These organizations explore music’s positive effect on poverty and its immense power to heal and connect the world.

The Science

Children who enter or are born into poverty are more likely to have suffered from multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACE). In fact, poverty itself counts as an ACE. Many people have witnessed violence, lost parents and been hungry or homeless. Exposure to the rhythmicity and expression of music could help these children heal. Simply listening to music brings psychological benefits. A 2020 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health study monitored brain waves and found that listening to music reduces psychological stress by a “medium-to-large margin.” Many preceding studies support this finding.

Playing music also improves cognitive function by stimulating all regions of the brain. Listening and playing music can protect the brain from degradation due to trauma and reactivate lost pathways. A study from Northwestern University’s Auditory Neuroscience Lab found evidence for enhanced “neural processing” in children with musical instrument training than those without making music is also often a social event – the cognition stimulated when a person socializes improves memory and enhances life quality. Brain cognition suffers when children are traumatized and music education can improve brain function with benefits that last a lifetime.

Building Community

The idea that music “breaks down barriers” is the backbone of Playing For Change. In addition to opening music schools in 19 countries, Playing For Change scouts and funds emerging musicians from under-resourced backgrounds. Connecting these musicians to a global audience demonstrates music’s positive effects on poverty by channeling donations directly to poor communities. Further, playing music together increases a sense of belonging. This provides another immeasurable benefit to people in poor communities. A voice student Anu Shakya said that the largest impact music school had on her was the “family” she found there: music puts people into communion both locally and globally.

Peer Responsibility

Music programs mobilize the power of learning an instrument to foster this sense of responsibility. Teaching children to play in an orchestra holds them accountable to each other. This accountability is a further indication of music’s positive effect on poverty. To perform for dignitaries, the children must practice and show up to rehearsal. This program encourages even the youngest children to take on leadership roles, teaching them teamwork and peer-to-peer responsibility.

Issahaku Yussif is a student at the Bizung School of Music and Dance in Ghana, a Playing For Change Music School. In a video on Playing For Change’s website, he affirms the sense of responsibility gained from learning music: “Music helped me with so much. It helped me with my academics… Music teaches people to be morally upright.” Stories like this suggest that learning music can change a child’s academic and emotional life for the better.

Cultural Pride

While universal, music taps into a specific place’s cultural roots. Anu Shakya went from being a student to a vocal mentor at the Musica Music School in Kathmandu, Nepal. She got to travel the world singing and spreading Nepali music. As a result, she says her “life changed” for the better, and she felt a strong sense of pride in being Nepali. This experience is commonly felt when people are able to master and celebrate their art form with the world. Music’s positive effects on poverty include the celebration of people and communities. Learning indigenous instruments keeps cultures alive, affirming a community’s beauty.

Looking Ahead

By investing in local music programs, the NGOs Music for Development and Playing For Change deploy a multi-pronged attack on poverty. Music’s positive effects on poverty include psychological healing, encouraging a sense of peer responsibility, bringing people into harmony with each other and cultivating a transformative sense of cultural pride.

– Caroline Crider
Photo: Flickr

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Schistosomiasis Treatment Bringing Hope for the Future

Schistosomiasis Treatment
Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease that is particularly threatening to young children. Infection occurs when people come in contact with water infested with parasitic larvae that penetrate the skin. Once inside the body, the larvae develop into adult worms that nest in human blood vessels. The female parasites lay eggs, some of which become trapped in human tissues, causing inflammation and damage to vital organs. Others exit the body in feces and urine. Symptoms of schistosomiasis include diarrhea and abdominal pain. In children, it can result in anemia, stunted growth and reduced cognitive development. Luckily, child-safe schistosomiasis treatment is emerging to help eliminate the disease.

About Schistosomiasis

Alarmingly, the disease can spread through water sources contaminated with infected human excrement, leading to ongoing cycles of infection. Currently, the drug praziquantel is the only available treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends large-scale administration of praziquantel to both treat the disease and prevent its spread. According to a study published in 2021, periodic administration of praziquantel to school-aged children between 5 years and 14 years old has reduced schistosomiasis prevalence among this group by about 60% over the past two decades.

However, until recently, there has been no safe and effective treatment for preschool-aged children. Furthermore, continued reliance on a single drug could cause parasites to develop drug resistance. Fortunately, a new pediatric medication, arpraziquantel, has been formulated to treat and prevent schistosomiasis in 3-month- to 6-year-old children. Here is why it is promising for mitigating the disease’s spread among this vulnerable group and achieving the World Health Assembly goal of eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health concern by 2030.

Vulnerability

Globally, an estimated 240 million people suffer from schistosomiasis, most of them living in tropical and subtropical regions. Because the disease spreads through contaminated water, feces and urine, it poses a great risk to communities that lack access to safe water and basic sanitation services. Furthermore, people whose occupations involve contact with water, including fishermen and irrigation workers, are highly vulnerable to the disease, as are women and girls, who risk contracting female genital schistosomiasis while collecting water or carrying out domestic chores. Overall, more than 700 million people live in at-risk areas where transmission is moderate-to-high. Schistosomiasis is especially prevalent in Africa, which is home to an estimated 90% or more of those in need of treatment.

Current Prevention and Treatment

Praziquantel is administered in 500-600 mg oral tablets. It is low-cost and, in large doses, has proven effective in protecting against adult parasites. However, it is less effective against larvae and juvenile parasites, requiring repeated doses to provide protection. In addition to heightening the possibility of drug resistance, this increases expense, the risk of reinfection and the likelihood of continued transmission in low-income countries where medication supplies and people’s access to them are lacking.

In addition to partnering with the pharmaceutical company Merck to supply more than 1.4 billion praziquantel doses to those in need, WHO has therefore emphasized further measures for controlling the spread of the disease. These include improving sanitation and water supplies, controlling the snail populations in which parasites reside, educating endemic communities and administering “large-scale treatment using the pediatric praziquantel formulation.”

A Child-Safe Treatment Brings Hope for the Future

In November 2021, the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, an EU-funded international partnership, successfully completed clinical trials on arpraziquantel, a new child-safe, oral treatment for schistosomiasis. According to the Merck-led consortium, clinical trials on infected Kenyan children showed that a single dose of arpraziquantel had a cure rate of about 90%. The medication is a praziquantel derivative, yet, in comparison to the large 500-600 mg tablets, it comes in small 150 mg doses that are safe and effective for preschool-aged children. The tablets are orally-dissolvable to prevent choking and flavored to appeal to children. Additionally, the drug can withstand hot environments, making it suitable for tropical and sub-tropical climates.

The Future Ahead

In 2022, the European Medicines Agency accepted arpraziquantel for review. Pending approval, Merck, working in partnership with stakeholders including WHO and UNICEF, hopes to begin distributing the medication in sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. The ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable, affordable access to medication for all 50 million preschool-aged children in need. Coupled with ongoing efforts to develop other new single-dose treatments, arpraziquantel brings hope that a schistosomiasis-free future is within sight.

– Isla Wright
Photo: Flickr

3D Printing Improves Kenyan Health Care System

Kenyan Health Care System
The 3D printing approach, also known as additive manufacturing, is a method of creating three-dimensional objects by building up layers of material based on a computer-generated design or blueprint. Unlike traditional production processes that involve cutting or subtracting material from a larger piece, 3D printing, therefore, adds material, resulting in less waste. To print an object using a 3D printer, one must create the design blueprint on a computer and save it on a memory card. Then, one must insert the card into the 3D printer, which melts a plastic material called a filament to produce the desired object. This technology is improving the Kenyan health care system in several different ways.

Why People Are Using 3D Printing

In response to the need for medical and laboratory equipment in rural areas of Kenya, 3D printing emerged as a viable and efficient solution to address accessibility challenges in the country’s health care system during a humanitarian crisis. Engineers from Pennsylvania State University’s med-tech startup, Kijenzi (meaning “little maker” in Swahili), recognized the potential of using portable 3D printers to produce affordable medical equipment in Kenya.

However, they soon realized that accessing the necessary 3D printing design blueprints posed a significant obstacle. As a result, Kijenzi developed a virtual cloud system that enables doctors and medical professionals to access the files online, with approximately 400 parts available, which the machinery can print in 3D. Additionally, Kijenzi is training individuals across the country to use 3D printers to produce these medical devices, offering them livelihood opportunities.

The Benefits

The Kijenzi 3D printing system is now helping manufacture parts for dialysis machines, microscope parts, incubator latches, prosthetic limbs and various other medical equipment and devices. One of the high points of this 3D printing system is that one can use it to print on demand and as necessary, in what was once a lengthy and unpredictable importation process. As well as cutting down waiting times, the items that the 3D printing system manufactures are completely customized and are of a higher quality than similar items that hospitals would have imported previously.

By virtue of the 3D printing system, hospitals can now easily replace parts from broken or worn-out equipment which require urgent replacement, keeping many hospital departments running when they would have had to close previously. It has also saved certain medical machinery from obsolescence by allowing the reproduction of parts from digital blueprints rather than becoming discontinued from a larger factory’s catalog. The higher production volumes and turnover of items also allow the Kenyan health care system to provide medical equipment to countries like Somalia and Ethiopia in times of need.

The use of 3D printing in the Kenyan health care system is not free from its own set of limitations, unfortunately. The filament, which is the printing material, requires importing, which can be time-consuming as well as expensive. However, there is a high potential to overcome this obstacle — some have suggested that printing the filaments available in Nairobi could be a better option than imported ones. And using locally sourced filaments would reduce the overall cost of the 3D-printed equipment. Additionally, it would speed up waiting times for the import of filaments, allowing people to receive medical attention more quickly.

Looking Ahead

Overall, 3D printing has revolutionized the Kenyan health care system and has no doubt impacted the lives of many people in Kenya in a positive way. It has not only improved the efficiency of Kenya’s medical system but has created jobs and afforded people in Kenya a more secure and self-reliant medical service.

– Molly Wallace
Photo: Flickr

Making Progress: primary education in India

primary education in IndiaIt is well known that India is a country where a high percentage of the population lives in poverty, and this factor influences different areas of human development. Particularly, the quality of teaching and access to primary education has suffered, both of which are fundamental for the country’s economic and social development. However, India has made significant progress in this area in recent times, giving more children an opportunity for a brighter future.

Advancing Primary Education in India

Education is a fundamental right for children, and according to UNICEF, the period between 0 and 8 years represents the period of greatest development. In terms of education access and quality, India has made significant progress in recent years. According to enrollment data, it is estimated that eight out of 10 children aged 3 to 6 years are in an Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program, with the state of Karnataka having the highest percentage (86.6%). This is mainly due to the implementation of laws made by the Indian government to strengthen the education system. These laws are the National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy (ECCE) (2013) and the Children’s Rights to Free and Education Obligation (RTE) (2009), which entered into law on April 1, 2010.

Among the strategies used to improve the primary education system is the participation of UNICEF in India. This project aims to achieve three main areas of focus in educational development in the country. First, improving early childhood education by increasing enrollments. Second, a reduction in out-of-school children in nine high-concentration states. Finally, building on teaching and education quality by improving learning environments in selected states. In view of this, UNICEF’s work is centered on strengthening early childhood education systems, in order to achieve inclusive and equitable development for all children aged 3 to 6 years, as well as SDG 4, Goal 4.2.

Primary Education in India as a Basic Right

Taking into account the laws and policies on early childhood education made by the government and strengthened by UNICEF, the right to education is being recognized and prioritized. In addition, this advancement is influencing other areas of children’s rights, such as gender equality, protection and care and access to information. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) on November 20, 1989 and enforced in September 1990, articles 28 and 29 (access to education and education) affirm and declare that every child has the right to education, primary education should be free and that access to education should teach them to understand their own rights and to respect other people’s rights, cultures and differences. 

It is not only UNICEF but also other organizations in India that work and defend to promote these rights, such as Humanium and Smile Foundation India.

Looking Forward

India is currently the most populous country in the world (with around 1.425 billion people) and this contributes significantly to global human development. Indeed, India is home to almost one-sixth of the world’s population and children make up 25.69% of society. Investments in primary education in India help prevent child marriage, reduce poverty and improve the well-being of families and communities across the country. 

– Letícia L. Lacerda
Photo: Flickr

Public Housing in Singapore and its Socioeconomic Benefits

Public Housing in Singapore
Tucked in the bottom corner of Southeast Asia, Singapore is presenting a hopeful solution to addressing global poverty. Once known for its widespread slums and poverty, 80% of its population were squatting in unsafe conditions and makeshift homes. Now, 50 years later, 80% of the population has access to safe and secure public housing in Singapore, a long-term solution that has helped to address the problems of poverty.

Poverty in Singapore

Poverty still exists in Singapore because, despite strong support from the government, there is still a problem of inequality and high costs of living. However, considering that most of the population is living in affordable government-provided housing, and home ownership is one of the highest in the world at 88.9% home ownership in 2021, the country looks to be heading in the right direction.

Public Housing

The idea of public housing in Singapore began in 1959 following a realization that private housing was unable to keep up with the growing economy. This was resulting in overcrowding, racial tensions and poor living conditions, according to Bloomberg. Following this, the government set up the Housing Development Board (HDB) to address the problem and by 1965, 400,000 people had moved into government-funded housing.

By 1985, the government-owned 76% of the land in Singapore, compared to 31% in 1949 and this has allowed for the building of this system of cheap and efficient housing.

Although modest in size and design, these houses have proper security, running water and electricity, according to Billion Bricks. There are 23 self-contained towns that hold this public housing around the coast of Singapore. Buildings go through the process of standardization to create easy assembly and uniformity.

This system is consistently praised for its ability to address problems of poverty, whilst also creating socioeconomic growth through racial integration and sustainable awareness. The HDB has created social cohesion by building communities within the apartments through public spaces, mixed-ethnicity and mixed-income integration and public gardens.

The positive implications of this system are endless. Both social cohesion and access to housing have a positive impact as people live in environments of stability and security. Support for the government has also increased, as there has been an establishment of higher levels of trust between the people and the state. As a result, the commitment of the government to provide for the people has increased, with 2017 seeing $1.19 billion in spending on public housing, according to the World Bank.

This is all good news for Singapore. The small country has balanced social well-being, government control and security to address deep-rooted problems of poverty.

What is Next?

The public housing in Singapore is unique in nature, and while the 60 years of creation is not easily replicable, it does provide some indication of how important government planning and support are in addressing poverty and promoting socioeconomic improvements. The Singaporean approach could be a lesson, particularly on the importance of social integration, planning and innovative urban design.

– Daisy How
Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Poland Amid the Conflict in Ukraine

Migration to PolandAs the Ukrainian-Russian war persists, Ukrainians seek refuge in the major cities of neighboring countries. With Poland bordering the west of Ukraine, several migrants have opted for migration to areas such as Gdańsk, Kraków and Warsaw.

The Big Picture

Ukraine has faced devastating losses within the past two years, including 23,606 civilian casualties and 8,791 civilian deaths, as revealed by U.N. statistics. Along with these impacts, medical services such as clinics and hospitals have been severely disturbed in southern and eastern Ukraine due to destruction and unpredictable attacks from the Russians and restrictions on civilian activity.

According to Intereconomics, approximately 3.5 million Ukrainians have opted for migration to Poland since the beginning of the war, increasing Poland’s population drastically. Poland’s capital, Warsaw, has increased in population by 17% since the beginning of the war.

The Perceptions of Locals

Some locals find this change difficult to deal with, seeing the constant flow of Ukrainians as a burden to the city’s regular day-to-day flow. However, many of those who welcome refugees with open arms see it as a chance for Ukrainians to show their hard work and entrepreneurship in the Polish workforce.

One of these individuals includes 33-year-old Monika Kryszcuk, a Polish citizen born and raised in Warsaw who has witnessed how immigration rates have progressed firsthand. During an interview with The Borgen Project, Kryszcuk explains the Ukrainian migration to Poland is prevalent but not bothersome to her. She says that part of the reason she feels sympathetic for the migrants is that Poland has been where Ukraine is in past years.

“Poland was one of the most damaged countries in the second world war. Therefore we know how it is to flee your home, leave everything behind and just try to survive,” states Kryszcuk.

Present vs. Past

According to BBC News, by July 4, 2022,  almost 1.2 million Ukrainians had applied for temporary residence in Poland. Kryszcuk says that the number of Ukrainians still migrating to Poland is now much lower than last year. She remembers several Ukrainian concerts, marches and protests in Warsaw’s streets, in the months of May and March 2022, calling for an end to the war. Now, she says that protests still happen but are less ostentatious.

In 2022, Kryszcuk and her mother would go to Warsaw’s train stations and pass out critical supplies such as clothes, water and canned food to Ukrainians migrating to other parts of Poland. Kryszcuk says people, including herself, now prefer to offer help by sending aid to organizations working inside Ukrainian borders, considering the escalating humanitarian situation there.

Efforts to Help

Kryszcuk says that she sees Ukrainian grandmothers every day on the streets of Warsaw who have most likely never before left the borders of Ukraine. Now, they are in a foreign country, scared and lost, not knowing what to do next.

The situation many Ukrainians have faced for the past year and a half is dire and there is no resolution in clear sight. However, Kryszcuk explains that people can help struggling Ukrainians through online donations. With Poland being one of the top countries for Ukrainian refugees to migrate to, Polish Humanitarian Action is a notable charitable organization to support to help the cause.

Janina Ochojska established PAH in 1992 and has helped more than 14.5 million people globally. The organization provides resources such as food and aid for those internally displaced or outside refugees fleeing their homes.

Additionally, anyone can support Ukrainian refugees through Poland’s government website under the title “Pomagam Ukraine” (Help Ukraine). Through the website, any individual is able to donate food, clothes and other essentials to refugees. The website includes updates on the refugee situation in Poland as well as a guide for donors who want to effectively support people in these types of difficult circumstances.

Looking Ahead

Overall, Warsaw, and Poland as a whole, have welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open arms. Organizations working on the ground in Poland provide assistance and crucial aid to these vulnerable Ukrainians, providing them with another chance at living normally as the war rages on back in their home country.

– Nina Donlin
Photo: Flickr