Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Kashmir

Fragility and Rule of Law in KashmirKashmir is a region in South Asia with disputed territories in India, Pakistan and China. It is known for its diverse and vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, rich music and a wide range of clothing. Located in the Himalayas, Kashmir now stands as a symbol of fragility and the fight for the rule of law due to political disputes.

History

The Jammu and Kashmir territories have been under dispute since the Partition in 1947 when the British Raj withdrew and India and Pakistan separated based on religious divisions. With a Muslim majority, Kashmir had the choice to join either country. Initially planning for independence, the Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh later acceded to India after a tribal invasion, setting the stage for the fragility and ongoing struggles for the rule of law in Kashmir.

However, the Maharaja’s agreement to join India was based on terms outlined in Article 370 and Article 35A. Article 370 granted Kashmir autonomy to create its own Constitution, make laws and have its flag, while Article 35A ensured equal opportunities for Kashmiris in land ownership, employment and assistance. The Indian government deployed its army to counter the tribal invasion and although the United Nations (U.N.) established a ceasefire, both Indian and Pakistani troops remain in the region as of July 2023.

Political System in Kashmir

On August 5th, 2019, the Indian government revoked Articles 370 and 35A. The revocation undermined the rule of law in Kashmir and deprived citizens of the same rights and liberties they once had legal entitlements to. Jammu and Kashmir lost their state status and became Union Territories (UT), regions administered entirely by the central government, further contributing to the political fragility of the region.

Citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have had limited political participation since the last state assembly elections in 2014. While India prides itself on being one of the world’s largest democracies, the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s state status raises concerns about the fragility and the rule of law in Kashmir. With the new UT status, both executive and legislative power rests with the central government and the State Assembly of Kashmir has been dissolved. This lack of representation has led to calls for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

Human Rights Violations

In addition to the ever-changing and fragile system of government, arrests and enforced disappearances of activists and journalists have become increasingly common, undermining the fundamental principle of the rule of law in Kashmir. Notably, journalist Irfan Mehraj was arrested by the National Investigation Agency for exposing human rights abuses. 

According to the Free Speech Collective, the arrest of Irfan Mehraj is “an alarming indication of how far the authorities will go to clamp down on independent journalism.” The organization emphasizes the need to stop targeting independent journalists in Kashmir, allowing them to practice their profession without fear or favor.

Furthermore, the government has imposed numerous internet shutdowns, restricting communication and preventing the flow of information. In 2021 alone, Jammu and Kashmir experienced 85 internet shutdowns, violating the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression, as ruled by the Indian Supreme Court. This demonstrates the fragility of Kashmir, where the government perceives freedom of the press as a threat. 

Additionally, the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act grants the military broad powers in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to further human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture and rape. These violations often go unpunished, fueling controversy and perpetuating human rights abuses.

Political instability and human rights violations directly contribute to poverty in Kashmir. The region’s militarization, as seen through policies like the Armed Forces Act, is a leading cause. Additionally, 73% of people lack access to health care and 43% of children are out of school. The forced disappearances, violence and arrests have caused distress and instability within family structures, hindering socioeconomic success. Political instability has worsened inflation, with no state government creating opportunities for Kashmiris.

Take Action

Kashmir Action provides a variety of resources to educate individuals about the crisis in Kashmir. The website is run by the organization, Justice For All, which addresses issues and politically mobilizes for causes that have not garnered sufficient international support. For instance, Justice for All advocates for independent Kashmiri media, creates petitions for specific issues in Kashmir, organizes protests and provides educational material. In 2020, the organization reached more than 6 million social media interactions and distributed 75,000 educational brochures. A few ways to support Justice for All include signing petitions, making awareness posts and reading their reports.

Helping Hand for Relief and Development is another organization dedicated to providing direct humanitarian aid to Kashmiris on both sides of the border. It offers resources to those in need through its campaigns across the world. For example, in 2021, the organization provided in-kind gifts to 4,718,872 containing food, furniture, hygiene items, school supplies, medical equipment and clothes. The essential items in the relief kits assist people across the globe living in poverty while alleviating their suffering. Moreover, Helping Hand’s Kashmir Relief Campaign goes to projects such as Winter Relief, Ramadan Food, Water for Life and the Medical In-Kind Gifts Program. These campaigns are especially important for global poverty alleviation as they provide necessities to vulnerable populations in Kashmir. 

Looking Ahead

The people of Kashmir continue to show resilience under the unstable political system and the ongoing human rights violations that undermine the rule of law. Raising awareness of the attacks on human rights is pivotal to garnering international support. While political instability and human rights violations contribute to socio-economic disparities in Kashmir, taking both political actions and donating to humanitarian aid play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for Kashmir. 

– Mehreen Syed
Photo: Unsplash

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Learning to Read in Ghana: Adult Literacy Programs

Adult Literacy Programs in GhanaGhana, a large West African country along the Atlantic Ocean coast, has long grappled with the challenge of illiteracy. An estimated 42% of the adult population in the country is illiterate, with women facing a higher rate of around 50%, compared to 33% among men. As a result, there is a pressing need for Adult Literacy Programs in Ghana.

ALPs and Education

Adult Literacy Programs, or ALPs, serve exactly the function the name suggests. These programs help adults learn how to read. However, literacy is much more than understanding words or numbers on a page. It serves an important societal function that allows people to interact with the world around them. ALPs can help increase skills among populations struggling with underdeveloped education, poor health and labor market participation.

These programs seek to provide adults with a well-rounded education that they may apply to their daily lives. Programs that utilize creative approaches rather than traditional classroom pedagogy are often more successful. For example, modern advances such as cell phones help adults retain new, relevant information.

History of ALPs in Ghana

Adult Literacy Programs in Ghana have a long history, stretching back to the time before the nation was independent. In the early 18th century, the Dutch Reformed Church introduced local language adult literacy work to Ghana, then the Gold Coast. After the Second World War, in 1948, the British Colonial Government officially adopted literacy as a component of the national education system and set out to establish similar programs. Since gaining independence in 1957, Ghana has embarked on several literacy-based initiatives beyond the scope of colonizing powers.

Within the past 50 years, the state has instituted a variety of educational acts, such as the Education Act of 1961 and the 1992 Constitution, which established education as a basic right for all citizens. Similarly, the state partnered with several NGOs and instituted programs such as the Free and Compulsory Universal Basic Education. Current estimates suggest that the youth and adult literacy rates are around 80% and 75% due to these programs.

Ghana’s National Functional Literacy Program (NFLP)

One such program is Ghana’s National Functional Literacy Program or the NFLP. It seeks to increase the national literacy rate, and defines a functionally literate person as “one who can engage in activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his/her…community and also for enabling him/her to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his/her own and the community’s development.”

In classroom settings, adult Ghanaians learn reading, math and other complementary skills. Some classes are women or men only, while others are a mix of both. Studies have noted substantial gains in reading skills, but relatively weak writing and numeracy skills. Still, the NFLP has led to more labor market participation, greater income and generally more economic liberties for newly literate Ghanaians. One hypothesis for the NFLP’s notable success is its longer duration of 21 months, whereas many other ALPs tend to last for only nine.

The Literacy and Community Development Program

Another ALP in Ghana is the Literacy and Community Development Program, a literacy and socio-economic development program which targets adults 15 and above with little to no formal education. There are specific efforts that serve to accommodate vulnerable or marginalized groups such as women, youth, prison inmates, nomads and people living with disabilities. Pamoja Ghana launched this program officially, with financial and technical support from Action Aid Ghana (AAG).

Since its founding, numerous groups have been established across the entire country and currently, there are about 3,340 active participants. Adults and adolescents can learn basic literacy and life skills through this program, and many learners have even gone on to hold positions in district assemblies in their localities or have become elders in their various religions. Some younger participants who were forced out of school due to poverty or societal pressures were able to continue learning informally before eventually re-enrolling in formal school. Overall, this ALP has assisted many adult Ghanaians with learning to read, thus allowing them to interact with their communities in new and improved ways.

– Char Nieberding
Photo: Unsplash

HIV/AIDS in Namibia

HIV/AIDS in NamibiaNamibia has one of the highest infection rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. HIV/AIDS in Namibia has been on the decline since 2000, but in 2021, the country still ranked fourth in the world based on infection rate, with 11% of adults aged 15-49 living with HIV. Although this is an improvement over the country’s 14.1% infection rate as of 2000, the country is working to lower the current rate. The Namibian government works in tandem with local organizations to reduce infection rates across the country.

PEPFAR in Namibia

PEPFAR is a United States (U.S.) initiative that aims to address HIV/AIDS internationally and is now the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. According to the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, PEPFAR has contributed nearly $1.1 billion toward reducing HIV/AIDS in Namibia since the program’s inception in 2003. The U.S. works with Namibia to identify people living with HIV/AIDS and ensure they are receiving medical care, preventing new infections and caring for vulnerable people afflicted with HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR Namibia works more closely with the Namibian government, identifying high-volume areas of infection and decentralizing services to spread treatment further.

PEPFAR’s primary goal in Namibia is to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, which means 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of those diagnosed receive treatment and 90% of those receiving medical care maintain a suppressed viral load.

ART Treatment and C-BART Sites

In an effort to reach the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, the Namibian government has implemented ART treatment and C-BART sites, both of which have been successful. ART stands for antiretroviral therapy, which is an HIV treatment that involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day to reduce an HIV-positive person’s viral load. C-BART sites are decentralized sites that bring ART treatments to peoples’ homes in rural parts of Namibia.

ART treatment is distributed on a “Treat All” basis, meaning that anyone who tests positive for HIV is automatically recommended for the treatment, no matter their circumstances. This “Treat All” initiative, along with the wide implementation of ART treatment through C-BARTs, has been very successful in reducing HIV/AIDS in Namibia, helping PEPFAR complete two out of the three “90s” in the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. The C-BART plans were especially successful, assisting in the destigmatization of HIV/AIDS in local communities because of the facilities’ community ownership.

Project HOPE

Project HOPE is an international global health and humanitarian aid nonprofit that aims to reduce HIV/AIDS in Namibia and around the world. The organization’s Namibia chapter is one of the largest nonprofits working against HIV/AIDS in Namibia and focuses on creating small-scale HIV/AIDS programs across the country. Since its inception, it has reached more than 32,000 adolescent girls and young women with its DREAMS program, which encourages women to focus on a future free of HIV. Project HOPE has also put more than 13,000 young women on PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, an HIV-preventative treatment).

Looking Ahead

Since 2000, Namibia has made tremendous progress in mitigating its HIV/AIDS crisis. By working with other governmental organizations, community health centers and nonprofit organizations, Namibia has reduced the stigma around HIV and spread treatment for the disease to the most rural areas of the country. Compared to the past, this continued increase in testing and treatment has made Namibia a much safer place to live for HIV-positive people.

– Aidan Johnstone
Photo: Flickr

Everything You Need to Know About the New TB Vaccine

On June 28, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that they would contribute $400 million to the late-stage trial for a new Tuberculosis vaccine. The M72 vaccine, if approved, will be the first new TB vaccine in 100 years. According to the WHO, 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021 and 80% of cases and deaths were in developing countries. Therefore, this vaccine could have an enormous impact on the developing world and people in poverty.

How it Works

The M72 vaccine is a subunit vaccine, meaning that it contains two antigens that are found on the surface of TB bacteria. These antigens, when recognized by the body, provoke an immune response to the TB bacteria. The antigens were specifically selected by the vaccine developer, GSK, for having such a solid ability to provoke this immune response against TB. In 2019, early trials of the M72 TB vaccine showed it to be 54% effective in adults with latent TB, a group that no vaccine has worked on before.

Latent TB refers to the period after initial infection with the TB bacteria but before the active TB stage begins. When initial infection occurs, the body mounts an immune response, but some bacteria survive this. During the latent stage, these surviving bacteria multiply, and patients usually do not experience any symptoms. This stage can last months or years until the immune system can no longer control the bacteria, at which point the active stage of TB begins.

The only existing TB vaccine, the BCG vaccine, is made from a weakened strain of TB. While it is effective at combating meningitis and TB in children, it does not prevent primary infection or the reactivation of TB bacteria after the latent stage. Therefore, unlike the M72, it is not effective in adults with latent TB.

Funding the Trial

Despite this vaccine being the first to affect people with latent TB, GSK decided that it was not financially viable to pursue further trials because of the 54% efficacy. However, two charities have stepped in to keep the vaccine alive.

The stage three trial that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is making a contribution toward will cost $550 million. The Foundation’s $400 million donation, its largest-ever investment in a single project, will be combined with a further $150 million from the Wellcome Trust to make up this total. The trial will take place at a dozen locations across Africa and Asia, selected for their unusually high rates of latent TB infection so that scientists can efficiently determine if the vaccine prevents active TB from beginning. The trial will involve around 26,000 participants and will take four to six years to complete.

However, the investment from charities alone may not be enough. The vaccine could still need a commercial partner, something that the Foundation hopes to secure in the next 12 months. There is concern about this, since the lack of a market for the vaccine in the developed world may discourage many vaccine makers. However, Indian vaccine producers have expressed interest, since the jab would significantly impact their country, where it’s estimated 504,000 people died from TB in 2021.

The Bottom Line

According to the WHO, if the trial proves that the new TB vaccine really does have a 50% efficacy rate, it could save up to 8.5 million lives by 2050, with the most significant impact being in developing countries and for people living in poverty. Additionally, it could prevent the prescription of 42 million courses of antibiotic treatment, and therefore hopefully combat TB’s antibiotic resistance.

With the potential to be the first new vaccine in 100 years, the M72 jab is promising. However, the fight against TB is not yet over. Despite the lack of burden in wealthier countries, this vaccine still needs attention in the developed world, particularly from vaccine producers, so that, if it proves viable, it can help people in poverty around the world.

– Lily Cooper

Photo: Flickr

Health Care in India: 5 Things to Know

Health Care in IndiaAround 10% of India’s 1.4 billion population live below the World Bank’s median poverty line of $2.15 a day. Six out of 10 Indians survive on less than $3.20 a day, making it difficult for many to afford health care in India. Oxfam’s 2023 report highlights that the richest 10% own over 72% of the country’s wealth, while the top 1% holds around 40.6%. This economic disparity affects vulnerable households, impacting their access to basic necessities like health care. To understand the country’s health system better, here are five key points about health care in India.

  1. India Has a Huge Role in Producing Generic Medicines: India is one of the largest manufacturers of antibiotics, producing around 20% of all generic medicines worldwide in 2022. The country houses more than 3,000 pharmaceutical companies and is a crucial supplier of drugs worldwide, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country alone is mostly responsible for meeting Africa’s drug demand. Even higher-income countries like the U.S. and the U.K. depend on India for 40% and 25% of their generic drugs, respectively. Despite India’s contributions to medicine production, its vast population of 1.4 billion continues to face health challenges.
  2. Expensive Health Care Impoverishes Many Indians: According to The Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, costly health services impoverish 55 million Indians every year and 17% of households have no choice besides spending substantial portions of their income on health annually. In spite of the constant battle for adequate health care in India, the country faces barriers that include physical access and affordability of health care as well as diagnostic concerns. Underfunding from the government has led to disproportionate levels of health care in India between states, with very few states having sufficient facilities for diagnosing and treating individuals. Despite the private sector having up-to-date facilities, costly services for essential trips mean that such private services are out of reach for many Indians.
  3. Many Indians Value Traditional Medicines: In India, many see the Ayurveda (science of life) system and herbal medicines as a cheaper alternative to conventional medicines. Ayurveda has been practiced in India for around 3,000 years and deals with symptoms, diagnosis and treatment based on mental, physical and spiritual health. In practice, this health system uses herbal medicines, meditation and breathing exercises to treat individuals with health concerns.  For example, the Ayurveda system has been endorsed by organizations such as Cancer Research U.K. (CRUK) to help relieve cancer symptoms in patients.
  4. Malaria Is a Major Public Health Concern: According to WHO, the South-East Asia region was responsible for 2% of malaria cases globally; India was responsible for 79% of cases and therefore remains the country with the highest malaria burden. Roughly 83% of deaths in the South-East Asia region were from India in 2021. Despite this, the World Malaria Report has highlighted the decline of malaria cases by 49% and mortalities associated with the disease being 51% compared to 2017.
  5. Health Care in India Is Improving: According to WHO, India’s health sector has shown significant improvements, with life expectancy at birth increasing to around 70 years in 2020 from 50 years in 1970. In 2023, the government of India aims to enhance its health sector with World Bank financing worth $500 million to support India’s flagship program Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), launched in October 2021, to improve the public health care infrastructure in India. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for urgent care systems; this project aims to enhance health service delivery and pandemic preparedness across India.

Looking Ahead

Overall, the flagship program to improve infrastructure across health care in India demonstrates the country’s response to COVID-19 and efforts to protect the well-being of future generations. There is hope that the health sector will continue to improve if the government maintains its effort toward reforming the public sector.

– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Wikimedia

Reducing Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in Bahrain

Mental Health in BahrainThe stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking the help they so desperately need. The state of mental health impacts everyday life, for most people this can be good or bad. In Bahrain, over the years, there has been an improvement in the available mental health services. Greater efforts are being made to improve education and reduce the mental health stigma.

Mental Health in Numbers

Looking at the statistics for mental health in Bahrain, 4.9% of people have anxiety disorders and 4.5% have depression. A study conducted in 2010 found that 19.3% of patients in primary care centers had lifetime depression and 5.6% had current depression. Of those who suffered from a mental illness in the past, only 41% had received treatment. Here lies the primary issue—seeking help.

Bahrain is one of three countries in the Gulf that had more than 30 psychiatric beds (33.8) per 100,000 individuals in 2007. In the 2011 WHO-AIMS report, Bahrain reported having only one mental health hospital, at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in the country’s capital, Manama. One of the key values of the psychiatric hospital is ‘personal responsibility’—encouraging a sense of responsibility through increasing awareness and education regarding mental health. Reducing poor mental health in Bahrain through improving education and awareness is a primary way more people can not only take care of their mental health but also reduce stigma around mental health and its treatment.

In 2015, psychiatrists conducted a study evaluating the pattern of mental health disorders in Bahrain. The results revealed that people with poor education and low income had the highest risk of developing mental illness. The results further showed that over 30% of the participants were from social class 5 (with primary school level education or less, unskilled workers or unemployed). In addition, over 42% were from social class 4 (with education less than high school but more than primary school level, working class, semi-skilled and skilled). While the reasons behind these statistics were not investigated, the World Health Organization has labeled poverty as the primary cause of global suffering, including poor mental health.

The Prevailing Stigma

Some can view struggling with mental health as a test from God or a sign of a weak connection with God. This sometimes prevents people from seeking help from medical and psychological professionals, believing the answer to their mental health struggles is to pray. While prayer can definitely offer comfort, seeking help is also very important.

In an interview with the Daily Tribune, News of Bahrain in December 2022, licensed psychologist Dr. Mariam Alammadi explains that she has witnessed an increase in the number of people seeking help. She believes there has been a shift in the general attitude toward mental health in Bahrain, with the stigma surrounding it slowly diminishing.

Help for People in Bahrain

The past few years have seen an improvement in the resources available and organizations dedicated to educating the public on mental health in Bahrain. One such organization is the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), a charity founded in 1971. Alongside its other admirable work, BRCS strives to provide psychological support to citizens. The organization provides a training program in psychological first aid, holds workshops on mental health in Bahrain as well as elsewhere in the Gulf and continues its “Your Mental Health Matters” initiative. The latest training program was attended by 67 participants and aimed to enhance the capability of volunteers and staff in providing psychological care to those in need before, during and after disasters and crises. The participants’ test score rate improved from 60% before the training to 90% after the training, demonstrating the benefit of the program.

The Instagram account @unknotted.bh is another nonprofit community organization that provides free support group sessions for mental health, making help more accessible for those suffering but who cannot afford to seek treatment elsewhere. It also uploads informative, educational posts that aim to educate people on mental health and shares advice on how to deal with others’ mental health as well as one’s own. The posts are in both Arabic and English, thus making the resources accessible to a wider audience.

Fighting for a Promising Future

BRCS and @unknotted.bh are just two nonprofit organizations working tirelessly to improve mental health in Bahrain through better education. These organizations are fighting to end the stigma surrounding mental health treatment in Bahrain. Hopefully, by progressively reaching a wider audience, these organizations and others can make people more comfortable asking for help, thereby reducing the number of people that suffer as a result of not seeking treatment.

– Sheherazade Al Shahry
Photo: Unsplash

Disability and Poverty in Peru  

Disability and Poverty in PeruPeople with disabilities in Peru face their own personal challenges every day, but the country has received praise for its efforts to alleviate the challenges resulting from disability and poverty in Peru. Nancy Gamarra, the Vice Minister for Women’s Affairs and Vulnerable Peoples, declared a commitment toward enabling Peruvians with disabilities to ‘fully flourish,’ through legislation and regulated mechanisms. This is evidence of movement in the right direction. 

3 Key Facts To Know About Disability and Poverty in Peru

Persons with disabilities are classified as anyone who is in a state of vulnerability. With this classification, amongst the indigenous population and migrant population, there is a lack of data that identifies the portion of people with disabilities within these groups. Thus, as the country pushed for improvements in the rights of everyone with a disability, it faced a challenge when ensuring the operations took a fair and intersectional approach to the issue. 

There is a close link between disability and poverty in Peru and the older population. According to a recent study, while the older population in extreme poverty is more likely to have a disability, they have limited access to health care services. The study defined disability as ADL disability where the individual’s activities of daily living would be impacted. Results of the study established that more than 60% of people with ADL disability had never been evaluated for preventative measures. Additionally, older Peruvians with an ADL disability had significantly less chance of having insurance compared to individuals without a disability. 

Interestingly, half of Peruvians with disabilities are of working age, representing an estimated 1 million people. Unfortunately, their unemployment rate is 12.1%, in stark contrast to the overall population’s unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Movement in the Right Direction

In 2009, the National Institute for Radio and Television established the ‘No Barriers’ program with the mission to promote the visibility of Peruvians with disabilities and ensure disability was no longer considered a hindrance. As part of this program, broadcast television introduced sign language interpretation to make information accessible to individuals with disabilities. This initiative contributed to shaping public policy on appropriate language around disability.

A decade later, in 2019, Peru implemented the National Gender Equality Policy, aligned with its human rights obligations outlined in the National Agreement. The policy aims to address discrimination against women and its root causes. Its goals include reducing violence against women, increasing women’s participation in decision-making and eradicating sociocultural patterns of discrimination in the country’s population. The policy aims to achieve these objectives by 2030, with indicators such as a 40% increase in women’s representation in Congress. Notably, emergency centers for women now cover 100% of the nation, reflecting the progress so far under this policy.

The focus of this policy is on women’s rights, but it has also shed light on broader issues of structural discrimination and lack of diversity, including disability and poverty in Peru. A significant recent achievement in addressing disability and poverty is the launch of the Multisectoral Public Policy on Disability for Development in 2021.

The Multisectoral Public Policy on Disability for Development

This policy will be implemented in 2030, marking the first national public policy focused on disability. Since its implementation, a progress report has recognized the success of the policy. For example, 127 penalties were received by businesses that had an insufficient number of persons with disabilities employed. In addition to this, Peru introduced a protocol to ensure public services can provide appropriate accommodation to persons with disabilities. 

Peru’s government mission is to set a new standard for the inclusion and understanding of persons with disabilities within the next seven years.

Positive change is also evident in the work of the Adecco Foundation and its contact with Peruvian companies. The Adecco Group, as part of its work, campaigns for inclusivity in employment globally and one of its partners is the International Labour Organization’s Global Business and Disability Network. With this, the President of the Adecco Group, in consultation with 30 Peruvian companies, shared human resources management practices with a particular acknowledgment of the circumstances of people with disabilities. Findings from this network recognize how improving diversity in employment also benefits businesses. A specialist in ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities, Villamil, explains ‘the inclusion of these people improves the work climate, teamwork, elimination of stereotypes, increased innovation and improved corporate reputation.

It is clear that the country has made promising progress in addressing the relationship between disability and poverty in Peru. With government intervention and companies following suit, Peru’s journey to a more inclusive country spurs reasons for hope.

– Poppy Harris
Photo: Unsplash

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Prince William’s Fight Against Homelessness

Fight Against HomelessnessIn the United Kingdom (U.K.), eight in 10 people think homelessness is a serious issue in the country. A study by Shelter shows that at least 270,000 people are reportedly homeless in the U.K., with 123,000 being children. Engaging in the fight against homelessness is Prince William, who has recently launched Homewards, a new project that aims to eradicate homelessness in the U.K.

Types of Homelessness in the UK

  • Rough Sleeping: Rough sleeping includes sleeping outside or in places that are not ideal for sleeping, such as in a car or an abandoned building. It is the most visible and dangerous form of homelessness, leading to instances of violence and challenges to mental and physical health, trauma and substance abuse.
  • Temporary Accommodation: When necessary, people can stay in temporary accommodation for a period of time, ranging from one night to several years. There are many different types of accommodation, including hostels, winter shelters and women’s housing, each accommodation with its own set of rules and accommodation options.
  • Statutory Homelessness: To be legally classified as homeless, a person must either lack a secure place to live or face unreasonable conditions that make it difficult to stay there. The Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977, Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Act 2002 have established statutory obligations on local housing authorities to provide assistance for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
  • Hidden Homelessness: Those who have no entitlements to aid with housing or who choose not to ask their council for help sometimes choose to stay in temporary accommodation, and as a result, homelessness statistics often do not account for them.

Homelessness in the UK

There are several causes of homelessness, ranging from social reasons, such as unaffordable rent and unemployment, to circumstances like leaving prison or care with no home to return to forcing people into being homeless. Women in particular can find themselves homeless after escaping physically abusive relationships.

Homelessness can have a severe effect on both physical and mental health. Not only is the average death rate for people experiencing homelessness 46% for men and 42% for women, but homeless people are also nine times more likely to take their own life than the general population. Homelessness also increases the risk of violence — more than one in three homeless people who are rough sleeping are deliberately kicked or hit. Seven in 10 people believe society should pay more attention to homelessness, and six in 10 believe there are several ways in which people can contribute to the fight against homelessness.

Homewards

Prince William and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales have recently launched Homewards: a locally led, five-year program aiming to end homelessness by forming local coalitions of committed people, organizations and businesses. Six flagship locations across the UK will be supported by Homewards in this endeavor: Aberdeen, Sheffield, Newport, Lambeth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Northern Ireland.

The support provided includes up to £500,000 of flexible funding, a local lead to drive action and, finally, a research partner to evaluate success.

Prince William said that he “first visited a homelessness shelter when [he] was eleven, with [his] mother,” and that he has been inspired to follow in her footsteps, continuing the humanitarian work his mother started.

In 2009, Prince William also chose to spend a night sleeping in an alleyway under Blackfriars Bridge in below-freezing conditions, with his only companions being his private secretary and Seyi Obakin, the chief executive of British homeless charity Centrepoint. At the time, the Prince said he hoped that by “deepening [his] understanding of the issue,” he can “do [his] bit” to help fight homelessness.

Homewards is the first major project the Prince of Wales has launched since his father, King Charles III, ascended the throne. Prince William has described Homewards as his ‘lifelong mission.’ Hopefully, with Prince William leading this new initiative, the very serious issue of homelessness in the U.K. can draw more attention and encourage more help and financial aid in the fight against homelessness.

– Sheherazade Al Shahry
Photo: Unsplash

Health Care in Rwanda: Everything You Need to Know

Healthcare in RwandaIn 2016, more than half of Rwanda’s population, 52%, lived below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day. Despite this, Rwanda boasts a 90% vaccination rate and 91% of Rwandans have access to universal health coverage. The quality of health care in Rwanda may come as a surprise, but the country’s system could serve as a blueprint for other nations recovering from conflicts.

Rwanda’s Healthcare History

The story of health care in Rwanda has not always been one of high quality and success. The brutal genocide against the Tutsi people in 1994 caused a collapse in the health care system. This led to the destruction of hospitals, with doctors fleeing the country amid the emergence of several cases of HIV/AIDS.

The situation was dire and required drastic action. To make things even more challenging, 83% of the Rwandan population lived in rural areas. This meant that the government could not simply focus its attention on building hospitals in urban areas, as this would leave the majority of the population without a local health center. Instead, the government had to focus on spreading its health care efforts across the country to ensure that everyone had adequate access to medical care in Rwanda.

The Transformation of Health Care in Rwanda

The Rwandan government has recognized the importance of rural health coverage and has adopted a community-based health care approach. To achieve this, the government initiated the training of health care professionals in each of Rwanda’s 15,000 rural villages.

In these villages, the health care professionals mainly functioned as information providers to offer preventative healthcare services. The information they shared with community members played a vital role in preventing unnecessary hospital visits, thereby preventing overwhelming the health care system.

During the post-genocide reconstruction period, Rwanda partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance health care access by constructing health centers.

Despite the significant improvement due to the health centers, there was still a need for more effort. Prior to 2020, the average citizen had to walk for 95 minutes to reach the nearest health center. To address this challenge, the government built health posts between rural communities and health centers, reducing the walk time to 47 minutes.

Health posts play a crucial role in improving health care access in Rwanda. These posts enable patients to consult with health care professionals, receive primary care and if necessary, get referrals to specialists at health centers or hospitals. The Rwandan government aims to further reduce the walk time to 25 minutes by 2024, and it has already made promising progress, constructing 1,179 posts since 2021.

The Benefits of Rwanda’s Health Care Policies

Healthcare improvements in Rwanda have significantly transformed the lives of its people. One such example is Musanabera, a mother whose baby needed medical attention due to a cough and fever. Fortunately, a nearby health post was recently established in her community. Due to its proximity, she only had to take a short walk to get the necessary help for her baby.

Musanabera recalls past experiences where medical assistance was necessary, but the almost 2-hour walk meant that by the time a person reached a health center, their health had already deteriorated and the situation had become much more dangerous.

Musanabera’s story is not unique, and there are many others whose lives have seen drastic improvement as a result of the government’s healthcare policy. Additionally, 91% of Rwandans have universal health coverage, which has several benefits. For example, vaccination rates increased from 30% to 90% between 1994 and 2015. Universal health coverage has also enabled a substantial improvement in living standards and life expectancy.

A Blueprint for Others?

The case study of health care in Rwanda is useful, as it provides a powerful lesson for other countries scarred by conflict. By developing a community-based approach to health care, the Rwandan government was able to improve access to high-quality medical care for its citizens.

– Tom Eccles
Photo: Unsplash

Addressing Period Poverty in Belize

Period Poverty in BelizeApproximately 500 million people worldwide lack access to basic period products and hygiene facilities. While in many societies, a girl’s first period symbolizes the beginning of womanhood, for Belizean women, it marks the start of decades of hardship. Social taboos and the limited availability of period products and hygiene facilities lead to mental, emotional and physical challenges for menstruating individuals. However, both individuals and organizations are actively working to tackle period poverty in Belize.

UNICEF Menstrual Health Management Study

Period poverty in Belize has far-reaching effects on women beyond their use of sanitary pads. In 2018, UNICEF Belize and the national WASH technical working group conducted interviews with school girls aged 10-14 years to understand the challenges they face during menstruation. The study identified five factors affecting school girls in Belize: biological, personal, interpersonal, environmental and societal.

The study also debunked many misconceptions the school girls had about menstruation. Some believed there were specific foods they couldn’t eat during their period, while others thought menstruation was linked to HIV/AIDS. Several girls falsely believed that women were possessed by demons during menstruation and that they could get pregnant just by touching a boy. Consequently, many girls reported feeling anxiety and shame while menstruating.

Furthermore, the study revealed that Belizean girls experienced regular bullying and different treatment from boys once they started menstruating. Many also reported that their mothers allowed them less playtime and assigned more chores while repeatedly warning them to avoid boys.

The prevalent misconceptions and stigmas in Belizean cultures have a profound negative impact on women of all ages who menstruate. Due to a lack of access to proper education about menstruation, many women in Belize are likely to develop insecurities and face mental health issues.

Accessibility to Basic Period Services

Period poverty in Belize has both internal and external effects on women. UNICEF’s findings revealed that 30% of female bathrooms lacked soap, and 40% of them lacked toilet paper. Even fewer bathrooms provided proper menstrual product disposal options. Additionally, 30% of Belizean schools have one toilet per 25 girls, meeting just the international standard.

The inadequate restroom facilities contribute to improper menstrual hygiene management, leading to health issues like reproductive and urinary tract infections, as reported by the World Bank.

Furthermore, Belizean restroom facilities often lack basic menstrual products, and stores in certain regions sell them at unaffordable prices. Due to this price inflation and limited access to menstrual products, period poverty in Belize continues to persist.

Making Progress

UNICEF Belize continues its advocacy efforts for improved restroom facilities, safer menstrual disposal systems and hygiene awareness among menstruating girls and women. In Jan. 2023, Seidi Quetzal, a 28-year-old Belizean student, initiated the “Don’t Tax My Femininity Campaign.” She lobbied against the 20% importation tax, 3% environmental tax and 12.5% Goods and Services Tax on female sanitary products, arguing that these taxes pose financial barriers to women, both employed and unemployed, making basic sanitary products unaffordable.

Responding to public pressure, on March 10, 2023, Belizean Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, announced the removal of all taxes on female sanitary products, effective from April 1, 2023. This marked a significant step in the fight to end period poverty in Belize.

While period poverty remains a concern in Belize, local activists and organizations are working diligently to address the issue and prioritize the well-being of girls and women in the country.

– Marina Blatt
Photo: Unsplash