Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Fighting Generational Poverty with Trust Funds for Babies

Trust Funds for Babies
The immensity of the wealth gap in both developing and developed nations is a daunting and cyclical contributor to global poverty. Without an influx of capital, those who have lived in generational poverty lack the fiscal autonomy and security to climb upwards. However, trust funds can make a difference.

Statistics suggest that hard work and luck are not enough to escape generational poverty. In the United States (U.S.), for example, only 4% of poor Americans climb the rungs of the economic ladder toward wealth. The majority of Americans born into the lowest income bracket remain there for life. Economist Darrick Hamilton confidently stated in The Journal that “Wealth is the paramount indicator of economic security and wellbeing.” Accepting this philosophy, the key question becomes: How does a society accumulate and distribute wealth to people born into the throes of poverty? And the answer just might be establishing trust funds for babies.

Looking to Babies to Address Generational Poverty Through Trust Funds

In 2002, the United Kingdom (U.K.) piloted a long-term savings account for minors called the Child Trust Fund (CTF). CTF was a tax-free savings account parents could open for their kids without facing any decrease in government benefits or tax credits. The parents of any child born in the U.K. between 2002 and 2011 received a £250 voucher to launch a CTF — they could then contribute an additional £9,000 per year. Once the child turned 18, they could access the funds in their account for any combination of reinvestment and spending they saw fit.

The government knew this was a small step in the direction of addressing generational poverty — a £250 stipend would not be enough to solve the nation’s fiscal inequity — but the hope was that a tax-free savings account for children would promote the possibility of home ownership, higher education and healthy investment practices for many who never thought such would be attainable.

Beyond the UK: Child Trust Funds in Canada

In Canada, every family is eligible to open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP): a low-tax, long-term saving account to help guardians save for their child’s future education. RESP funds can go toward any post-secondary education including colleges, trade schools, universities and formal apprenticeship programs.

While Canadians from all income brackets are encouraged to open an RESP for their children, Canada provides direct capital to low-income families’ RESPs. Any Canadian child born into a low-income family after 2004 is eligible for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The Canadian government provides an initial payment of $500 in the child’s first year and continues to add $100 each year until the total governmental contribution hits $2,000.

The Canada Learning Bond, much like the U.K.’s CTF, aims to chip away at the generational wealth gaps that prevent low-income youth from actualizing their full intellectual and economic potential.

Extrapolating the Baby Bonds Model to the US

In Connecticut, nearly 15,000 children are born into poverty each year. To help close the state’s wealth gaps and encourage innovation, investment and long-term economic growth, Connecticut recently implemented a Baby Bonds program modeled on the U.K. and Canada’s previous successes.

Any child who is born into a family on Connecticut’s public health insurance — on or after July 1, 2023 — will be automatically enrolled in CT Baby Bonds. The government will contribute up to $3,200 to each child’s trust, and at 18, after completing a financial literacy course, the child can claim their capital. The funds are to be used for home ownership, business investment, education or retirement planning. Despite the program name, CT Baby Bonds, Governor Ned Lamont backed off of the original idea to fund the program using money from investors in exchange for bonds. He worried about debt accumulation. Instead, the state will be funding the program through a deposit of $381 million of state budget surplus — meaning there will be no inflated state debt or increased tax.

The Potential Impacts of CT Baby Bonds

While a leg-up of a few thousand dollars is certainly not the end-all-be-all for leveling the playing field, it is a powerful tool in revolutionizing saving philosophies in low-income communities. “You’re more focused on possibly going to college if you see a pathway, if there’s a fund,” Former Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden shared. “You’re more focused on one day owning a home, which some people in poverty never aspire to because they don’t think it’s ever achievable.”

Shondell Vann, a mother living in Bridgeport, Connecticut with a two-year-old daughter, sees earnest hope in the Baby Bonds program. “I feel like the program would give her a little bit more of a leg up,” she said of her daughter, Maria, in an interview with The Journal. “If she wanted to have a business just like me, she would be able to fund it with no problem. Just anything she wanted to do with that money to be able to be a little bit more successful than she was or just be a little bit better off than she was, is better than nothing.”

– Elena Unger
Photo: Flickr

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The Use of Child Soldiers in Palestine

Child Soldiers in Palestine
According to the Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP), between 2011 and 2020, both Israeli and Palestinian armed groups recruited Palestinian children for use in combat. Israeli forces allegedly recruited Palestinian children, defined as anyone under the age of 18, as informants using torture and other forms of coercion. Israeli troops jailed Palestinian youngsters in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories under military regulations that did not adhere to international norms for treating detainees and juvenile justice. According to reports, the Palestinian Authority hired minors to work in its security forces on non-combat missions. Palestinian armed organizations used children in combat and suicide bombings. Here is some additional information about child soldiers in Palestine.

Recruited Child Soldiers in Palestine

Though there was no proof that Palestinian armed factions who openly opposed using minors in warfare routinely recruited youngsters, many under the age of 18 receive military training. Multiple children become messengers and couriers. Children occasionally deploy suicide bombs and fight in attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. Moreover, all major political parties, including Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, involve youngsters in this way. Between October 2000 and March 2004, at least nine children sacrificed themselves in suicide bombings in Israel and the Occupied Territories. According to Palestinian non-governmental organizations, from September 2000 to March 2004, 30 youngsters actively participating in organized military activity died. Most of the fatalities happened as a consequence of explosive mishaps or during violent encounters with Israeli soldiers.

Youths from the most challenging socioeconomic backgrounds testified that they were freely recruited and often the readiest to participate. It was alleged that children were occasionally used unintentionally or under coercion in attacks. Reports state that armed groups distributed explosives to children. In January 2004, improvised bombs were used in Gaza, where at least three children died and four more became injured.

Jihad and its Influence on Palestinian Children

On numerous instances, Fatah denounced the use of kids in suicide missions. However, its military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, had links to at least four of these operations, involving four young men aged 16-17. Additionally, three 13-15-year-old boys allegedly attempted to attack an Israeli village in March 2004 with the help of Al-Aqsa and Islamic Jihad. Islamic Jihad stated that it opposed the use of children in combat. In April 2002, it said, “We refuse any encouragement given to young people that might drive them to act alone or be pushed by others into action. They are not ready and not able to do so.” Nonetheless, Islamic Jihad was responsible for at least three suicide bombs by 17-year-olds between 2002 and 2004.

Hamas has repeatedly demanded an end to the use of youngsters in violent attacks and suicide missions. In April 2002, Hamas urged schools “to address this issue without sacrificing the enthusiasm or spirit of [the] martyrdom of our youth” and imams “to mention this issue in their sermons.” The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed only one child died committing himself to their cause.

The Palestinian Economy Suffers in Poverty

The Palestinian economy faces significant challenges as a result of Israeli limitations on the free flow of people and goods. The unemployment rate in 2012 was 27%, and the latest data indicates that 26% of Palestinians live in poverty. Just one in two teenagers in Gaza, the country’s most impoverished region, had the opportunity to work.

The negative effects of poverty on children’s lives are numerous. For example, because kids frequently drop out of school at a young age to work and support their families, they are usually unable to finish their education. Poverty fuels teenage criminality and early marriages of young girls aged 15-19. In addition, reports of Israeli soldiers killing children have caused rising fear, especially in war-torn places like the Gaza Strip.

Optional Protocol

The Optional Protocol, also known as the Gaza-Israel ceasefire agreements, refers to a series of agreements between the State of Israel and the Palestinian organizations that control the Gaza Strip, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. These agreements aim to reduce hostilities and end violence between the two sides. The Optional Protocol includes several key elements, including a cessation of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel and a halt to Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. It also endorses the reopening of border crossings. The Palestinian Authority favored the Optional Protocol during the U.N. Special Session on Children in May 2002. It repeated in 2004 that it denounced the exploitation of minors and the targeting of civilians and children by all parties. “Our children should have hope and a future and should not be suicide bombers,” said Palestinian Minister Saeb Erekat. “We want them to be doctors and engineers.”

Looking Ahead

Israeli occupation forces allegedly use Palestinian youths as informants under torture and other types of coercion. Israeli soldiers imprisoned Palestinian children in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories under military rule. The soldiers did not follow standards set forth by the international community for the treatment of detainees and juvenile justice. Through the use of Islamic Jihad, recruiters can compel children to fight for their cause.

A global initiative called PCS Week aims to stop the exploitation of Palestinian children as child soldiers. It is inclusive, political and nonpartisan. The movement seeks to compel and humiliate the guilty groups into stopping their crimes. Causes such as PCS are available to end the use of child soldiers in Palestine, raising awareness of the issue.

– Dalia Hasan
Photo: Flickr

Mental Health in Serbia

Mental Health in SerbiaA study published in 2010 by Stefan Priebe assessed the prevalence of mental disorders among war-affected populations across five Balkan countries, including Serbia. These territories had a higher number of people suffering from mental issues than non-war-affected populations. The study concludes that the “prevalence rates of mental disorders among war-affected people vary across countries but are generally high. War experiences appear to be linked to anxiety and mood disorders.” In Serbia, the government and organizations are taking steps to address these issues. Mental health in Serbia requires consistent efforts for progress to be visible.

The Impacts of the War and Poverty

Serbia’s historical stressors have impacted the mental health of individuals. A research article by Dusica Lecic Tosevski and others explains these stressors as “civil war in neighboring countries, United Nations (U.N.) economic sanctions, which lasted for 3.5 years and 11 weeks of NATO bombing in 1999.” As a result, Serbians grappled with damaged/destroyed infrastructure, significant populations of refugees and internally displaces persons, financial struggles, social unrest and a failing health care system. The same research article highlights that the existence of mental health conditions rose by 13.5% between 1999 and 2002 alone.

Poverty and unemployment also impact mental health in Serbia. The at-risk-of-poverty rate stands at 21.2% in Serbia, meaning that one-fifth of Serbians have a monthly income of just above €200. The populations most vulnerable to falling into poverty are children/youth and the elderly. According to the National Employment Service data, at the close of February 2023, about 430,000 people faced unemployment, although this number has visibly decreased over the years.

Furthermore, Serbia is among the 10 European countries with the highest rates of income inequality, according to UNICEF. The most affluent 20% of the Serbian population had six times more proceeds compared to the most impoverished 20%. Unfortunately, enduring poverty or the risk of poverty places stress on a person that could contribute to mental health deterioration.

Mental Health in Numbers

According to the World Health Organization Mental Health Atlas 2020, Serbia has a distinct piece of mental health legislation published in 2013 that aligns with all human rights covenants. Individuals are also fully insured for mental health services and associated medicines and treatments. Serbia has about 492 psychiatrists and 1,875 mental health nurses. The country also has seven mental health hospitals and 36 psychiatric units in general hospitals.

Advancing Mental Health in Serbia

The mental health and well-being of children and youth in Serbia stand as one of UNICEF’s priorities. According to UNICEF, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health conditions across populations, particularly among the younger generation. UNICEF’s assessment shows that about 4% of the general population in Serbia showed signs of depression while almost 11% of students experienced negative moods and about 22% felt anxiety and nervousness at least weekly.

“Mental health services are not well connected with other systems, and therefore on a practical level are unable to provide timely and adequate response and referral to prevent minor mental health issues from developing into conditions,” says UNICEF.

In response, UNICEF will be supporting the Serbian government and other key players to increase access and availability of mental health and well-being initiatives for young people, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Through a collaborative approach involving “awareness-raising campaigns, online tools development, mental health education in schools and youth centers and strengthening capacities of professionals,” UNICEF aims to advance mental health in Serbia.

In October 2022, UNICEF Serbia revealed its plans to create a support system for the young in the country who face mental health issues by cooperating with the private and business sectors.

Unbreakable Campaign

The Hemofarm Foundation and the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade with the support of the Ministry of Health created the Unbreakable campaign in April 2021 to address the growing mental health needs of people, raise awareness of the mental health issues impacting populations and provide information and resources for people seeking help. The campaign used billboards, its website, email helplines and an anonymous SOS hotline to provide support and information and raise awareness.

The campaign creators estimate that within the first nine months, the campaign had reached more than 1 million individuals and received close to 9,000 inquiries and requests for help or more information.

The Serbian telecommunications operator company, Telekom Srbija, supported the establishment of the free SOS hotline, which operated 24/7 and ran with the assistance of 40 mental health professionals.

Through ongoing efforts and collaborative partnerships, there is hope for mental health in Serbia to improve. And initiatives that prioritize the mental health and well-being of the country’s people hold the potential to ensure lasting change.

– Klaudia Laura Sebestyen
Photo: Unsplash

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Unmasking Human Trafficking in Gabon

Human Trafficking in GabonGabon is a Central African nation with an abundance of culture, wildlife and landscapes. However, the country faces a range of challenges, including its continuous and worsening struggle with human trafficking. Gabon finds itself in a challenging predicament as it has become a popular location for human trafficking, especially child trafficking. Mélanie Mbadinga Matsanga, Gabon’s social affairs director-general, even referred to Goban as an Eldorado for human trafficking.

There has been a steady decadence in the severity of human trafficking in Gabon. The nation has witnessed unrestrained and swiftly burgeoning growth of trafficking with no rigorous systemic mechanisms to tackle the issue.

Between 2003 and 2010, there were no trafficking-related convictions in Gabon, while the nation has downgraded to a Tier 2 Watch List in the U.S. Department of State’s 2022 report.

The Reality of Gabon’s Human Trafficking

Gabon has become a popular transitory or final destination for human trafficking victims of West and Central Africa. Gabon both receives and sources trafficked people. Those who end up trafficked often by force become street vendors, transportation assistants, mechanics, fishermen, domestic servants, illicit gold miners, wildlife trafficking or sex workers, according to the Department of State.

The state of human trafficking in Gabon is due to its inadequate systems to prevent and address the issue at hand. A glaring indicator of this absence of systemic instruments is the nation’s inability to adopt an anti-trafficking national action plan (NAP) for the third consecutive year. To compound the issue, the federal government has neglected to create a functioning anti-trafficking coordination system within the national inter-ministerial commission.

Moreover, the lack of national coordination has also made data collection and usage immensely more complicated, thereby hindering the ability to properly understand, investigate and prosecute. For instance, the Gabonese authorities claim to have begun 10 human trafficking-related investigations, while there were zero in 2020 and only three in 2019, according to the Department of State.

Corruption and Collusion

To aggravate the situation, there have been persistent accusations and a scarcity of inquiries for governmental corruption and collusion in human trafficking. Experts have alleged that there has been intentional postponement or dismissal of trafficking cases that bribed judges cause. The Department of State suggests that while the government contends that delays stem from legal inadequacies and the absence of knowledge, the lack of concrete action against corruption accusations foments concerns.

Furthermore, Gabon’s existing anti-trafficking programs and committees lack transparency and commitment. The government has not disclosed the funding for the nation’s anti-trafficking programs and the government’s interministerial committee against trafficking has not convened since 2019. There is a discouraging aura of depreciation and inconsequence to solving these heinous crimes.

Gabon’s Poverty and Human Trafficking

In the shadows of human trafficking in Gabon lies a root catalyst of systemic inequalities and disparities. Poverty renders certain groups significantly more susceptible to exploitation and possible trafficking. Conflict, lack of access to professional and educational opportunities and mass displacement all have poverty as a central element that leaves individuals especially vulnerable.

U.N. Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons Joy Ngozi Ezeilo emphasizes how poverty, some traditional Western African and domestic work’s high demand in high Gabonese society are the foundation for the nation’s human trafficking issues. The dire conditions people face in extreme poverty leave them desperate and more likely to accept risky jobs or sell their daughters into marriage. Traffickers meticulously scout potential victims who live in a cycle of poverty, miseducation, unemployment, desperation and violence.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

While the concerns and shortcomings of Gabon’s handling of its human trafficking situation, the national government and international institutions have made genuine efforts to tackle the issue.

One of the institutions that has been playing a vital role in the fight against human trafficking is the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM assists the Gabonese government in managing migration-related issues, emphasizing mixed population movements, migration governance and migration flows.

The return and reintegration of migrants, including minors in reception centers and adult migrants, is a crucial component of IOM’s activity in Gabon. IOM helped 143 migrants, the majority of whom were trafficking victims, return safely and integrate into their communities in 2020 and 2021 alone.

In addition, IOM Gabon works to advance the goals outlined in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The organization helps to ensure that migration is secure, effectively managed and advantageous for both migrants and the societies they join by cooperating with this global endeavor.

Future Hopes

Gabon is in dire need of action and attitudinal change in order to properly solve trafficking in its nation. “I am confident that Gabon can become a model for other countries in the region and beyond in the fight against trafficking,” said Joy Ngozi Ezeilo

With the appropriate mechanisms in place that strengthen prevention, ensuring the protection and reintegration of victims, paired with the support of international organizations, there is a genuine possibility of amending human trafficking in Gabon and creating a brighter future for its people.

– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr

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Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty In Austria

Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty In AustriaThe year 2020 left its mark in history. Governments forced businesses to close down and restricted travel, people were required to wear masks, and everyone had to self-isolate. With more than 700 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, the virus has significantly affected the world and has contributed to the growing poverty rates in many countries, including Austria. According to Statistics Austria, more than 17.5% of the country’s citizens faced the risk of experiencing poverty in 2022. The following are some reasons why the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Austria is so significant.

Increase in Automation

Due to COVID-19 and the inability of many people to work in person, many employers turned to automation or the use of robots and machines to do the work of employees.

According to an OECD report, the emergence of COVID-19 “accelerated automation, putting additional pressures on places with relatively high shares of jobs at risk”

The jobs at risk of automation are “predominantly in the private sector and in larger, single-site workplaces.” Additionally, 15.5% of workers on a temporary contract have a high risk of automation compared to just 13.5% without a contract.

The increased automation has significantly affected many people’s lives and has caused thousands of Austrians to become unemployed and eventually impoverished. According to a 2022 World Bank report, the unemployment rate was 4.7%.

Increased Prices

During the second half of 2020, Austria’s economy struggled with inflation, as commodities such as food alongside industrial services recorded price hikes.

These hikes occurred due to “significant supply chain bottlenecks”  resulting from increased demand when the government lifted COVID-19 restrictions. Additionally, the Russia-Ukraine war put extra pressure on Austria’s economy by increasing energy prices.

According to the World Bank, COVID-19 caused inflation to increase by more than 7%, going from 1.2% to 8.5% in 2022, the highest it had ever been. So, at the same time that Austrians were getting laid off or had to close their businesses, the cost of everyday necessities was increasing, pushing more people toward poverty. Alongside other factors, this issue of inflation represented the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Austria.

Hope

According to KPMG, which supplies tax assistance to many organizations, the Austrian government made €100 million worth of loans available to hotels that lost 15% in sales.

Additionally, on March 13th, the Austrian government implemented a €38 billion fund for “COVID-19 crisis management.” This fund went solely toward stimulating the Austrian economy. Some efforts of the fund include helping businesses affected by COVID-19 by giving them subsidies for fixed costs and providing them with €4 billion worth of aid. In addition, restaurants benefitted from “value-added tax relief.”

As a result of government aid and subsidies, the economy improved remarkably. Fewer businesses had to shut down, and as a result,  the unemployment rate decreased from 5.4% in 2020 to 4.7% in 2022. Additionally, The GDP growth skyrocketed from -6.5% in 2020 to 4.6% in 2021.

Finally, as a result of the government providing aid to hotels in Austria, the tourism industry continued to stay afloat in 2020. According to World Data.info, “Austria recorded a total of 15 million tourists in 2020, ranking 18th in the world.” Furthermore, the industry generated at least $15 billion, which might have been impossible without the government’s help in keeping hotels open.

Looking Ahead

Despite the significant impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Austria, there are reasons for hope. Government initiatives and financial aid programs have provided support to businesses and individuals, leading to a decrease in unemployment rates and an improved economy. The tourism industry also received assistance, allowing it to continue operating and generating revenue. These positive developments highlight the efforts of the country to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic and alleviate the effects of poverty.

– Hope Yonehara
Photo: Max Pixel

Renewable Energy in Tajikistan

Renewable Energy in TajikistanWorld Bank data shows that Tajikistan, a central-Asian country of 10 million people, is among the poorest nations in the region with a GDP per capita of $1,054 as of 2022. About 10% of the population lives without electricity in isolated mountainous villages that lack the infrastructure to install power lines. Sadly, this number significantly multiplies in winter months. Due to outdated Soviet-era designs, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) believes that energy use is inefficient with Tajikistan using three times more energy than developed countries to increase GDP by one unit. Overall, USAID reports that, as of 2019, 26% of the population lived in poverty, with 11% in extreme poverty.

Nonetheless, it appears that an encouraging future lies ahead. Since independence, the Tajik government has been subsidizing electricity across the nation and the specialization of renewable energy in Tajikistan unveils a frontier of untapped possibilities to eliminate poverty. Given that impoverished households are able to access electricity at more affordable costs, healthier and more efficient forms of cooking, studying and heating become accessible and reduce poverty.

Hydroelectricity

Tajikistan has an extensive dependence on hydroelectricity. The numerous lakes, glaciers and rivers contribute to 98% of the country’s electrical production hydro-based. Furthermore, Tajikistan is home to eight large and multiple small hydropower plants like the notable Nurek and Baipaza HPPs. These two plants alone create 15 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, according to ADB.

All of these factors contribute to the International Energy Agency (IEA) ranking Tajikistan as the eighth highest nation in the world for hydropower potential (527 terawatt-hours as of 2022). In spite of these feats, poverty has not directly decreased as only 4% of this potential is realized.

Variables like the climate crisis, natural disasters and seasonal changes all hinder the potential of renewable energy in Tajikistan to alleviate energy poverty. From 1992 to 2016, the former two negatively impacted 7 million Tajiks and decreased the national GDP by $1.8 billion, according to the IEA. The harsh winters in Tajikistan cause many of its water sources to freeze over, thus not meeting the high demand for heating. Its poor infrastructure and lack of diversification in the energy sector exacerbate this problem. However, as a country, Tajikistan has natural features that are suitable for hydroelectric power. Also, it possesses ample resources for various other forms of renewable energy.

Solar and Wind Power

Unlike hydroelectric power, solar and wind are not limited by the rigid seasons or landscape in Tajikistan. The nation’s potential for both solar and wind power is high. The Agency of Hydrometeorology of Tajikistan states that, given Tajikistan’s geographical location, it is in a “golden belt” for sunshine, according to CABAR.asia. Up to 3,166 hours of sunlight and 300 clear sunny days make the nation ideal for solar energy.

Furthermore, the use of solar panels eliminates problems caused by poor infrastructure or terrain that inhibits the use of electrical wires. Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy calculates that solar energy can potentially create 3.1 billion kWh per year; more than enough to make up for winter energy shortages, according to CABAR.asia.

Tajikistan made its first solar power plant in 2020 in Murghab, but the current hydroelectric output shadowed its production. Regardless, solar energy is an untapped and promising facet of renewable energy in Tajikistan that can potentially reduce the rate of poverty.

The potential for wind is relatively unknown, but CABAR.asia estimates of its energy production are promising, with the forecasted figure standing at 30 billion-100 billion kWh per year, effectively rivaling the production of some hydroelectric plants.

Solutions Underway

New innovations, stronger enforcement and political regulations can further help actualize the potential for hydroelectric energy. The IEA proposes the need for energy service companies and the production of solar panels and wind turbines while recognizing efforts underway, including the World Bank-operated Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000). Alongside Tajikistan’s commitment to UN climate treaties and regulations, such as the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, these advancements in renewable energy carry the potential to help the fight against national poverty.

Since 2018, Uzbekistan has been helping Tajikistan reconnect with the Central Asian Power System (CAPS) and import energy, according to IEA. Furthermore, USAID and Pamir Energy collaborated on creating the Murghab solar energy plant, which was commissioned in 2020, according to CABAR.asia.

Through this foreign aid intervention, renewable energy in Tajikistan stands a chance to reach its full potential and show the world that going green can create a poverty-free future.

– Sahib Singh
Photo: Unsplash

How Mamotest is Improving Breast Cancer Detection in Latin America

Breast Cancer Detection in Latin America
Breast cancer is “the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the Americas,” accounting for 16% of female cancer-rated mortality, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported in 2018. However, the survival rate for breast cancer in Latin America (27%) is significantly lower than in the U.S. (99%). This is due to a number of factors, including a lack of access to early detection and treatment services. Poverty also plays a role. In Latin America, 80% of females older than 40 lack access to mammograms due to equipment insufficiencies and a lack of health care professionals in this field. Also, where mammogram services are available, the costs are very high, UNDP Digital X explains. Furthermore, many women lack formal employment, making the high costs of mammograms prohibitive. Mamotest aims to improve breast cancer detection in Latin America.

Mamotest

Mamotest is a digital health company that is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve breast cancer detection in Latin America. The company’s AI-powered platform can detect breast cancer with accuracy. Mamotest also offers a mobile app that allows women to book appointments, upload their mammograms and receive their results online. Mamotest has operated in Argentina since 2017 and it has recently expanded into Mexico. Guillermo Pepe founded it in 2013 as the first telediagnostic solution for breast cancer detection in Latin America.

The Benefits of Mamotest

Mamotest’s AI-powered platform is a significant advancement in the fight against breast cancer in Latin America. The platform makes it possible to provide early detection and treatment services to women who would otherwise not have access to them. This helps to increase the survival rate for breast cancer in the region. Early detection can raise the survival chances to 90% or more.

The United Nations (U.N.) regards Mamotest as “one of the four organizations changing the first level healthcare sector globally,” Mexico Business News reports.

The company has screened around 650,000 women. In Argentina, the company has 15 centers with a screening rate of 60,000 women per year. Mamotest helped 87% of the screened patients to receive an early diagnosis and begin treatment early on.

It is cost-effective, efficient and easily accessible to women in remote areas with certified examination reports available within 24 hours. UNDP Digital X says a mammogram in Latin America costs between $70 and $150 and the public sector does offer these services but the waiting list is typically four to six months.

Monetary Savings

As per the Swiss consultancy agency LeFil, Mamotest has resulted in benefits of around $6.2 million annually. Patients have saved $1.73 million annually due to “avoided out-of-pocket diagnostic costs, transportation expenses, treatment cost for uninsured patients and unpaid work days for patients without insurance or formal employer’s coverage,” LeFil says. Families of patients have saved $1.1 million annually that could have arisen from funeral expenses and lost income for household members caring for the ill member, among other costs.

A Notable Impact

Mamotest has made a notable impact so far. It has delivered “100 medical refresher courses,” diagnosed 150,000 women and ran 35 breast cancer awareness-raising campaigns. Further, Mamotest has performed 10,000 free mammograms through the support of Fundación Telmed. Mamotest’s efforts, in part, have influenced three provinces to pass a legal policy ensuring all people a day off work to undergo medical tests.

Owing to its positive impact on the lives of marginalized women in Latin America, Mamotest won the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2022 in the health category for being an innovative and sustainable tech solution.

Mamotest is committed to continuing to innovate and improve its services. The company is currently working on developing new AI algorithms that will improve the accuracy of its platform. Mamotest is also working on expanding its services to reach other parts of Latin America like Peru, Uruguay and Mexico to help women fight breast cancer.

– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Flickr

Eliminating Gender Inequality in Taiwan

Gender Inequality in Taiwan
The Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, is ranked first in Asian countries in the U.N. Gender Inequality Index for gender equality. This means that Taiwan has been successfully empowering, educating and creating equal opportunities for its women. But despite this fact, gender inequality in Taiwan endures.

The Gender Wage Gap

One perpetuating issue is the gender wage gap. The gender wage gap in Taiwan is at 15.8%, meaning women would have to work a total of 58 more days to earn equal pay.

In an effort to combat the wage gap, the Taiwan Ministry of Labor (MOL) established ‘Equal Pay Day’ in 2012 to raise awareness of the issue.

As things stand, there are several issues that may be contributing to this issue of inequality. Primarily, women have historically experienced discrimination due to the potential for maternity leave. Some Taiwanese women shared similar experiences. Hiring committees will often ask them if they are pregnant or intend on getting pregnant, and the answer can play a huge role in whether employers will hire them.

However, the overall heightened awareness about gender inequality and the work of the MOL has resulted in tangible progress. Back in 2012, women earned 16.6% less than men. In the last few years, the gap has closed by 0.8%.

Taiwan has also continued to increase the number of women in positions of political power and/or the workforce. About 51% of women over the age of 15 were in the labor force as of 2015, with an average monthly income of $1,346. As for political positions, female lawmakers make up 42.5% of the parliament, Legislative Yuan. Currently, the following are some programs addressing gender inequality in Taiwan.

Taiwan Women’s Center

The Taiwan Women’s Center, which originated in 2008, is an organization that aims to spread gender equality. Its conference rooms in Taipei City, its headquarters, host discussions, seminars and training courses about feminism. Members discuss potential solutions to relevant issues regarding how Taiwan can create a gender-equal society.

The website features videos on the history of gender equality in Taiwan. It also provides links to other organizations striving to make Taiwan a safe and equal country for everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexuality.

Gender Equality Committee of the Executive Yuan

The Gender Equality Committee of the Executive Yuan, established in 1997, works to sustain and enforce government laws and legislation that protect women’s rights.

Some historical accomplishments of the GEC include the establishment of the Commission on Women’s Rights Program (CWRP), the passing of the Enforcement Act of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the establishment of the Department of Gender Equality.

The website includes a tab with various programs that can help kickstart “gender-responsive actions.” These “toolkits” aim to educate and inspire women to participate and be active in the fight for gender equality.

The Awakening Foundation

The Awakening Foundation is a nonprofit and nonpartisan group that has aided many in the fight for gender equality. Established in 1982, it originated as a magazine to protest against the way people treated women in Taiwanese culture. Some of the foundation’s original projects focused on ending child sex trafficking.

Currently, it aids Taiwanese women by lobbying for feminist reforms, providing legal assistance and counseling, as well as monitoring a hotline that reaches about 2,000 citizens per year. Recently, the Awakening Foundation has been working on mandating paid parental leave, as well as educating the public with articles on why women play a vital role in the advancement of politics.

Looking Ahead

Although Taiwan has made significant progress toward gender equality, progress is still ongoing. The current initiatives continue to push for a world where gender equality is the norm. With continued support and education on the issue, and based on the progress so far, there is a chance that one day, gender inequality in Taiwan will become an issue of the past.

– Alex Hasenkamp
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Improving Mental Health in North Macedonia

Mental Health in North MacedoniaThe World Health Organization (WHO) has recently worked to help citizens improve their mental health in North Macedonia. In North Macedonia, the insurance fully covers mental health services and psychotropic medicines. According to the Mental Health Atlas, there were 179 psychiatrists in the country as of 2020.

There were also 20 hospital-attached mental health outpatient facilities as opposed to zero “community-based/non-hospital” mental health facilities. And other mental health facilities totaled 32.

The Mental Health Atlas also reported four mental hospitals and eight psychiatric units in general hospitals. In addition, there were 376 mental health nurses in North Macedonia, with the country spending 7.3% of its total health expenditure on mental health.

The Pressures of Poverty

In 2022, the WHO stated that nearly 40% of the nation’s residents were “at risk of poverty or severe material deprivation in 2019.” COVID-19 added to preexisting barriers to health equity, causing many to experience mental health challenges.

Rising costs of basic necessities pose another threat to impoverished citizens of North Macedonia. According to UNICEF, a 25% increase in household energy/heating costs and a 29% increase in food costs could disproportionately affect poorer households with multiple children.

A 2022 UNICEF mental health workshop for social protection frontline workers provided evidence of the negative effect of poverty on mental health in North Macedonia. Workers interested in learning how to cope with stress and build resilience shared their experiences with stress caused by daily dealings with complex cases of poverty and related adversities.

Economic Effects of Global Crises

COVID-19 took a toll on mental health in North Macedonia. In 2022, WHO also added that the pandemic diminished social and financial protection systems, leading to substantial mental health challenges. Furthermore, a 2023 UNICEF report highlighted a link between the pandemic and symptoms of anxiety and depression among the country’s residents.

The report examined 11 nations, including North Macedonia, and showed a statistically significant relationship between personal exposure to the virus and anxiety/depression symptoms in adults. Around 42% of adolescent respondents also reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety in response to the pandemic.

The recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also affected nations, including North Macedonia. According to UNICEF’s 2022 Country Office Annual Report, North Macedonia’s economy, which was recovering from the blow it suffered during the pandemic, faced another setback due to the war. Unfortunately, these economic events also pose risks to mental health in North Macedonia.

Economic Threats to Mental Health

Ongoing trends suggest that economic instability threatens mental health in North Macedonia. In a 2015 review, Ben Fell and Miles Hewstone argued that poverty increases the risk of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Instances of poverty’s harmful effect on mental health exist abroad. A 2020 article by Lee Knifton and Greig Inglis revealed that in 2018, 23% of men and 26% of women in the most impoverished areas of Scotland reported symptoms of possible psychiatric disorders, as opposed to 12% of men and 16% of women in its most well-off areas. With a heightened risk of poverty comes a threat to mental well-being.

Systemic Barriers to Quality Care

Recent reforms have focused largely on North Macedonia’s mental health system. A May 2022 WHO news release reported that from 2000 to 2008, WHO and the Ministry of Health initiated reforms that moved North Macedonia’s mental health care out of hospitals and into community mental health centers.

This migration of mental health care reflects a need to remove patients from the negative conditions of hospital-based mental health units. A 2010 BalkanInsight article revealed that conditions at the Demir Hisar psychiatric hospital in North Macedonia were dehumanizing and that hospitals like Demir Hisar were underfunded and understaffed.

WHO Takes Action

Between 2008 and 2017, the WHO’s efforts to improve the mental health situation in North Macedonia faced challenges that were due to a reduction in government support for community-based mental health services.

In 2018, the Republic of North Macedonia adopted the new National Strategy for the Promotion of Mental Health. Goals include decentralizing mental health services, decreasing the number of psychiatric hospitals and strengthening staff at community mental health centers, according to a May 2022 WHO news release.

Stojan Bajraktarov, director of the Psychiatric Clinic in Skopje, North Macedonia, explained that education, communication and cooperation are key in delivering quality mental health care at a primary care level.

Taking Inspiration from Crisis

The pandemic, while tragic, has also provided an opportunity to improve access to quality care for mental health in North Macedonia. The pandemic inspired many to push health equity higher up the political agenda, said Anne Johansen, WHO’s special representative to North Macedonia. Overall, this can have lasting positive impacts on the country and its residents.

– Noel Teter
Photo: Pixabay

How Fintech is Transforming Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa

Fintech in Sub-Saharan AfricaThe number of unbanked people in Sub-Saharan Africa represents around 57% of the total population of the region. That equates to approximately 360 million people across the continent without recognized assets. South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya have maintained robust financial infrastructure for decades, while areas with the lowest levels of urbanization surrounding Ethiopia and Rwanda continue to struggle with provisioning traditional financial services with spotty internet and lacking identity documentation.

With the right strategy, overcoming these challenges carries great potential to change the livelihoods of millions. Experts at McKinsey, a global consulting firm, found that the market for financial services in Africa could reach $230 billion in collective revenue in the next two years. Boston Consulting Group and QED Investors estimated that Africa’s fintech sector could reach a revenue compound annual growth rate of 32% by 2030. In fact, fintech companies are expected to make up nearly a quarter of all banking valuations worldwide by then.

Fintech in sub-Saharan Africa: A Frontier For Change

Fintech encompasses any kind of platform that sidesteps traditional roadblocks to saving and spending in some form of credit or cryptocurrency. Alternatives like blockchain, peer-to-peer lending and equity-based crowdfunding can be up to 80% cheaper, with interest rates on savings up to three times higher. By using technology to keep all users accountable, these systems incentivize honest transactions and sustainable supply chains.

These technologies can streamline the investments necessary to facilitate small business ventures, eco trade and agriculture. Pula Advisors underwrites climate risks that negatively affect crop yields with digital micro-insurance for over 1 million farmers across Zambia, Kenya and Nigeria. In Mozambique, Vodafone has piloted an electricity initiative that provides customers with off-grid solar devices they can buy and recharge with mobile transfer service M-Pesa.

Online banks are longer lasting and relatively less capital-intensive to establish in Africa. For perspective, about 65% of companies in the United States (U.S.) fail within the first 10 years. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that U.S.-based companies raise the most capital and experience the least longevity. African companies raise the least from investors and fare the longest. The difference between the two lies in prioritizing change readiness rather than investor relationships. Successful African entrepreneurs can secure stakeholder support by ensuring market acceptance and engaging customers on a community level. 

E-commerce Giant Chips In

Amazon Web Services launched its inaugural FinTech Africa Accelerator in June 2023. The equity-free program is hosting a cohort of 25 startups to fast-track their go-to-market strategy, technical development and fundraising efforts. Exxtra, Chumz and Vargent have already validated their proof of concepts, exemplifying the unmet niche fintech addresses across Africa.

Exxtra provides over 10,000 Ghanaians short-term loans in under 24 hours with no collateral or guarantors required. Chumz uses Kenyan software to create group saving accounts with interest rates up to 8%, free of charge. Vargent is like a Nigerian Venmo for instant money transfers around Africa with safeguards for illicit laundering.

Summit Scheduled for November in Zambia

The 10th bi-annual Africa Fintech Summit is happening this fall in Lusaka. Past meetings have been held throughout the continent, in Lagos, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Cape Town and internationally this past April in Washington, D.C. The conference hosts panels, workshops and a pitch competition to foster conversations between industry regulators, investors and founders. Its tech exhibition has welcomed over 4,000 participants from 100 countries since 2018. Zambia is regarded with optimism within the industry, recently cited as Africa’s next major tech hub. Between 2015 and 2020, the country’s mobile money penetration increased by 10%. Also, Its current administration is prioritizing digital inclusion as a means for economic growth with business-friendly legislation.

Looking Ahead

Self-sufficient economies are on the horizon, and this is a result of the emergence of fintech in Sub-Saharan Africa. Already on Amazon’s radar, African fintech is emerging as a viable initiative for empowering the underbanked.

– Avery Pearson

Photo URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/aVbHFu-Doo4