Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV In Haiti 

Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV In Haiti Mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains a significant public health challenge in Haiti. According to UNAIDS, an estimated 5,700 children were living with HIV in Haiti as of 2021. Additionally, an estimated 86,000 Haitian women over age 15 were living with HIV. This suggests the need for more work in the fight against mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Haiti.

Challenges in Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Haiti

One of the critical challenges in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Haiti is the lack of maternal care. According to the World Economic Forum, more than 60% of pregnant women in Haiti give birth at home with an attendant. Furthermore, one-third of Haitian women do not attend antenatal care (ANC) visits that can identify high-risk pregnancies. Therefore, many women “do not know whether they have signs of complications and if it is safer for them to deliver at a hospital.” This means that many pregnant women in Haiti are not receiving the necessary medical care and information needed to prevent the transmission of HIV to their children.

Poverty and gender inequality are also significant factors contributing to the spread of HIV in Haiti, where ongoing violence and recent fuel shortages have further restricted access to health care. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a sexual and reproductive health agency, Haitian women and girls are particularly affected by the multiple crises that the country faces. As of October 2022, an estimated 30,000 pregnant women were “at risk of being unable to access essential health care,” increasing the risk of HIV transmission. UNFPA also estimated that, by the end of 2022, “around 7,000 survivors of sexual violence could be left without medical and psychosocial support.” As such figures suggest, Haitian women and girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV due to gender-based violence, lack of education and limited economic opportunities.

Addressing These Challenges

To combat these challenges, the Haitian government and its partners are implementing several initiatives to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. A noteworthy example is the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDs Relief (PEPFAR), which provides antiretroviral therapy (ART) to people living with HIV in Haiti, including pregnant women, to reduce the risk of transmission to their children.

Initiatives like the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) partnership are also helping to increase women’s and girls’ access to HIV testing and counseling in high-risk countries. Led by USAID, DREAMS aims to reduce HIV rates among adolescent girls and young women by partnering with public and private organizations at the national and local levels to address the gender-based inequities that increase their vulnerability to HIV. Simultaneously, The World Bank is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health and Population to increase access to antenatal care services and improve the quality of care provided.

Finally, the Fondation pour la Santé Reproductrice et l’Education Familiale (FOSERF) is a non-governmental organization that has been serving the Haitian population since 1988. It offers reproductive and maternal health services and programs to support the prevention and treatment of HIV and other infectious diseases. The organization also reaches women in other ways, including providing counseling services for rape victims, spreading awareness among sex workers and offering training to give sex workers alternatives to prostitution.

Hope for the Future

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains a significant public health challenge in Haiti. Yet, many efforts are underway to improve access to health care and education in Haiti, with a specific focus on reducing HIV transmission and providing on-the-ground support for the vulnerable and infected. These initiatives are making positive impacts while inspiring hope for the future of Haitian mothers and children.

– Nathalie Altidor
Photo: Flickr

Poverty Reduction in Botswana

Poverty Reduction in BotswanaPoverty reduction in Botswana has seen success in recent years. In the early 21st century, 29.1% of its citizens lived on below $2.15 a day, but later surveys showed that the number had declined to 15.4% between 2015 and 2016. Since the country’s independence in 1966, it has had the desire to create a poverty-free and inequality-free nation.

The Role of Education

A focus on education, particularly at the primary level, has greatly benefited the nation and played an important role in reducing poverty levels among the population. The completion rate for primary education stands at 94.55% as of April 24, 2023, while the adult literacy rate of 86.82% ranks significantly higher than other sub-Saharan African nations.

When considering the number of out-of-education adolescents, Botswana’s 9.94%  as of April 24. 2023, is substantially lower than the regional average of 33.14%. This highlights a strong focus on ensuring that Botswana is making the most out of access to education in the country. Education enables individuals to lift themselves or their families out of poverty by potentially securing higher-paid jobs or becoming more skilled in their current roles, leading to improved productivity and earnings. In Botswana, the government provides schooling, and since the 1990s, increased investments in the education sector have resulted in a gradual reduction in poverty. Through the power of education, Botswana has seen the growth of a developing middle class, whose consumer spending can support a stronger economy. In a bid to reduce Botswana’s dependence on diamond mining and tourism, the government is encouraging students to complete secondary education and pursue higher education by providing financial policies, scholarships and loans. The government of the country aims to diversify the economy by promoting higher education among citizens.

Future Plans

Botswana attributes much of its recent success to its well-thought-out plans for the future, epitomized by Vision 2016 and its successor, Vision 2036. The aim is to transform Botswana into a high-income nation by 2036. This agenda includes four pillars:

  1. Sustainable economic development
  2. Human and social development
  3. Sustainable environment
  4. Governance, peace and security

Botswana plans to become a self-sustaining, export-led, and knowledge-based economy. The country learned valuable lessons from its previous national plan, Vision 2016. It established the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NPEP), which takes a multidimensional approach to poverty by considering various factors that contribute to communities’ financial and social situation, instead of relying on income as the sole indicator of poverty. The NPEP aims to promote small-scale entrepreneurship, employment initiatives and skills development, giving individuals greater financial and social agency.

What is Next?

Through ongoing agendas like Vision 2036, Botswana aims to create new opportunities, thereby boosting economic stability. However, the country still faces challenges in providing aid to the rural, isolated areas where many of the poorest reside. Nevertheless, the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and development bodes well for Botswana’s future. The progress so far suggests that the country can tackle present challenges and continue to build a brighter and more prosperous future for all its citizens.

– Charlie Valentine
Photo: Flickr

4 Facts About Living Conditions in Mali

Living Conditions in MaliMali is a Western African country with a population of over 21 million people. And like many impoverished African countries, Mali faces various challenges such as low school attendance rates, poor hygiene and gender inequality. This article outlines the challenges when it comes to living conditions in Mali and efforts to change the status quo.

Education

UNICEF has reported that over two million Malian children between the ages of 5 to 17 do not attend school due to child marriage, child labor and a lack of schools in the country. To address this issue, UNICEF has partnered with the Ministry of National Education to improve school attendance rates, especially for vulnerable children. In 2019, the organization helped over 200,000 Malian children return to school, providing equal opportunities to all.

Increasing Access To Water and Sanitation

Mali struggles with poor-quality water and sanitation, and this affects the health of millions of people in the country. WaterAid has installed clean water taps and handwashing stations, allowing locals to live healthier lives. In Bamako, WaterAid worked with locals to fix the water tower and toilets in Lafiabogou, which supports the AMALDEME Medical Educational System aiding 600 children with learning difficulties.

Using Sustainable Agriculture To Combat Food Insecurity

Inflation and food insecurity are major issues in Mali due to war and other factors. The World Bank has approved a $30 million credit from the International Development Association to improve agricultural productivity and alleviate food insecurity for rural households living in drylands. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also invests in their Feed The Future Programme to support the farming of cereals and livestock, contributing to the nutrition of people in Mali and keeping farming families in business.

Rights for Women

Gender inequality remains a significant societal issue in Mali. Statistics from SOS Children’s Villages show that an estimated 92% of women in Mali have undergone Female Genital Mutilation. Teenage marriages are also common for Malian women with approximately 75% of women in the country being married by the age of 18.

As presented by Together Women Rise, in 2013, Mali Health’s Health Savings program was created to improve the healthcare of Women in slums in Bamako. Since then, the project has expanded and now serves seven communities and 3,335 women in Bamako. Mali Health’s community health workers use the project to facilitate links between local communities and clinics.

The aim of providing these links with women and health clinics is so they can receive health education surrounding reproductive care and child nutrition. The health project also allows women to come together in a safe social environment in which they can learn behaviors that promote everyday health practices which can reduce the frequency of illness in the area.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, charitable organizations offer hope for the future of Mali. By improving education, access to water and sanitation, agriculture and women’s rights, Malians can live safe and healthy lives while accessing equal opportunities.

– Freddie Trevanion
Photo: Flickr

Fighting Non-Communicable Diseases in Botswana

Non-Communicable Diseases in BotswanaThe World Bank reports the average life expectancy rate in Botswana is about 66 years of age and that non-communicable diseases in Botswana account for 46% of total deaths.  

Non-Communicable Diseases in Developing Countries

Globally, non-communicable diseases account for 74% of all deaths with 86% of deaths occurring prematurely or before the age of 70 in developing countries such as Botswana. Non-communicable diseases include those that do not spread by contact. These diseases emerge due to long-term unhealthy habits such as poor diets, physical inactivity and tobacco and alcohol use. 

Low-income countries face the greatest risk of non-communicable diseases due to a lack of safe drinking water, nutritious food and regular health care screenings. These conditions lead to higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, cancers and more. 

New Lifestyle Challenges

In Botswana, 95% of residents engage in unhealthy lifestyles. This is likely due to a lack of focus on addressing non-communicable diseases, as the country prioritizes combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There is also a focus on many contagious infectious diseases caused by poor hygiene practices, unsanitary living conditions and poverty.

With Botswana’s improvement in managing the risk of communicable diseases, changes in lifestyle present new challenges. Non-communicable diseases are on the rise as there has been increased access to alcohol and tobacco due to better infrastructure and safer transport systems. 

According to a study conducted by the University of Botswana, poor fruit and vegetable consumption is the strongest factor contributing to the rise in non-communicable diseases with 82.5% of individuals admitting to adhering to a diet that does not include sufficient fruits and vegetables. The World Bank reports that the post-COVID-19 pandemic era is responsible for a rise in unemployment rates to roughly 26%. This high unemployment rate, combined with the country’s lack of a skilled workforce, leads to financial insecurity and discourages healthy food consumption.

Efforts to Reduce Non-Communicable Diseases

According to World Health Organization, reversing the rise of non-communicable diseases in Botswana is one of the country’s top priorities. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is committed to fighting non-communicable diseases in Botswana and throughout the region by hosting events to spread awareness of risk factors of non-communicable diseases and promote healthy lifestyles choices such as practicing balanced diets, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol and tobacco use.

SADC’s stated key objectives are, “Achieve economic development, peace and security, and growth, alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of life of the peoples of Southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through Regional Integration.” In February 2022, SADC commenced research to track non-communicable disease levels and patterns among Botswanan people to better understand what resources are most helpful in eliminating the rise of non-communicable diseases.

In efforts to raise awareness of the persistent spread of non-communicable diseases in Botswana and the region, SADC hosts an annual Healthy Lifestyles Day. On the last Friday in February, SADC dedicates a day to spreading awareness through communication and education. Primary topics include mental health, substance abuse, life skills, integrated nutrition, health promotion, peer education, reproductive health and primary health care. Each of these topics looks into the rise of non-communicable diseases.  And by creating awareness about healthy habits, the most vulnerable, impoverished communities are able to gain access to information about healthy living.

SADC has been working for over 25 years and has contributed to an overall 4.8% economic growth rate in Botswana. With commitment, advocacy and action, SADC fights for the overall well-being of Botswana and other southern African countries to decrease poverty and non-communicable disease rates.

Looking Ahead

The persistence of poverty plays a major role in the prevalence of preventable non-communicable in developing countries. And while these diseases are present in other parts of the world, poor education, insufficient food sources and lack of accessible health care in Botswana contribute to making the situation more challenging in Botswana. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts continue to make progress in resolving the issue by implementing initiatives that enable the people of Botswana to enjoy better states of health. 

– Leah Smith
Photo: Flickr

Smileawi: Fixing Dental Care in Malawi

Dental Care in MalawiMalawi, a nation in southeast Africa, faces a severe shortage of health care professionals with less than one working physician per 1,000 Malawians. Dental care in Malawi is similarly underdeveloped, with only 43 practicing dentists in the country in 2021, with most located in private clinics in cities despite less than 20% of the population living in urban areas.

On the bright side, dental care in Malawi is improving as dental associations and charities from the United Kingdom (U.K.) increasingly fund dental programs in the country. One of these organizations is Smileawi, a Scottish charity founded by two dentists, Vicky and Nigel Milne, in 2012 after witnessing the nation’s lack of dental resources during a visit.

Smileawi’s Work

Smileawi runs a portable dental clinic in rural areas of Malawi, providing dental care to those who are less likely to have access to dentists. The charity also funds Malawian dental students and conducts dental conferences to empower and support local dentists in improving dental care in Malawi.

Although Smileawi prefers to send qualified dental practitioners to Malawi, many volunteers have no background in dental care and receive training from the organization. These volunteers self-fund a 16-day trip to Malawi to work in the charity’s “pain clinics,” which provide free tooth extraction services for diseased teeth. The clinics have also helped thousands of individuals suffering from toothache in the nation.

Smileawi’s services are available to vast numbers of people due to their portable clinics that are set up in public spaces such as classrooms and churches. Using money from donations, Smileawi invested in an eight-chair portable clinic that has served patients all over the rural areas of Malawi. Furthermore, Smileawi is developing a dental van that will help them travel around the entire nation and continue providing dental care to those in remote locations.

Smileawi Funding: Empowering Malawian Health Professionals

Smileawi aims to improve oral health in Malawi by directly providing dental services and empowering local health professionals. In 2017, Smileawi founders, the Milne family, assessed the equipment and facilities of dental therapists in Malawi and spent several months in the U.K. purchasing high-quality, second-hand dental chairs and equipment to send to Malawi. The charity was able to provide eight working dental chairs in six locations, and staff received training on how to maintain new equipment.

Since 2017, Smileawi has funded 21 dental therapy students, including Lusekero Kyumba, who studied at the College of Health Sciences in Malawi. The charity covers tuition fees, accommodation and general maintenance, which is vital because many academically gifted students cannot afford tuition fees and drop out as a result. Smileawi enables prospective Malawian dentists to focus on their studies and graduates are offered jobs at pain clinics following the completion of their studies.

Smileawi Conferences: Connecting Malawian Dentists

To ensure Malawian dentists are at the forefront of improving dental care, Smileawi hosts conferences twice a year in Mzuzu, where dental professionals can exchange information and discuss how to improve their practices. The conferences regularly see the attendance of international speakers, representatives of the Malawian government and medical professionals. Smileawi volunteers, partners and Malawian dental therapists agree that the conferences are highly beneficial because they create a space for dentists to build connections and share ideas on how to make accessible dental care in Malawi a reality.

Looking Ahead

Although there is still a long way to go before quality dental care is accessible to everyone in Malawi, Smileawi is making significant progress in improving oral health among the rural population. The charity’s work directly helps the Malawian people and encourages the improvement of dental care nationally.

– Mohsina Alam
Photo: Flickr

Dalit Women: Health care Access and Health Outcomes

Dalit womenThe caste systems found in countries such as India and Nepal are socially hierarchical systems that divide people into five primary groups: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra and Dalit. Those in the Dalit caste rank as the lowest and are considered societal outcasts. As a result, they suffer harsh treatment and discrimination. Due to the patriarchy in these societies in addition to widespread support for caste systems, Dalit women face high levels of discrimination. This reality creates great disparities in overall life and health outcomes.

Access to Care

Dalit women’s health outcomes largely depend on their access to health care. This access, however, is limited considering Dalit women’s low socioeconomic status. For example, in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka, which is home to over 61 million people and is the eighth-largest state in India by population, about 74.4% of Dalit women reported having issues regarding health care access. This number is about 70% at the national level, according to 2018 India’s National Family Health Survey. Partially due to this struggle in accessing health care, Dalit women have a 15-year shorter lifespan on average than upper caste women.

When they do have access to care, it can be very costly. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health revealed that some unlicensed private doctors exploit Dalit women and other lower-caste women by charging them high fees, forcing many of them to take out loans for treatment. This practice contributes to the cycle of poverty among Dalit women and can make access for many extremely difficult. These issues with health care access often lead to negative health outcomes considering women’s greater vulnerability to diseases such as malnutrition and anemia, as well as maternal mortality.

Mental Health Disparities

Two main issues face Dalit women in terms of mental health: firstly, mental health issues are more prevalent in their caste than for those in higher-ranking castes, and secondly, these women have less access to care. In 2020, the Journal of Global Health Reports conducted a study in which 12 Dalit participants from Nepal talked about their experiences with mental health. From the outset, the researchers made it known that Dalits in Nepal “face the greatest discrimination and have a greater prevalence of depression and anxiety when compared with high castes.”

In terms of the actual results of the study, a number of the participants stated they believe that gender-based discrimination in Nepal makes issues of mental health for Dalit women more difficult, as it causes them to “receive more stigma for mental health conditions.” The stigmas that these women receive can lead to dangerous outcomes for them. Two participants in the study stated that Dalit women are at considerable risk when they are cast out from their families, as they become homeless and therefore are more vulnerable to exploitation, rape and abuse.

Some research also indicates that Dalit and other low-caste women may have experienced worsening mental health outcomes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2022 study, lower-caste women tended to have a greater fear of COVID-19 than higher-caste women. The study also found that Dalit women and women of other backward castes (OBCs) suffered from more severe anxiety and stress symptoms than higher-caste women.

Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO)

In light of the continuing discrimination against Dalit women, several organizations are taking action to create better opportunities for this underprivileged community. Perhaps one of the most prominent is the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), which is a nonprofit organization that was founded by a group of Dalit women in 1994. The organization works to address and fight back against the various inequalities experienced by affected women in Nepal.

FEDO is present in 56 of Nepal’s 75 districts, seeking to improve the lives of Dalit women by advocating for human rights and economic empowerment initiatives. This includes helping Dalit women become financially literate so that they can have opportunities to own small businesses and break the cycles of poverty found in Dalit communities throughout Asia. The work of organizations like FEDO could bring about upwards social mobility for Dalit women, therefore giving them greater access to health care services and improving their overall quality of life.

– Adam Cvik
Photo: Flickr

Heart Disease Among Syrian Refugees

Heart Disease in Syrian RefugeesCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are some of the most prevalent threats to global health. This is certainly the case for vulnerable populations, especially refugees and other migrant groups. Heart disease affects Syrian refugees in particular at a significantly high rate. These asylum seekers face overwhelming poverty and a variety of other risk factors that contribute to these illnesses across multiple countries, particularly in places like Jordan and Lebanon. Several international organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, continue to tackle this issue, although it still persists and poses a serious public health threat to those in these communities.

Prevalence of CVDs

Although CVDs are a real threat to all people globally, they can tend to affect certain demographics more than others. Heart disease in Syrian refugees is a cause for concern for a number of reasons. According to Wasim Maziak and others, the morbidity rate for CVD among Syrians is about 4.8%, with the mortality rate being 179 per 100,000.

The impacts of CVD in Syrian refugee communities are greater due to increased risk factors. These include but are not limited to hypertension, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, firsthand and secondhand smoking and unhealthy eating habits. A 2019 study by the Boston College medical journal Annals of Global Health found strong correlations between cases of CVD and these risk factors in Syrian refugees living in Jordan. Of the nearly 1,000 patients they surveyed at Jordan University Hospital, about 60% had high blood pressure and 31% suffered from diabetes. Additionally, 24% were chronic smokers.

Lack of treatment was also a significant issue for these patients. According to the study, “treatment was offered to 489 patients (49.5%), but only 322 (65.8% of treatment offered and 33.2% of referrals) of them received the intended treatment.” Partly due to the lack of care for over half the Syrian refugee patients, 3% of them died and about half never had follow-up appointments during the timeframe of the study. The study also found that about 13% of the patients who were referred to specialists “were denied any funding,” which primarily came from the Jordanian government and the UN, as well as other charity groups and NGOs.

Risk Factor Causes

One of the possible explanations for why CVD risk factors are so high for Syrian refugees is because of their repeated exposure to conflict and trauma. For over a decade, Syrians have struggled with a violent civil war that has forced over 14 million people to flee the country since 2011. These refugees have been confronted with many traumatic events, including the loss of loved ones. Such trauma can greatly increase risk factors for CVD. As the American Heart Association (AHA) reveals that stress, especially chronic stress, “may lead to high blood pressure, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke. Stress also may contribute to such cardiovascular disease risks as smoking, overeating and lack of physical activity.”

This stress comes at even higher levels for Syrian refugees, who have to deal not only with the traumas of the past but also the great challenges they face in starting a new life in a foreign country. The challenges involve not only the struggles of assimilating into another society but also the struggles of overcoming poverty. For example, the U.N. reports that in Lebanon, 90% of the Syrian refugees in the country are “reliant on humanitarian assistance to survive.” Syrian refugees in Turkey also face challenges in meeting their basic needs, as about 90% are reportedly unable to do so.

Preventative Measures

Clearly, heart disease affects Syrian refugees at high rates due to a variety of risk factors such as trauma, displacement and poverty. In responding to this public health crisis, organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have prioritized providing free health care to thousands of Syrian refugees in need. MSF’s chronic disease treatment program has provided consultations and treatment for nearly 4,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan over the span of nearly a decade. This includes “treatment for hypertension, diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.”

Looking Ahead

The work of humanitarian organizations such as MSF can play a significant role in reducing the rates of CVD among Syrian refugees. Poverty not only leads to increased stress and, therefore, increased risk of CVD but also inhibits access to health care. By providing free medical services to these vulnerable communities, MSF and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are actively alleviating one of the most significant public health crises facing Syrian refugees.

– Adam Cvik
Photo: Flickr

Young People and Mental Health in Brunei

A small equatorial country located on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia, Brunei Darussalam has one of the world’s highest standards of living due to its ample oil and gas reserves. As of 2023, its total population is 452,524. Bruneian inhabitants do not pay income tax and are able to access free health care and education. As a monarchy, it is currently ruled by the world’s second richest royal: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Since the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1984, Brunei has become an industrialized and developed nation. However, mental health in Brunei is an issue among young people in the country.

7,000 Mental Health Cases 

Statistics have shown that depression, anxiety and stress are common mental health issues. The psychiatry services in Brunei face an increase in young patients who report high levels of stress and fatigue, with an estimated 7,000 cases. Young people in Brunei, most of them in their early 20s, are the most vulnerable to mental health problems. Children and adolescents are also among those struggling with mental health issues. Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital Psychiatry Services head Dr. Hilda Ho stated that “We are getting an increasing number of referrals. The trend is we are seeing more and more young people.” But, according to the Ministry of Health of Brunei, this figure may not be accurate as it does not accurately reflect the extent of the situation among Brunei’s youth population.

Young People are Hindered by Stigma

At the Brunei Darussalam Youth Open Space in October 2020, a discussion by its participants on navigating the mental health problem concluded that Brunei’s young people face the challenge of stigma. It is most particularly within family circles where mental health problems are seen as shameful. At the meeting, none of the participants identified their parental figures as a source of help for mental health issues.

Brunei Launches Its Mental Health Action Plan

The Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025 aims to address mental health through a comprehensive strategy that involves promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Taking account of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunei’s action plan also aims to address the challenges that the health workforce faces. With the action plan signed by Brunei’s Ministry of Health and five non-governmental organizations, the opportunity to increase public knowledge and awareness could be a step forward to improving mental health in Brunei.

Tackling Stigma

There are ongoing efforts to tackle the taboo around mental health in Brunei. The opening up of safe spaces facilitates open discussions about mental health. Services that provide counseling support, therapy and psychiatric consultations are becoming easily accessible. Community-based organizations such as Mind Your Mind and Cope for Hope promote mental health and well-being through their public service campaigns.

In addition, Brunei’s recent launch of the hotline service Talian Harapan 145 provides a safe and confidential space for those who are struggling with mental health. Trained mental health professionals from the Ministry of Health are responsible for operating the hotline. 

Mental Health Programs 

The program “Mental Health in Children” focuses on raising mental health awareness among parents and guardians. Run by the Mawar Association, the program helps to maintain children’s well-being. This initiative places a particular emphasis on the importance of parental figures in understanding and addressing mental health issues. Collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the first 2021 online session garnered 100 participants. The second 2022 session had 47 participants in attendance. The third session is scheduled to take place in October 2023.

Another recent event is the “Mental Health Awareness in Religious Perspective”, a mental health program for Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College students. With 200 students in attendance, the program educates students and school faculty members on the importance of mental health. By utilizing a holistic approach, the program also actively works to combat stigma and encourage the discussion of mental health.

Looking Ahead

With mental health in Brunei undergoing a period of development, the country continues to expand its mental health services. The Ministry of Health recognizes the importance of public education, alongside the promotion of services that cater to mental health and well-being, in addressing the stigma around the matter. The country’s consistent efforts to improve mental health could result in positive impacts on the mental health of Brunei’s young people.

– Grace Clay
Photo: Flickr

Human Trafficking in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Human Trafficking in St. Vincent and the GrenadinesThe issue of human trafficking is a major concern for both the people and government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and efforts are ongoing to reduce and eliminate this problem. With the country having an average criminality score of 3.3 per the Global Organized Crime Index, its government has been keen on reforming the laws to bring traffickers to justice and help their victims.

Human trafficking in St Vincent and the Grenadines involves forced labor in farming and cannabis production, sexual exploitation of women, arms trafficking and child trafficking by caregivers. Victims usually comprise Vincentians and foreigners from other Caribbean islands, South America and Asia. The Global Organized Crime Index also recognizes that people who work for foreign/international companies that have set up shop in St Vincent may be vulnerable to exploitation.

Although the country has not totally resolved the human trafficking problem, it has made progress in punishing criminals and protecting women and children. The government has taken several steps to combat human trafficking, including the following:

The Punishment

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has taken measures to combat trafficking by implementing training programs for law enforcement. The programs aim to give out stricter punishments to traffickers in order to make the consequences proportionate to the seriousness of the crime. This training also covers tips on identifying victims and providing resources for them.

The national police force has an Anti-Trafficking In Persons Unit (ATIPU), and it has been active since 2012. This unit monitors high-risk areas such as bars, airports, restaurants and seaports to swiftly detect signs of trafficking or smuggling of people from overseas.

For border control, the police force has a Special Services Unit that watches people entering and exiting the country. In addition, St Vincent has collaborated with international organizations such as the Regional Security System to control immigration and prevent smuggling within its borders and around neighboring countries. These actions highlight the nation’s willingness to accept external help in its fight against trafficking.

Raising Public Awareness

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, the fight against trafficking extends beyond the police force to include nurses, teachers, students and members of the wider society who have received training from ATIPU’s summer camps. So far, the unit has trained 426 students and 400 nurses and teachers to identify trafficking and prevent it. The government has also launched printed and digital advertisements as well as radio campaigns to raise awareness of trafficking among the citizens and help them recognize the signs of it. To encourage reporting, the government set up a hotline for individuals to report any suspicions of trafficking, enabling everyone to play a role in combating the problem.

Looking Ahead

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to combat trafficking by not only enacting laws to prosecute traffickers but also helping and supporting victims, as well as training law enforcement and educating the public to be more alert for signs of trafficking. These efforts show promise in eradicating trafficking and creating a future where it is no longer a concern for the inhabitants of the country.

– Faron Spence-Small
Photo: Wikimedia
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Tackling Malnutrition in Guatemala With Digital Tools

Malnutrition in GuatemalaA recent UNICEF report states that malnutrition across the globe worsens due to conflict, poverty and climate fluctuations, with disproportionate effects on the world’s most vulnerable women and girls. The report highlights the heightened threat that women and girls of childbearing age — and their children — face as a result of gender inequality. As of March 2023, no region of the world is set to achieve the World Health Assembly and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of halving anemia among women and girls and reducing low birthweight by 30% by 2030. On the contrary, acute malnourishment among pregnant and breastfeeding women rose by an estimated 25% between 2020 and 2022. Especially prevalent in the countries hit hardest by the global food crisis, including Afghanistan, Yemen and Ethiopia, this trend is expected to continue in 2023. UNICEF is calling for immediate action.

Barriers to Food Security

A 2023 report identified numerous barriers to improving nutrition among women and girls. These include:

  • Social and gender inequities that limit women’s and girls’ access to nutritious diets
  • A lack of nutrition and social protection programs that address the needs of women and girls
  • Insufficient policy protection for undernourished women and girls

Globally, COVID-19 heightened such barriers. However, in Guatemala, the pandemic’s outbreak also revitalized political interest in reducing malnutrition, leading to a new wave of policymaking focused on using digital tools to improve the nutrition of women and children and strengthen the physical, social and economic health of communities at large. Ranking seventh in the world for chronic malnutrition, the country exemplifies how progress can begin with better policymaking and unlocking the full potential of digital technology.

DIGITARO Project

A World Bank pilot initiative, Guatemala’s DIGITARO project offers an innovative solution to acute malnutrition. DIGITARO harnesses digital tools to advance women’s participation in agriculture and incorporate female farmers into Guatemala’s national School Feeding Program (SFP). The project seeks to resolve the lack of female agency within agriculture and the home while reducing the country’s malnutrition rates.

DIGITARO points to research revealing that women’s lacking economic agency and decision-making power in Guatemalan households directly impacts the produce bought for their homes. This has led to higher rates of malnutrition, especially among children. Recognizing this intersection between female agency and malnutrition is vital for improving food security across the country.

DIGITARO seeks to increase both female smallholder farmers’ market access and children’s and families’ access to healthy, responsibly produced food. Through digital tools, it improves women’s understanding of the SFP, connects female farmers to schools and supports them in supplying the SFP sustainably. The three main digital tools it engages are:

  • An e-commerce platform that ensures secure, transparent and mutually-beneficial transactions between schools and producers.
  • Training videos that inform women about good agricultural practices, SFP food quality standards and how to register with the SFP.
  • A digital campaign aimed at increasing women’s awareness of the SFP and connecting schools to verified female producers.

Impacts on Female Empowerment

Pilot data indicate that DIGITARO raised women’s awareness that the SFP purchases food from local farmers by more than 60% and increased their understanding of how to register as an SFP provider almost twofold. The initiative also improved women’s selling decisions and business productivity. It sparked a 20% increase in female farmers’ overall sales of commonly-demanded SFP animal products.

Impacts on Malnutrition

Furthermore, DIGITARO has improved the effectiveness and reliability of the SFP for thousands of Guatemalan children. By identifying and remedying the issues undermining the program, the project provided them access to a more reliable supply of nutritious, high-quality foods and produce.

The e-commerce platform has now connected nearly 25,000 schools across the country with some 45,000 sellers. However, more must be done to encourage schools and female farmers to connect through such initiatives. Nonetheless, DIGITARO’s promising results demonstrate that, in combination with strategic policymaking, digital technology can help tackle the growing issue of malnutrition among women and children everywhere and pave the way for a brighter global future.

– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr