Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

5 Charities Operating in Morocco

Charities Operating in MoroccoThough Morocco’s poverty rates have been decreasing through the years, the nation’s rural multidimensional poverty rate is almost five times as high as its urban rate. Morocco continues to face environmental, social and economic challenges that contribute to harsh living conditions for too many of its citizens. Multidimensional poverty affects 5.5% of the population. Fortunately, many charities operating in Morocco are working hard to address these issues and make a positive impact on society.

5 Charities Operating in Morocco

  1. High Atlas Foundation (HAF) – Founded in the year 2000, High Atlas Foundation reaches social groups around Morocco to help develop, implement and sustain local projects that target economic, social and environmental challenges. The organization has 17 active projects, 400 volunteers and at least 3,000 beneficiaries. Some of the projects include planting trees to empower farming families, empowering women for democratic participation, providing clean drinking water for 1,250 villagers, improving rural Moroccan schools and many more. Since 2011, HAF has had Consultancy Status at the U.N. Economic and Social Council.

  2. Education For All (EFA) – After seeing a 70% illiteracy rate among girls in rural Morocco, EFA stepped in to launch its project in 2007. The aim was to provide high-quality education for girls living close to the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco and with no resources to attend schools in the city. EFA boarding schools serve as “homes away from home” for the admitted girls who get three meals a day, studying supplies and everything else needed for optimal education. With a total of five boarding houses, the number of beneficiaries reached 185 girls in 2017. EFA reports that 90% of all donations it receives go directly into funding the project.

  3. Project SOAR – Established in 2015, Project SOAR’s mission is to empower teenage girls in the rural areas of Morocco and lead them to a better future. So far, the results have been outstanding, as 99.5% of the SOAR girls avoid early marriage or early pregnancy. Also, 100% of SOAR girls go on to pursue higher education compared to only 39% of girls globally. More than 3,700 girls from 42 rural communities across Morocco and Syria have benefited from the program. The girls learn and build social and leadership skills through the program’s activities and workshops. In 2016, Project SOAR started a partnership with Michelle Obama’s “Let Girls Learn” initiative. This led to some beneficiaries and staff visiting the White House for the filming of “We Will Rise” to celebrate the International Day of the Girl.

  1. Fondation Zakoura – Founded in 1997, Fondation Zakoura started operating as a nonprofit organization focused on providing primary-school-level informal education. It set out to lead and support children in rural areas. In 2001, Fondation Zakoura introduced adult sensitization sessions for health, hygiene and education. And in 2010, it added an environmental sustainability program. Four years later, the organization launched a digital school to enable online accessibility. Fondation Zakoura has been a model NGO for many NGOs worldwide, attracting visits from delegations throughout the world.
  2. Dar Si Hmad Association – Founded in 2010, Dar Si Hmad is an innovative nonprofit organization seeking to create opportunities for low-resource communities in Morocco. It specializes in environmental education programs, capacity building of young adults and exchange and cooperation through worldwide exchange programs. One of the innovative projects, FOG, involves the installation of sprawling net-like structures known as CloudFishers near the highest mountains across rural communities to collect water from the clouds and fog. The initiative helps mitigate droughts and lack of water accessibility in rural areas of the country.

Though there are several NGOs and charities operating in Morocco, these five stand out for international recognition, and past and present progress. Each is dedicated to tackling several aspects of multidimensional poverty, presenting underprivileged communities with opportunities to grow and learn. 

– Sebastián Garcés
Photo: Flickr

The Mayan Train’s Potential Impact on Poverty in Southeastern Mexico 

Poverty in Southeastern Mexico
In Mexico, a 900-plus-mile rail project called El Tren Maya (the Mayan Train) brings hope for reduced poverty in the country. The railway, estimated to cost $6.5 billion at the time of the announcement of the project in 2019, will run through five states in Southeastern Mexico and connect everything between Cancún and the Mayan archaeological site at Palenque. Since 2019, the project has been met with both support and concern: while many praise its ability to create jobs, increase tourism and alleviate poverty in Southeastern Mexico, others have questioned its potential impacts on the region’s rural and Indigenous communities.

The Mayan Train Project

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed the Mayan Train project shortly after his inauguration in 2018, stating that it would be “an act of justice” for the country’s poverty-stricken southeastern states. In 2020, the World Bank reported that almost 44% of the country lived under the national poverty line.

Mexico’s poorest states are located in the south of the country. According to the London School of Economics and Political Science, Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca stand as the poorest states — official 2016 poverty data from CONEVAL indicates that about 71% of people across these three states endured poverty, which is significantly higher than the national average of 44%.

López Obrador is not the first Mexican President to take an interest in improving the country’s railroad infrastructure. In 2012, former President Enrique Peña Nieto aimed to construct a railway connecting Cancún to Mérida, but budget cuts halted the project.

Initial funding for the Mayan Train project came from Mexico’s National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism (FONATUR), which issued a €1 billion contract to a consortium of companies in 2021. The project consists of several phases, with plans to both incorporate existing tracks and build new ones. FONATUR has pledged to use federal land for all new construction. In a November 2019 public referendum, 89.9% of the Mexican voters who participated voted in favor of the project.

Project Positives

Those working on the project have estimated that the train will serve 8,000 passengers a day and will attract 3 million people in its initial years of operation. Alstom Transport Mexico, one of the companies involved in the construction, anticipates that the project will immediately generate more than 11,000 jobs and “boost economic growth in the southeast.”

A U.N.-Habitat analysis of the Mayan Train’s larger potential impact concluded that the project would ultimately generate some 945,000 new jobs in the region while enhancing access to education and the labor market. This would help to reduce poverty in Southeastern Mexico and Mexico as a whole, where the unemployment rate stood at 2.9% (more than a million people) in January 2023 and nearly 4 million people lived in poverty in 2020.

Concerns among Indigenous Communities

Despite the project’s projected ability to alleviate unemployment and poverty in Southeastern Mexico, there are some concerns, specifically among Mexico’s Indigenous communities. In 2020, 69.5% of Mexico’s Indigenous population lived in poverty, mainly in the country’s southern states. In 2020, the Mayan communities of Campeche issued a petition, signed by 268,000 people, to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources requesting the suspension of the Mayan Train project.

Members of the Regional Indigenous Council of Xpujil stated that the communities did not receive “timely and sufficient information to give their consent” to the construction. Their concerns centered on the environmental impact of the Mayan Train project and its potential threat to the conservation of sacred lands. Indigenous communities have also expressed concern that the project will only benefit tourists and the wealthy.

Looking Ahead

Addressing these concerns, the U.N. estimates that 46% of the nearly 1 million jobs generated by the Mayan Train will benefit Indigenous peoples. FONATUR and U.N.-Habitat have also collaborated to develop a set of urban planning and design guidelines aimed at ensuring environmental responsibility, social inclusion and equitable benefit across the region’s communities.

A sign of progress and hope for Southeastern Mexico, construction of the Mayan Train resumed in late 2022, with plans for the first segment of the railroad to begin operating in December 2023.

– Audrey Gaines
Photo: Flickr

The First Metro Railway in Bangladesh

Metro Railway
Despite being one of 46 countries included in the current U.N. List of Least Developed Countries, Bangladesh has experienced strong economic growth in recent years. In 2021, the country’s GDP growth rate stood at 6.9%. The construction of the first metro railway in Bangladesh has the potential to boost the economy, improve quality of life and reduce poverty among the 35 million people who live below the poverty line as of 2022.

Dhaka Metro Rail

Bangladesh’s first metro railway line is undergoing development in the capital city of Dhaka. The government-owned company Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) was incorporated in June 2013 to oversee the rail network’s construction. The company aims to “reduce traffic congestion” by establishing a “state-of-the-art public transport system” that is “environment-friendly” and “time-saving.”

The Time-bound Action Plan 2030 that the Government of Bangladesh formulated outlines that six Mass Rapid Transit train routes spanning 128.741 kilometers across Dhaka and its adjoining neighborhoods will undergo construction by 2030. The first phase of Line 6 has already reached completion and opened in December 2022, carrying 3,857 passengers on day one of operation. By the time the project reaches completion, a projected 103 stations will be running, 52 of which will be underground. A loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency will fund the majority of the $5.2 billion project and the Government of Bangladesh will fund the remainder of the costs.

Reducing Congestion and Pollution

Bangladesh continues to experience high levels of population growth annually, with a current 2023 population of about 170 million. According to the CIA World Fact Book, the population of the industrialized city of Dhaka has grown from about 21.7 million to an estimated 23.2 million in 2023.

Increasing job opportunities in Dhaka have been attracting an increasing number of people to Bangladesh’s metropolitan capital, contributing to congestion and overpopulation in the area. The metro rail line will help to reduce congestion and pollution and improve the city’s air quality, which is currently among the worst in the world. Although transport accounts for slightly less than 10% of Bangladesh’s greenhouse gas emissions, carbon emissions and traffic-related pollution are major concerns and the metro rail will curb this by allowing for more environmentally friendly travel.

The electricity-powered metro rail will also reduce both the likelihood of traffic accidents and travel costs, affording commuters an economical and efficient alternative to traveling by bus or car. According to a World Bank report, people lose around 3.2 working hours daily in Dhaka due to congestion and slow driving speeds. To help alleviate potential congestion around train stations, experts advise that a wider network of efficient public transport, including improved bus services, undergo development in tandem with the new rail line.

Impact on the Bangladesh Labor Market

The metro railway in Bangladesh will have several benefits for Bangladesh’s labor market, the first of which is increased labor mobility. Labor mobility refers to the level of ease with which workers can move between jobs (within an economy) or to different areas (into other economies) to get to work. The development of an efficient public transport system in Dhaka will increase the mobility of Bangladeshi workers, making a wider variety of jobs accessible to a larger number of people, especially those in remote, rural areas.

The construction of the rail line itself will likely create around 12,000 jobs for engineers in Bangladesh in addition to generating jobs for the staff who will operate and maintain the metro stations, trains and parking facilities. The construction will also benefit local businesses, such as the Bangladesh-based company McDonald Steel Building Products, which produced the roof trusses that builders are using for the train stations. The metro will benefit smaller businesses by providing a new market for the sale of goods and provisions in and around stations.

The first metro railway in Bangladesh will have several positive environmental, social and economic effects on the country, particularly in the city of Dhaka, where it will operate. By providing a more economical and efficient mode of transportation, the metro rail will help create a more productive and mobile workforce while improving workers’ quality of life. Travel will be more environmentally friendly, traffic congestion and pollution will reduce and newly-generated jobs will boost the national economy while reducing poverty rates. A symbol of the economic development that Bangladesh has seen in recent years, the metro rail will help to promote continued economic growth into the future.

– Sophie Sadera
Photo: Flickr

Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Philippines

Rule of Law in the Philippines The Philippines faces a multitude of challenges due to pervasive corruption in the government, which includes extrajudicial killings, targeted attacks on journalists and a lack of accountability among those in positions of power. This erosion of the rule of law in the Philippines has far-reaching consequences, particularly in exacerbating poverty throughout the country. As the rule of law weakens, officials and politicians manipulate the legal system for their personal benefit, leading to the misallocation of funds meant to benefit the poor.

Against this backdrop, there is a growing demand for justice and accountability in the country. Recent statistics on poverty have underscored the urgent need to address these issues and restore the rule of law in the Philippines. Estimates show that national poverty increased from 16.7% in 2018 to 18.1% in 2021.

By strengthening the rule of law, the Philippines can begin to restore its democracy and ensure that resources benefit all members of society. Rule of law is a crucial factor in determining a country’s economic and social well-being. The weakening of institutions can impede the development of a democratic society that promotes socialization and inclusivity. In turn, extractive institutions that do not adhere to the rule of law breed a culture of inequality and poverty.

The Current State of the Rule of Law

The Philippines is experiencing a decline in its Rule of Law Index score, as the World Justice Project reported. The score decreased by 2.9% from last year, ranking the Philippines 102nd out of 139 countries. Key metrics that make up the rule of law index, such as order and security, criminal justice and fundamental rights that citizens hold, have shown continued deterioration.

The Philippines is also increasingly corrupt, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The country ranks 116th out of 180 countries in 2022, up from 113th in 2020.

In 2019, reports indicated the loss of an estimated 700 billion pesos in the country due to corruption, leading to further deprivation among the poor. Instead of the funds going toward economic production or social welfare, aid and education, the money was lost to government corruption.

Duterte’s war on drugs is an example of the deterioration of the rule of law in the Philippines. Starting in 2016, Duterte’s violent anti-drug operations have been responsible for extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations. Recent estimates suggest that more than 36,000 deaths have occurred in the name of the drug war, with blatant disregard for the due process of law.

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened corruption in the Philippines in 2020. Several high-ranking officials were accused of siphoning off millions of pesos from the government’s pandemic response budget, leading to outrage and calls for accountability. Although the government did hold some officials accountable for their actions, corruption remains a pervasive issue in the country.

Poverty in the Philippines

The Philippines possesses abundant human and natural resources and had been experiencing continuous economic growth since 1985. However, despite this progress, the country has yet to fully achieve its economic potential.

In 2021, according to the Asian Development Bank, roughly 19.9 million individuals lived below the poverty threshold of about 12,030 pesos monthly for a household of five and the deteriorating rule of law in the Philippines plays a significant role in perpetuating this issue. The weak justice system also creates an environment where people are less likely to trust the government and the legal system.

The weak rule of law leads to a lack of accountability for those who commit crimes and abuse their power. This results in impunity for the wealthy and powerful, who can get away with illegal activities and corruption while the poor continue to suffer. This was evident in the war on drugs as wealthy targets who could pay off vigilantes were less likely to be targeted in the first place.

The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened poverty in the Philippines, with Filipinos being even poorer today than in 2018. A staggering report by private polling firm Social Weather Station revealed that approximately 48% of the population considered themselves poor in 2022.

A Path Forward

New President Marcos Jr. has taken a strong stance against poverty, stating that he will strive to end his six-year term with a “single-digit” poverty rate. Although this goal could be difficult to achieve, it highlights the pressing nature of poverty within the country.

Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress. The Philippines government is making efforts to address the erosion of the rule of law, including investigating and monitoring human rights within the country, beginning with prosecuting corrupt politicians.

In 2019, the country passed a law to modernize and improve its court system. It also made efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government, such as establishing a Freedom of Information Order in 2016. This law gives citizens the right to access information that the government holds, with certain exceptions for national security and other sensitive matters. However, more and urgent action is necessary to protect the media, prevent extrajudicial killings and provide stronger social safety nets for the poor.

If the legal system can function effectively fairly, and impartially, it can provide the foundation needed for a government to flourish and encourage economic growth and poverty reduction. Conversely, the erosion of the rule of law can have devastating consequences for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. Therefore, it is essential that the Philippines continue to work toward strengthening its legal system and ensuring that it can function independently and impartially, for the benefit of all its citizens.

– Andrew Giganti
Photo: Flickr

Artists in Malawi Organize Cyclone Freddy Relief Concert

Cyclone FreddySoutheast African countries were hit hard in February and March 2023 by what may be the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded. Tropical Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc in Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi, where flooding, high winds and mudslides damaged homes, hospitals, schools and farms. Malawi was the most impacted with more than half a million individuals being displaced. As of March 23, 2023, the death toll in the country stood at 511 with 533 Malawians missing according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In addition to huge losses of life and widespread infrastructure damage, officials and humanitarian organizations have raised alarm over increased rates of cholera and other waterborne diseases in the wake of the storm. The U.N., Doctors Without Borders and other organizations have mobilized in response to the crisis, offering funds and support for government-led responses to the devastation.

Malawian Artists Making a Difference

One African effort to support the cause, organized by the Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM) and Mibawa Television, was a Cyclone Freddy relief concert in Blantyre, Malawi. The concert featured Malawian Afropop artists Tuno, Sam Smack and Tarill, among others; and hip-hop artists Gibo Pearson, Waxy Kay and Phyzix (who chairs MUM’s Southern Chapter). Much of the concert featured gospel groups, including The Ndirande Anglican Voices, Princess Chitsulo and King James Phiri. As of March 22, the total amount of funds raised and items donated have not yet been reported, though Phyzix has indicated that survivors in several locations will be supported by the proceeds.

In an interview with BBC News, R&B Afropop artist Bucci Worldwide promoted the cyclone relief concert and shared his experience on the ground in Blantyre. The artist traveled throughout his hometown region and distributed donations at centers where thousands of displaced people are waiting to be rehoused. In his interview, Bucci spoke about the urgent need for funds and supplies to support the country as it first completes rescue and emergency response missions and then rebuilds. In addition to the immediate housing and health crises created by the storm, damage to crops and livestock, schools and homes will each have long-term impacts on the well-being of residents.

A Record-Breaking Storm

The World Meteorological Organization has yet to determine whether Cyclone Freddy is in fact the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record. Regardless of the organization’s findings, the storm’s path and impact were unique: first formed in the Timor Sea between Australia and Indonesia, the cyclone crossed the entire South Indian Ocean before making landfall in Madagascar in late February. After heading back towards Madagascar, it looped back to the mainland again and hit Mozambique, then Malawi, in early March. Cyclone Freddy covered a total of more than 8,000 kilometers during its 34-day lifespan.

One record unquestionably broken by the storm, NASA reports, is its accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). With the highest ACE in history, the cyclone’s wind strength amounted to more energy than the entire average U.S. hurricane season.

Hope for the Future

The people of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar are no strangers to strong cyclones. During his interview with BBC Bucci noted: “It’s been a historic time for us…We’ve had cyclones before but this one was a very specific, major one. We’ve lost a lot of people.” His call for support from within and beyond his country joins that of many organizations which helped prepare for and respond to the catastrophic storm.

These groups, for example, have helped reign in the cholera outbreak. According to OCHA, cholera infections in Malawi stood at 1,424 in the week ending March 20, down from 1,956 the previous week. Before Cyclone Freddy made landfall, UNICEF implemented its impactful “Early Warnings for All” campaign in the region. The World Health Organization offered funds amounting to $7.9 million (in addition to personnel and health worker training), while $5.5 million was released from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CEF). The Pan-African Parliament, in response to a plea from a Malawian representative, affirmed solidarity with the country.

Beyond the need for funds and supplies, efforts like the Cyclone Freddy relief concert offer those in Blantyre an opportunity to stand, sing and dance together as they battle the latest in climate catastrophe. During his performance in Blantyre this March, Bucci sang his new song, “One Malawi,” which he wrote in the immediate aftermath of the storm. With an uplifting Afropop beat and a catchy refrain, Bucci hopes “One Malawi” can help remind Malawians of their collective and enduring strength. Surely, the Cyclone Freddy relief concert has offered that and more for Malawians of all walks of life and will continue to give the people of Malawi strength as the proceeds are put to use.

– Hannah Carrigan
Photo: Flickr

Forensics Helping Indigenous Maya Families

The Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala Forensics Helping Indigenous Maya FamiliesGuatemala engaged in a civil war from 1960 to 1996. The Guatemalan government fought the guerilla force — a group of indigenous people combating the military. The government started targeting armed guerilla groups and guerilla supporters. As time passed, the line between guerilla supporters and civilians disappeared in the eyes of the military leaders, leading to attacks on indigenous Maya families. Approximately 83% of people killed during the civil war were Mayan. According to reports, 200,000 Maya people living in poverty in remote villages were forcibly “disappeared.” Most of them were found years later in mass graves.

Today, the search for those missing continues. The Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG), has been utilizing recent advancements in science and technology to identify remains and reunite families with their lost loved ones. Established in 1997, the group has been using forensics to fulfill its mission through a five-step methodology:

1. Victim Investigation and Documentation

Initially, FAFG builds a relationship with the family of a victim. During this process, it gathers information to create a profile that includes the victim’s name as well as the inciting incident which led to the disappearance. In many cases, this witness testimony helps with narrowing down which locations to search. Living family members also provide DNA information to help with the identification of victims that are found. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the categorization of saliva as a risky DNA collection method. In its place, geneticists rely on blood samples for comparing DNA.

2. Forensic Archeology

At this stage, criminology comes into play, with every grave marked as a crime scene. Archaeologists carefully excavate victims, documenting every detail possible to piece together what happened. They collect evidence such as rope, gags and ballistics, which are vital in determining the circumstances leading to the cause of death.

3. Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropologists piece together the height, age, sex and other physical characteristics of the victims — essentially creating a biological profile. They clean the remains and interpret damage to the bones to help determine the cause of death. They take X-Rays and photographs along with “associated artifacts”, which are any other evidence or items on the victim at the time of their death.

4. Forensic Genetics

Using samples recovered typically from the femur or from the teeth, geneticists examine the DNA. The DNA is uploaded to the “FAFG’s National Genetic Database of Relatives and Victims of Enforced Disappearance”, where profiles are compared against each other. DNA found at crime scenes is also compared to DNA samples provided by potential victims’ family members.

5. Confirmation of Human Identification

FAFG’s team notifies the family of the identification of their loved one through a video call or home visit once they make a match. The Department of Victim Investigation and Documentation supports this process. They show the family the documentation and give them information on the cause of death and how they found the victim’s remains. Finally, FAFG returns the remains through the local prosecutor’s office for a dignified funeral that honors the victim. This is the final step in how FAFG uses forensics to help indigenous Maya families.

Closure for Families

The Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala provides families with the closure they need, by uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of their loved ones. With its help, families can finally honor their loved ones and move forward.

– Thom LaPorte
Photo: Flickr

Fragility and Rule of Law in Iraq

Fragility and Rule of Law in IraqIraq has long been a country plagued by instability, insecurity and violence. One of the key factors contributing to this ongoing problem is the lack of a strong and sustainable rule of law. Despite numerous efforts to strengthen and address the fragility and rule of law in Iraq, obstacles remain. These obstacles have allowed non-state actors to gain influence and power, further exacerbating the situation and deeply impacting the nation’s weakest; those living in poverty. From the legacy of strict rule and sectarianism to ongoing political upheaval and regional instability, the path to building a strong and sustainable rule of law in Iraq is not without obstacles. However, with a clear understanding of the challenges and a commitment to finding solutions, it may yet be possible to make progress toward a more peaceful and stable future for the people of Iraq.

Rule of Law

Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has made progress in building a more effective and sustainable rule of law. However, significant challenges still remain. Corruption, sectarianism and weak institutions continue to pose obstacles to the development of a truly robust legal system in Iraq.

The ongoing conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS) has brought to light the fragility of Iraq’s legal system, particularly in relation to the treatment of civilians and the use of military courts. The situation highlights the need for Iraq to ensure that its counter-terrorism measures adhere to human rights and the rule of law.

The crisis of the rule of law has global implications that reverberate throughout the international legal order and national legal systems. The post-9/11 fallout from the “war on terror” has contributed to this crisis as organizations such as Al-Qaida and the Islamic State challenge the existing systems of government both nationally and internationally. The ripple effect of this crisis extends far beyond the borders of Iraq and Syria, impacting legal systems worldwide.

The People of Iraq

Fragility and rule of law in Iraq have contributed significantly to the country’s poverty crisis. A 2021 report by NPR stated that corruption, political instability and weak institutions have hindered economic growth and development in Iraq, leading to rising poverty levels. The report further highlighted that the country’s legal and regulatory framework is often opaque and inconsistently applied, making it difficult for businesses to operate and for individuals to access justice.

This has resulted in a lack of investment, high unemployment rates and a struggling private sector, leaving millions of Iraqis living in poverty. According to the World Bank, approximately a quarter of Iraq’s population lives below the national poverty line, which translates to more than 8 million people. The lack of a stable rule of law has also contributed to an environment of violence and conflict, further exacerbating the poverty crisis by forcing people to flee their homes and disrupting economic activities.

Taking Action

The international community can play a vital role in supporting Iraq by offering technical assistance, training and financial support to help build a stronger and more independent justice system. Despite the ongoing challenges, there are reasons for hope. Iraqi civil society is becoming increasingly engaged in promoting accountability and transparency and there are signs that the government is taking steps to address corruption and sectarianism. With sustained effort and support, it may yet be possible to establish a rule of law that serves the needs of all Iraqis and contributes to a more stable and peaceful future for the country.

The Free Yezidi Foundation is a beacon of hope for the Yezidi community in Iraq, a group of people who regard themselves as “strangers in their own land,” according to The Conversation, living in refugee camps where poverty continues to deepen. Founded in 2014, the organization has made it its mission to provide justice and accountability for the atrocities committed against the Yezidi people by ISIS.

The foundation’s work is multi-faceted, including the collection of evidence and documentation of crimes, advocacy for the prosecution of perpetrators and support for survivors’ recovery and rehabilitation. The foundation also offers legal assistance to Yezidis who have been displaced or lost their homes and raises awareness about the community’s plight both in Iraq and globally. The Free Yezidi Foundation’s efforts promote the rule of law and uphold the right of the Yezidi community.

As the challenges facing Iraq’s rule of law continue to evolve, it is vital that efforts to strengthen the legal framework remain a top priority. By strengthening the rule of law in Iraq, the nation can move toward stability and resilience all while lowering poverty rates.

– Noura Matalqa
Photo: Flickr

Gender Wage Gap in Nigeria 

Gender Wage Gap in Nigeria 
International Women’s Day is a worldwide celebration of women and an opportunity to talk about the importance of gender equality. The theme for International Women’s Day 2023, celebrated on March 8, was the potential of innovation and technology for furthering gender equality. A look into issues surrounding the gender wage gap in Nigeria reveals why this theme was so important.

Gender Equality in Nigeria

The World Economic Forum (WEF) defines the gender wage gap as the difference between average male and female wages, divided by the average male wage. Analyzing the gender wage gap highlights the issues surrounding unequal pay for men and women who work in similar roles. Though statistics on the gender wage gap are more consistently and accurately reported in OECD nations, the WEF estimated that in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021, women received 32.7% less pay than men who held similar positions. Comparatively, the average gender wage gap in the European Union was 10.6% in 2021.

Ranking 123 out of 146 countries in the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, Nigeria has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality. However, in 2022, the country ranked 16 places higher than the previous year, evidence of the momentum in Nigeria to address the country’s gender inequality. One of the most significant breakthroughs has been a recognition of the importance of women using technology.

The Reason Technology is So Important

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have unlocked a new world of opportunities while also creating a further barrier to development and growth for those who cannot access them. This barrier divides, not only along economic lines but also along gendered ones; the creation and use of ICT continue to be male-dominated. As technology plays an increasingly prevalent role in our personal and professional development, equal access to ICT is crucial for achieving future equitable development across the globe.

In Nigeria, ICT availability and accessibility, or lack thereof, among women and girls have played a key role in perpetuating the gender gap. The ability to use and understand ICT is critical to women’s progress in such areas as education, employment, innovation, independence, health and financial stability. Yet, the gap between male and female ICT literacy rates in Nigeria is 48.6%, highlighting the inequitable barriers that women face in their personal and professional development. Investment in this area has the potential to help significantly reduce, not only the gender wage gap but the many other areas of gender inequality that persist in Nigeria.

Solutions

Awareness of this issue in Nigeria has been a significant driver of recent progress. In 2006, the Nigerian Government established a Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which aimed to provide everyone with basic internet and telephone service access. As of 2018, Nigeria was one of only three African nations whose USPF specifically referenced the importance of closing the divide in access between men and women. The Nigerian USPF is used to support projects such as the Rural Broadband Initiative and the E-accessibility project. By 2021, 219,000 Nigerian citizens had benefitted from digital training as a result of USPF initiatives.

Research suggests that the following steps could lead to huge progress in closing the digital gender divide:

  • Widening access to the internet
  • Using more accessible, gender-sensitive language and content
  • Educating women in digital literacy
  • Addressing cultural attitudes and concerns around women using the internet
  • Improving infrastructure

These aims are only achievable, however, through collaboration between domestic and international agencies, government bodies and businesses.

Between 2018 and 2020, Equal Access International partnered with USAID to develop the Tech4Families initiative, which aimed to reduce the digital gender divide by addressing the barriers to women and girls accessing technology at the family level. The first aspect of the project was a 12-part radio program that discussed women in the world of technology, and the second aspect consisted of focus groups that brought family members together. Through the focus groups, Tech4Families enabled families to reflect on the barriers women face when using ICT, discuss practical ways to tackle them, and plan outreach activities to share their new attitudes and ideas with the wider community.

Tech4Families led to significant shifts in community attitudes toward female use of technology in Northern Nigeria, where more than 60% of women do not have access to the internet. By the end of the project, 50% of women and 80% of girls who participated shared that they felt empowered and encouraged to use technology at home. One family member shared that the work of Tech4Families made them “want to put more effort into ensuring that women use the internet in [their] home and workplace.”

While there is much more action that the global community must take, the momentum to increase ICT accessibility among women and girls marks a turning point for decreasing the gender wage gap in Nigeria.

– Polly Walton
Photo: Flickr

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SOLA Ensures Education for Afghan Girls

Education for Afghan GirlsThe School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) is the first and only Afghan-led boarding school for Afghan girls, founded in 2008. While initially established in Kabul, Afghanistan, since the Taliban takeover, the school now operates in Rwanda. SOLA prioritizes education for Afghan girls amid Afghanistan’s instability.

Girls’ Education in Afghanistan

Historically, girls and women in Afghanistan have faced barriers to accessing education. The problem first began in 1992, after the fall of the Communist regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban seized control and immediately began to cut back educational opportunities for women.

In 2001, a U.S.-led invasion overthrew the Taliban, removing the group from power. From 2001 to 2018, nearly every statistic pointed to an improved system. School enrollment rose from 1 million to 10 million students, the number of teachers rose by almost 60% and the female literacy rate increased almost twofold from 17% to 30%. In particular, the number of girls in primary school increased from “almost zero in 2001 to 2.5 million in 2018,” UNESCO says. Furthermore, the number of Afghan girls enrolled in higher education rose from about 5,000 in 2001 to around 90,000 in 2018.

Before the Taliban seized power for a second time, the outlook for educational opportunities for girls was a positive one. As the Taliban did when it first came to power, the group began to reduce educational opportunities for women once again. According to UNESCO, 30% of Afghan girls have never taken part in primary education. In December 2022, the Taliban suspended women’s tertiary education, impacting more than 100,000 girls and women.

How SOLA Makes an Impact

The School of Leadership, Afghanistan welcomed its first inaugural class of girls in 2016. SOLA and its founder Shabana Basij-Rasikh continue to pave the way for the education of Afghan girls despite the seemingly grim outlook. According to SOLA’s website, it took merely four days for the school to move from Kabul to Rwanda after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.

Classes continued and Afghan girls from around the world come to SOLA to learn with a student population totaling well over 100 girls between 6th and 12th grades. While SOLA is only a small school, it is making a significant impact on the education of Afghan girls. SOLA is a beacon of hope for young Afghan women hoping to access education.

SOLA covers a variety of curricula for its students. All main classes are taught in English, which allows students to develop their language skills while learning geography, math, science and history. The school also teaches courses on the Quran, ensuring that the girls can maintain their religious background and beliefs while developing a secular education. SOLA even makes some sports, like swimming, available to the students.

The importance of formal education for Afghan girls cannot be understated. For Afghan girls who cannot come to SOLA, SOLA’s website says, “we will find opportunities to bring SOLA to them. We will work to build a global network of sisterhood between these girls and our SOLA students and alumnae and we will nurture and support the members of this sisterhood who will be well-prepared to return to Afghanistan and rebuild their homeland.”

Moving Forward

SOLA’s vision is to “educate Afghan girls: to create a leadership generation of women who will one day return home to Afghanistan and rebuild all that the Taliban have destroyed. What began in Kabul continues now in Rwanda,” its website says.

The history of educational opportunities for Afghan women is complex. SOLA aims to ensure that young Afghan girls have a chance at a bright future by continuing their education outside of war-torn Afghanistan.

– Ezra Bernstein
Photo: Flickr

Efforts to Address HIV/AIDS in Ghana

HIV/AIDS in GhanaThe Ghana AIDS Commission reports that 346,120 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana. The HIV prevalence rate stood at 1.7% among people aged 15-49 in 2021, the World Bank says, marking a steady decrease since 2000. However, infections among females are almost double the rate of infections among males. Organizations are committed to reducing the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Ghana.

HIV/AIDS and Poverty

HIV and poverty have a two-way connection. Conditions of poverty increase the risk of contracting HIV and HIV contributes to the condition of living in poverty. According to the International Labour Office, “Poverty also drives girls and women to exchange sex for food and to resort to sex work for survival when they are excluded from formal sector employment and all other work options are too low-paying to cover their basic needs.”

HIV/AIDS can also push people into poverty due to the expense of medical care/treatment. “HIV/AIDS causes impoverishment when working-age adults in poor households become ill and need treatment and care because income is lost when the earners are no longer able to work,” the ILO explains. Losses of human capital and reductions in the labor force also slow a country’s economic growth.

The far-reaching impacts of HIV/AIDS show that the epidemic stands as a significant obstacle to poverty reduction and progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the poorest countries.

Ghana’s Progress

In 2020, UNAIDS announced a new set of targets for countries to strive toward in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The goals, with a target date of 2025, aim for “95% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy to have viral suppression.”

According to the Ghana Aids Commission, currently, 71% of individuals living with HIV are aware of their status, 99% of HIV-positive individuals are on sustained antiretroviral treatment and 79% of those individuals have achieved viral suppression. With just two years to go, significant action is necessary to ensure that Ghana meets these goals.

A Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) Approach

According to the World Health Organization, Ghana is working toward these UNAIDS goals with the use of a Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) approach. This person-centered approach adapts health services for people with HIV/AIDS so that service delivery is improved and the health care system does not become overburdened.

For example, a “multi-month dispensing approach” can allow virally suppressed patients to receive their medications for multiple months at a time. This lowers the workload of health workers as patients need to visit less frequently and also saves patients from making multiple trips to the clinic.

The implementation of the DSD approach has seen positive results. For example, Kpone Polyclinic in Ghana has increased its success rate of providing ART from 85% to 99% in just one year as of March 2023.

PEPFAR’s Efforts

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has worked in Ghana for 20 years. Over the last 14 years, PEPFAR has invested $140 million in efforts to address HIV/AIDS in Ghana. PEPFAR Ghana supports community organizations in dissolving stigmas surrounding the disease, encouraging people to undergo HIV testing and for infected individuals to begin a treatment program promptly.

Looking Forward

Ghana aims to achieve universal health care. Its vision for 2030 is for all of the country’s people to have “timely access to high-quality health services irrespective of their ability to pay at the point of use.” Although conditions in Ghana are improving, large gaps are still present in the control of HIV/AIDS in Ghana. With the continued assistance from supporting countries and ongoing work in Ghana, incidents of HIV/AIDS in Ghana can reduce along with poverty.

– Leah Smith
Photo: Flickr