Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

5 Charities Assisting Flood Victims in Nigeria

Assisting Flood Victims in Nigeria
Nigeria is a country in West Africa with a population of more than 210 million people. It is the most populous country in Africa and boasts one of the largest economies in Africa. Since September 2022, Nigeria has faced devastating floods that damaged Nigeria’s infrastructure and led to dire humanitarian consequences. These floods stand as the most destructive floods that Nigeria has experienced in more than 10 years. The floods have led to more than 600 deaths, more than 1 million displacements and thousands of injuries. Below are five charities assisting flood victims in Nigeria.

5 Charities Assisting Flood Victims in Nigeria

  1. International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC is a global relief agency that has been providing aid to Nigeria since the country’s previous extreme flooding event in 2012. The organization is committed to helping people in poor and vulnerable countries amid conflict and disasters. The IRC specifically supports Nigerians by providing them with food, water, shelter and health services. Nigeria has experienced large cholera outbreaks and an increase in preventable diseases as a result of the floods. In October 2022, the IRC helped Nigerians by providing hygiene and sanitation resources and health programming to stop the spread of these diseases. The IRC has also established three offices in Northeastern Nigeria to expand its crisis response efforts within the country. With more funding, the IRC can reach even more disaster victims in Nigeria.
  2. UNICEF Nigeria. This charity supports children in Nigeria who experience issues that stem from poverty including disease, violence and environmental disasters. Flooding in Nigeria has caused communities, such as those within Bayelsa State, to lose their homes, schools and other essential infrastructure. UNICEF has supported the Nigerian government’s response in three flood-affected states. UNICEF’s response includes “cash assistance, distribution of cholera kits, government-led mobile health teams, temporary learning centers [and] learning kits” the UNICEF website reports. With more support, this organization can scale its efforts and provide critical supplies, including medication, to those who need it the most.
  3. Save the Children Nigeria. For more than 20 years, the organization has supported vulnerable Nigerian children and their families. A November 2022 press release highlights Save the Children’s assistance to flood victims across several countries. In Nigeria specifically, Save the Children is providing flood victims with “life-saving food, safe drinking water, cash assistance, mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, child protection services and emergency shelter kits,” according to the press release. The organization is assisting 36,000 children and 18,000 families in six of those most affected states.
  4. Nigerian Red Cross Society. This organization came about in 1960 through a parliamentary act. The organization helps vulnerable Nigerians facing “disaster, epidemics, armed conflicts” and other issues that bring humanitarian consequences. The Nigerian Red Cross announced an emergency appeal for funding in early November 2022 to raise more money for victims of Nigeria’s recent floods. This aid would support victims across Nigeria on a large scale. The charity has already mobilized more than 10,000 volunteers and hundreds of staff members to assist with “evacuation, camp management and relief activities.”
  5. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This United Nations body is dedicated to coordinating and strengthening international humanitarian responses to disasters. The OCHA facilitates effective responses to global emergencies, such as the floods in Nigeria, by mobilizing support and funding for affected nations. OCHA’s humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria has called for more support from the international community regarding flood relief efforts in Nigeria as well as a more coordinated effort to mitigate climate-related disasters.

Looking Ahead

These five charities assisting flood victims in Nigeria work to provide essential resources and aid to people who need help. Through their work into the future, flooding victims in Nigeria should be able to continue receiving support.

– Dylan Priday
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

India’s First Solar-Powered Village

India’s first solar-powered village
In October 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Modhera as India’s first solar-powered village. Despite being a small remote village in Gujarat, residents within Modhera are now living a higher quality of life due to technological advancements. Modhera is well-known for its Sun Temple, located on the bank of the Pushpavati river. However. now, with a modern twist, the village will also be famous for its solar-powered grid. “Whenever there will be talks of solar power, Modhera will be the first name to emerge,” said Modi, according to The Tribune India.

According to the World Bank, 98.5% of India’s rural population had access to electricity in 2020. However, high costs of electricity make power unaffordable for low-income households. However, in Modhera, the solar-powered grid allows a cost-effective electricity supply for villagers.

Benefits of India’s First Solar-Powered Village

This solar project in Modhera received financing from the federal and provincial governments of about $10 million. The funding provided more than “1,300 rooftop panels for residential houses and government buildings.” Modhera has solar panels installed on the roofs of dwellings, education facilities, bus stops, parking lots and even the Sun Temple grounds. The solar power grids provide for daily needs, even after dusk, and also provide a surplus that can be stored for future use.

When the generated electricity from solar power outweighs the amount used by the residents, residents can sell extra unconsumed electricity to power utility companies. In this way, the government helps the residents to earn additional income. Besides having to pay little to nothing for electricity bills, the residents greatly benefit from the income arising from selling surplus electricity.

Stable electricity has allowed many to strengthen their livelihoods by increasing productivity in the workplace. For instance, a part-time tailor, Reena Ben bought an electric motor worth about $25 to run her sewing machine, Euronews reported. The abundance of solar power electricity allows her to sew a few more items of clothes every day. Through the additional income from selling extra electricity, another tailor, Praveen Bhai, plans to buy a gas line and stove to upgrade from the wood-fired stoves that produce excessive smoke and reduce the air quality.

Local farmers are greatly benefiting from low electricity bills and can now save that money or put it toward education endeavors or other living costs. Kailash Ben, who earns a small income through farming, saves around 2,000 rupees($25) every month, which she uses for daily expenses and her children’s education.

Looking Ahead

For Gujarat, India’s first solar-powered village Modhera represents progressive steps toward sustainability and self-sufficiency. Modhera is India’s first solar-powered village, but it is certainly not the last. Every resident benefits in a multitude of ways from solar power grids. Even the famous Sun Temple, which is dedicated to the Sun God, now relies on solar power to run its 3D light shows, light up premises and provide electric vehicle charging stations. By incorporating technological advancements to keep its centuries-old cultural monument functional and provide electricity to all, the village is one step closer to achieving self-sustainability. Now Modhera is a role model for neighboring villages, cities and many other nations. The solar-powered village not only lights the path for a green India but also raises the quality of life for citizens.

– Zahin Tasnin
Photo: Flickr

Upcycle Africa: A Green Initiative to Reduce Poverty

Upcycle Africa
Upcycle Africa is an organization focused on re-orienting and re-educating African communities towards a greener future. Through the process of upcycling, a community can reduce its waste accumulation by transforming useless products, materials or energy into something functional. Sustainable development is a well-known concept that involves achieving economic growth in the long term. Upcycle Africa is proof that the goals of a greener industry and profitable entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive.

Waste Crisis in Africa

Waste management in Africa has been a problem since the rise of industrialization and urbanization. The uncontrolled accumulation of waste in both urban and rural areas continues to skyrocket as the population continues to increase. The African population is the fastest growing among all continents, with an annual growth rate of roughly 3.5%. The growing number of people puts more pressure on waste management efforts because of inadequate infrastructure across a large portion of the continent.

Moreover, Asian countries such as China have banned plastic dumping in their own countries so Africa has become the new destination for waste trade. Countries like Kenya and Senegal received 1 billion tons of waste when China banned waste trading. The main problem with waste in Africa is that waste collection and proper treatment are often insufficient – more than half the waste generated is not collected. Africa has 19 of the 50 largest uncontrolled dumpsites where waste is regularly burned and poorly manipulated. People living nearby have to dig through the waste to make a living and are living with constant exposure to dangerous health risks. Prolonged exposure can result in the development of diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis and diabetes.

Sustainable Development is the Answer

Eradicating poverty sustainably has become a priority even though traditionally, the idea was that the least developed countries (LDCs) could not afford to develop their economies without polluting. Over the years, a shift in mentality has led to the acceptance of greener economies and practices. Many have come to the realization that there will be no future economy in case of mismanagement and overuse of the environment and its resources. This is especially true in Africa, where 15% of the continent’s GDP is agriculturally based. Hence, the livelihood of millions of people depends on the preservation of the African natural environment. Waste management is essential for sustainable development; it not only leads to the collection of waste but also prevents further damage to the environment.

Upcycle Africa in Action

Upcycle Africa’s goal is to transform waste-related problems in Africa into employment opportunities. To achieve this it focuses on three programs.

The first, Zero Waste Campaign, addresses the principal problem of waste accumulation in African countries – waste pollution. Upcycle Africa believes that to achieve more effective results, the emphasis should be on specific communities. Understanding how waste can be economically beneficial can be difficult, so improving education is one of the core objectives of the program.

The second program, Waste to Wealth, focuses on cleaning up spaces and encouraging the population to embrace these practices while rejecting the uncontrolled dumping of waste.

The third program, Business Development, is all about green entrepreneurship. A transition to a greener economy starts with initiatives that focus on providing sustainable products and services as well as greener production processes. Upcycling is the perfect way to start this transition, as it transforms a huge pollution problem into a source of job creation.

One of the most successful projects Upcycle Africa has undertaken is the building of houses with plastic bottles in Uganda. Uganda’s rapid population growth makes it difficult to ensure decent housing for everyone. Through this initiative, Upcycle Africa has managed to educate communities about the importance of protecting the environment while also creating something useful. The constructed houses are affordable and highly resistant to earthquakes. In 2021, Upcycle Africa also announced their partnership with Engineered Waste to Energy Solutions for the World (E.S.E.S), an organization committed to generating energy from waste.

Through these initiatives, Upcycle Africa is one step closer to transforming waste collection into an economically beneficial practice in LDCs.

– Carla Tomas
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Honey Pride Arua and Its Effect on the Local Economy in Uganda

Honey Pride Arua
Honey Pride Arua, a private organization started in 2015 by Sam Aderubo offered an innovative approach to inclusive economic development across the region of Arua, Uganda. Specializing in honey, the organization aims to construct sustainable markets for beekeeping and production, alongside raising awareness amongst local farmers of the commercial potentials of beekeeping.

A comprehensive program offers education on all aspects of beekeeping and the honey production process, from apiary management to the packaging and distribution of goods. Through this, the organization enables existing local farmers and anyone with a desire or interest to enter into beekeeping to convert their hobbies into economic output, sustaining themselves and their families.

The Effects

As Betty Ayikoru, a local beekeeper and councilor outlined beekeeping benefits communities in more ways than selling honey. Honey Pride Arua has grown commercially in the scale of operations and income, but what is more significant is the effect this has on the surrounding community and stakeholders.

Today working with more than 1,700 farmers – 30% women and 60% youth, the organization makes emphasis on targeting marginalized members of the community. A holistic and immensely effective approach in addressing local unemployment by gearing their project to those in the community most likely to be unemployed, or equipped on average with lower prospects.

Honey Pride is also noted for the inclusion and support of refugees in economic activity for local development. Arua, in Northern Uganda, is a region largely populated with refugees compared to other parts of the country. Honey Prides’ inclusivity played a key role in gaining external funding from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Stable markets offer stable incomes and Honey Pride’s activity has helped local farmers put children through school, financially sustain households and their families, as well as offering a nutritious element to their diet, according to a U.N. News podcast.

Previously it was difficult to find a reliable market with stable prices to sell one’s honey in Arua. However, prospects for beekeepers have drastically changed since Honey Pride entered the industry. Delivering on one of its central tenets, a stable honey market has emerged across the region. A kilogram of honey in 2015 was worth 3,500 Ugandan Shillings, today the market price is around 7,000 Shillings per kilogram. Encouraging statistics motivates many young members of the community to venture into beekeeping.

Another noteworthy aspect of Honey Pride’s operations is the efficiency of its practices. The organization works to eliminate waste by offering excess produce and residue to the community to fertilize local gardens and land, as well as feed livestock, according to a U.N. News podcast.

Investment

The most significant challenge to the organization has been financial. As Sam Aderubo himself states in the podcast, “finance is the lifeline of a business.” The organization in its early years, like most small Ugandan businesses, was unable to get investment from commercial banks. Aware of its social impacts and inclusivity practices focused on a community-benefit model, the UNCDF found a worthy beneficiary, investing over $117,000 to help Honey Pride Arua reach a certain threshold at which it will begin to attract investment from larger commercial banks and private equity firms.

This came in the form of loans for processing equipment and operations, alongside technical assistance and support in designing a sustainable and viable business model. Through these efforts, Honey Pride procured the likes of professional filtering equipment, an electric honey press for the extraction process and eight honey settling tanks each with a capacity of 1,000kg, UNCDF reported.

A direct impact of such measures saw a substantial increase in output from three to five tonnes per month post-investment, which, according to UNCDF, in 2021 amounted to a monthly increase in income by over $8,000.

Following the successful implementation of these loans in growing the organization, in the case of Honey Pride, several private equity firms have since displayed an interest in investing, offering a blueprint for further upscaling and aligning the company for greater success in the future, according to the U.N. News podcast.

What the Future Holds

Further expansion and entry into new markets is the next step for Honey Pride, having met international standards with its product. With increases in output and income, Honey Pride can begin to invest more in outreach and marketing, further consolidating the stability of local markets in addition to developing foreign ones as well.

Looking ahead, Honey Pride Arua aims to implement a program to equip local farmers or those with a desire to venture into beekeeping with the required equipment and facilities. This way, it is helping to establish more local beekeeping businesses that return on the investment they received from Honey Pride through their yield. An innovative, circular model of business. As Honey Pride grows commercially, its inclusive practices and reach spread, benefiting ever greater numbers of people.

– Bojan Ivancic
Photo: Unsplash

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5 Charities Operating in Portugal 

Charities Operating in Portugal 
In Portugal, there are around 185,000 people working for nonprofit institutions. This figure represents about 4.3% of Portugal’s total employment. While this percentage might not seem staggering, the nonprofit sector makes up quite a significant portion of Portugal’s employment with a large number of charities operating in the nation. In fact, Portugal’s nonprofit sector actually makes up more of the national employment than the agricultural sector. This article will focus on five charities operating in Portugal and how they are making a difference.

5 Charities Operating in Portugal

  1. SOS Children’s Villages International: This Austria-based nonprofit has been operating in Portugal since the early 1960s. SOS works to provide for children who can no longer stay with their families or who do not have families. SOS Villages is currently helping children and families in four locations within Portugal. Internationally, SOS Villages has worked in more than 135 territories and countries.
  2. AMI: This nonprofit focuses on helping people that poverty affects. In Portugal, this charity provides goods and services such as night shelters, street teams and food reception centers. The organization was founded in 1984 and has sent hundreds of volunteers to a number of countries, including Portugal.
  3. Crescer: This nonprofit operates in the greater Lisbon area and focuses on excluded and vulnerable groups of society. The organization is passionate about implementing drug consumption rooms in Portugal. These rooms enable users to consume drugs in a safer setting under the care of medical professionals. They have made contact with 2,478 people experiencing homelessness and 7,969 “consumers of psychoactive drugs.”
  4. Check-In: Operating out of central Lisbon, the main focus of Check-In is youth education. They provide services such as seminars and training for young people hoping to enter the workforce. In Portugal, they also provide access to services such as Portuguese classes for non-natives and workshops for expanding knowledge.
  5. Apoio A Vitma (APAV): This charity’s name means ‘support for the victim’ in Portuguese. As the name suggests, this organization works with people who are victims of violence, sexual assault and discrimination. This nonprofit provides many resources such as a victim hotline, victim support offices and shelter housing. In 2021, APAV had 9,588 phone calls that made contact with victims of abuse. In addition, they made in-person contact with 2,367 other victims.

These charities operating in Portugal are examples of organizations fighting poverty and social inequality. They are looking to provide support for impoverished and vulnerable populations across Portugal and the world.

– Timothy Ginter
Photo: Unsplash

Poverty in Cambridge: The UK’s Most Unequal City

Poverty in Cambridge
As of 2020, Cambridge stood as the “U.K.’s most unequal city” — a surprising ranking considering that the city is famous for its university and education system. Cambridge is one of the U.K.’s most unaffordable cities to live in and food insecurity and homelessness are becoming more prevalent. Efforts to reduce levels of inequality and poverty in Cambridge are currently underway.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, “one in every six children in Cambridgeshire” endured poverty. By March 2020, 33,449 children lived “below the breadline in the country,” CambridgeshireLive reported. It is also important to consider that this statistic does not account for the cost of housing, meaning the number is likely higher.

The Social Mobility Index has assessed the likelihood that “a child from a disadvantaged background will do well at school and get a good job across each of the 324 local authority district areas of England,” a briefing note from the Cambridge City Council says. The Social Mobility Index 2016 ranks Cambridge as a “social mobility coldspot,” which describes “the worst performing 20[%] of local authorities.” The report notes that Cambridge has “weaknesses in education for disadvantaged children but relatively good performance on adulthood measures.”

Geographical Divisions

Poverty in Cambridge is also geographically disparate. The Equality Trust reported that poverty is most prevalent in the northern and eastern parts of Cambridge. Furthermore, “the difference in life expectancy between the highest ranked neighborhood compared to the lowest is around 10 years.”

The Guardian notes that inequalities in Cambridge reflect the “town and gown” divide in the city, a phrase coined to express the separation between city residents and university students. “Academics are protected from the worst financial pressures of living in Cambridge, benefiting from central, subsidized college accommodation, free meals and access to a cheap, university-backed shared equity mortgage scheme,” the Guardian said.

The inequality is evident when considering that the 31 colleges in Cambridge had a collective wealth of about £6.9 billion in 2018. Community initiatives on the part of Cambridge’s tertiary institutions would contribute to reducing levels of poverty and inequality.

Cambridge City Council’s Efforts

The Cambridge City Council looks to reduce inequality and poverty in Cambridge through its vision “One Cambridge – Fair for All.” This vision includes addressing social exclusion and poverty and merging “town and gown.” This vision will undergo implementation in the Council’s corporate plan for 2022 to 2027.

The Cambridge City Council also has in place an Anti-Poverty Strategy for 2020 to 2023. The previous Anti-Poverty Strategy that the Cambridge City Council implemented in 2014 noted progress in several areas, including building council-owned residential homes leased at affordable rates and raising the incomes of lower-income families.

The Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance and Cambridge 2030

Cambridge Sustainable Food is a partnership of organizations working to alleviate food insecurity in the city. It leads the Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance (CFPA), formed in October 2017. Through an action plan, the CFPA aims to meet several food security objectives. One of the goals listed in the action plan is guaranteeing daily access to food for children across an entire year. The objectives under this goal include “funding for [three] community fridges and an associated surplus distribution scheme” as well as “funding for ingredients for holiday lunches across the city.”

Other key focus areas in their scheme include raising “the uptake of a living wage” and expanding the uptake of cost-free school meals among eligible students. These aims will lead to greater household incomes and ensure children make the most of their state-entitled food provisions for better health and educational outcomes.

Cambridge 2030 aims to “bring together the public, private, voluntary and community sectors in collaborative action to bridge gaps in the provision of resources” in Cambridge. The Cambridge 2030 website states that the central goal of the “first phase of action” is “promoting wellbeing, beginning before birth.” The initiative brings together many organizations such as It Takes a city and Cambridge United to action its promises.

The efforts currently underway have the potential to significantly reduce poverty and inequality in Cambridge.

– Priya Maiti
Photo: Unsplash

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COVID-19’s Impact on Gambia

COVID-19’s Impact on Gambia
Gambia is currently classified as one of the least developed countries in the world with a GDP per capita of $835 in 2021 and more than 50% of the country’s population living in poverty in 2022, the World Bank reports. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated Gambia’s economic and healthcare-related problems, which prompted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide the country with about $21 million worth of Special Drawing Rights emergency funding in 2020 to keep the nation from collapsing. COVID-19’s impact on Gambia is significant, but not irreversible.

Economic Problems

Gambia is the smallest country within mainland Africa and lacks economic diversity because of its heavy reliance upon its agricultural sector, which accounts for 30% of Gambia’s GDP. In Gambia, 70% of the labor force relies upon crops and livestock in order to secure their livelihoods.

Gambia’s economy is also reliant upon its service sector and hospitality industry as its abundant wildlife and attractive coastline make the country a desirable tourist destination. The pandemic severely affected Gambia and exacerbated the country’s economic problems by bringing a halt to industries and putting a strain upon its fragile healthcare system and limited resources. COVID-19’s impact on Gambia is still ongoing as Gambia’s tourism industry is struggling to rebound to pre-pandemic success.

The Impact on Agriculture

COVID-19’s impact on Gambia exposed how sensitive Gambia’s food systems are to external shocks. The pandemic brought to light Gambia’s heavy reliance upon its vulnerable agricultural economy and highlighted a need for more sustainable investments in rural and agricultural development. The transition to a more resilient and environmentally sustainable food system would likely strengthen Gambia’s socioeconomic landscape and protect Gambia against future crises. In 2021, more than 13% of Gambia’s population experienced food insecurity, and currently, more than 10% of the population suffers from acute malnourishment.

The pandemic magnified food insecurity in the nation because Gambia is a net food importer country. As a result, supply chain constraints and rising global food prices hit the country especially hard. COVID-19’s impact on Gambia in 2020 is estimated to have increased poverty in urban areas by about 5% and 92% of households nationwide experienced a loss in total income by August 2020.

Recovery

Gambia is continuing to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is expected to affect this recovery by driving up the cost of resources that Gambia imports. Gambia relies on imports for important resources such as fertilizer, food and fuel. As the prices of these resources rise, these imports become more difficult for Gambia to obtain. Despite these challenges, Gambia can potentially achieve economic growth and rebound from the pandemic in the coming years if its leaders adopt new governmental reforms.

Strengthening the Agricultural Sector

In November 2021, Gambia secured $40 million through the World Bank for the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV).

The GIRAV project supports Gambia’s national goal of poverty reduction by strengthening food and agricultural production through improved value chain coordination. This process entails a shift from subsistence agriculture to market-oriented agriculture and aims to address constraints in Gambia’s agricultural supply chain. GIRAV is expected to strengthen the livelihoods of about 50,000 farmers. To reduce poverty among the most vulnerable groups, women will account for at least half of the project beneficiaries and Gambia’s youth will account for 30% of beneficiaries.

Through a focus on climate-smart agriculture, the project aims to increase resilience in the agricultural sector. Apart from boosting income generation among Gambians, the project will also reduce food insecurity. GIRAV and future investments of this nature show promise for Gambia and are strategies that set the stage for a country-wide recovery from the effects of COVID-19. Gambia’s government has the potential to improve the welfare of its people and accelerate economic growth by adopting new economic policies and investing in its future.

– Dylan Priday
Photo: Flickr

The Impact of Friendship Benches on Mental Health in Zimbabwe

Mental Health in Zimbabwe
The Friendship Bench has revolutionized the field of mental health in Zimbabwe and beyond. Due to its great localized success, 32 Friendship Benches have undergone installation around stadiums at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Mental Health in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, with 70% of the population living below the poverty line. This economic state has caused many struggles for the citizens, such as inadequate nutrition and the prevalence of diseases. Mental health is also a major issue, but many often neglect it. Legislation regarding mental health policy is outdated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that “There is a shortage of human resources for mental health in Zimbabwe, in part a result of the emigration of locally trained professionals due to economic instability.”

Mental health is an important issue for the citizens of any country. Therefore, mental health care and support are a necessary part of a nation’s health system. UNICEF Zimbabwe has called for more assistance for youth and adolescents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the country lacks the resources to address the issue in its entirety. This challenge has required creative solutions from local NGOs, an example being the Friendship Bench Project.

The Birth of the Friendship Bench

Since 2006, the Friendship Bench has trained more than 600 mentors to offer support on benches in communities around Zimbabwe. These volunteers offer assistance using techniques based on cognitive behavioral therapy and are often from the communities in which they practice. This connection allows a deeper understanding of the struggles that community members face. Citizens engage in positive dialogue with these volunteers, usually in 45-minute segments. In the past 16 years, the project has extended to Malawi, Zanzibar and New York City. In the future, it plans to expand in order to offer more care for youth and adolescents.

Proven Success

In 2016, JAMA Network produced a clinical trial regarding the potential impact of the Friendship Benches and the care they provide. Results indicated that “the group from the Friendship Bench had a significant decrease in depressive symptoms, compared to the control group.” These impacts on mental health in Zimbabwe prove that projects like this may be effective in countries with poor mental health resources.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup

Due to the success of the Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe, several groups have worked together to install 32 benches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They will be located around the different stadiums, and will each represent a different participating international team. Organizers hope that the benches will spark a conversation around the importance of mental health care and focus. The colorful details of these benches are an added feature to catch the attention of players and spectators to spread awareness in a creative and positive format.

The success of the Friendship Bench Project on mental health in Zimbabwe is clear, and its impacts internationally suggest a positive future for growth in mental health care, even in nations with limited resources.

– Hailey Dooley
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Addressing Period Poverty in Mauritius

Period Poverty in Mauritius
Period poverty in Mauritius exists due to the unaffordability of menstrual products, leading girls and women to resort to unsanitary alternatives such as handkerchiefs, pieces of fabric and newspapers. The stigma surrounding menstruation accentuates the issue of period poverty in Mauritius. Organizations such as The Ripple Project are taking action to make menstrual supplies more accessible and raise awareness about the importance of proper menstrual hygiene to maintain good health.

A Barrier to Gender Equality

According to a UNDP article in 2021, in terms of gender equality, Mauritius ranks in the top six in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the existence of period poverty in Mauritius stands as a barrier to further gender equality advancements. In 2017, gender equality activist Trisha Gukhool started a petition for the Mauritian government to provide free menstrual products to girls and women.

In the 2017-2018 budget reform, the Ministry of Finance announced the removal of taxes on pads and tampons. Unfortunately, even without tax, period products are still unaffordable for impoverished and disadvantaged girls and women in the country.

Local Activism

Female activists in Mauritius have continued to advocate for free menstrual products. The non-governmental organization Raise Brave Girls, which Prisheela Mottee founded, set up a petition for the national budget 2021-2022 to prioritize the distribution of free period products to vulnerable women and school girls. The petition also calls for menstrual leave that is not deductible from annual sick leave.

The petition, which gathered more than 5,000 signatures, saw some success. The Ministry of Finance announced that girls from grades six to 13, registered under the Social Register of Mauritius, would receive free sanitary pads.

The Ripple Project

The Ripple Project is an initiative that activist Djemillah Mourade-Peerbux set up in 2016 after realizing that the expense of sanitary products is one that many Mauritian girls and women cannot afford. At the time, about 1,000 Mauritian rupees could only buy basic hygiene products for two people.

Fast forward five years and the project became an association, devoted solely to fighting menstrual taboos and providing menstrual products to women and girls experiencing period poverty in Mauritius. Mourade-Peerbux collects monetary and menstrual product donations and distributes them to shelters across the island.

The association also takes into account the power of advocacy. The Ripple Project runs campaigns to raise awareness about period poverty and the importance of menstrual health. Mourade-Peerbux is advocating for the free period product allowance to extend to all females, even those who are not part of the Social Register of Mauritius.

The Ripple Project team relies on partners and donors to secure and distribute period-related products to hundreds of women throughout the year. The feminine hygiene brand Saforelle is supporting The Ripple Project through a campaign. For every intimate hygiene cleanser sold, Saforelle will donate three Mauritian rupees to The Ripple Project. This campaign will run until December 31, 2022, The Ripple Project’s Facebook page says.

Looking Ahead

Although progress is visible, period poverty in Mauritius is still an issue. Advocacy and campaigns will continue until all Mauritian girls and women have constant and reliable access to menstrual products. By dissolving the stigma surrounding menstruation and extending access, further progress could be visible.

– Alexandra Piat
Photo: Flickr

HIV/AIDS in Albania

HIV/AIDS in Albania
Although Albania has a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, cases of HIV/AIDS in Albania have risen over the years. Cases of HIV in Albania increased by more than 50% between 2008 and 2018. The most recent estimates note 1,400 HIV cases, equating to a prevalence lower than 0.05%. The highest prevalence of HIV is apparent among specific vulnerable populations: “people who inject drugs, sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, ” The Global Fund reported. However, stigma and discrimination present barriers to testing and treatment. The Albanian organization Aksion Plus, a member of the IDPC (International Drug Policy Consortium) aims to reduce HIV/AIDs in Albania through education and awareness campaigns, with a special focus on the most vulnerable groups.

People Who Inject Drugs (PWID)

Data from a 2019 HIV Integrated Biological and Behavioural Study (IBBS) reported a low rate of HIV/AIDS among PWID at 1.4%. However, the study shows concerning rates of needle sharing among this group. At the time of the study, about 41% of PWID reported sharing needles with others in the last 30 days. The majority of these individuals shared needles with one person and 14% shared with up to three people. This means the PWID group is at high risk of contracting and spreading HIV/AIDS in Albania. There are also difficulties in reaching the PWID group as most of them inject drugs in isolated areas during hours when not many people are around.

Men Who Have Sex with Men

Men Who Have Sex With Men are also vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. In 2019, Albania noted 93 new HIV cases, with men accounting for 66% of these cases. Sexual intercourse is the primary mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS in Albania among men who have sex with men. However, the number of HIV cases among this group is likely higher as stigma and discrimination deter individuals from revealing their sexual practices and prevent them from seeking out testing/treatment.

The 2019 IBBS study shows an HIV prevalence of 2.0% among this group. However, condom use is high. Comparing the 2011 and 2019 IBBS results, 74% of respondents in 2019 used condoms during their last sexual encounters compared to 14% in 2011.

Aksion Plus

Aksion Plus has engaged in HIV/AIDS work in Albania since 1992. The organization works to prevent the spread of HIV through advocacy and education campaigns. Aksion Plus also provides targeted support to those who inject drugs. The activities to reduce HIV among this group include needle exchanges, methadone therapy, “outreach in the drug scene” and counseling.

The organization runs a program, which began in 2014, to educate the younger generation about HIV/AIDS. In the program, a group of social workers gives HIV/AIDS information, life skills education and counseling to students in some of Albania’s secondary schools. Due to the success of the program, the Regional Directorate of Education is bringing similar initiatives to other high schools.

Through the work of Aksion Plus, efforts are in place to prevent, manage and control cases of HIV/AIDS in Albania. In this way, Aksion Plus contributes to the health and well-being of the country’s citizens.

– Olga Petrovska
Photo: Unsplash