Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Everything To Know About the Gender Wage Gap in Kyrgyzstan

Gender Wage Gap in KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan is a small country located on the east side of Central Asia, bordered by China and Uzbekistan. After several years of fighting for their independence from the USSR, Kyrgyzstan soon became its very own developing country with a population of approximately 7.4 million. However, having since gained their independence, Kyrgyzstan continues to struggle economically due to the wide variety of factors, albeit one of the most widely criticized aspects of Kyrgyzstan’s development would have to be its disparaging wage gap between genders. Here is information about the gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan.

The Gender Wage Gap in Kyrgyzstan

Achieving true gender equality within Kyrgyzstan is challenging due to Kyrgyzstan’s notable imbalance in payment regarding working hours for both men and women. Women appear to earn only around 75% of the profits that men do, despite sharing similar levels of education and work experience. While many female workers primarily take jobs in sectors with lower pay, such as education, health care or social work, females must also participate in more domestic work, such as feeding and raising children, which is unpaid and limits opportunities for outside work, thereby expanding the gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s Country Gender Equality Profile (CGEP), over the past 15 years, its women’s employment rate has declined from 49.3% to 43.8%, likely due to the country’s traditional gender norms and expectations, which make it more challenging for women to find well paying work. Of the women who have employment, more than 75% of them are in low paying social jobs, causing them to receive a low income on average which contributes to the 25% gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan. Women also spend 4.5 times as many minutes per day on household labor, which goes unpaid and thus their efforts unrewarded.

Causes for Inequality in Kyrgyzstan

While there isn’t a definitive reason as to why women receive less pay than men on average, a potentially eye opening reason could be Kyrgyzstan’s rising domestic abuse rates. As of July 2025, authorities received more than 10,000 reports of domestic violence with Kyrgyzstan, a 35% increase from the same period in 2024. Most of the abuse is against women and young girls, especially those with disabilities which place them in situations where they are unable to find work or fight back against their oppressors. Reporting domestic abuse to the police is a very challenging situation as tormenters often coerce victims into remaining silent about their misfortune which makes them afraid to speak up and more difficult to protect them from harm. Due to these patterns, the number of unreported physical or sexual assault cases that occur will likely stem way higher than what is actually being projected.

Poverty in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan currently lives in extreme poverty, with more than 30% of its residents living below the standard rate of living. Their limited access to healthcare and education make it challenging to find work and obtain a salary used to keep themselves afloat. Many young children in Kyrgyzstan have to drop out before graduation in order to perform work with little to no pay for their efforts. Even with the resources allotted, they are most often unfairly distributed amongst the genders, which further adds onto the difficulty of women in Kyrgyzstan being able to find work.

Solutions

Thankfully, there are efforts underway to assist struggling women employees as well as to combat the gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan that still exists. On February 10th 2025, several delegates met up in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek to discuss potential solutions. They proposed several ideas including the Kyrgyzstan Gender Equality Strategy 2030, a regulation intended to provide extra economic opportunities for women, developing women’s entrepreneurship programs and strengthening protection from gender discrimination in Kyrgyzstan.

Another important solution proposed at the meeting included the previously formed Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). First formed in 1979, this convention aims to oversee workplace discrimination against women alongside other guaranteed rights such equality and the right to vote in elections. While signs of major improvement in Kyrgyzstan have yet to be shown, providing for more reinforcement as well as supporting these programs can provide a safe and effective package toward protecting these guaranteed freedoms.

Looking Ahead

Overall, the gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan provides little room for female workers to climb up the ranks and obtain fair payment. Receiving a typically low income alongside domestic cases rising throughout the recent years make finding and keeping employment challenging. However, that’s not to say that efforts haven’t occurred to combat workplace discrimination. Solutions, such as the Kyrgyzstan Gender Equality Strategy 2030 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), have occurred to reduce inequality in the workforce. The gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan is more than just a personal issue, but rather a systematic one that requires cooperation from both governmental forces and the general public in order to reach an effective solution that positively affects everybody.

– Will Mancuso

Will is based in Lake Mary, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Efforts Toward Poverty Reduction in Nauru

Poverty Reduction in NauruNauru, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, benefitted from the 1900s phosphate mining industry. At its peak, Nauru’s wealth was estimated to be at “$2.5 billion.”

In 1980, a collapse in Australia’s market decreased demand for phosphate exports, pushing the phosphate-dependent nation into economic instability and widespread poverty. With a population of 11,875, around one in four people live below the poverty line.

Nauru’s poverty rate stands at 9.72%, but women are more concentrated in the country’s lower-income groups. Women make up 39.99% of those in the bottom 40% of the income or consumption distribution, pointing to greater economic vulnerability.

Women in Poverty

Poverty in Nauru disproportionately affects women and girls. Poverty for women encompasses a lack of political representation and GBV, alongside economic hardship and health care concerns.

Cultural norms and stereotypes in Nauru set the expectations of women and drive their exclusion from political and public life. As a result, women are more likely to face financial hardship, political underrepresentation, and health concerns amongst other poverty indicators.

Initiatives in poverty reduction in Nauru increasingly target women living in poverty.

Protecting Women and Girls Against Domestic Violence

The Pacific Islands have the highest rate of violence against women and girls. UNICEF found that “48.1% of ever-partnered women” have experienced GBV in their lifetime. Women and girls incarcerated in Australia’s offshore migrant detention center in Nauru also face high rates of GBV.

At a UNDP-supported training conference in 2024, Deputy Commissioner Simpson Deidanang reported that “Since 2021, over the past three years, we have received 79 cases, with 53 completed and 23 closed due to insufficient evidence.”

The Nauru Police Force and UN Women agree that women and girls are not sufficiently protected against GBV. UN Women state that “Nauru has no domestic violence, sexual harassment or family legislation, or any other legislation in place that addresses human trafficking or sex tourism.”

In response, the Nauru Police Force has launched specialized GBV training. With support from the UNDP as part of the Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance Project, in 2023 the Police Force doubled their domestic violence unit, “increasing from two to five officers.” 

ICAAD is a nonprofit organization also working to protect women and girls from GBV. Its program TrackGBV includes the GBV Sentencing Handbook and a TrackGBV Legal Database for the Pacific Islands. This initiative provides information on how to analyze GBV and attitudes towards it on a judicial and community level.

Together, these efforts are working towards poverty reduction in Nauru and target the multidimensional impacts of poverty and violence that women in Nauru face.

Supporting Female Economic and Political Participation

Women in Nauru face exclusion from both economic and political life. UN Women reports that the Pacific region has the “world’s lowest overall average of women in parliament.” Only two women are present in Nauru’s members of parliament, equating to 10.5%.

Economically, women rely on informal work. UN Women report that “Between 75 per cent and 90 per cent of all market vendors in the Pacific are women.” The working conditions are poor, and the profit is low. Consequently, “Female-headed households are more likely than male-headed households to be or fall below the poverty line.”

The UNDP has partnered with the Women Empowerment Nauru Association (WENA) to increase women’s engagement with politics.

At the July 2024 Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders meeting, regional organizations and UN Women endorsed initiatives to strengthen women’s political and public participation. President Heine highlighted the links between women’s political representation, GBV and economic participation. President Heine emphasized the need to “safeguard women-led industries” to enhance political participation and strive towards poverty reduction in Nauru for women.

Initiatives Supporting Women’s Health

Women’s health is significantly at risk in Nauru, driven by limited access to sanitation. Only “66 per cent” of the population has access to sanitation facilities, restricting menstrual hygiene for many women.

Anemia remains widespread, affecting 44% of pregnant women and 32% of non-pregnant women, with long-term consequences for maternal and overall health. Natural disasters intensify these risks as women lose access to health care, shelter and food at higher rates than the rest of the population.

The nonprofit Hesperian Health Guides supports women’s health in Nauru by supplying free and accessible health information. The organization distributes educational resources covering women’s health, safety, and environmental health.  

Their titles are available in “84 languages” across “221 countries.” Its website HealthWiki is also available digitally at no cost. Its outreach is working towards poverty reduction in Nauru by improving health care autonomy.

Final Note

While poverty still affects many in Nauru, especially women, the country is taking action:

  •       The Nauru Police Force, UNDP, ICAAD and UN Women are tackling gender-based violence.
  •       WENA and regional forums are boosting women’s political and economic participation.
  •       Nonprofits like Hesperian Health Guides provide free health education and resources.

These efforts empower women and create real pathways out of poverty.

– Lucy Kerr

Lucy is based in Coventry, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Economic Enticement of WCAH In Tanzania

The Economic Enticement of WCAH In Tanzania In the United Republic of Tanzania, women, children and adolescent health, often referred to as Women, Children and Adolescent Health (WCAH), has consistently been one of the country’s significant epidemiological burdens. Since 2022, the country has recorded more than 100 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 births. Despite this, research has shown that when WCAH in Tanzania is adequately invested in, it can be economically beneficial for the country.

The WCAH Crisis

WCAH was originally a framework proposed during the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global movement, “Every Woman Every Child,” to encompass strategies aimed at investing in the health and rights of women, children and adolescents.

As it stands, WCAH in Tanzania is under strain due to different factors. Tanzania has made strides in reducing mortality among its under-five population. However, due to limited access to health services and a shortage of health care workers with the proper skills to manage the causes of maternal death, the maternal mortality ratio remains high.

Malnutrition in children and adolescents remains an important health issue in Tanzania. UNICEF reports that 30% of children across Tanzania experience childhood stunting due to malnutrition.

WCAH in Tanzania and the Economy

There are still many expected advancements with WCAH in Tanzania and the Tanzanian government, along with many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), continues efforts to address them. Evidence suggests that investing in WCAH in Tanzania can lead to economic returns.

When women lack access to quality maternal care, it can lead to complications after birth, including a higher likelihood of underweight newborns and miscarriages. In some cases, mothers may be unable to return to work for extended periods. Women in low-income countries such as Tanzania play a key role in the labor market. By investing in appropriate treatment programs, the costs of maternal and newborn health care can be lowered, and absences from the workplace can be reduced, increasing overall productivity.

Invest in the Children, Invest in the Future

NGOs such as Action Against Hunger promote initiatives like the “Equip for In-School Nutrition Services Project,” where children learn to engage in agricultural practices that support improved nutrition. By investing in the nutrition of children and adolescents, they are more likely to stay in school and pursue higher education. They also leave school with greater knowledge about safer pregnancies and healthier children, which can contribute to reducing maternal and newborn deaths.

By collaborating with more organizations to provide maternal health and childhood nutrition support, women and young girls may have greater opportunities for economic participation, contributing to Tanzania’s overall economic growth.

– Bernice Attawia

Bernice Attawia is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Midwife Training and Maternal Mortality in Somalia

Maternal Mortality in SomaliaThe Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. In 2025, there were 1.5 midwives per 10,000 people in Somalia, with a stillbirth rate of 35. The country has one of the worst health indicators in the world following decades of conflict, natural disasters and disease outbreaks. Midwife training in Somalia is necessary since midwives face stigmatisation as well as a lack of support in their work, but their mission to protect and nurture more lives remains in focus.

Why is There a Crisis in Somalia?

Somalia has endured prolonged conflict between the state and non-state armed groups, with significant funding cuts in 2025. More than 1.7 million vulnerable people lost access to protection services and an estimated 6 million people are in extreme need of life-saving assistance.

Ms Fatima Mohamed Abdalla, an official of the Somali Midwifery Association, spoke about how mothers suffer from the effects of poverty, walking long distances to reach a health facility, and no ambulances for effective referral of cases to the hospital. This shows the need for a stronger maternal health workforce where midwife training in Somalia consists of an approved institution and license to practice.

Solution to Maternal Mortality Rates in Somalia?

Midwives provide holistic care that meet every woman’s individual needs, education on sexual and reproductive health and they optimize the normal processes of pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal and newborn period.

Farhiya Ali Abdi – in a press release in 2019 – stated that she was driven by the fact that she was helping the most vulnerable people, including children as well as their mothers. In Somalia, there is a preference for Traditional Birth Attendants, rather than young midwives, due to experience and training, but this leads to a stigma arising for new healthcare professionals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been helping the crisis in Somalia, with their Reproductive Health and Nursing and Midwifery Programme Officer based in Somaliland, Asia Osman Ahmed, advocates for the need to train and oversee the work of midwives. She described a moment of a woman waiting desperately at a health facility for help, as a traditional midwife who tried to open up her FGM stitches so that her husband could enjoy being intimate with her had cut up part of her rectum and given her second degree tears.

This is the reality of so many women in Somalia and midwife training in Somalia is more than taking care of birth processes; it is about protecting every woman and child from injustice and needless suffering. WHO has also demonstrated a need to discuss with the Government to link community midwives to qualified midwives, who have been trained by partners such as the United Nations Populations Fund.

Investment

Somalia ranks among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rate, with an estimated shortage of 20,000 midwives compared to the WHO recommended standard. Graduate midwives have identified gaps in dealing with abortion and neonatal resuscitation, indicating the need for longer clinical training periods.

In 2016, according to the Somali Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS), only 32% of Somali women delivered with the assistance of skilled birth attendants.

With more investment and training, midwives can meet about 90% of the need for essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health interventions. By 2035, they could save 4.3 million people per year, which highlights the need for more training.

A midwife is more than a trained professional, a midwife is a life saver, a source of reassurance, and a listener. Midwife training in Somalia is essential with a need for more midwives willing to fight against stigma, so that women and children have a greater chance of survival in the country.

– Anisa Begum

Anisa is based in Author’s City and State: Birmingham, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Trail Bridges in Nepal: Improving Access to Schools and Clinics

Trail Bridges in NepalIn Nepal’s hill and mountain districts, seasonal rivers often separate communities from essential services. During monsoon season, rising water levels can wash away temporary crossings, forcing children, patients and families to take long detours or attempt unsafe river crossings. Trail bridges in rural Nepal are helping restore safe, year-round access to schools, health posts and emergency care. By replacing damaged or temporary crossings with durable pedestrian suspension bridges, Nepal’s trail bridge program helps reduce travel time and improve safety for rural communities.

Infrastructure and Recovery Needs

The need for resilient rural infrastructure intensified after the 2015 earthquake, which affected 31 districts and damaged transport links and public facilities. In many hill and mountain areas, the absence of a bridge can significantly extend travel time to schools, markets and health facilities, particularly during monsoon periods.

Nepal’s Department of Local Infrastructure (DoLI) coordinates the Trail Bridge Sector Wide Approach (TB SWAp), which provides national standards, financing mechanisms and institutional coordination across federal, provincial and local governments. According to DoLI, Nepal had 8,444 trail bridges in place under the sector framework, with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 additional bridges still needed to ensure safer crossings and reduce long detours.

The framework sets an access objective aimed at limiting detours to safer crossings to within one hour, with particular focus on rural and disadvantaged communities.

Implementation relies on standardized technical designs, trained bridge builders, user committees and quality monitoring systems operating under national guidelines.

Construction Momentum and National Scale

A 2023 regional presentation on Nepal’s trail bridge sector reported that Nepal reached 10,000 trail bridges by 2023 and constructed 740 trail bridges in fiscal year 2022/2023. The same presentation reported that approximately 1 million people use a trail bridge each day.

Switzerland’s development agency, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, has supported Nepal’s trail bridge program since the 1960s.

Swiss government reports that Swiss technical support and funding support helped build more than 8,000 trail bridges, improving access to services for millions of people.

Measurable Gains in Education and Health Access

Switzerland’s government reported that the trail bridge program improved access for more than 18 million people, with about 1.4 million people using trail bridges daily.

In areas near newly built trail bridges, average school attendance increased by 16%, and visits to health centers increased by 26%.

Helvetas, which provides technical verification and engineering support to the Nepali government, reports similar outcomes: school attendance increases by an average of 16% and consultations at health centers rise by 26% following construction of a new trail bridge.

Helvetas also reports that each bridge shortens and secures travel routes for an average of approximately 1,800 people.

Why the Model Works

Nepal’s trail bridge sector combines national technical standards with decentralized delivery. The TB SWAp framework outlines institutionalized norms, standardized manuals and training systems that support construction and monitoring at multiple levels of government.

The UNCRD presentation notes that average annual construction increased under the sector-wide approach, reflecting strengthened coordination and sector planning.

Helvetas reports that more than 10,000 trail bridges have now been built in Nepal, many verified through long-term partnerships with the government.

Swiss development reporting highlights that Nepal has developed the institutional capacity to plan, construct and maintain trail bridges through national and subnational systems.

Continuing Need

Despite progress, thousands of additional crossings remain necessary to reduce unsafe river crossings and long detours in rural areas.

Documented increases in school attendance and health facility visits indicate that trail bridges in rural Nepal remain a practical and evidence-based approach to improving access to essential services for remote and marginalized communities.

– Kira Rai

Kira is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Spotlighting 5 Charities in the Galapagos

Charities in the GalapagosAlthough the main focus of many charities operating throughout the Galapagos Islands is wildlife conservation-based, efforts also prioritize the residents of these islands. More than 25% of residents in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are living in poverty. Below are five charities in the Galapagos doing work in the islands to help.

1. The Charles Darwin Foundation

In 1959, a group of scientists and researchers created the Charles Darwin Foundation to preserve the communities across the Galapagos Islands. Since then, it has only grown, becoming one of the leading charities in the Galapagos.

Volunteers are able to utilize the work they are putting into the environment to better the lives of the residents. Not only do they offer a comprehensive science education program, but they have also created clubs and social groups for the children enrolled. These opportunities are not something they can find elsewhere. 

In addition to their classes and experiential learning activities, the foundation has traveling libraries to supplement the lack of them on the Floreana and Isabela islands. By providing 1,500 children with advanced education each year, it gives them additional opportunities for their future, widening what was previously available to them. 

Education resources in the Galapagos Islands are extremely limited, so these programs are valuable to children living in poverty if they hope to have ample job prospects as they approach adulthood.

2. Ecuador Volunteer Fundacion

Ecuador Volunteer Fundacion has curated a vast network of volunteers across the globe who work to aid the community in the Galapagos. It is helping to better the lives of many by flying out volunteers to help directly, taking donations to increase their assistance budget and more. Its volunteers work closely with both children and adults on the islands to help them succeed. Because of its efforts, 1,437+ families have received natural, healthy food bags. On top of this, 1,161+ children have received a strong education and benefited developmentally.

These families are reliant on this kind of charity work as food and water insecurity are prominent in the Galapagos. It primarily receives food through imports from Ecuador, which often results in a decrease in the quality and nutritional value.

3. The Intrepid Foundation: Galapagos Conservancy

The primary focus of this foundation is to raise funds to support the people of the Galapagos Islands through a donation portal. It advocates for the often less-recognized troubles these communities face.

It pushes for women to have equal access to job opportunities and supports women’s leadership throughout the islands, desiring an inclusive environment. Through this, families can better support themselves financially. In tandem with this, it advocates for women to have a part in the conservation of their home. A large part of the work that charities in the Galapagos are doing is environmental, and they push for all residents to be included in that.

As this foundation has progressed, 60 women now have steady support to pursue sustainability and nutrition based work. The grants they have received have been as much as $10,000.

4. Galapagos Conservation Trust

The Galapagos Conservation Trust is composed of volunteers, scientists, citizen scientists, supporting members and the many people who donate. All of these people work together to curate a sustainable, hospitable home for the people of the Galapagos.

It works directly with community members and scientists from the islands to empower them to sustain conservation efforts in their communities. It is ensuring the future of their children, grandchildren and more by having sustainable development.

Volunteers also provide families with food security through the Urban Family Gardening project. Starting in 2020, it has supported local families in starting their own gardens and growing their own food to ensure their well-being. This project makes it so that the children of the islands are receiving healthy food, especially as importing from the mainland has been less effective after the COVID-19 pandemic. In just its first year, it reached 525 families and 19 teachers, and only more since.

5. Heifer International

Heifer International operates in nearly 20 countries to promote food security for impoverished families across the world. Particularly, in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, it aids rural communities in connecting with larger markets to promote their farming economy. Rather than focusing solely on the short term, it works to grow the islands’ economy over time.

It has had more than 600,000 participants in its program in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands since 1993, empowering people to grow their own food and take their agricultural businesses to the next level. As residents grow their own food, access to food is inherently more stable than relying on imports from elsewhere. By 2030, it hopes to have sustainable food systems operating in 189,000 households and rural areas to help them overcome poverty, food insecurity and eventually have a stable, livable income.

Final Remarks

As more charities expand to include the Galapagos in their ventures, and new ones pop up fully devoted to the islands, the percentage of islanders living in poverty will decrease further. It is important to support these organizations to make stability for these residents a possibility.

– Megan McGrath

Megan is based in Verona, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Foreign Aid to Ethiopia

Foreign Aid to EthiopiaEthiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite decades of foreign aid from as far back as the Cold War, the World Bank expects that 43% of its 138-million-person population is living below the poverty line of $3 per day. As much as 72% of the country lives without reliable education, health care or basic services, presenting immense challenges to people in rural and urban areas alike. However, with global politics constantly evolving, a growing number of nations and independent organizations have begun to help lift this developing nation above the line of poverty. Here is more information about foreign aid to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s History With Aid

The United States and Ethiopia have long held an important bilateral relationship in terms of aid. This east African country has consistently stood among the top recipients from the U.S, and the U.S. has consistently been its top donor. However, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) paused its foreign aid to Ethiopia in 2023, following reports that large amounts were being diverted away from the residents who relied on it and resold locally. The agency oversaw reforms in the distribution of its aid that year, allowing its vital efforts to continue its life-saving work. The assistance that USAID provided has helped reduce AIDS-related deaths by 79% and supplied locals with essential testing materials and medication kits.

As the U.S. continues to taper its contribution, other key actors are met with the responsibility of filling in its role. The World Food Programme (WFP) is a leading international organization in distributing humanitarian aid to those who most need it, regardless of political tension. Conflict, drought and rising food prices have displaced an alarming number of men, women and children without stable food supplies, making emergency assistance essential for survival. In 2024, the WFP detailed its plan to support 1.9 million high-risk Ethiopians and a further 1 million refugees through its assistance. Its unique initiatives involve optimizing and protecting harvests by providing seed inputs, expanding market access and preventing post-harvest loss.

Impact of the Humanitarian Efforts

The $1.3 billion in U.S. foreign aid to Ethiopia in 2024 has helped drive Ethiopians through periods of immense strain in several regions. The combination of armed conflict and a multi-year drought has proved challenging for tens of millions of residents, but the country has not gone without external aid. The vast majority of the U.S. donation—$831 million—was humanitarian, supporting emergency food distribution, malnutrition treatment for children and mothers and school meals for children in displaced communities. Smaller portions went toward long-term economic development, pro-democratic governance and stabilizing efforts like education and the environment.

Wealthy nations are not the only actors in the fight for global development. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), a humanitarian nonprofit that Albert Einstein helped create, is one of many independent organizations working to alleviate the country’s refugee crisis. Ethiopia accepts more than 1 million refugees and asylum seekers from neighboring nations, making it one of the world’s largest refugee hosts. Since 2000, the International Rescue Committee has played a decisive role in supporting vulnerable residents and refugees in the region, especially for women and children.

The Future of Funding

As the United States cuts back on large amounts of its foreign aid to Ethiopia and other countries, European and international bodies are placing a greater emphasis on humanitarian efforts in the area. The European Union has offered about $700 million to support the developing nation through 2027, focusing on development that promotes conflict resolution, governance and peacebuilding. Denmark has pledged a further $238 million sum over five years in bilateral grants, marking efforts to support sustainable growth amid waning U.S. assistance.

The WFP has outlined five goals for its operations in Ethiopia, each underscoring the importance of long-term solutions rather than solely monetary contribution. Among these, they hope to see crisis-afflicted populations gain “strengthened livelihoods supported by resilient food systems that enable them to withstand multiple shocks and stressors.” The primary aim of the WFP is in developing social and political systems in the country that allow residents to thrive despite unexpected conflict or natural disaster.

– Jayhan Adhi

Jayhan is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Beyond Zero: Empowering Maternal Care In Kenya

Beyond Zero: Empowering Maternal Care In Kenya The Beyond Zero mission is simple: “No woman should die while giving birth.” The campaign is a flagship maternal and child health care initiative in Kenya, reaching more than 1.2 million people through mobile clinics and medical safaris. Beyond Zero aims to expand access to quality, lifesaving health care across all 47 counties in Kenya, especially for women and infants in remote communities where services are often limited or difficult to reach.

How a Bold Promise Became a National Campaign

Beyond Zero was founded in 2014 by Kenya’s first lady, Margaret Kenyatta. Two months after assuming office, Kenyatta delivered a pledge during her maiden speech for the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). She vowed to use her platform to fight HIV/AIDS stigma and eliminate discrimination against people living with the disease.

Recognizing the need for stronger maternity services advocacy, Kenyatta launched Beyond Zero with a mission to reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. After Kenyatta’s 10-year tenure as first lady, the Beyond Zero mission continues to guide the campaign as it supports women and children across Kenya.

Examples of Care Provided on the Ground

For many mothers in rural communities, long distances to facilities and a shortage of specialist staff restrict access to antenatal, postnatal and neonatal care. Beyond Zero responds by bringing services directly to communities through mobile clinics and medical safaris.

Mobile clinics are fully equipped health facilities on wheels, including trucks or large vans fitted with examination spaces, diagnostic equipment, vaccines and essential medicines. Medical safaris are short-term outreach campaigns in which teams of health professionals visit a specific region for several days to provide specialized services, deliver community education and write hospital referrals. Together, these approaches focus on interventions during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy.

  • Infant and Childhood Immunization Services. Routine vaccinations, such as tuberculosis and polio, are provided to newborns and infants to protect them from preventable diseases, particularly in remote communities.
  • Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. HIV testing and counseling are available for pregnant women. Those who test positive are linked to antiretroviral therapy to prevent transmission to their infants.
  • Cancer Screening Services. Beyond Zero provides early detection screening for breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age. The campaign also raises awareness through education and offers referrals for treatment when required.
  • Obstetric Fistula Awareness and Referral Services. Women experiencing poverty, malnutrition and limited health care access face higher risks of obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that creates a hole in the birth canal. Beyond Zero works to identify, prevent and refer cases for treatment.

The Scope of Beyond Zero’s Impact Across Kenya

Since its launch, Beyond Zero has expanded from an advocacy drive into a national health initiative. Its impact is reflected in increased service delivery and expanded access in rural regions.

  • More than 45,000 households have received free health services through medical safaris.
  • Beyond Zero has implemented a Nursing Scholarship Fund for marginalized students from arid and semi-arid counties, supported by the World Bank.
  • Advocacy and health education messages have reached approximately 35 million people.
  • After coordinating the sensitization of health care workers on obstetric fistula, two counties have employed resident fistula surgeons.
  • The percentage of HIV-positive women receiving antiretrovirals increased from 66% in 2013 to 96% in 2020.

Looking Ahead 

Beyond Zero demonstrates how targeted support for maternal and child health can expand access to care across Kenya. Its mobile clinics and outreach services continue to play a role in reducing preventable deaths and improving health services for women and children in remote communities.

– Charlotte Bunn

Charlotte is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Ghana

Charities Operating in GhanaGhana has made significant strides when it comes to reducing poverty, reflecting health, education and quality-of-life improvements. However, while up to a million individuals have experienced economic advancement since 2024, more than 7 million still struggle to meet their basic daily needs. This disparity is most prevalent across different regions, with northern and rural areas facing the highest rates of disease and limited economic infrastructure. In response, several charities are operating in Ghana in order to provide education, health and economic resources to vulnerable individuals and communities.

1. WaterAid Ghana

The first of the charities operating in Ghana is WaterAid Ghana. According to UNICEF, more than half of the Ghanaian population lacks adequate access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in northern rural areas. WaterAid Ghana prioritizes expanding these services for the health, dignity and economic development of citizens. The organization has provided more than 3.7 million individuals with safe water and sanitation services between 2016 and 2021, and plans to reach even more during their 2023-2028 development cycle.

WaterAid approaches poverty in Ghana on an institutional level, partnering with local government and community groups to provide clean water and sanitation programs. In addition to promoting overall health, the contribution of these resources reduces disease and lowers healthcare costs. The organization promotes consistent education by providing sustainable water and hygiene services directly to schools. As a result, the burden of water collection no longer affects more than 5 million students, teachers and faculty members since 2019. These outcomes ultimately support local economic activity and contribute to broader development efforts that strengthen Ghana’s capacity for regional and community resilience.

2. CARE Ghana

Nonprofits in Ghana work to lift underserved individuals out of poverty. For example, young girls in vulnerable areas still face obstacles such as early marriage, adolescent pregnancy and abuse. CARE Ghana addresses these systemic challenges by promoting curricula that emphasize gender equality and financial inclusion. By supporting young women and girls through Village Savings and Loans  Associations (VSLA), it promotes food security, the expansion of agriculture training and food market access.

In addition, the organization’s PROSPER III program has prioritized inclusive markets and gender equality by providing equitable food services to more than one million individuals since 2022. CARE targets fundamental drivers of poverty in Ghana by helping women and girls gain access to education and economic opportunities. The organization emphasizes how women’s education can act as a catalyst for improved individual autonomy, expanding community health and resilience as a result.

3. SEND Ghana

Institutions that provide direct service to communities play a crucial role in poverty reduction. However, organizations that oversee resource allocation are needed to ensure the most equitable distribution of services. SEND Ghana monitors government spending across education, health care and welfare sectors. The organization supports Ghana’s rural northern regions in particular, promoting the equity and resilience of marginalized communities. By tracking vital socioeconomic resources, SEND Ghana promotes government accountability for the benefit of underserved Ghanaians.

SEND Ghana takes advantage of existing government frameworks in order to allocate resources in alignment with its humanitarian values. The nonprofit’s efforts have left an impact on numerous policies and budget reforms. Additionally, in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations, SEND Ghana’s FILMA initiative is set to create an estimated 80,000 work opportunities for young Ghanaians by 2028. By promoting a synergy between Ghanaian citizens and government resources, poverty reduction can be approached in a united and sustainable manner.

4. Opportunity International Ghana

Opportunity International Ghana emphasizes how financial security goes beyond having access to basic needs. The organization advocates for economic mobility by promoting financial independence to aspiring entrepreneurs. Licensed by the Bank of Ghana, Opportunity International has provided loans, savings programs and financial training to more than two million individuals who lacked access to traditional banking services.

The organization promotes small business expansion and job creation in regions with underdeveloped financial networks. By expanding economic opportunities to women and aspiring young business owners, Opportunity International Ghana seeks to vitalize local economies and spark community growth. Its economic initiative efforts include empowering women through its Kayayei programme, emphasizing livelihood and skill training. The organization has also transformed the agriculture sector, providing innovative learning technologies to thousands of farmers in 2025. This promotion of local financial infrastructure supports long-term economic development across multiple regions.

5. World Vision Ghana

World Vision Ghana works to assist children meet their basic needs and improve their overall quality of life. The nonprofit prioritizes highly vulnerable areas, employing programs that meet immediate as well as long-term development challenges. The organization promotes a holistic approach model that addresses multiple dimensions of poverty in Ghana. These dimensions include basic resource access, nutrition, health care, sanitation and education.

World Vision implements its programs through collaboration with local leaders and communities. The emphasis of targeted long-term aid allows the organization to create close bonds that promote long-term sustainability across program transitions. The nonprofit has provided for more than one million Ghanaians by making safe water and sanitation services easily accessible. It also promotes education through literacy programs and the construction of school infrastructure in districts like Nkwanta. Advocacy efforts like these support self-reliance and strengthen resilience among Ghana’s most marginalized communities.

The Big Picture

Ghana continues to make positive changes in reducing poverty, promoted by collaborative efforts involving nonprofit institutions and government resources. The charities operating in Ghana highlighted here give a glimpse of the varied strategies used to address multiple dimensions of poverty. These dimensions can range from safe water access to widespread policy change. Humanitarian programs illustrate how poverty in Ghana can reduce when combined interventions are implemented. Such changes can be observed within Ghana’s most vulnerable regions in particular.

– Jason Hill

Jason is based in Fullerton, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Updates on SDG 6 in Burkina Faso

SDG 6 in Burkina FasoBordering the Sahara Desert, Burkina Faso is a West African nation within one of the fastest heating climates in the world. Burkinabe people in rural areas are especially vulnerable to reduced water access with as many as two thirds unable to access clean drinking water reliably. The sweeping reforms current administration leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré made have prioritized the donation of machinery, vehicles and equipment to local rural communities. With the added donation of training and construction supplies, Faso Mêbo is a government program that is expanding access to clean drinking water in Burkina Faso and aims to empower rural communities to keep change sustainable. These reforms mark important updates on SDG 6 in Burkina Faso, particularly in relation to rural water access and public infrastructure development.

Water Access in Burkina Faso

Between 2000 and 2022, Burkina Faso was the only West African nation where the proportion of people with access to clean drinking water decreased.  The United Nations aims to end global poverty through shared targets for 17 key factors. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), SDG 6 sets out targets for Clean Water and Sanitation. Recent updates on SDG 6 in Burkina Faso show that one cannot separate water access from security, governance and climate pressures.

Since armed conflict with insurgent forces began in 2016, access to clean drinking water in Burkina Faso has deep ties to security. The militant group JNIM in particular has been ramping up attacks against water infrastructure, such as water transport trucks and village water pumps, since 2022. Researchers Zoltán Ködmön and Júlia Szőke for Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy (2025) show evidence of a strong geographical link between water facilities hit by militants and regions where communities accessing cannot access clean drinking water on a regular basis, indicating that solving this crisis has to be multifaceted. They argue that “sustainable water security can only be achieved to a certain extent, as the work, the money spent over many years and the results achieved can be destroyed by armed groups in no time.”

A general reduction in rainfall, hotter weather and crops failing due to sudden temperature changes characterize an increasingly volatile West African climate. As the climate crisis worsens, rural communities become more reliant on often expensive irrigation reforms to survive. Traoré’s initiative to restore water storage infrastructure to its previous capacity shows a commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Addressing SDG 6 in Burkina Faso

A recent trend of government policy sees local communities undertake the construction of water reforms across Burkina Faso using materials and vehicles the administration donated for irrigation and hydro-agriculture. This is a departure that signals an increased willingness to cooperate with rural groups the Compaoré administration had alienated in the decades prior and align with Ködmön and Szőke’s recommendation that “decentralizing water governance and building local institutional capacities—particularly in conflict affected areas—[is] essential for improving long-term resilience.”

An increased focus on water development in the North is essential to the well-being of the poorest in Burkina Faso. The African Development Bank (ADB), since the 2015 change from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals, has funded more projects in the Nord and Sahel provinces but the imbalance of funding still remains.

Looking Ahead

Updates on SDG 6 in Burkina Faso imply that clean water access is a technical and environmental challenge and also a question of class, security, and sovereignty. The Traoré administration’s turn toward public ownership, decentralized governance and mass participation represents a rupture with neoliberal development models that have ultimately failed the rural poor in Burkina Faso in the past. By placing infrastructure, training and decision-making power directly in the hands of communities, Faso Mêbo demonstrates that collective ownership and international co-operation can achieve sustainable development.

– Zoey Cruz

Zoey is based in Bedfordshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons