Archive for category: Women

Information and news about woman issues

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Shedding Light on Period Poverty in Rwanda

Period Poverty in RwandaAccording to the U.N. Women, period poverty is “the inability to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities and education.” Period products range from tampons to painkillers to heating pads. In Rwanda, period poverty affects an estimated 18% of the female population.

Alternative Materials: The Risk

Without access to menstrual products, many women use alternative materials (e.g. newspaper), and for longer than the recommended three hours per pad/tampon, increasing “the risk of infection such as urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis.” However, period poverty in Rwanda needs a solution because of more than sanitation issues. Due to their periods, the 18% of girls impacted have no choice but to stay home from school, missing four to seven days a month. This, in turn, hinders their chances of securing a job once they graduate, according to Together Women Rise.

Menstrual products are no different, nor less crucial, than toothbrushes, deodorant and vaccines, but are severely undermined as a streamlined necessity.

Stigma and Accessibility

Menstruation is often a taboo topic for some people. Whether due to cultural standards or general omission from the discussion, this has led to “characterizing the menstruating bodies as abnormal or abject.” As a result, problems relating to menstruation are rarely topics of discussion either, including period poverty in Rwanda. Furthermore, women who need to find these products cannot ask their peers, as menstrual health comes with a stigma, hindering their access to pads and tampons as well.

For the small percentage of Rwandans who can access menstrual resources, their products remain largely unaffordable, as “a pack of sanitary pads costs…roughly a day’s wage for many women,” according to Together Women Rise. Note that sanitary pads and tampons are the most popular period products to buy.

The Good News

Menstrual stigma, as a worldwide hurdle, is slowly declining in the wake of various policies and advocacy efforts. The PLOS Global Public Health is taking recent strides toward making menstrual health a top priority. One policy regarding period poverty is “the Kenyan Policy for Menstrual Hygiene Management” whose primary focus is providing Kenyan schoolchildren with menstrual education. If successful, they plan to expand such policies to other countries.

Outside of awareness efforts, nonprofits are also beginning to include period kits as items to donate along with their international aid. Days for Girls, an organization whose donations only go toward period products, takes the stage as a top contender for ending period poverty. According to its 2022 report, the organization distributes period products to more than 294,000 individuals globally per year. Best yet, it has a history of efforts going to girls in Rwanda since 2015.

In manufacturing eco-friendly products, Days for Girls tackles all angles of period poverty in Rwanda. Like most developing countries, general sanitation is as much a problem as period poverty, so by limiting the number of pads that get discarded, they also reduce the amount of trash otherwise accumulating from menstruation.

Closing Words

Period poverty in Rwanda is a concurrent issue affecting many of the lives of girls and women there. Rwandans are struggling to afford these products, and hence, often skip school or use unsafe materials like socks and newspapers. The good news is that institutions are increasingly turning their attention to supplying sanitary pads and spreading overall awareness of menstrual health. In ending both the lack of access and stigma on periods, and giving period poverty the attention it deserves, Rwandan women will thrive knowing they don’t have to choose between education, their safety and health care.

– Nadia Haeryfar

Nadia is based in Ashford, CT, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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3 Ways Mothers Can Be Lifted Out of Poverty

MothersPoverty disproportionately affects women, particularly mothers. For instance, in 2017, 20% of women in the United Kingdom (U.K.) were living in poverty compared to 18% of men. Additionally, 90% of single mothers experience poverty. While the proportion of men facing poverty has decreased in recent years, the rate for women has remained stalled. Here are some of the ways mothers can be lifted out of poverty:

Better Provision for the Essential Living Costs

Governments can address poverty by improving support for essential living costs faced by families. By covering expenses for heating and electricity through targeted schemes for the most vulnerable, working families can make fewer sacrifices. Such programs would eliminate the difficulty of buying groceries and maintaining a warm home. This support would enable families to focus more on spending quality time with their children and provide mothers with much-needed respite.

Child Care Provisions

Child care provisions also provide a hopeful potential solution. High child care costs act as a key barrier for parents who work. Fees are an additional financial factor that particularly impacts lower-income parents during school holidays. Suppose countries can implement better universal child care provisions. In that case, the gap between accessibility for low- and high-income parents can be closed. Parents can focus on work and career progression, leading to better wages for their families. Children can interact with other children and develop their creativity and imagination. Creating these schemes will, therefore, benefit both the parents and the children. 

Turning to a success story, Sweden works as a model for other countries, providing hope that these solutions are attainable when put into practice. The “income packaging” approach to the welfare state adopted in Scandinavian countries promotes female involvement in the world of work. By providing children’s allowances, mothers can focus on work rather than entirely on ensuring that child care measures are in place. This enables greater career progression and mothers to work more hours rather than being confined to part-time roles due to child care commitments. 

Income Transfers and Support for Parents in Employment

Implementing schemes with more generous income transfers and support for working parents has effectively reduced poverty. In countries like the U.K., where social transfer systems are limited, support for vulnerable working families falls short, resulting in higher poverty rates. In contrast, Scandinavian countries provide more comprehensive support for single mothers. This targeted approach ensures that the assistance is more effective and beneficial. Additionally, the direct benefits can be assessed more efficiently, allowing for easier adjustments and improvements as needed.

Final Remark

The changes required to lift mothers and their children out of poverty are achievable. With a global commitment to supporting this group, effective tax redistribution and improved support schemes can help break the cycle of poverty. By implementing these measures, future generations of families can be lifted out of poverty and provided with greater opportunities for a better life.

   – Sarah Littleton

Sarah Littleton is based in London, U.K. and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Making Space for Menstruation: Key to Girls’ Participation in School

Girls’ Participation in SchoolFor many girls and women, their first period is often accompanied by feelings of embarrassment, fear and even shame—emotions that are vividly remembered. These feelings, however, don’t fade with time but instead, continue to shape their experience of menstruation. The advent of this first period then, a moment supposedly marking the onset of womanhood, quickly becomes a monthly obstacle to education for many girls and women globally who must navigate a context in which their periods are shamed. To increase girls’ participation in school, addressing menstruation and dismantling the taboo surrounding it has to become part of the educational system. This is the focus of the Paris School of Economics (PSE) research project in Madagascar. The research aims to create space for menstruation in education and foster an environment where it is no longer stigmatized.

Periods as an Obstacle to Education

In Bangladesh, 32% of girls were unaware of what menstruation was before they got their first period. One in five girls in rural Ethiopia has no access to materials to manage their menstruation. With 1.5 billion people lacking basic sanitation facilities, many women and girls do not have a private space to menstruate. As a result of the period taboo, period poverty and the lack of hygiene facilities, many girls see their periods not as “a natural and healthy process” but as a significant interruption to everyday life. This interruption is felt most fully in the context of school.

Take the mundane and everyday experience of leaking. Accidental leaking is made all the more likely for girls in developing countries as a result of reduced access to materials to manage menstruation and extended journeys to school. The lack of sanitation and clean water facilities limits girls’ ability to deal with leaking in privacy. Finally, often left without support from family or teachers, girls can be subjected to ridicule from peers. It is clear to see how periods may dissuade girls from attending school. One in 10 girls in Africa will miss school when menstruating: 3-5 days every month of lost schooling.

In Madagascar, menstruation has been aptly identified as a lead cause of absenteeism for girls. In some cases, menstruation is also a catalyst for them dropping out altogether. This not only limits their future economic opportunities, drawing them away from the productive labor market, but also increases their risks of child marriage and pregnancy.

Talking Periods: Peer-To-Peer Conversation

Funded by the Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), the PSE is pursuing a research project with periods in mind: the “Young Girls Leaders” program. Its research goal is to determine whether promoting healthy and productive discussions between girls to reduce the stigma around menstruation at the forefront can increase girls’ participation in school. The program is being run in three districts in Amoron’i Mania, Madagascar. Between three and six girls will be chosen and educated in menstrual management. The girls will be encouraged to converse with their female peers without the discomfort that often accompanies these exchanges.

To determine the benefits of the Young Girls Leaders program, 70 schools will receive both the U.N. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) intervention and the Young Girls Leaders program. An additional 35 schools will only receive the WASH program. In comparison, another 35 schools will serve as a control group, receiving neither intervention. The research program predicts that healthy conversations surrounding periods will cause a “social norm shift.” Furthermore, when used with the WASH intervention, significantly increases the likelihood of girls staying in schools during their menstrual cycles.

Conclusion

The research conducted by the PSE is not focused on the direct implementation of long-term programs to address period poverty. Instead, it aims to produce evidence that can be used to develop broader, large-scale interventions globally, ensuring that girls remain in school while menstruating. By supporting this research, the FID highlights the importance of international funding in driving innovation with a development-centered outlook.

– Tilly Phillips

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

Photo: Flickr

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Action Against Period Poverty

Action Against Period PovertyA period is a natural part of any person with female anatomy’s life. It can be a constant financial burden for some since every month, a woman needs pads, tampons or other menstrual products. According to research done by PlushCare, a month’s supply of period products costs $7.30 in South Africa. While South Africa is not the most expensive, for those who experience a period but live in poverty, getting the necessary menstrual products can be difficult.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Women, 62.7% of impoverished women live in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. For those women living in poverty, having something every month that costs money and time can impact their lives greatly. Finding menstrual products for these women is a big struggle. However, Tamara Magwashu is working to make that struggle easier.

Magwashu War Against Period Poverty

Magwashu has been dealing with period poverty since she was a little girl growing up in the Eastern Cape province. When she was a little girl, Magwashu would have to take a week off of school when she had her period because she only had old rags to use. This means that Magwashu lost 12 weeks of education every year, missing out on potentially crucial parts of her education.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 30% of girls in South Africa did not attend school during their period. Growing up in poverty, Magwashu didn’t have full access to proper sanitary menstrual products and had to work to provide for herself and her family. Part of her income was put aside to buy sanitary pads rather than use the old rags. As time went on, Magwashu continued to work and eventually got a public relations degree from the University of Johannesburg.

Magwashu realized there was an issue involving young girls and access to period products. So, she decided to take action against period poverty and start a business focused on this issue. She faced many problems when trying to start this business, such as no bank wanting to give her a loan because she had no assets. Still, Magwashu persevered and launched Azosule in 2021. Azosule’s goal is to sell period products at an affordable price for those who need them and live in poverty.

Since starting the business, Magwashu has brought period products to many schools in her home area, providing products to last them six months. She works to expand her business to other schools and educate everyone on the reality of periods for impoverished women. Magwashu stated to BBC in 2023 that “Period poverty is not a women’s issue, it’s a societal issue.”

How Caity Cutter Was Inspired

Magwashu’s influence did not just end there; she inspired other young girls and women to take action against period poverty. Caity Cutter is one of those girls and, at just 12 years old, helped make a change in this societal issue. Cutter, who lives in Germany, was moved when she found out about period poverty in other countries. After reading about Magwashu, Cutter decided to do something to help. The young girl told her father about the issue and asked how they could help.

Her influence on her father pushed him to donate to Magwashu’s company. Michael Cutter saved up money from his job and made an overwhelming donation of 500,000 pads. Along with that, Magwashu stated that he made “further donations that went to us getting a warehouse and hiring staff to distribute the pads further.” This donation not only helps Azosule but also helps these young girls not have to miss school just because of their period.

– Tess Curran

Tess is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Increasing Access to Child Care in South Africa Supports Women

Child Care in South AfricaIn South Africa, women are disproportionately affected by unemployment, with the rate for women at 35.1% in 2023, compared to 31% for men. However, progress is being made in areas such as child care. Around 70% of care in Africa is provided by female relatives, with just 3% of care involving paid work. Africa has the highest amount of unpaid care work globally. This unpaid care work is a barrier to women’s participation in the labor force. Approximately 34% of women in Africa reported that unpaid care work prevented them from having a paid job, compared to 3.9% of men.

In South Africa, many waste pickers and domestic workers leave their children with neighbors as a form of child care. In Durban, a group of waste pickers collectively pays an elderly couple for child care, choosing this option for its affordability and flexibility in payment terms. The female caregiver accepts materials collected by the waste pickers as part of the payment. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, 68% of child care workers in South Africa said they were in danger of closing permanently due to rising costs. This threatened to decrease the number of child care options available further. However, different initiatives are addressing child care in South Africa.

Child Care South Africa

Child Care South Africa is one initiative aiming to provide quality child care in the country. Between 2017 and 2019, the Cash Plus Care (Qhawekazi) project was established to empower women aged 19 to 24. A total of 5,087 young women completed all 12 Cash Plus Care Empowerment sessions, highlighting the project’s extensive impact on their lives.

SmartStart

Furthermore, SmartStart provides communities in South Africa with access to high-quality early learning programs for children aged 3 to 4. About 80% of lower-income families in South Africa lack access to early learning for children younger than 5, making child care crucial not only for mothers but also for children’s futures.

One of SmartStart’s goals is to create a women-led care economy by empowering them to become early learning practitioners. Since 2015, a community of 9,000 practitioners has emerged. These Early Learning Practitioners are trained to secure government funding as microentrepreneurs.

South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Program

Started in 2004, South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) trains unemployed beneficiaries, mostly women, in areas such as day care activities. By 2015, approximately 20,000 care practitioners had been trained. Reports indicated that this scheme contributed to income growth more than any other similar project. Women particularly benefited from paid care work, as they represented 90% of the home-based care workers who participated in the program.

The ECCE Program

By 2030, the government in South Africa aims for all children aged 0 to 5 able to access an early childhood care and education (ECCE) program. The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (ECD) allows more women to have paid jobs because it alleviates the need for women to be responsible for child care during working hours. The following three benefits arise from supporting ECCE services:

  • More paid jobs in the care economy.
  • More women can form part of the labor force.
  • More assistance for children’s development.

The Future

The highlighted initiatives aim to increase the amount and quality of child care in South Africa. The additional support enables women to engage with the economy. This will improve the position of women while also benefiting the wider community and combating poverty by raising household income levels.

– Amy Fox

Amy is based in Birmingham, UK. and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Reducing Elderly Poverty in Costa Rica

Elderly Poverty in Costa RicaPoverty in the Latin American and Caribbean region remains prevalent post-pandemic, with more than 180 million people unable to afford basic necessities. Despite having the lowest inflation rate in the region, 21.8% of people in Costa Rica live below the poverty line. The elderly demographic consists of 9% of Costa Rica’s population, a figure that could double by 2050. Elderly poverty in Costa Rica is linked to the average life expectancy of 75.5 years, often necessitating assistance due to age-related health issues. Other factors contributing to poverty among seniors include ageism, which leads to exclusion, discrimination, abuse, violence and exploitation.

Reform Strategies

Reform strategies, such as the 2002 Regional Implementation Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, focused on mitigating violence-related issues affecting the elderly by promoting conversations between pertinent parties and forming networks for the elderly’s safety. The “Ciudadano de Oro” or “Gold Citizen” award program by the Caja system ensures the rights of citizens 65 years and older are respected. With the Gold Citizen award, the elderly have access to certain medical services, financial aid, discounted activities and community engagement.

Poverty persists among the elderly in Costa Rica, with 23% facing economic hardships as of 2019. Additionally, elderly women have lower earnings-related pension income and longer life expectancy. Patriarchal systems that have historically relegated women to home care roles or supportive jobs rather than leadership positions in society have exacerbated this vulnerability. 

Initiatives to Reduce Elderly Poverty

Costa Rica Red de Cuido subsidizes 80% of care costs for elders below the poverty line through local networks. Elders have access to social care, community centers, hygiene, housing services and a long-term care system. The program is funded by taxes on beer, liquor and cigarettes, aiming to alleviate financial stress on poorer older adults and adapt to sociocultural changes in family care.

The National Council for Older Adults (CONAPAM) oversees private residential care through non-organization funds. Elders who are dependent on family, facing neglect, lack access to private centres or lack social and economic assistance can access these funds. In 2018, more than 2,155 beneficiaries have received care. Additionally, CONAPDIS (National Council for Persons with Disabilities) catered to 1,350 people through non-profit residential organizations in 2018.

Elderly Day Care Centers focus on those 65 years and over from low-income backgrounds through external non-profit associations. They provide meals, recreational therapy, social integration activities and psychological support, encouraging youth volunteers to assist. In 2018, centres have supported more than 1,500 people with a subsidy of $175 per month. Home Care, managed by COPANAM, provided services to 13,900 beneficiaries at risk of poverty and adverse social conditions through 59 civil associations, according to a 2022 article.

Providing Economic Stability

Costa Rica’s rapidly growing elderly population highlights the importance of boosting economic stability by reducing elderly poverty. The silver economy—economic activities, products and services for people older than 50—contributes to a more stable economy. Government and non-profit organizations are working to reduce elderly poverty through financial and health care schemes, ensuring a more economically stable Costa Rica.

– Lydie Udofia

Lydie is based in Switzerland and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Experiencing Period Poverty in gaza

Period Poverty In gazaSince the events of October 7, Israel has tightened its grip on the Gaza Strip. It has made it increasingly difficult for aid to enter the territory. Israel’s blockade has, therefore, left many pharmacy and shop shelves barren. One product in particular has become increasingly sparse on the shelves of various pharmacies across Gaza: menstruation pads. On the rare occasion that pads make their way on a shelf, they are sold at nearly five to six times their original price. For many unemployed and homeless Gazan women, such an expense is unthinkable. This, combined with limited water supply, lack of privacy and indoor plumbing, has compelled women to take measures into their own hands. As the rate of period poverty continues to mount within the Gaza Strip, its female residents prove that there is no shortage of resilience and ingenuity.

Period Poverty among Women and Girls in Gaza

In a study conducted by the United Nations (U.N.), an estimated total of 700,000 Gazan women and girls menstruate but do not have access to hygiene products, such as pads and toilet paper. Even more troubling is their barred access to toilets and running water. Various shelters run by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the U.N. aid agency for Palestinians, say there is only one roll of toilet paper per 498 people. Within these same shelters, more than 400 residents share a single bathroom.

The situation is no better for women who live in shared apartment complexes with extended family. Limited access to water forces many to restrict the times they flush the toilet– only doing so when deemed necessary. Three functioning water pipelines remain for the whole of Gaza, thus making it increasingly difficult for women to wash themselves. Showering has become a luxury only some women can afford. Many women rise early and queue in front of hospitals in the hopes of showering before the water supply is cut for that day. Others are there to use the bathroom. Queues can number from up to 1,000 people.

Current Experiences

Owda is a Gazan woman documenting her experience online. She shared a video of one of many makeshift bathrooms found within the displacement camps. She points to the toilet in question, a garbage basket on the ground inside a meager tent and says to the camera: “There is no water. There is nothing around them. There is no infrastructure. They’re living in just a tent and they need bathroom(s). They’re humans.” The U.N. indicates that these sanitary conditions leave many Gazan women at risk of contracting reproductive and urinary tract infections. The sanitary pads that are at the disposal of Gazan women are poorly crafted and only further increase their risk of infection.

Gazan women and girls, therefore, are no longer afforded any privacy in tending to their menstrual hygiene. This issue has put a strain on the psychological health of many women within the strip. Some women share that the mounting stress they are experiencing has caused their menstrual cycles to come twice a month, further exacerbating the issue. As political tensions continue to rise, period poverty within the Gaza Strip only becomes a more pressing matter.

With Extreme Circumstances Comes Extreme Measures

The difficulty in obtaining female hygiene products has forced many Gazan women to resort to dangerous measures. Some women wash previously used pads to cope with the lack. Others have opted for old shreds of clothing, towels and ripped pieces of the tents they are using as shelter as substitutes for pads. Adult diapers and measly tissues are also on the list of items used as surrogates. The use of these substitutions may cause skin irritation, infection and deadly toxic shock syndrome. Though they pose great risks to their health, Gazan women have few other options.

Birth control has become a favored remedy among Gazan women, who would rather delay their cycle than deal with the physical and psychological burden that comes with it. Contrary to pads, the pill is readily available and far less expensive than hygiene products. A month’s supply’s worth of birth control costs approximately $3. The extreme measures Gazan women are reduced to take speak of the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, it highlights how women, once again, bear the blows of war. Gaza’s ongoing period poverty epidemic confirms the previous statement.

An International Call for Change

The international community has noticed Gaza’s shortage of menstrual hygiene products and has done its best to aid the crisis. Anera, a nonprofit organization, has provided hygiene kits, which include pads, underwear and wet wipes, to more than 20,000 women and girls. ActionAid has also supported the women in Gaza by preparing hygiene packages with a month’s worth of supplies. Despite their admirable efforts, more has to be done to aid the women in Gaza and stop the rate of period poverty from rising.

– Yasmine Nowroozi

Yasmine is based in Laval, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mental Health in Tajikistan: The Living With Dignity Project

Mental Health in TajikistanIn 2018, International Alert, an organization attempting to tackle community violence in societies with a history of conflict and extreme poverty, embarked on the Living with Dignity project, an effort to tackle economic insecurity and reduce domestic abuse, hoping to improve mental health in Tajikistan.

Poverty and Gender Inequality in Tajikistan

Declaring its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan had a deadly civil war from 1992 to 1997, which greatly deepened social, economic and political inequalities already largely prevalent in the country.

Despite recent successful efforts to decrease poverty, Tajikistan is still the poorest country in Central Asia. As of 2019, approximately 26% of inhabitants lived in poverty, calculated based on income compared to the costs of basic necessities, with higher poverty rates in rural areas. In addition, around 6% of the population falls below the international poverty line. The Living with Dignity project has found that this widespread economic insecurity has profoundly negative consequences for mental health in Tajikistan.

Another key issue in the country is gender inequality. UNICEF reported a significantly higher rate of female suicide than male suicide, which by global standards is unusual, prompting questions as to the causes of this unique case. While official government figures report that approximately 31% of women from the ages of 15-49 have experienced forms of physical and emotional domestic abuse, research by International Alert indicates that the real figure could be greater than 60%. One key cause of this propensity to violence within many households is economic insecurity and the stresses it places upon families. The high rates of abuse have massively detrimental effects on mental health in Tajikistan.

Living With Dignity

International Alert’s Living with Dignity program focussed on transforming violent familial behavior through communication and reflection workshops, which provided a space for family members to understand each other’s experiences and needs better, according to the International Alert report. It found that a key cause of discord within the family was economic insecurity. So a key tenet of the project was the economic empowerment of women who generally have very little say in household financial management. The program also made use of gender sensitivity training and professional mental health services to challenge the patriarchal norms that dominated these areas and explore how they harm women’s mental health.

Economic Empowerment

International Alert found an increase in economic independence for women to be highly important in improving mental health, with participants reporting that they felt more heard in decision-making within the household. Moreover, an upturn in women’s participation in work led to greater economic security, which massively affects mental well-being. Throughout the Living with Dignity project, there was a 32% increase in families having enough food and money to support their needs. Moreover, at the beginning of the project 42% of women reported going to bed hungry at least once a week, while by the end of the project, that number was down to just 8%, according to the International Alert report. Many participants stated that an increase in economic stability was the key change in improving their mental health, given it made many women feel more valued and respected by their families.

Effects on Domestic Abuse

International Alert reports a 24% decrease in women feeling fearful in their household every week throughout the program. According to interviews conducted, this was largely brought about by an increase in respect between family members, fewer instances of domestic violence, greater economic independence of women and thus greater mobility. International Alert also found an increase in women feeling comfortable sharing their opinion on matters of household finance by 22%, and a 38% increase in women believing they now had more of a say in decision-making, both of which correlated strongly with improved psychological and emotional wellbeing.

Throughout the project, there was also a marked decrease in specific instances of violence and the amount of individuals who felt the use of violence in the home was acceptable. The gender sensitization training aimed to encourage families to deal with disputes in non-violent, diplomatic ways, which produces more comfortable home environments for women, facilitating better mental health outcomes.

The Living with Dignity project, then, has had a positive effect on the lives of many of these women, improving mental health in Tajikistan through tackling patriarchal, often abusive, norms and promoting both women’s safety and economic independence. Programs like this show that, by tackling global poverty we can reduce domestic violence and improve mental health outcomes.

– Billy Jardine

Billy is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Understanding the Gender Wage Gap in Moldova

Gender Wage Gap in MoldovaAs in many post-Soviet countries, Moldova struggles with deep-rooted economic problems and stubbornly high poverty rates, despite all the efforts undertaken in the sphere of reform and development. Gender inequality plays a very significant role in this process, as women suffer from low wages, bad economic opportunities and high vulnerability to economic shocks. This article explores the complexities of gender inequality, such as poverty and the gender wage gap in Moldova, illuminating the socio-economic dynamics, root causes and solutions toward empowering women and ensuring sustainable development.

Root Causes of the Gender Wage Gap in Moldova

The question of women’s empowerment in the case of Moldova is presented in traditional gender stereotypes and gender roles that institutionalize women’s oppression and ensure that there is a lack of equity in access to important resources.

In populations affecting policy, change and reform, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, in 2019 the number of female government ministers was 11% leaving 89% of males in government positions. Meanwhile, in other vocations, such as unpaid care work including domestic work and caregiving, which continues to be undervalued and largely invisible, thereby ensuring economic dependence and limiting the contribution to the formal economy.

In 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova reported that the average women’s gross income was estimated at $9,618.4 and men’s gross income was estimated at $11,380.7.

Structural, cultural and institutional factors—historical legacies and Soviet-era patriarchal norms—provide the ground for gender relations that underlie women’s access to resources and decision-making roles.

Economic transitions and globalization have exacerbated disparities, resulting in job losses, informal employment and precarious work conditions disproportionately affecting women.

Gender-based violence and cultural norms of discrimination contribute to the continued hindrances of women’s rights to justice. The lack of policies and gender-sensitive programming furthers women’s vulnerability to poverty and socio-economic empowerment, which in turn contributes to the vicious circles of deprivation.

Holistic Solutions for Empowerment

The interaction of gender inequality with poverty is such that it has to be done by multidimensional intervention at the roots while empowering women to participate effectively in the economic, social and political spheres. The short-term interventions should be focused on the economic empowerment of women, such as training in skills development, access to finance and support to businesses that women run.

According to UNDP, “trends of recent years show an amplification of the discrepancy in both the women employment (35.4% as compared to 44.7% for men) and labour force participation rates (36.4% and 46.5%, accordingly).” Righting the wrongs of gender violence, UNDP is actively breaking these discriminating norms and opening up a supportive environment for the socio-economic rise of women. Creating inclusive and comprehensive policies and programs while embedding gender equality and inclusive development can help break systemic barriers and foster sustainable socio-economic empowerment for women in Moldova.

UNDP has seen extraordinary progress in the past 20 years. According to U.N. Women, 46.1% of the female population of Moldova above statutory pensionable age receive a pension in comparison to 100% of males.

In contemporary Moldova, there are greater numbers of women in public office than ever before. These female change makers help achieve greater gender equality, targeting gender wage gap discrepancies. According to the UNDP, “Moldova is a country where people want to live and where all people fully exercise their human rights and enjoy a better quality of life in a more inclusive and resilient society by 2027.”

The Women’s Caucus

UNDP plans to relaunch the Women’s Caucus in the Parliament and raise the capacities of women parliamentarians to promote gender-responsive policies in order to combat gender inequalities. As of July 2021, Moldova has achieved a record of 40 women MPs seats in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. According to the UNDP on the accomplishments of the Women’s Caucus, “The introduction of a 40 percent electoral gender quota for parliamentary and local elections, an affirmative measure supported by UN Moldova is efficient, having so many women in today’s Parliament. However, to progress towards parity in decision-making, we need to simultaneously address the tremendous deterrents women face in entering politics, ranging from gender bias and stereotypes to physical and online violence and abuse, in addition to lack of financing and support from political parties,” said Valeria Ieșeanu, Officer in Charge, UNDP Moldova.”

The gender wage gap in Moldova and poverty are intertwined challenges. However,  the empowerment of women is one important step forward.

– Honorine Lanka Perera

Honorine is based in Highland, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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WOBA: Addressing Period Poverty in Vietnam

Period Poverty in VietnamThe 2018-2022 Vietnamese program, Women-led Output-Based Aid (WOBA), aimed to tackle poor water sanitation, reducing period poverty in Vietnam and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. First established by the key Vietnamese network East Meets West (EMW), the female-led force wished to tackle gender inequality and attitudes to menstruation in Vietnam’s poorest communities.   

With the help of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VMU), an organization with more than 13 million members nationwide, EMW’s program WOBA has expanded to the most marginalized households and women. Their collaboration has continued to make positive changes to period poverty in Vietnam. 

Vietnam’s Stigma Towards Menstruation

Medical News Today defines period poverty as the political, cultural and socio-economic “barriers to menstrual products, education and sanitation.” Period poverty in Vietnam may have harmful impacts on women’s lives. This includes their mental health, health and hygiene, work balance and education. Further, lacking access to menstrual products may result in dangerous infections and an increase in possible toxic shock syndrome. The stigma surrounding menstruation often results in women’s exclusion from the community. 

WOBA’s Support

WOBA sought to decrease the gender inequalities that have disproportionately disadvantaged women’s access to sanitary water. The program’s primary objectives include increasing access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in marginalized communities and reducing menstrual stigma and exclusion targeted at women. Its fight against period poverty in Vietnam focused on the poorest areas, including Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Ben Tre.

By 2022, WOBA had set several crucial objectives to enhance water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. These goals encompassed reinforcing governmental efforts in implementing WASH policies, improving accessibility and utilization of WASH facilities in marginalized communities, empowering women and advocating for hygienic practices. A significant focus was also placed on delivering clean water to female-led households. 

Noteworthy accomplishments of the program included assisting 52,580 women and girls in managing menstrual hygiene challenges. Additionally, installing hygienic latrines for 18,000 marginalized households and establishing new water connections benefiting 8,000 households facing economic hardship. 

Truong Thi Hoa’s Story

Truong Thi Hoa is the “President of the Tan Xuan Commune Women’s Union in Nghe An province.” She fights to tackle harmful taboos and empower women to engage with menstruation hygiene safely in her Vietnamese communities. In a conversation with Water for Women in 2023, she opened up about her experience with menstrual stigma. She recalls feeling “ashamed and afraid to meet others or go to school during her period.”

Truong Thi Hoa wishes to bring dignity to women affected by period poverty in Vietnam. Her training sessions educate women on the appropriate use of sanctuary products. In the same conversation with Water for Women, she believes inviting men into the conversation “is an efficient way to support, understand and share the health care burden with women and girls.”

Truong Thi Hoa feels that an essential step in breaking cultural taboo is for women to invite their husbands to her organized training sessions. For Truong Thi Hoa, men are vital allies who help bring gender equality to Vietnam’s attitudes toward menstrual hygiene.

Long-Term Improvements

Period poverty in Vietnam has dramatically improved with the aid of the  WOBA program. During the program, EMW collaborated with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which funded “national consultants on menstrual health and hygiene.” Its educational sessions continue the work of individuals like Truong Thi Hoa, providing informative conversations and practices with women about their “hygiene and sanitation needs” and menstrual health.

Furthermore, EMW’s WASH program has continued to aid schools in Vietnam. Due to challenging weather conditions, families are often deprived of clean water. In response, the initiative “installs water filtration systems and hand washing basins” in rural and mountainous schools where access to clean water may be a daily struggle. Additionally, the program’s educational initiative continues to raise awareness about the importance of personal hygiene in schools. Its conduction of “a behavior change campaign promoting hand washing” continues to reduce period poverty in Vietnam.

UNICEF’s Report on Menstrual Health in East Asia

In 2023, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a regional progress review on Menstrual Health in East Asia. UNICEF commended the positive observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day by Thrive Networks/East Meets West Foundation Vietnam as an ongoing effort to combat period poverty in Vietnam. The report underscored that the foundation’s work “contributed to increasing menstrual health awareness.” As well as helped “gain attention from one of the high-ranking government officials.”

Looking Forward

While many women struggle with period poverty in Vietnam, integral organizations such as EMW and its projects, such as WOBA, have successfully aided the improvements of menstrual hygiene for many women.

– Kasia Flisiuk
Photo: Unsplash