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Poverty Alleviation and Women’s SHGs in India

shgs indiaWomen-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India are driving the world’s largest poverty alleviation effort, offering credit access and empowerment to more than 70 million women. Women’s groups have become the cornerstone of financial institutionalism in this South Asian economy. The empowerment stems from vesting greater autonomy in the use of their income, savings, credit and asset creation. Organizing into SHGs has tilted the patriarchal balance of the household in women’s favor, enhancing respect, decision-making authority and entrepreneurial drive.

Background

Evidence suggests women organize to cater to two core objectives: to reduce domestic violence and to induce more inclusive delivery of public services such as health, financial and food security.

SHGs are small, federated groups of 10-20 women who organize themselves based on location, income or caste to form community-based financial systems. These groups meet at periodic intervals to deposit money into their group-held account and get steady access to loans in times of need. The entire process is facilitated by government and non-government (NGO) entities that help connect SHGs to bank accounts and formal credit. Many are federated into larger networks.

SHGs represent a shift from traditional banking models, decentralizing financial power and promoting community autonomy. Through the Bank Linkage Program, SHGs help empower the “unreached poor,” offering financial services to underserved populations.

Struggles of the Past

Before SHGs, households primarily relied on informal moneylenders (typically men) with higher interest rates and unfavorable terms, especially to the poor and marginalized. Formal banks were rarely accessible and often provided large, lump-sum loans, rather than what the individual needed.

As of 2014, 33.2% of rural household debt were from informal lenders, according to the Indian government. These lenders charged annual interest rates between 12% to 150%, compared to banks typically charging 6% to 20% on larger loans.

The SHG model reduced informal borrowing by 14.5%, significantly curbing predatory lending, the World Bank reports. It has generated a change in the borrowing habits of households, aiding poverty alleviation efforts, and changing the status of women as participant decision makers and beneficiaries.

State SHGs Programs in India

In high credit regions, with limited banking access, Jeevika in Bihar charges a 2% monthly interest on loans to its SHG members, according to the World Bank. Mission Shakti in Odisha charges 0% monthly interest on loans to women SHGS, on amounts up to ₹10 lakhs ($12,000 equivalent), conditioned on the timely repayment of loans.

U.S. firms like MicroVest and Unitus backed Grama Vidiyal’s microfinance push in South India, and have helped build a $3.75  million loan portfolio.

The nature of these low-interest microcredits extends beyond economics, functioning as vital social safety nets. Among SHG households, 10% of women borrowed for enterprise, while 22% borrowed for health care, exemplifying the importance of women’s SHGs in India during emergencies.

India’s growing women-led SHG model has accelerated an inclusive, bottom-up approach to poverty alleviation by empowering women to revolutionise micro-credit extension and improve their visibility and confidence in community leadership.

– Tanisha Bhattacharyya

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

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Femicide in Uruguay

femicide uruguayGender-based violence claims the lives of 11 women every day in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it a regional crisis. Defined as the intentional murder of a woman with a gender-related motivation, femicide can occur under many different circumstances, including intimate or former partner violence, honour killings and human trafficking. In 2021, the femicide rate in Uruguay per 100,000 women ranked eighth out of 18 countries and territories in Latin America. However, both the Uruguayan government and civil society groups have taken legal action and preventative measures to fight femicide.

Ending Gender-Based Violence

In 2017, the government decided to take action against disturbing levels of femicide in Uruguay with various legal reforms. This included Law no. 19.580, which specifically recognizes and defines femicide as a crime whilst sentencing perpetrators more severely than those guilty of homicide. As a result of this shift in legal focus, the state launched the Observatorio de Violencia Basada en Género hacia las Mujeres (OVBG), which collects and monitors data regarding gender-based violence in Uruguay, and ProMujeres, a program that focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Development. Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), ProMujeres aims to enhance the work of Inmujeres, Uruguay’s National Institute of Women, thanks to the allocation of new funding.

The work of Inmujeres

Inmujeres is responsible for overseeing the OVBG, as well as monitoring the implementation of Law no. 19.580 and providing various services for women at risk of femicide in Uruguay. Most of these services include legal support, temporary shelter and telephone counselling for victims of gender-based violence.

Between 2020 and 2024, the organization offered their services to 16,821 victims of gender-based violence, as well as supporting 175 women in situations of human trafficking in 2022.

Furthermore, in 2020, the government announced a $4 million increase in funding for electronic ankle bracelets designed to distance perpetrators from victims, thereby preventing future cases of femicide in Uruguay. Inmujeres is also working to avoid femicide in Uruguay by running a campaign in schools across the country, called Noviazgos Libres de Violencia. The youth-orientated project aims to break the intergenerational cycle of intimate and former partner violence and reached around 13,000 young people in 2022 alone.

Building a Network of Prevention, Support and Awareness

In addition to legal reforms and state-run programs, there are various civil society groups working to fight femicide in Uruguay in numerous ways.

Mujeres de Negro (Uruguay) has been raising awareness about femicide in Uruguay since 2006. Based in Montenegro but part of a wider international movement, Mujeres de Negro (Uruguay) organises silent protests in remembrance of victims, as well as publicly advocating against gender-based violence and denouncing discrimination.

Comuna Mujer is another Montevideo-based organization fighting femicide, operating 14 centres across the region where women at risk of gender-based violence can receive free and confidential services. These services include legal and psychosocial support to help women escape situations of gender-based violence. Comuna Mujer’s impact on women at risk of femicide in Montevideo has been crucial, as the organization provided services to 5,063 women and carried out 15,896 consultations between 2023 and 2024.

Whilst offering support services for victims is essential, the Uruguayan Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (RUCVDS)  focuses on the prevention of gender-based violence, and their work has been extremely impactful across Uruguay. The RUCVDS is composed of over 30 civil society groups with over 25 years of experience, running a range of projects catered towards the prevention, awareness and research of gender-based violence.

One of these projects includes the 2021 “Nunca Más a Mi Lado” campaign, which included the re-release of the song “No Te Va Gustar” in order to promote healthy relationships and raise awareness about the dangers of romanticizing abusive partnerships. The campaign spanned over ten years and involved 100 workshops, including sessions inside female prisons, and all of the proceeds from the song’s re-release went towards projects preventing domestic violence

Femicide in Uruguay: The Challenges and Gaps

Despite the great work of both the state and civil society groups, Uruguay has not been able to keep up with the increasing demand for supportive and preventative services related to gender-based violence, and female participation in positions of power continues to be low.

Although the legal reforms in 2017 signalled the prioritisation of femicide as an urgent issue in Uruguay, efforts to fully implement the law have not yet been completely successful, according to Amnesty International, mostly due to a lack of resources. It is also important to recognise that marginalised groups are at a higher risk of femicide in Uruguay, since 86% of afro-descendant women and 92.5% of LGBTQ+ women reported being victims of gender-based violence, which is much higher than the national average of 77%

The Future

Uruguay’s success in its approach to fighting femicide lies in its decision to invest in prevention and monitoring, instead of just focusing solely on punishment. The eradication of femicide is a complex process, but with the investment of more time and resources, Uruguay is on the right track.

– Clodagh Dowson

Clodagh is based in Bradford on Avon, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Link Between Poverty and FGM/C: Breaking the Cycle

The Link Between Poverty and FGM/C: Breaking the CycleEvery 12 minutes, a girl dies as a result of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) – a practice with no medical purpose and devastating consequences. Now the fourth leading cause of death among girls and young women in Africa, FGM/C affects more than 230 million people worldwide. Despite the tireless efforts of dedicated organizations working to end this violence, the global response remains alarmingly muted.

The Link between Poverty and FGM/C

Although many recognize FGM/C as a serious violation of human rights, it continues to persist in certain communities where cultural and social traditions deeply weave it into community life. In these societies, the practice is often upheld under the guise of religious or traditional values, with generations passing it down to preserve cultural identity.

Beyond cultural continuity, FGM/C is often justified by rigid gender norms and beliefs. In some contexts, a prevailing notion suggests that controlling a girl’s sexuality from an early age is necessary. By curbing her desires, families believe they safeguard her virginity, prevent perceived moral transgressions, and ensure marital fidelity. Some proponents also argue that FGM/C promotes hygiene and aesthetic appeal. They hold the belief that female genitalia are inherently impure and that girls who have not undergone the procedure are considered unclean or undesirable for marriage.

Poverty’s Role in the Persistence of FGM/C

Poverty and FGM/C are increasingly recognized as deeply connected, with poverty serving as a significant driver in the persistence of FGM/C. Research published in the journal Reproductive Health underscores the strong influence of socio-economic and demographic factors on the prevalence of FGM/C across sub-Saharan Africa. Findings indicate that the practice is more common among women and their daughters in the lowest wealth quintiles, while its prevalence declines with higher levels of education.

These patterns suggest that poverty not only increases the likelihood of undergoing FGM/C but also contributes to a broader cycle in which communities subject girls to the practice, marry them off at a young age and deny them educational opportunities – thereby perpetuating intergenerational poverty. In many impoverished communities, women and girls often remain unaware of their rights or the protections available to them regarding FGM/C. Many in the community view the practice as a cultural duty and those who refuse to undergo it may face severe criticism, stigma and social exclusion. 

Safe Hands for Girls

Jaha Dukureh founded Safe Hands for Girls in 2013. She created a survivor-led women’s rights organization dedicated to ending FGM/C and gender-based violence. Since its inception, the organization has implemented initiatives such as the SAFE Training Program. This program equips law enforcement and health care professionals in the United States (U.S.) with the knowledge to identify signs of FGM/C and enforce the Stop FGM Act of 2020. This training is critical, as an estimated 513,000 women and girls in the U.S. have undergone or are at risk of FGM/C.

In 2025, the organization launched Regenerative Hubs, an international program training women farmers in regenerative agriculture across rural communities in the Gambia and Ghana. This initiative links economic empowerment to the eradication of FGM/C, child marriage and domestic violence.

Men End FGM

Tony Mwebia launched the #MenEndFGM campaign online in 2013. The initiative is based on the understanding that, in many patriarchal African societies, men hold significant power as fathers, breadwinners, religious and political leaders and custodians of tradition. Engaging men and boys is therefore essential to advancing the elimination of FGM/C. By 2015, young Kenyan activists had joined the movement. In 2019, it was formally registered as the Men End FGM Foundation.

Brothers for Balance, one of its key initiatives, promotes male advocacy for gender equality by working with cultural and religious leaders who can influence their communities. It also trains a network of Men End FGM advocates across 22 hotspot counties to challenge and change harmful social norms. Additionally, the Boy Guard Movement empowers boys and young men to become agents of change from an early age. The Positive Parenting Forum brings together fathers, mothers and their children to foster open dialogue on FGM/C, menstrual health and child marriage.

Sahiyo

While most international funding to prevent FGM/C is directed toward Africa, regions such as Asia, Latin America and the Middle East remain significantly under-resourced. Sahiyo, founded in 2015 by a group of women united against FGM/C, works to empower Asian communities to end the practice. Among its key initiatives is Voices to End FGM/C, a global storytelling project that organizers launched in 2018. It mobilizes survivors to share their experiences and normalize conversations around the FGM/C.

Since its inception, Sahiyo has conducted nine workshops under this initiative. This has resulted in 88 videos and more than 120,000 views across social media platforms. Another impactful program is Thaal Pe Charcha (TPC), Sahiyo’s flagship initiative in India since 2017. TPC draws from the Dawoodi Bohra tradition of communal meals. It creates safe, private spaces where men and women can share stories, ask questions and engage in dialogue around FGM/C.

Moving Forward

Poverty and FGM/C remain interconnected challenges that disproportionately affect girls and women in vulnerable communities. Indeed, socioeconomic disadvantage limits access to education, health care and legal protections, creating conditions where harmful practices continue. Progress toward eliminating FGM/C by 2030 potentially requires greater investment in education, economic empowerment and local advocacy efforts. Sustained action from governments, communities and international organizations could be necessary to ensure that future generations grow up free from the threat of FGM/C.

– Charlotte Codd

Charlotte is based in Waterford, Ireland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Things To Know About Femicide in Honduras

Femicide in HondurasHonduras is the country with the most femicides in Latin America. In 2020, 278 women in Honduras lost their lives due to femicide and the issue has only gotten worse during and since the pandemic. Additionally, the alarming rates of gender-based violence and murders are mainly due to the patriarchy and sexism that are deep in the culture.

Femicide in Honduras

Femicide is one of the leading causes of death among adult women in Honduras. Despite awareness of this alarming trend, authorities often fail to take sufficient action. An estimated 90% of femicide cases go unpunished.

Many women who attempt to report abuse or domestic violence are not taken seriously, further discouraging victims from seeking help. This lack of response has only fueled the rise in femicide, as impunity and inaction continue to perpetuate the crisis.

Gender-Based Violence

Honduras is considered one of the most challenging places to live as a woman, with gender-based violence widespread across the country. In 2022 alone, 297 women were killed and between 2016 and 2022, a total of 2,264 women lost their lives to such violence.

Impoverished Women Suffer More

Femicide disproportionately affects impoverished women. In poor neighborhoods, police often dismiss complaints and judicial corruption stifles justice, with only 20–30% of women using state services due to distrust.

A mother in Cortes, living in poverty, reported her gang-affiliated ex-partner’s threats. However, police inaction left her vulnerable, illustrating how economic disadvantage compounds the lack of punishment for people who commit femicide.

Weak Law Enforcement

Laws have been enacted in an effort to address the issue, but impoverished women remain vulnerable. Legislation such as the 2006 Domestic Violence Law was designed to offer protection. However, weak enforcement, particularly in low-income areas, has limited its impact. Still, there is cautious optimism, as the president of Honduras has pledged to focus more on women’s rights and the fight against gender-based violence moving forward.

Hope for the Future

There is hope for the future. Movimiento de Mujeres de la Colonia López Arellano (MOMUCLA) is a grassroots organization that has spent years advocating for women’s rights in northern Honduras. In Choloma, the city where it primarily operates, the number of femicides dropped significantly, from 38 cases in 2019 to 13 in 2020, demonstrating the potential impact of sustained local efforts. This organization targets low-income neighborhoods affected by gangs, helping those who are not receiving help from the government.

Conclusion

Femicide in Honduras remains a widespread and deeply rooted issue. Furthermore, femicide disproportionately affects low-income women who often lack the resources to escape dangerous situations, sometimes with fatal consequences. While some measures have been implemented to curb gender-based violence, they have benefited mainly women with greater financial means. Unfortunately, this leaves those in poverty underserved and unprotected.

However, there is hope. A growing number of organizations are stepping up to support low-income women impacted by gender-based violence, working to provide protection, resources and a path toward justice.

– Sydney Carr

Sydney is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Gender Wage Gap in Haiti

The Gender Wage Gap in HaitiWomen in Haiti earn 20% to 30% less than their male counterparts. Additionally, they are more likely to be unemployed and less likely to have consistent jobs. In addition to the gender wage gap, women in Haiti face higher unemployment rates and fewer opportunities for stable, long-term employment. The challenges are even greater for women with children, as they are less likely to find work compared to women without children, further compounding their economic struggles.

Education

Education is a significant factor in women’s employment, as educated women are more likely to have jobs in higher positions. The literacy rate for women in Haiti is among the lowest in Latin America and the Caribbean, which plays a role in the gender wage gap in Haiti.

Child marriage and early childbirth are two major factors that prevent girls in Haiti from attending school or completing secondary education. Secondary education is essential for women to access higher-paying jobs, as simply finishing primary school is often insufficient to secure employment.

Textiles

Women dominate the textile industry in Haiti, which holds promise for creating more jobs and potentially higher pay for women. However, entry-level positions, predominantly filled by women, offer extremely low wages. Although two-thirds of the workers in the industry are women, higher-ranking positions are often occupied by men. Many women in textiles have limited education and face additional disadvantages due to the country’s low minimum wage, which further impacts their earning potential.

Unemployment During the Pandemic

There was a significant decrease in women’s employment during the pandemic. This is likely attributed to inequality in pay for domestic work. Data shows that most women did household chores like laundry, cooking, cleaning and caring for children. Only 35% of people surveyed said that the man and woman of the household shared these duties. Women-dominated fields, such as firms, were closed disproportionately during the pandemic, causing these women to work solely domestically.

Economic Factors

While a legal framework mandates equal pay, certain jobs, such as night shifts, dangerous roles and industrial positions, typically offer higher wages. However, women often do not have equal access to these opportunities. This creates a loophole that perpetuates the gender wage gap in Haiti. This disparity significantly contributes to unequal pay between men and women in the workforce.

Women in Haiti are entitled to only 12 weeks of paid leave, compared to the recommended 14 weeks, while men are granted just one week of paid leave. Additionally, women with children under 5 are less likely to participate in the workforce. This policy creates significant barriers to women’s full employment and career advancement.

Empowering Women

To address the gender wage gap in Haiti, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supported the Haitian Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Women’s Rights (MCFDF) through the project “Supporting the Government of Haiti for the Socioeconomic Empowerment of Rural Women.”

The project, which ran from January 2020 to December 2021, aimed to raise awareness among rural women about the importance of their roles and potential within their communities. It provided 1,200 women, organized into 15 associations, with both technical and financial support to help foster women’s freedom.

Summary

The gender wage gap in Haiti is driven by limited education, unequal job opportunities and systemic barriers, particularly for women with children. Despite legal frameworks for equal pay, women face significant challenges accessing better-paying jobs. However, initiatives like the FAO’s empowerment project provide valuable support, offering women the tools to improve their economic independence. Addressing these issues is crucial for reducing the gender wage gap and creating a more equitable society in Haiti.

– Ella Burke

Ella is based in Lawrence, KS, USA and focuses on Technology and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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World Bank Decreasing Women’s Poverty in Latin America

Women’s Poverty in Latin AmericaAcross Latin America, poverty and gender inequality trap women in cycles of financial dependence and vulnerability. Women in Latin America are five times more likely to be unemployed than men. Hence, nearly 28% of women living in Latin America experience poverty. The World Bank is tackling women’s poverty in Latin America through targeted initiatives that empower women economically and reduce their risk of gender-based violence.

Honduras’s Safe Municipalities Project

The World Bank’s Safe Municipalities Project in Honduras aims to make Honduran cities safer. First, the project empowers law enforcement locally and nationally. Second, it tackles the underlying causes of rising crime. Finally, the initiative increases the government’s ability to respond to criminal threats quickly and efficiently. Although this project aims to improve Honduran municipalities, it uniquely helps women who are the most affected by crime in Honduras.

More than a quarter of Honduran women experience physical or intimate partner violence in their lifetimes and Honduras has one of the highest global rates of femicide. Often, poverty is at the root of this, prompting the circumstances that put women at risk. However, the Safe Municipalities Project is decreasing women’s poverty in Latin America by supporting women financially and building legal systems that protect their livelihoods.

Peru’s Promoting Gender Equality Program

The World Bank is working to decrease gender-based violence in Peru in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations. To increase awareness and response to gender-based violence, the organizations have pursued four avenues:

  • Increasing teen education on gender inequality through accessible content.
  • Creating a university class on sexual harassment prevention.
  • Endorsing Yanapp, a new platform to help victims of gender-based violence.
  • Supporting ALEGRA centers, offering legal advice to women.

Women in Peru have already seen improvements in equality, including many more women joining the workforce and receiving higher education. Despite this, they face challenges in combating societal stigma and achieving beyond the traditional framework. Therefore, this World Bank initiative is giving women more ability to report violence and introducing developmental ways of limiting gender-based violence.

El Salvador’s Integrated Social Protection Project

The Integrated Social Protection project helps the Red Solidaria program create a new conditional cash transfer system in El Salvador. This system is aimed at helping families access capital to get necessities for their children and uplift underprivileged groups. In tandem with its finance-oriented approach, the program combines social protection measures with gender-based violence prevention. It provides women with financial assistance and links them with services to escape violence, like vocational training and legal assistance.

Women are given unique access to the cash transfer system, allowing them to temporarily limit financial abuse and gain independence. Only 29% of women in El Salvador have access to a financial account, compared to 45% of men, highlighting a significant gender gap in financial inclusion. Therefore, this cash transfer system plays a vital role in bridging that divide by providing women with the same financial access as men. Economic independence is often a key factor in escaping gender-based violence and the Integrated Social Protection Project is gradually dismantling this barrier, empowering women with greater financial security and autonomy.

Brazil’s Recife Urban Upgrading Project

In Brazil, particularly in urban areas, most of the population lacks adequate housing. More than 8% of Brazilians reside in favelas or urban communities with insufficient infrastructure. To address some of the challenges associated with urban poverty, the World Bank launched the Recife Urban Upgrading Project.

The project will improve favelas with roads, drainage, sanitation and formalized housing. By supporting the government in assisting people experiencing poverty in urban areas, the World Bank is also advancing opportunities for women. In Brazil, women are disproportionately affected by homelessness and its consequences. More than one-third of Brazilian women over the age of 16 experience gender-based violence at some point in their lives, with homelessness being a significant contributing factor.

The Recife Urban Upgrading Project gives women access to housing services they would not otherwise access. Through housing and the expansion of welfare services, women gain more protection from poverty-driven violence. Through formal homeownership, women gain a foothold and financial leg up to compete with men and they are connected with new employment opportunities to improve economic stability.

Conclusion

The World Bank’s initiatives across Latin America are breaking cycles of poverty and gender inequality by improving financial inclusion, protection and opportunities for women. While challenges remain, these programs pave the way for a more equitable future.

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Rights in Sao Tome and Principe

Women’s Rights in Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and Principe is an island nation on the coast of Central Africa, with a population of nearly 240,000 and a land area of 386 square miles. Although the island is small, one cannot understate the role of women in its success. They are the backbone of society, and while Sao Tomeans have made long strides in removing legal barriers to women’s rights in Sao Tome and Principe, restrictions remain that prevent women from accessing the full extent of their rights.

Sao Tomean Women in Poverty

More than two-thirds of the population of Sao Tome and Principe lives in poverty, but compared to 64.3% of male-led households in poverty, more than 71.3% of women-led households experience extreme and debilitating poverty.

Attempting to rectify systemic inequalities, the Sao Tomean government wrote the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe in November 1975, not only establishing the nation’s independence from Portugal but also codifying a host of cornerstone women’s rights, including property ownership, inheritance and the ability to pursue a job without a husband’s permission.

Since 1975, Sao Tomeans have introduced more than 14 national legal reforms to increase women’s economic autonomy and have ratified numerous international conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Most recently, in 2022, Sao Tomean President Carlos Vila Nova signed a new gender parity law designating 40% of all parliamentary seats to women. Although women in Sao Tome and Principe have not yet met the 40% representative quota, they now occupy 24% of parliament, a substantial increase compared to just around 12% in 1980.

In a legal context, the government has made undeniable progress toward women’s rights in Sao Tome and Principe, and it has implemented measures attempting to eliminate the poverty inequalities between men and women. However, many social barriers still prevent women from being truly free. 

Preventing Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence is a principal indicator of women’s rights standards and a major barrier preventing women from escaping poverty. Sao Tomean leaders have implemented new measures to decrease the incidence of domestic abuse and increase the ability for women to report, but few of those reforms show in the growing rate of gender-based violence.

Police and prosecutors saw an increase of more than 20% in the number of domestic violence cases. Law enforcement is now considering ways to dismantle the influence of centuries-long traditions embedded in the inequities women face, including introducing new ways for women to report instances of violence.

Gender-based violence is cyclically linked to poverty, as both an impetus and a response. There is hope to end gender-based violence in Sao Tome and Principe with persistent legislators and police officers, given time and consistent resources.

Encouraging Women’s Education 

Sao Tomeans segment their education into pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and while education is legally mandated for children between 6 and 14 years old, many children, particularly young girls, face challenges in attending school. Often, people encourage them to stay home and learn the traditional role of women rather than skills to join the workforce.

Sao Tomean’s adherence to tradition may explain why only 23.1% of women participate in the workforce, compared to 24.1% of men, furthering the challenges for women escaping poverty. Education is the most critical factor in allowing young women to pursue professions later in their lives, and while girls typically finish secondary school, they rarely go on to higher education.

To advance women’s education, the Sao Tomean government removed the Disciplinary Act in 2020, which prevented pregnant girls from attending classes during the day after their first trimester. They are also expanding gender-responsive education and providing support materials to young women seeking education.

The government secures women’s rights in Sao Tome and Principe one girl at a time, reaching empowerment through structural reform and ending poverty disparities across the archipelago. 

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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How the PpDM is Addressing Women’s Rights in Portugal

How the PpDM is Addressing Women's Rights in Portugal According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, Portugal ranked 15th in Europe for gender equality in 2023. The study found that health care had the most significant gender disparities, while workplace equality showed the most progress. A Randstad study, conducted by the global talent company, reported that Portugal’s gender pay gap stood at 13%, aligning closely with the 2024 European average. Despite ongoing challenges, activists and nonprofit organizations continue working toward gender equality, advocating for women’s rights, awareness, policy change and social reform.

PpDM Promoting Women’s Rights in Portugal

The Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights (PpDM), an independent, nonprofit humanist organization, promotes gender equality through research, advocacy, mobilization and training. Free from government, political or religious affiliations, PpDM represents Portugal in key international networks, including the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), the EU Civil Society Platform against Trafficking, the Association of Women from Southern Europe (AFEM) and the Euro-Mediterranean Women’s Foundation (FFEM). As the national coordinator for the EWL, PpDM works closely with European organizations to advocate for gender equality policies and initiatives. The organization focuses on eliminating discrimination and gender-based violence by providing training and resources to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). PpDM fosters open discussions on gender issues, creating a platform for organizations to collaborate, exchange knowledge and implement gender equality initiatives.

Key PpDM Initiatives for Gender Equality

  • Mobilize Against Sexism!. Funded by the Council of Europe and organized by the EWL, raises awareness about sexism and discrimination. The initiative promotes public dialogue on gender-based biases and provides legal definitions of sexism to support advocacy efforts. To extend its reach, the campaign offers flyers, posters and educational materials for use in schools and public awareness programs.
  • Women in Climate. An initiative launched by the EWL integrates gender perspectives into climate policy. The project highlights how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized women and encourages civil society organizations to advocate for gender equality in environmental action. By bridging women’s rights and climate justice, the initiative strengthens policy discussions and advocacy strategies.
  • From the Voice III. It provides a digital platform for conversations about sexism, discrimination and gender-based violence. The initiative creates a safe online space where women can share experiences, participate in discussions and access educational resources. Webinars, podcasts and other digital content aim to challenge gender stereotypes and promote feminist discourse in Portugal.

Beyond these initiatives, PpDM has launched several other projects that amplify women’s voices, mobilize communities and influence policy change. Programs such as the Feminist Tribune, bE_SAFE, and Young Europe Sustainable Democracy Builders (YES) focus on human rights advocacy, gender-based cyber safety and youth involvement in democratic policy-making.

Advocacy and International Collaboration

PpDM actively engages in international human rights conventions that promote gender equality and women’s rights. The organization contributes to global policy discussions, influencing frameworks such as the Istanbul Convention and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. By working with international organizations and policymakers, PpDM strengthens its influence on gender policies at both national and global levels.

Looking Ahead

The PpDM calls for broader community participation in its mission to achieve gender equality. Indeed, by fostering education, advocacy and legal reforms, the organization remains a driving force in promoting women’s rights in Portugal. As challenges persist, continued collaboration with policymakers, activists and civil society could be essential in creating lasting change for future generations.

– Hannah Pacheco

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

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Afghanistan: Barriers and Economic Impact

Education Access in Afghanistan: Barriers and Economic ImpactAfghanistan continues to struggle with the challenges of rebuilding after decades of conflict and political instability. From the Soviet invasion of the 1980s to civil war, famine and 20 years of United States (U.S.) occupation, the Taliban now governs a nation in crisis following the withdrawal of American forces and the overthrow of the Afghan government in 2021.

Poverty is widespread and natural disasters have compounded economic hardships. Afghanistan’s GDP declined by 24.3% between 2021 and 2022, leaving millions in financial distress. An estimated 96% of Afghan households fell below the poverty line in 2020 and farmers faced one of the worst droughts in recent history. In October 2023, several 6.3-magnitude earthquakes struck Herat province, further devastating livelihoods and worsening economic conditions.

Women’s Education Under Taliban Rule

Since regaining power, the Taliban has imposed strict regulations on women’s education, barring them from attending school past the sixth grade. These restrictions have affected an estimated 1.4 million girls, cutting off their access to formal learning. Women also face limitations on movement and employment, restricting opportunities for financial independence.

The Economic Impact of Education Restrictions

The exclusion of women from education has long-term economic consequences. Before 2021, women made up 22% of Afghanistan’s workforce, working in sectors such as health care, education and business. Restricting women from pursuing education reduces economic productivity and slows national recovery. Foreign aid previously accounted for 40% of the country’s GDP and with limited external support and half of the workforce excluded, the country’s economic outlook continues to decline.

Foreign Aid and Education Funding in Afghanistan

During the war, Afghanistan’s education system was a global priority. Between 2001 and 2024, the U.S. invested $1.4 billion in Afghan education, helping to establish schools and train teachers. However, since 2021, foreign aid has significantly declined, leaving many schools underfunded and understaffed. The country’s literacy rate remains one of the lowest in the world, at 34% overall and only 18% among women.

Efforts to Sustain Education Access in Afghanistan

Despite these ongoing challenges, organizations such as the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) continue to provide education for women and children in Afghanistan. AIL operates 44 learning centers across 11 provinces and has helped 500,830 students while training nearly 30,000 teachers over the past 25 years. These programs aim to equip students with literacy skills and critical thinking tools, offering hope for the country’s next generation. Community-based education initiatives have also emerged, allowing some girls to study in private homes or local centers. However, these informal programs do not offer official certification, which limits long-term opportunities for employment and higher education.

Looking Ahead

In Afghanistan, education could promote long-term stability and recovery. Ensuring access to learning opportunities for all Afghans—especially women—remains critical. Until broader reforms are implemented, organizations like AIL continue to bridge the gap by providing educational opportunities to those who need them most. The country’s future potentially depends on creating an inclusive education system that empowers all citizens to contribute to the country’s recovery and economic growth.

– Burke Bunyard

Burke is based in Austin, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Senior Taliban Official Backs Afghan Women’s Right to Education

Afghan Women’s Right to EducationThe political deputy of the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the education bans imposed on Afghan women and girls. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, Afghan women’s and girls’ right to education, among other human rights, has been under attack. In a speech delivered on Jan. 18, 2025, the senior official Sher Abbas Stanikzai referred to the education ban as “an injustice against” half of Afghanistan’s population and pressed for the de facto government to “open the doors of education.” This is the second time Stanikzai has publicly advocated for gender equality in education.

What Is Life Like for Women and Girls in Afghanistan?

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a statement on the International Day of Education, Jan. 24, 2025, noting that it has been four years since Afghanistan became “the only country in the world that explicitly bars women and girls [above the age of 12] from all levels of education.” It is not only Afghan women’s and girls’ right to education that is being violated. A series of other gender discrimination laws have been passed targeting women’s rights. The laws include the right to work, appear on TV, recite poetry or sing in public, go to the park and travel without a male relative.

The situation worsened when the Ministry of Economy shared a letter on the social media platform X on Dec. 29, 2024, threatening to shut down the activities of all nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with women employees. Data collected by UNAMA revealed that 64% of Afghan women surveyed felt unsafe going out alone. This anxiety largely stems from “targeted harassment, threats and violence” from the Taliban and the wider community.

Men have also expressed feeling safer going out alone than with a female relative in public. Accompanying a woman draws more attention from the authorities. UNAMA notes that this has led to increased conservatism and control within families as men risk being targeted for violating the limitations placed on women and girls. Many Afghan women and girls protested the Taliban’s rise to power in 2021.

However, the Taliban responded with violence, killings and arbitrary arrests. UNAMA’s report further highlights the barriers Afghan women face when communicating with local authorities. This disconnect further removes women’s voices from public life. It increases their reliance on men in their family and community to advocate for them.

Who Are the Taliban and Stanikzai?

The Taliban is a Sunni Islamist group founded in 1994 which previously ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, implementing similar gender discrimination laws as are enforced by its regime today. Many of its members are former Afghan Mujahideen – armed Islamist groups involved in the First Afghan Civil War (1989-1992).

The first Taliban government fell after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, but the group regained control in 2021 after U.S troops withdrew. With the rights of women and girls deteriorating rapidly, in 2022, the deputy foreign minister condemned the closure of schools for girls. During a gathering of Taliban officials in Kabul, the country’s capital, Stanikzai urged the regime that “Women must get an education; there is no Islamic prohibition for girls’ education.”

This time around, Stanikzai directly asked the Taliban leader to reconsider the regime’s policies. He argued that there was no reason to deny education to women and girls, “just as there was no justification for it in the past and there shouldn’t be one at all.” The Guardian reported that Stanikzai is allegedly facing arrest for his comments and has fled to Dubai, though the minister has said he left for “health reasons.”

The Past

Restrictions on women’s rights have not always been the norm. The country has experienced fluctuating periods of equality and gender disparities in the past century.

For example, women’s suffrage in Afghanistan was achieved in 1919, a year before women in the U.S. were granted the right to vote. During this same period, the Queen Consort of Afghanistan, Soraya Tarzi, advocated for Afghan women’s and girls’ right to education and facilitated the opening of the country’s first school for girls in 1921. Since then, various regimes have advanced or rolled back on women’s rights.

How Has the International Community Been Responding?

Despite having been the de facto authorities for four years, the Taliban has yet to receive international recognition. The growing exclusion of women and girls from the public space has led to the U.N. labeling the Taliban’s policies as “gender apartheid.” Similarly, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued applications for arrest warrants against two Taliban officials: the leader of the Taliban, Haibatullah Akhundzada and the Chief of Justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani. They are charged “for the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds.” The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, also announced that other senior Taliban officials will soon face similar consequences.

With the clampdown on NGOs in the country, courses for action on the ground are becoming increasingly limited. UNAMA has been collaborating with the United Nations Entity for Women and Gender Equality (U.N. Women) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since August 2022 to reach out to Afghan women nationwide and gather insights about their living conditions. Their latest report revealed that 45% of women and 41% of men consulted in April 2024 believe the international community should facilitate communication between Afghan women and the Taliban. They believe centering women’s voices is crucial to advancing their rights.

– Nesreen Yousfi

Nesreen is based in Watford, Hertfordshire, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr