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African Women in Science: Alleviating Poverty

African Women in ScienceWomen and men are equally capable in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), yet external barriers continue to marginalize women, exacerbating the gender gap. These disparities are even more pronounced in Africa, where both access to and completion of higher education are limited, with less than 30% of women graduating in STEM fields in sub-Saharan Africa. They are also significantly underrepresented in leadership roles – globally, women hold only 24% of leadership roles in the tech industry.

Despite these challenges, many African women in science work on innovations to alleviate poverty and improve public health. Their efforts highlight the role of women in science and show how scientific advancements can drive social and economic progress. Here are three inspiring examples of women and organizations making a significant impact in the fight against poverty.

Corine Ngufor

Each year, Cameroon reports more than 2.7 million cases of malaria, according to USAID. For its people, this means missing work and school often – significantly impacting both economic and educational opportunities. The fight to eradicate malaria has become a priority for the Cameroonian Government. Corine Ngufor’s work – inspired by her personal experience with malaria growing up in Cameroon – is a remarkable step forward.

As a medical entomologist with a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Ngufor has innovated mosquito net fabrication. While insecticide-treated nets have saved millions of lives in the past decades, mosquito resistance has diminished their effectiveness. To combat this, many researchers have advocated for dual-insecticide nets. Ngufor’s lab identified chlorfenapyr as the effective second insecticide to pair with pyrethroid, a product already used on nets.

Her improved mosquito nets – officially named Interceptor G2 – have prevented 13 million malaria cases and saved 25,000 lives between 2019 and 2022, as reported by STAT News. Corine Ngufor’s work in reducing malaria cases is also crucial in poverty alleviation because healthier communities lead to increased productivity and less financial strain due to medical expenses.

Revital Healthcare

While vaccines for polio and measles are effective in combating these diseases, many African countries face challenges due to a shortage of syringes, leading to the reuse of needles and the transmission of “blood-borne pathogens” such as HIV and hepatitis B. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue by creating a shortage of syringes in Africa – where 80% come from Asia – disrupting routine vaccinations for children across the continent. It highlighted the need to improve Africa’s self-reliance in syringe production, an indispensable medical tool.

Thus, to prevent the reuse of needles and ensure the availability of syringes on the continent, Revival Healthcare – Africa’s largest medical device manufacturer based in Kenya – started manufacturing auto-disable syringes in 2021 with a $4 million grant from the Gates Foundation. These syringes become inoperative after the plunger has been used, preventing reuse, and they aim to produce 300 million of them annually.

Beyond providing life-saving medical equipment, Revival Healthcare also supports women in science. With an 80%  female workforce, the company creates job opportunities that help reduce poverty by improving families’ financial stability and access to vital resources. Revival Healthcare empowers women economically and encourages them to pursue education and careers in the medical field.

Rachel Sibande and mHub

According to the 2023 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, 89% of learners in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to a computer and 82% do not have an Internet connection at home. This digital gap limits young people’s ability to gain the skills needed in today’s world, further hindering their employability prospects.

To address this challenge, Malawian computer scientist Rachel Sibande founded mHub in 2014. As Malawi’s first technology and innovation center, mHub has been instrumental in reducing poverty across Africa by empowering young innovators and promoting local technology solutions. As of 2023, mHub has trained more than 40,000 young people in technology, technical and business skills.

In 2020, the hub launched the Digital Malawi project, providing digital skills and business opportunities to youth across the country – supporting more than 500 young people, with some receiving $2,500 in seed capital.

mHub also champions African women in science and technology through its Girls for Code program, which equips young girls with skills in robotics, machine learning, and mobile application development – reaching 323 girls across 15 schools. By advancing technological proficiency and promoting gender equality in STEM fields, mHub fosters innovation and drives economic growth throughout Africa.

Africa Women in Science: Making a Change

African women in science are making a significant impact on reducing poverty through innovation. Despite facing challenges like limited access to education and underrepresentation in STEM, women such as Corine Ngufor, the team at Revital Healthcare and Rachel Sibande are leading the way. Their work in health, technology and medical improvement is bettering lives, boosting economies and promoting gender equality. As they continue to inspire future generations, the role of African women in science will grow, contributing to a better future for the continent.

– Alissa Naydenova

Alissa is based in Colchester, Essex, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Afghanistan: Women’s Rights at Risk

Fragility and Rule of Law in AfghanistanThe Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, returned to power in 2021 after a 20-year insurgency. Following its ousting by a United States (U.S.)-led invasion in 2001, the group regrouped across the border in Pakistan. Within a decade they began reclaiming territory in Afghanistan. Since its return to power, the Taliban has severely threatened Afghan civil rights and liberties. The group has revived practices similar to its oppressive rule in the late 1990s. The United Nations (U.N.) mission in Afghanistan has reported numerous human rights violations. Journalists face intimidation, press freedoms have been sharply curtailed and several news organizations, including The Daily Afghanistan, have shut down. Additionally, the Taliban has reinstated the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, known for enforcing bans on activities deemed un-Islamic during its previous rule.

The Current State of Women’s Rights

Women’s rights in the region have been eradicated. According to Amnesty International, Afghanistan ranks last for women’s rights globally, positioned at 177 out of 177 countries on the Women’s Peace and Security Index for 2023/2024. It is the only country that restricts girls’ access to education beyond the sixth grade and prohibits women from working for nongovernmental organizations.

The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has expanded its authority to control personal behavior and enforce punishments rigorously. This expansion is based on a 114-page document with 35 articles dictating nearly every aspect of life in Afghanistan. “We assure you that this Islamic law will greatly aid in promoting virtue and eliminating vice,” said ministry spokesman Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq. The ministry’s enforcers have the authority to detain and fine law violators.

Article 13, focused on avoiding temptation, mandates that women must conceal their figures, cover their faces and refrain from making eye contact with men who are not family members. Article 15 prohibits women from traveling without a male guardian or interacting with unrelated men. Acting Minister Mohammad Khalid Hanafi emphasized that there would be “no compromise in the enforcement of Islamic laws.”

Fragility and Rule of Law in Afghanistan

The collapse of the previous government has led to a significant breakdown in legal protections for women: ​​

  • Replacement of Existing Laws. The Taliban has replaced the existing legal framework with its strict interpretation of Sharia law, abolishing many rights and protections that women previously enjoyed under the Afghan constitution and civil code.
  • Arbitrary Implementation. The new legal system often applies rules arbitrarily, lacking consistent application and due process. This unpredictability further undermines the rule of law and leaves women vulnerable to rights violations.
  • Limited Access to Justice. Under the new regime, women face severe limitations. Many formal legal institutions have ceased to function or now exclude women entirely. This effectively denies them any recourse to legal protection or dispute resolution.

International Responses

The U.N. has been at the forefront of condemning the Taliban’s actions and advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan:

  • The U.N. Security Council Resolution 2681 (2023) called for the immediate removal of all restrictions violating the rights of Afghan women and girls. 
  • The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has characterized the situation in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid.” The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has called on the Taliban to release women human rights defenders and respect all human rights of women and girls.
  • Many countries have used diplomatic channels to express their concerns. The United Kindom (U.K.) The ambassador to the U.N. denounced the Taliban’s actions as “medieval misogyny above humanitarian need.” Multiple U.N. member states, including Albania, Ecuador, Malta and Spain, have characterized the situation as gender apartheid in U.N. Security Council sessions.

Legal and Policy Initiatives

Several legal and policy initiatives are being pursued to address the fragility of the rule of law in Afghanistan. 

  • Codifying Gender Apartheid: Efforts are underway to codify gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, potentially involving the International Criminal Court (ICC) in addressing systematic discrimination against women in Afghanistan. U.N. experts have called for investigations into the Taliban, holding them accountable for human rights violations based on gender, which amount to gender persecution.
  • Targeted Sanctions: Some nations are exploring the implementation of targeted sanctions against specific Taliban leaders responsible for rights violations. This approach aims to increase pressure on decision-makers within the Taliban regime. 
  • Humanitarian Aid Principles: Calls are intensifying for principled engagement in humanitarian aid. Furthermore, demands are being made for the Taliban to immediately lift the ban on Afghan women working for the U.N. and NGOs. There is also a push for supporting the full and safe participation of women in humanitarian decision-making and delivery, alongside increased support for humanitarian organizations, particularly those led by Afghan women.
  • Accountability Mechanisms: There are growing calls for accountability, a key feature in truly upholding the rule of law. Advocates demand that perpetrators of international human rights and humanitarian law violations face accountability. They emphasize the need to address gender persecution and other abuses targeting diverse women and girls.

Looking Ahead

The fragility of the rule of law in Afghanistan underscores the challenges of maintaining legal protections in unstable political environments. This situation highlights the need for robust international mechanisms to safeguard human rights and uphold the rule of law in fragile states.

– Hannah Ravariere-Moakes

Hannah is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Womankind Worldwide Transforms Women Lives in Kenya

How Womankind Worldwide is Transforming Women’s Lives in KenyaWomankind Worldwide is a women’s rights organization advocating for change through partnerships with organizations worldwide. It envisions a fairer world where women have equal opportunities. The organization works with 28 partners across 13 countries. Womankind Worldwide has supported 18 million women through community organizations. The organization prioritizes improving women’s lives in Kenya as part of its global efforts. For more than 30 years, Womankind Worldwide has collaborated with diverse groups worldwide to combat the oppression of women.

The Context of Women’s Lives in Kenya

Kenya is a lower-middle-income country and women’s employment rate is 60.3% compared to men’s at 70.4%. In Kenya, young women are particularly vulnerable to the threat of poverty because of their limited participation in the economy. Women are disproportionately responsible for unpaid care work therefore limiting their ability to complete paid work. Although the 2010 constitution committed to a more diverse government so that women would be able to make important decisions about their future, this promise has not been fulfilled. Key promises included women and men having the right to equal treatment and having the right to equal protection. 

In 2023, The World Bank Group reported that Kenya stood above Sub-Saharan’s average of 72.6 out of 100 in the Women, Business and the Law Index. In comparison, Kenya’s index was recorded at 80.6. This score increase was a consequence of stopping gender discrimination in employment and the enforcement of domestic violence legislation. Furthermore, the report suggested that women’s lives in Kenya could be further transformed by making 14 weeks of paid maternity leave mandatory and allowing women to be business owners in the same way as men. 

There have been successes in the improvement of women’s rights in Kenya. For example, the 2012 Passage of the Land Act and the Land Registration Act increased women’s rights over their marital property. Moreover, for the first time, the 2015 Passage of the Protection against Domestic Violence Act addressed domestic violence. United Nations (U.N.) Women’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026 outlines U.N. Women Kenya’s plan until 2026. This includes enhancing women’s participation in governance, creating legislative frameworks to promote the inclusion of women in leadership and advocating for accountability for gender-responsive service delivery. 

Womankind Worldwide’s Aim

In July 2024, Womankind Worldwide’s two new Co-CEOs spoke about the future of the organization’s focus on pursuing equality. Writing on the organization’s website after their appointment, Co-CEO Disha Sughand described envisioning Womankind Worldwide growing ‘an aligned supporter base through our ambitious 2030 strategy’. In addition, Co-CEO Diana Njuguna explained how Womankind Worldwide’s mission is to dismantle ‘power dynamics that prevent community-based organizations from taking their rightful place in the movements’. Womankind Worldwide focuses on working in partnership with women’s rights organizations. The organization continues to take steps to establish collaboration as an important part of the fight for equality.

Partners

The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), one of Womankind Worldwide’s partners, was founded in 1999. This nongovernmental organization’s focus is predominantly on women’s rights. CREAW has continuously applied pressure to guarantee equal political participation of women so that the 2010 constitution could be put into action. 

Another partner is Women Challenged to Challenge (WCC), who support the participation of women with disabilities in political, social and economic life. For example, WCC trained 25 service providers from Baringo County in Kenya, which included police officers and teachers. They were trained in how to assist people with hearing impairment. Therefore, women’s lives in Kenya are being transformed by Womankind Worldwide’s support for organizations such as WCC. 

Federation of Women Lawyers – Kenya (FIDA Kenya) offers women and their children free legal aid. Overall, its 1400 women lawyers and advocates have helped more than 3 million women. When they are disproportionately economically disadvantaged, help in the form of legal aid makes a significant difference to women’s lives in Kenya. 

Another organization that partners with Womankind Worldwide and is making a difference in women’s lives in Kenya is the Polycom Development Project (Polycom Girls). This project helps those impacted by sexual violence and exploitation. Polycom provides access to education, sanitation and sports. 

2030 Strategy

In its 2030 strategy, Womankind Worldwide outlines its aims for a future where all genders enjoy equal rights. It creates spaces for learning and exchange to help improve personal and social well-being. Womankind Worldwide identifies goals that include dividing power with its partners through sharing opportunities. Its 2030 strategy also includes guiding the agenda so that its partner’s voices are heard to influence change. Also, Womankind Worldwide generates funding for women’s rights and its partner organizations. 

Looking to the Future

Increasing women’s participation in political leadership is an important part of the future of Kenya. Womankind Worldwide is prioritizing putting the 2010 constitution into action through its partnership with nonprofit organizations. Womankind Worldwide works to increase the visibility of its partners and, specifically, Polycom Girls recognizes this. Its work includes emphasizing Polycom’s work to the United Kingdom (U.K.) government to help empower women. Womankind Worldwide has built partnerships across the world to help improve the rights of women. The organization is committed to opening spaces where women can have a say in what they want to change in the world. Transforming women’s lives in Kenya continues to be a focus of these ongoing partnerships in a move toward a fairer world. 

– Amy Fox

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

Photo: Flickr

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Female Starvation in Gaza

Female starvation in GazaThe October 2023 attack by Hamas has left irreversible damage on the whole city of Gaza. Every hour, two mothers are killed and nearly 1 million more have been left to live amongst the rubble without safe shelter and without enough food or clean water to survive. Food insecurity and starvation affect women in Gaza in multiple ways. “U.N. Women estimates that at least 557,000 women in Gaza are facing severe food insecurity, and find themselves facing old and new gender-based vulnerabilities.”

Female Starvation in Gaza

For the sick and injured, for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, there is virtually no medical help left. Not only is there no medical help left, but breastfeeding mothers are using 25% of their body’s energy just by feeding their children, in comparison the brain only uses 20%. Therefore, mothers especially are starving and desperately fighting to also keep their children alive. “The situation is particularly concerning for mothers and adult women, who often prioritize feeding others over themselves and report greater difficulty accessing food compared to men, leading many to skip meals or reduce their intake to ensure their children are fed,” the U.N. reports.

“Seven out of 10 women interviewed by U.N. Women reported weight loss in the last 30 days, and more than half experience frequent dizziness.” This statistic truly represents the female starvation in Gaza. “I prefer to give the children food first. Then as a mother, I might not eat so I can feed my children. That’s just how life is now. That’s motherhood,” a mother displaced to Rafah, southern Gaza said.

WFP and Action Against Hunger

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that it can only meet 20% of its monthly targets, leaving thousands of families at risk of starvation. This 80% is consistently being shown, especially when one in five pregnant women in a central Gaza clinic struggle with malnourishment. Despite high demands, only a small percentage of people receive help. The WFP is assisting more than 1 million people a month in Gaza due to 96% of the population in the city of Gaza being in a crisis level of hunger or worse.

In Gaza, Action Against Hunger has supported more than 200,000 women and girls through their water, sanitation and hygiene services, alongside food baskets, according to its website. In particular, it has a program to “prevent malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children under 5 years old.”

WEFAQ

Wefaq Society for Women and Child Care, a local women’s organization, is managing to maintain help and support through the hazardous living conditions that are so very prominent in Gaza today. It provides hot meals through the community kitchen to help reduce the rates of hunger within the female population. Winter clothes and accessories are provided alongside blankets and mattresses for comfort and warmth. Hygiene kits, and other essential items like menstrual supplies, milk and nappies for babies. WEFAQ also provides counseling to help aid and rebuild women’s confidence in themselves and their communities.

The female starvation situation in Gaza is very obviously going to be an ongoing issue but through the support of multiple organizations like AAH and WEFAQ, women will finally get the support they truly need.

– Sadie Virgin

Sadie is based in Newport, Wales, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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3 NGOs Working to End FGM/C

ionEnd FGM/CIn 90 countries across the developing world, cultures continue to practice female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is the “harmful practice involving the full or partial removal or injury to a girl’s external genitals.” Despite cultural traditions, this is a practice that causes serious physical and psychological harm to more than four million girls yearly and more than 230 million girls and women who continue to experience the consequences of such harm. For these reasons, multiple nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working to end FGM/C across the globe.

Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation

One such organization is the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF). This foundation believes that FGM/C is a human rights violation and that women across the globe have rights to bodily autonomy and health. In this way, GWPF works to eradicate FGM/C through multiple rehabilitation and prevention projects in West Africa.

On the rehabilitation side, GWPF offers a monthly online support group with a licensed therapist and allocates funds for vaginal restorative surgery for survivors who continue to experience pain years after FGM/C. Prevention-wise, GWPF offers both a scholarship program and a sanitary pad program to keep girls in school, as well as scholarships for boys to educate future generations of fathers and leaders about FGM/C.

GWPF also offers training to educators and law enforcement to recognize and protect at-risk girls, making this organization an important contributor to NGOs working to end FGM/C.

The Orchid Project

The Orchid Project is another one of many NGOs working to end FGM/C. The organization accomplishes this goal through research, knowledge sharing and advocacy. The research of The Orchid Project is a vital tool in increasing data surrounding FGM/C, making information about the practice accessible and helping communities understand what techniques are effective for ending FGM/C.

This research is then applied in Knowledge Sharing Workshops in 12 cities across five African countries, where communities can share experiences and solutions to end this harmful practice. These workshops emphasize a social norms-based approach, as FGM/C continues to be an issue rooted in tradition and culture. The Orchid Project is also an important figure among NGOs working to end FGM/C due to its advocacy work at all levels (from community to global) that focuses on building up resources, policy influence, community support and inclusivity.

Joint Program on the Elimination of FGM

The largest programs designed to end FGM/C are the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Program on the Elimination of FGM. This joint program began in 2008 and services 17 countries where FGM/C is a pressing issue. This program works in many ways, including legal frameworks, government involvement, community engagement, services and advocacy outreach to end the practice of FMG/C.

Some notable accomplishments of these programs include 3,200 arrests or legal actions, the prevention of FGM/C for more than 690,000 girls via community surveillance and the participation of more than 4.1 million people in mobilization/education sessions held by the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Program. While this is a brief overview of the anti-FGM/C work by this program, it is clear that their work is extensive and effective.

Concluding Thoughts

While culture is a valuable part of life for every community, there continue to be unacceptable aspects of many cultures. One such aspect is the cultural practice of FGM/C. It is vital to the health and safety of women and girls that NGOs like the ones mentioned above continue to work to end the practice so that future generations of girls can be free from the physical and psychological pain caused by the practice.

– Carlie Duggan

Carlie is based in Newtown, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Empowered Young Women In Zimbabwe are Changing Their Futures

Empowered Young Women In ZimbabweThe Youth Edutainment Services (YES) Trust Zimbabwe is an NGO formed by a group of young people in a town named Plumtree in Zimbabwe. The group was established in 2008 to empower the nation’s youth using information. The organization was officially registered in 2013 and is changing the lives of empowered young women in Zimbabwe.

Empowering Women

Zimbabwe and many other developing nations struggle with gender equality on many fronts. Women’s involvement in politics is comparatively low, at just 35%, with an even lower statistic in local government at 16%. U.N. Women’s study shows that the reasons for the lack of participation in such roles include dangerous working conditions, unfair wages, sexual violence and lack of employment.

These issues need addressing if women are to improve their prospects. This is a mission that YES Trust has taken up, demonstrating how empowered young women in Zimbabwe can allow them to change their futures with the vision of a society of equality.

The YES Trust aims to provide youths in the country with information, giving them the education they need to freely determine their futures. Its objectives are to mobilize multimedia and edutainment strategies to give people an understanding of social protection, health, safe migration and gender-based violence. By recognizing the talents and potentials of young people, the YES Trust helps them to engage in their community and provides them with the faculties necessary to utilize their strengths in a productive way for themselves and their country.

The task is not an easy one; creating equal opportunities for all citizens, especially for women and girls, will take time. However, YES Trust believes it can make meaningful changes by 2026, according to its 2021 Brief Overview. The board of trustees and secretariat administrators govern the organization aiming to maximize its productivity and reach its goal.

Creating a Space for Young People

To reach its goal, YES Trust hosts several activities, including storytelling competitions, sporting tournaments, music competitions and school quizzes, according to the 2021 Brief Overview. These all aim to create a space for young people to enter into a larger dialogue concerning crucial issues, especially surrounding gender equality. By emphasizing the importance of access to information and the education of young people, there comes increased accountability and inclusivity that could help improve the poor statistics of women in leading roles. Empowered young women in Zimbabwe are taking action, actively seeking the transformation they wish to happen.

The Youth Edutainment Services Trust partners with several like-minded organizations that share the same goals. One of these partners is U.N. Women, whose ambitions align with those of the YES Trust, according to the 2021 Brief Overview. Together, they strive to end violence against women and girls while endeavoring to inspire women’s political participation in leadership roles.

Alongside this, the HER Voice Fund also works with YES Trust and shares similar aspirations of empowerment, with a focus on advocacy. By positioning themselves with such homogenous organizations, they further define and strengthen their mission statement, pointing towards a larger-scale movement that seeks the same end as YES Trust.

YES Trust, coupled with the organizations that have also identified the same problems, reflects how empowered young women in Zimbabwe are taking a practical approach rather than suffering as a result of deeply ingrained inequality

– Molly Ralph

Molly is based in Dorset, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Period Poverty in Kenya with Reusable Sanitary Products

Period Poverty in KenyaEvery month, around 2 billion people across the planet menstruate. Although periods are a natural and healthy bodily function, they interrupt the lives, freedoms and rights of millions around the world because these individuals cannot afford or access menstrual products or proper sanitation and hygiene facilities and lack education and awareness to manage their menstrual health hygiene a possibility. This is a period poverty.

Period Poverty In Kenya

In Kenya, 65% of women and girls cannot afford the basic sanitary necessities that they need to manage their periods. This means that they regularly have to miss work and school due to period poverty. Missing work can threaten a woman’s career and losing income means that an individual has less money to spend on their period in general. Missed school days can cause young girls to drop out of education earlier, putting their future in jeopardy.

When women and girls lose their access to education, they lose out on both “life-long opportunities for employment” and their chance to “reach their fullest potential,” according to the U.N. Women. For many young girls, this also means being forced into child marriages, sexual abuse and even mutilation as their period is seen as a “coming of age.”

According to Amref Health Africa, two-thirds of sanitary pad users in Rural Kenya receive them from sexual partners. In addition, a quarter of girls in the country do not associate menstruation with pregnancy, highlighting how a lack of education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene poses fundamental risks to individuals everywhere.

The U.N. Women warns that girls involved in these transactional sex arrangements to pay for their menstrual products have a dramatically increased chance of an HIV infection.

AHADI Reusable Pads

The word AHADI means promise in Kiswahili and this brand promises that “women and girls will fulfill their destiny by maximizing their potential through education.” The organization aims to combat period poverty in Kenya by improving access to affordable sanitation products.

Bethsheba Otuga is the founder of AHADI Reusable Pads. The pads are made of cloth and can be washed up to 24 times. Otuga states that this means the user can be secure in their period for two years. Making the pads reusable means that they are also more affordable – packs of four sell for about $4 – for those living in poverty.

AHADI’s mission statement is to produce cost-effective reusable pads that “will increase women’s and girls’ self-esteem and dignity because of increased comfort and hygiene levels” during their period, according to its website.

Ending the stigma around periods is a huge first step towards ending period poverty in Kenya and around the world. Only 50% of girls in Kenya say that they can openly discuss menstruation at home, and just 12% stated that they would feel comfortable receiving information about their period from their mother, according to Amref Health Africa.

The reusable pads that AHADI produces aim to increase women’s dignity by increasing hygiene levels and allowing them to continue their normal daily activities without worrying about leaking through their clothes. The organization aims to give women and girls the assurance that they will not be embarrassed because they cannot afford production during their period.

Looking Forward

AHADI has produced more than 1,000 packs of pads (each containing four pads) within the last year, all of which the organization has sold and distributed across Nairobi, Kenya. Each of these 1000 packs has impacted a girl’s life across several schools, the most recent of which is the distribution of 120 packs of reusable pads to Seeds of Hope Educational Centre in Kibera, according to AHADI’s website.

Bethsheba Otuga and AHADI are working to end the stigma and period poverty in Kenya. Ending stigma is the first step to making real changes that could drastically change the lives of women and girls living all across the country.

Ensuring easy and affordable access to sanitary products for anyone who may need them at any time means supporting all to reach their fullest potential at all points during the month and throughout their lives.

– Kristina Grant

Kristina is based in Scotland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Rights in Nauru

Women's Rights in NauruGender inequality/equality is not solely a women’s or girls’ issue.  It is an issue that affects everyone, including the economy and the community. Actions of gender-based discrimination obstruct women’s rights and the freedom to exercise their inherent human rights. Expectations based on a woman’s sex have become confused within tradition, cultural norms and present-day needs.

The U.N. Women published 14 Country Gender Equality Briefs. Nauru’s report educated both males and females by identifying examples of gender-based discrimination and their effects. Each report goes along with “the SDG gender indicators and targets.”

Aspiring Leaders

The Honorable Charmaine Eraidinomo made history by being the second woman to be elected as a member of parliament and has been serving in parliament since 2013. Isabella Dageago is serving her second term in parliament as the Minister of Health and Home Affairs. They occupy two of the 19 seats of the Nauruan Parliament.

The cultural and traditional norms of Nauru have affected gender equality. Having been a matrilineal society throughout history, today male-dominated family groups are replacing lands where women were the custodians of their family lands.

According to the 2017 Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, Nauruan officials need to ensure the effective and meaningful participation of women when making decisions about land use. These actions would include public consultations that would confirm the meaningful participation of women.

Poverty, Employment and Education

Nauru has the “worst poverty index of all Pacific nations,” according to ADB. One in every four people is living below the basic needs poverty line. Also, Nauruans have a limited capacity for food production and depend on foreign aid and the import of goods. Of the 35% of the Nauruan households headed by women 17.7% were categorized to be extremely vulnerable.

Women have faced discrimination in the areas of employment and wages because the government has failed to enforce labour laws and regulations. In addition, “societal pressures, lower wages and Nauru’s general situation of poverty have limited employment opportunities for women.”

Economy, culture and social norms affect education in Nauru. School attendance is mandatory (ages 6 to 15), but only 31% of students complete the fifth year. The high rate of teenage pregnancies (ages 15 to 19) has an impact on the drop-out rate of girls enrolled in secondary education, according to the U.N. Women Brief.

Domestic Violence

“Domestic violence and sexual offences constitute a significant portion of reported crimes in Nauru,” the UNDP reports. “Since 2021, we have received 79 cases, with 53 completed and 23 closed due to insufficient evidence. It is crucial to recognize that these numbers do not necessarily reflect a low prevalence of family and sexual violence. As we all know, victims of such violence often do not come forward due to fear, stigma and various other barriers,” said Deputy Commissioner Simpson Deidanang during his opening remarks.

Advocates for Women’s Rights

An extensive number of organizations advocate gender equality for women’s rights in Nauru. Each of the following organizations supports Nauruan women from a different perspective.

  • The WENA focuses on “promoting women’s empowerment and advocating for gender equality,” according to UNDP.
  • The U.N. Women “is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential.”
  • The Pacific Islands Forum aims “to achieve our Vision for a resilient Pacific Region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, that ensures that all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.”

Reflecting on Women’s Rights in Nauru

In April 2024, the Micronesian Ministers for Women Conference in Nauru addressed the progress of gender equality and women’s rights in Nauru. Rakuita clearly expresses how gender equality affects women’s rights and the need for the voices of Pacific women to be heard.

The principal speaker for Pacific women and girls, Mereseini Rakuita stated, “We have been treating gender equality as a women’s issue only far too long. Gender equality is about national development, human rights, sustainable economies and peaceful societies. It’s about recognizing that half of our Pacific population are women and girls and as such, their voices, interests, concerns, aspirations and leadership are needed, if we are to unleash our full potential as a region.”

– Pam Fenton

Pam is based in Wall Township, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project

Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage: An Obstacle to Education for Girls in South Sudan

Education for Girls in South SudanIn South Sudan, about three-fourths of girls don’t attend primary school. As the world’s newest country, South Sudan has struggled with economic and political downfalls, resulting in war, violence and the destruction of schools. Alongside high child marriage and teen pregnancy in South Sudan, it’s difficult for girls to attend school or even to have the option of an education at all.

Economic, social and political changes have to be made to provide a better education for girls in South Sudan. From state-issued fundraising to environmental amendments, more girls will be able to attend school. With more girls in school, cases such as child marriages will begin to decrease, resulting in a brighter future for girls nationwide.

Social Issues

One of the many social, controversial issues plaguing South Sudan is the high rate of child marriages. Approximately 52% of South Sudanese girls are married before age 18. According to Girls not Brides, “Child marriage is driven by gender inequality and the belief that girls are somehow inferior to boys.” Additionally, “Increased school dropout rates push young girls toward marriage and early pregnancies.” Without key motivating factors to keep girls in school, many choose to drop out or not attend at all.

Economic Issues

In 2023, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that 70% of the South Sudanese population lives in poverty. According to Girls not Brides, “Child marriage is used as a coping mechanism in response to economic and food insecurity. Families from the poorest households in South Sudan marry off daughters in order to receive dowry.” This is a common practice in South Sudan and raises little to no concerns among citizens.

A 16-year-old South Sudanese girl by the name of Atong was forced to marry a 50-year-old man in July 2011. A 16-year-old South Sudanese girl by the name of Atong was forced to marry a 50-year-old man in July 2011. “I did not know him before. I did not love him,” she said. “I told my family, ‘I don’t want this man.’ My people said, ‘This old man can feed us, you will marry him.”

Political Issues

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) on child marriage, “There are also gaps in the Transitional Constitution, Penal Code and Child Act related to this harmful practice—including no minimum age of marriage —and no systematic or comprehensive programs to address the root causes of child marriage at the community level.” The Transitional Constitution, for example, “…does not set a minimum age of marriage. Instead, it states that every person had the right to marry a person of the opposite sex and that no marriage shall be entered into without free and full consent.”

This makes it nearly impossible for girls to attend school due to their responsibilities as a wife. According to Broken Chalk, “Shockingly, a girl in South Sudan is more likely to die in childbirth than to complete primary education.” South Sudan lacks a legal framework surrounding many things, including educational requirements. Therefore, the rules and laws are fuzzy and underdeveloped. Additionally, “A lack of quality teaching staff and inadequate school buildings are challenges that add to extreme poverty, as families desperately work for the next meal.”

Solutions

While South Sudan is far from exemplary in educating girls and young women, there are possible steps that could be taken to move toward improvements. Child marriage hinders a girl from receiving an education,and to combat this, organizations like the African Union and UNICEF have been collaborating with the government and other partners to raise awareness about the dangers. They are advocating for laws to protect young girls and working to change cultural and social norms that negatively impact them.

For example, UNICEF’s flagship Communities Care Program, designed to “promote gender-equitable and positive social transformation norms,” established 29 community discussion groups and engaged more than 800,000 people in awareness-raising activities. In 2020, the program expanded to tackle sexual violence, teenage pregnancies and child marriage in South Sudan, with 74% of participants reporting positive changes in their beliefs and attitudes.

Although child marriage is still prevalent in South Sudan, with continued efforts from the government and nonprofit organizations like UNICEF, the nation is making great strides toward reducing the incidence and improving the well-being and rights of its young girls.

– London Collins Puc

London is based in West Palm Beach, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Empowering Women in Comoros: Rights and Opportunities

Women in ComorosIn Comoros, where more than half of the population is female, the legal framework generally supports women’s equality and empowerment. Although Islamic culture traditionally associates land and property ownership with men, in Comoros, certain landholdings known as magnahouli are controlled and managed exclusively by women. These properties are inherited solely through the female line, a practice rooted in the region’s matriarchal African traditions.

Employment Equality and Women’s Work Rights

Laws governing wages and employment opportunities for women are highly progressive in the country. The Union of the Comoros recognizes the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of race, sex, religion or political belief and guarantees the full enjoyment of fundamental freedoms. This legal framework ensures that women have the right to apply for the same jobs as men, reinforcing gender equality in the workplace.

Women face few restrictions in the workplace, bolstering their rights and challenging traditional gender roles. The law mandates equal pay for equal work, regardless of the industry or the perceived danger of the job. This legislative framework supports women’s participation in all types of employment, including night shifts and industrial roles, which historically have been labeled as “manly” jobs. According to United Nations (U.N.) data, over a third of adult women in Comoros are active in the labor force. Halima Said, a 25-year-old working in the accounting unit of the interior ministry, expresses this sentiment of equality, “We have rights and I feel equal to my husband. He’s in teaching and I work in administration.”

Educational Opportunities for Women

Educational access for girls has historically been limited due to male dominance in schooling. However, significant changes occurred after the implementation of the National Gender Equity and Equality Policy (PNEEG) in 2007, which guaranteed equal educational opportunities and control over resources, including reproductive health. By 2014, the effects of this policy were evident: 48.7% of girls, compared to 46.3% of boys, completed lower secondary school. This shift over just seven years marks a significant advancement in promoting women’s educational rights in Comoros.

Marriage Laws and Family Rights

Most men who can afford to get married in Comoros opt for polygynous unions with matrilocal residences, meaning they have multiple wives but live in the wife’s family home. The Code de la Famille, Article 57, requires mutual consent for marriage, safeguarding the rights of both parties. Additionally, the law upholds women’s autonomy by granting them the right to make independent decisions without the obligation to obey their husbands.

Agreements and Women’s Rights Advancements

Comoros ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18. This aligns with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1994, which mandates free and full consent for marriage. Women’s rights in Comoros have significantly improved; there are more women in parliament than ever before. The rate of intimate partner violence in Comoros is 27% lower than the global average. Since 1991, conditions in vulnerable work environments have dramatically improved. These developments highlight Comoros’ commitment to advancing women’s rights and making the islands a safer, more thriving place for women.

Looking Ahead

Comoros demonstrates a strong commitment to gender equality through progressive laws and educational advancements for women. The implementation of policies like the National Gender Equity and Equality Policy (PNEEG) has significantly increased educational opportunities for girls. Additionally, the country’s legal framework supports women’s rights in employment and family law, ensuring equal pay and autonomy in marriage. These strides highlight Comoros’ dedication to empowering women and promoting equality across all sectors.

– Sadie Virgin

Sadie is based in Newport, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr