Dominica is a developing nation in the Eastern Caribbean with a population of more than 74,000. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with a few smaller sectors, including tourism and manufacturing. Dominica is considered a developing country due to several factors, such as internal governmental issues and vulnerability to environmental disasters. While Dominica is not the poorest country, it does have a considerably high poverty rate. An unstable economic trajectory impacts those already considered poor and can lead to higher future poverty rates. This situation affects more than just poverty levels, and it can have a domino effect that can affect other areas such as crimes rates, education, health care and disability rates.

Disability and poverty rates often have a cause-and-effect relationship. Poverty can cause disability rates to increase, and disability can cause poverty rates to increase. Considering it is a developing country, disability and poverty in Dominica is always changing.

Poverty in Dominica

The most recent poverty percentages are unclear, but previous estimates suggest a rate of around 43% since its founding. A Country Poverty Assessment concludes that “poverty is more heavily concentrated in rural areas: more than 1 in 3 rural households are poor compared with 1 in 5 urban households.” Since this assessment, disasters like Hurricane Maria and COVID-19 have also affected the country’s economy. Other organizations report that the poverty rate is currently closer to 29%. As Dominica is vulnerable to disastrous natural events, economic challenges pose a continuous threat.

Solutions To Address Poverty

Expectations are in place for percental changes, but no official data is present for current households. Strategies to improve the country’s poverty rates have been presented in the National Resilience Development Strategy. This policy offers a broad range of solutions to issues, one being poverty. Three formal strategies offer improvement in poverty rates. One strategy focuses on creating opportunities for those with low/no income. Another strategy concentrates on other affected areas like education and housing. The final focuses on building assets and the availability of public services.

Poverty’s Effect on Disability

While disability and poverty rates are two separate categories, sometimes they can be interlinked. More than 60% of those with disabilities are facing a severe risk of poverty. Disability affects one in five people living in extreme poverty. Poverty can infect several factors of a person’s life-such as malnutrition and dangerous living conditions-which can directly result in disabilities. Poverty deals with an isolating economic pressure that can be amplified with a disability and vice versa.

In a regional report on Latin America and the Caribbean, “When persons with disabilities seek work, they tend to acquire low-skilled positions, especially in urban areas. The economic impact of having a household member with disabilities is also evident in high unemployment rates for heads of households.” With limited income, limited health care options and limited opportunities, this creates a dangerous pipeline for the disability and poverty percentages, let alone for those in a developing country.

Disability Representation in Dominica 

As it is considered a developing country, disability percentages have been on the rise since its establishment. A census done in 2011 provides inaccurate statistics that only further prove exclusivity in Dominica. The Population and housing Census estimates that around 3,400 citizens in Dominica live with a disability. The percentages between 2001 and 2011 provide increasing statistics, rather than decreasing. Sight-related disabilities increased by 46%. Those with body movement disabilities 35%, and in another category labeled “other,” experienced over 80% increased. Both men and women live with the effects of disability and poverty in Dominica, while women average higher in mobility-based disabilities. Men average a higher percentage in behavior-based disabilities. With the heightening vulnerabilities to natural disasters, policies are forming to advocate for those affected by disability and poverty in Dominica.

Policies and Organizations in Place

While Dominica faces critical evolving challenges with disability and poverty rates, promising policies and strategies are emerging. The Growth and Social Protection Strategy (GSPS) provides a strengthening foundation for growth ideas and development. This strategy offers a reformation process that promotes growth, economically and socially. The GSPS aims to reaffirm and enable internal growth investments and poverty reduction strategies.

More recently, successful investment opportunities are relocating to Dominica, which should provide both domestic and foreign investment relationships. Besides official policies, groups and organizations have been forming in support of an inclusive environment for everyone. The Dominica Association of Person with Disabilities (DAPD) is an organization that advocates for equal opportunities and supports those with disabilities. Nathalie Murphy, a founding member of the organization, lives with a sight disability. This organization advocates for the development and welfare of those with disabilities in Dominica. The DAPD has coined a National Dollar Day initiative, which has a goal of fundraising $70,000 for the cause. Other organizations can form on common ideals and beliefs and can inspire one another to take different approaches to shared policies.

Looking Ahead

The increasing population in Dominica offers the country a chance to build its economy to support its citizens. The connection between disability and poverty can create intertwining hardships that affect other surrounding factors. With current reformation plans in place, Dominica’s economy can grow. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded that Dominica is projecting positive economic shifts in the near future. Further expansion in growing markets can prove to change Dominica and its future. With the formation of organizations, forums, policies and committees, people can come together to strengthen Dominica and its citizens. 

– Emma Rowan

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

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