Posts

, ,

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

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

Periods as an Obstacle to Education

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

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

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

Talking Periods: Peer-To-Peer Conversation

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

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

Conclusion

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

– Tilly Phillips

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

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Role of AI in Reducing Poverty

Role of AI in Reducing PovertyThe fight against global poverty is breaking new ground with the help of artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an amoral tool that is equally capable of both harm and help. However, there are many noteworthy ways in which it contributes to global poverty reduction. The emerging tool has already helped improve access to health care and education. Additionally, it has assisted in disaster response mitigation, particularly in regions where access is otherwise limited. For example, let’s consider the role of AI in reducing poverty in Brazil, Kenya and Bangladesh.

Health Care in Brazil

AI-based diagnostic systems can provide timely and remote access to health care> It can reduce the burden of preventable disease and improve overall health outcomes. These systems can bridge the gap between people and essential resources in remote or marginalized places.

In Brazil, AI is currently being used to improve health care access. One example is ViBe Saúde, a Brazilian telemedicine startup that uses AI algorithms to facilitate consultations between medical professionals and patients. The initiative has proven especially beneficial in rural regions where access to health care services is limited.

Education in Kenya

AI-powered educational systems can adapt to offer personalized learning experiences, which is particularly helpful in regions with limited educational resources. In Kenya, Bridge International Academies, a company that provides for-profit education, is using AI-powered digital learning platforms to help disadvantaged populations break the cycle of poverty.

Remarkably, since 2015, Bridge students who have sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam have consistently scored above the national average. Furthermore, its alumni are now in top universities in Kenya and the United States (U.S.).

Disaster Response in Bangladesh

Climate AI’s predictive analysis and relief coordination capacities can help mitigate the impact in disaster-prone regions and reduce their socioeconomic impact. Bangladesh, for instance, is highly susceptible to cyclones, floods and landslides, which can devastatingly impact vulnerable populations. AI-powered chatbots provide real-time information and enable timely evacuation and response efforts, further aiding in disaster management.

The Bangladesh government has used AI to enhance preparedness and response efforts. For example, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department uses AI algorithms for disaster risk management (DRM) to analyze weather data and issue early flood and cyclone warnings. “DRM is constantly upgraded through machine learning and artificial intelligence,” writes Abdullah Shibli, a reporter at The Daily Star.

Unemployment (And Re-Employment) in Bangladesh

While celebrating the accomplishments of the role of AI in reducing global poverty, it is also crucial to acknowledge its potential to exacerbate it. An epitomic example of this is AI’s capacity to automate the manufacturing sector. In Bangladesh, garment manufacturing is a significant source of employment and economic growth. As with many cases of hyper-industrialization, automation would cause underemployment in Bangladesh.

However, rather than exclusively displacing workers, AI also has the capacity to create more job opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, “approximately 85 million employees are anticipated to lose their jobs, while 97 million new roles may emerge.” This example illustrates the nuanced truth underlying robotics: AI’s capacity to promote harm or help is dependent on how we choose to use it. There is no reason to fear AI, as the future of its potential is a matter of our responsibility.

– Sheridan Smith

Sheridan is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Cultivating Growth in Bangladesh with Floating Gardens

Cultivating Growth in Bangladesh with Floating GardensHeavy monsoon rains douse Bangladesh for eight months each year, submerging nearly one-third of the country. Severe flooding jeopardizes food security and threatens the livelihoods of almost half of the population directly employed by agriculture. Farmers are taking matters into their own hands, transforming waterlogged fields into hydroponic floating gardens. This method boosts crop yields and provides a more diverse, robust bounty.

The transition from predominantly growing rice to cultivating more nutrient-dense foods like pumpkins, tomatoes, papayas and beans will be instrumental in promoting health and well-being across Bangladesh, a country with one of the highest malnutrition rates. Development charities like Practical Action and humanitarian organizations like Care International have helped bring an ancient farming practice to the country’s most at-risk areas, namely rural and impoverished communities.  

Agricultural Progress and Environmental Setbacks

In the past few decades, Bangladesh has made significant strides toward reducing poverty and averting famine with incremental improvements in farming technologies. According to the World Bank, productive agricultural strategies facilitated a tripling of food grain production between 1972 and 2014, helping meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population. Still, salt intrusion, drought and flood threaten to hamper progress, which demands continued adaptability and innovation in the agricultural sector. 

Revival of Ancient Agricultural Practices

Farmers in south-central Bangladesh, are turning to a historical gardening practice: floating vegetable gardens. These gardens, constructed on artificial islands in swampy wetlands and rivers, provide a lifeline during monsoon seasons. They also serve as shelters for livestock and double as fishing spots. The simplicity of this method makes it a viable alternative to traditional farming during periods of intense flooding. Farmers tend to their plants by paddling across the water in rafts fashioned from natural materials like water hyacinth. As the floating gardens rise and fall with rain patterns, farmers reap the rewards of their labor and nourish local villages. 

Hydroponic Innovations to Resource-Poor Regions

While hydroponic gardening has shown promise in some parts of Bangladesh, it’s crucial not to overlook the areas with fewer resources. These regions, often in urgent need of intervention, could greatly benefit from the tools and support to convert their fields into floating gardens. The work of groups like Practical Action, which have set up floating gardens in the northern part of the country, enables and empowers farmers to grow food year-round, regardless of weather conditions. 

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh’s adaptation of hydroponic floating gardens promises a resilient agricultural future, especially for regions perennially affected by flooding. As more communities embrace this innovative farming technique, it could significantly enhance food security and reduce malnutrition nationwide. Continued support from development charities and local innovation will be key to expanding these ongoing sustainable practices to ensure all regions can thrive despite environmental challenges.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr