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Tackling Child Labor in Africa

Child Labor in AfricaChild labor in Africa is more prominent than in any other region, with more than 70 million child laborers. Millions of children are robbed of their right to education and protection, perpetuating cycles of poverty, inequality and social exclusion that they carry with them throughout their lives. So, tackling child labor is a priority for many organizations, like Fairtrade and World Vision.

Child Labor

Child labor is defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity and that is harmful to physical and mental development.” Many millions of children are involved in child labor. A staggering 79 million children aged 5 to 17 engaged in hazardous work as of 2020. The predominant sphere of such exploitation is agriculture, accounting for a staggering 85%. In this sector, children are subjected to hazardous conditions as they engage in tasks ranging from herding livestock to subsistence and commercial farming, jeopardizing their well-being and safety.

Causes

Many factors cause child labor, ones that are intertwined and reinforce one another. However, poverty is the most significant cause of child labor. It pushes families to rely on children for income to fulfill their basic needs like food, shelter and health care. So, for the survival of the family, children are sent to work instead of school to contribute to household income. Similarly, aspects such as job loss or the loss of primary income, as well as parental illness, can increase pressure on children to work and contribute financially to help support the family.

Limited access to education is also an important consideration. Inadequate facilities and poor quality of schooling lead to the perception of education being unnecessary to both parents and children. This perception can force children into labor at a young age. Without access to education, children have fewer opportunities to advance their futures – thus continuing this cycle of poverty.

Further, cultural and social norms significantly contribute to perpetuating child labor. In some communities, some beliefs work contributes to children’s “character-building and skill development.” Cultural norms and practices of child labor are so entrenched that parents and children do not perceive the adverse effects on children’s well-being and rights.

Fairtrade’s Help

Fairtrade understands the importance of effectively addressing child labor issues by considering several key factors. These include improving family incomes and enhancing access to quality education. Additionally, it combats discrimination and exploitation, promoting awareness of child rights, implementing legal interventions and fostering social changes within communities.

By improving income for farmers through Fairtrade Minimum Prices and Premium, Fairtrade is confronting poverty as a primary factor of child labor. These initiatives play a crucial role, as producers can reinvest in their communities with their financial exploits. This reinvestment includes constructing schools, enabling children to pursue higher education and protecting children from the detrimental impact of child labor.

World Vision’s Help

World Vision is tackling child labor through education. By teaching children their rights, the organization is empowering them with knowledge and skills to advocate for their rights and protect themselves from exploitation. It uses initiatives like vocational, life skills and entrepreneur training to improve opportunities for their future.

Community mobilization is also a key approach to World Vision tackling child labor, as it helps break down the cultural and social norms that cause child labor to persevere. World Vision trains people, like parents and faith leaders, in the community to bring about positive change and address damaging cultural and social norms.

Further, World Vision supports children and families through donations. It allows the organization to improve food security and incomes for families. Additionally, children do not need to resort to working to generate revenue for the family. Furthermore, World Vision also advocates and lobbies for national policies so children’s rights are prioritized.

The issue of child labor in Africa remains a significant challenge, with millions of children deprived of their rights. Rooted in poverty, social norms and limited access to education, child labor perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. However, organizations like Fairtrade and World Vision are at the forefront of efforts to tackle child labor in Africa and address these root causes.

– Isabella Green
Photo: Flickr

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World Vision Is Alleviating Violence Against Children in Vietnam

Children in VietnamIn the heart of Vietnam, a shadow of violence that knows no boundaries looms over the innocence of countless young souls. However, a beacon of hope shines bright amid this darkness: World Vision Vietnam. This Christian organization stands unwavering, committed to lifting the burdens from the shoulders of vulnerable children. Led by Mr. Doseba Sinay, the National Director, World Vision Vietnam extends its arms to aid, develop and advocate for those most in need. In a recent conversation with The Borgen Project, Sinay sheds light on the harrowing implications of violence against children in Vietnam, reaffirming the organization’s tireless dedication to fostering change and restoring hope.

Violence Against Children in Vietnam

Violence against children in the nation stands as a critical and deeply entrenched societal challenge, demanding immediate action. Despite strides made in areas such as economic advancement and education, the specter of violence persists, casting a dark shadow over the nation’s youth. From physical mistreatment and neglect to emotional and sexual abuse, children across the country endure a spectrum of harmful experiences with far-reaching implications.

According to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Children’s Bureau, between 2020 and 2022 alone, 120 children fell victim to fatal violence, with many subjected to multiple forms of abuse. Alarmingly, approximately 2,000 cases of child abuse occur annually, often perpetrated by individuals known and trusted by the victims, leaving countless more incidents unreported and unchecked.

Violent disciplining remains prevalent in the territory, as reported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Vietnam, with more than 68% of children aged 1 to 14 enduring some form of violence at home from their parents or caregivers. The national hotline for Children’s Protection 111 receives approximately 30,000 calls monthly. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns, social distancing and economic strain have contributed to a surge in domestic violence globally, the nation witnessed a corresponding increase in child abuse cases. The number of hotline calls has surged to 40,000-50,000 monthly, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of children in these challenging times.

Many advocates propose establishing a structured system. This system would involve professionally trained social workers collaborating with law enforcement officers and child-friendly judicial entities to identify, intervene, respond to and safeguard children effectively. UNICEF is actively engaged in partnering with pertinent government agencies and provincial authorities to develop a comprehensive child protection framework capable of addressing the diverse causes and manifestations of violence.

Effects of Prolonged Abuse on Children

Children subjected to violence face an elevated risk of various negative consequences, such as compromised physical and mental health, decreased academic achievement and a heightened likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors in the future. Furthermore, the trauma resulting from violence can contribute to a cycle of abuse, as victims are more prone to becoming perpetrators themselves. Research examining brain activity patterns in institutionalized children indicates that severe neglect may lead to delays or deficits in cortical development.

Moreover, children often exhibit internalizing symptoms like anxiety and depression, as well as externalizing symptoms such as conduct disorder and substance use. Behavioral and emotional difficulties observed in abused and neglected children are consistent with effects on the amygdala, including heightened emotional reactivity and deficits in emotional processing. While structural changes in the amygdala due to abuse or neglect are not consistently found in most studies, Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies suggest that early adversity sensitizes the amygdala.

Speaking With Mr. Sinay

In an exclusive interview with Sinay, he underscored the critical importance of combating violence against children. “Violence against children not only causes immediate harm but also leaves lasting scars that can affect them for a lifetime,” Sinay asserts. He stressed the urgency of prioritizing the protection and well-being of vulnerable children, emphasizing that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to flourish. “At World Vision Vietnam, we are steadfast in our commitment to eradicating all forms of violence against children,” Sinay explains.

Sinay elaborated on the comprehensive approach adopted by World Vision Vietnam to address parental abuse, stress and children’s mental health issues. “Prevention is paramount,” he emphasized, outlining the organization’s proactive efforts to raise awareness and educate communities about positive parenting practices and non-violent disciplinary methods. Additionally, Sinay emphasized providing support and resources to families facing stressors that may contribute to harmful behaviors. “By tackling the root causes of violence and offering holistic support to families, we aim to break the cycle of abuse and foster a nurturing environment conducive to children’s well-being,” he affirmed.

Regarding mental health challenges among children affected by violence, Sinay stressed the importance of comprehensive support systems. “Children exposed to violence often endure significant emotional and psychological trauma,” he acknowledged. To address these issues, World Vision Vietnam implements specialized programs and services to provide trauma-informed care, counseling and psychosocial support to affected children and their families. “Through our collaborations and network, we strive to heal the wounds of violence and empower children to overcome adversity and fulfill their potential,” Sinay concluded, underscoring the organization’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every child in the nation.

Conclusion

Addressing the issue of violence against children in developing countries requires urgent and coordinated efforts. With a considerable number of children enduring different forms of abuse, the repercussions echo across generations, impeding the progress and well-being of societies. Nonetheless, by placing the protection and welfare of its youth at the forefront, these nations have the opportunity to disrupt the cycle of violence. Through collective actions and a steadfast dedication to upholding children’s rights, we can forge safer and more supportive environments conducive to the flourishing of every child.

– Mahima Bhat
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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What All for One Is Doing To Reduce Child Poverty in Belize

All for OneBelize is situated in Central America and struggles with high amounts of poverty. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), almost half of Belizean children live in multidimensional poverty and more than a third of the population in Belize lives in multidimensional poverty. All For One found that in 2015, primary school completion in Belize was below 87%, contributing further to the high amount of poverty, especially child poverty, in Belize. However, All For One has recognized the vital necessity for intervention in child poverty to help alleviate poverty in Belize.

Child Poverty in Belize

Belize faces multiple obstacles as a country, making alleviating poverty extremely challenging. Belize faces internal social and economic pressures, alongside coping with the effects of climate change, regional economic and political events and migration patterns, all contributing to its challenges.

UNICEF found that only 55% of children have access to quality early childhood education, but 27% of the schools that UNICEF inspected have contaminated water, contributing to the high numbers of diseases among children in Belize.

There’s a significant link between education and poverty, underscoring children’s need to attend school. Education is crucial for equipping them with the skills they need in adulthood. It is also essential for the community to break the perpetual cycle of poverty. Education offers a way out of this cycle, improving the quality of life for the children and society.

What All for One Is Doing

All For One, a nonprofit international and domestic organization, aims to improve communities worldwide through focused efforts to develop children and create healthy environments and educational opportunities. The organization works worldwide, especially in Africa, but has worked considerably in Belize to improve the lives of so many children.

All For One has provided financial assistance to the Mesopotamia Human and Social Development Foundation in Belize City. The foundation aims to empower children through a resource center that offers after-school programs. These programs include computer literacy training for high school students, youth leadership workshops, creative arts, sports and entrepreneurship coaching.

All these programs aim to enable children to have the best possible start in life and equip them with the skills necessary to succeed. Not only does the foundation offer education, but it also provides a food bank and a school feeding program to address the high number of malnourished children.

All For One aims to improve children’s learning potential. To achieve this, the organization has partnered with an educational outreach program to provide basic educational supplies such as book bags, pens, pencils and notebooks. These essential items are typically out of reach for many children due to financial constraints and providing them can help children thrive in their education.

Conclusion

There is a clear connection between poverty and education. All for One aims to improve children’s learning experience through funding to prevent more children from living in poverty in Belize.

– Cordelia Moore
Photo: Flickr

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Healing Lives: Transforming the Livelihoods of Children in India

Children in IndiaHeal Charity shines as a beacon of hope for children in the Andhra Pradesh region of India. Child labor and school dropouts pose a significant challenge. Children are faced with increasing socioeconomic disadvantages and are often deprived of the right to health care, education and essential life skills. Founded in 1992 by Dr. Satya Prasad Koneru and managed entirely by volunteers, Heal’s goal is to impact as many disadvantaged children as possible and end the cycle of poverty.

About Dr. Satya Prasad Koneru

Prasad’s mission to end poverty in India began five decades ago. As a young medical student, he founded the People Service Society to help people experiencing poverty. The society flourished, becoming a medical center, meal service provider, book bank for disadvantaged students and rehabilitation clinic for people with disabilities. After twenty years of devoting his life to those living below the poverty line, he donated his family home to build Heal Children’s Village, an orphanage that originally housed 26 children. After more than three decades, the orphanage is home to 250 children and 16 housemothers.

Heal Children’s Village

Since its conception, Heal Children’s Village, otherwise known as Heal Paradise, has fostered the health and education of children. The comprehensive curriculum at Heal Children’s Village adopts children and empowers them with lifetime skills and knowledge. The children at Heal engage in nutritional education, financial and vocational programs and environmental and sustainability initiatives.

The nonprofit also offers reproductive health workshops, creating a supportive and safe environment for children to learn about adopting safe sexual health practices. As well as educational initiatives, Heal Paradise provides disability programs specifically for blind children.

The Elizabeth Panton-Heal Artificial Limb Center

In 2014, the initiative “built the Elizabeth Panton-Heal Artificial Limb Center (ALC) on the Heal Paradise campus, in partnership with Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope (ELoH), to provide the health care support that poverty-stricken child amputees traditionally lack.” As of today, there are 10 million amputees in India, with amputation being notably prevalent in the impoverished communities of Andhra Pradesh. This prevalence is attributed to diseases, deformities and infected sores from a lack of shoe access. Generally, disabled children in India are five times more likely to be out of school compared to their non-disabled counterparts.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Elizabeth Panton-Heal Artificial Limb Center has been a source of long-term emotional and physical support. The center has also played a crucial role in providing vital surgeries and prosthetic limbs to 108 disadvantaged young amputees in Andhra Pradesh. The dedicated team at the Elizabeth-Panton Artificial Limb Centre consists of technicians and orthopedic surgeons, each working tirelessly to rebuild and transform the lives of child amputees. The team also hosts clinics in their mobile center for poverty-stricken children who live in rural areas outside of Paradise Village.

– Sapphire Hope
Photo: Flickr

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Changemaker: Fighting for Refugee Children in Zambia

Refugee Children in ZambiaZambia is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. Due to its unique geography, Zambia hosts approximately 105,000 refugees predominantly from bordering countries such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and former Rwandan and Angolan colonies. Many of these refugees and asylum seekers live in three main refugee settlements in Meheba, Mayukwayukwa and Mantapala, with some residing in Lusaka, the capital city.

The Experience of Refugee Children in Zambia

The nature of being a refugee or asylum seeker involves plenty of travel. As such, many organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have identified many violations of basic human rights during this process. In particular, refugee children seem to be dramatically affected by the process of claiming asylum. Challenging discrimination against refugee children in Zambia is one of the key case studies in UNICEF’s research on the issue. Others range from child marriage, child labor and gender-based violence.

A New Approach by UNICEF

To tackle these issues, UNICEF Zambia decided to organize what it calls a “Changemaker Workshop” in Lusaka. These workshops are designed to foster inclusion with refugee children in Zambia to directly address the unique problems they face daily, as well as canvassing for solutions.

The initiative involved 20 children aged 13 to 19 who shared their personal experiences as refugees living in Zambia. They were encouraged to highlight adversities faced while navigating the asylum process, detailing instances of discrimination and the challenges of living as orphans or being raised in child-headed households, typically led by an older sibling. As a UNICEF Changemaker, these refugee children can actively participate and consult on issues that directly affect them. Furthermore, they can provide better information to charitable organizations like UNICEF to develop a better outcome for them.

The Impact of the UNICEF Changemaker Program

As a direct result of this initiative, UNICEF has compiled valuable feedback from the participants. Many have proposed practical solutions to various challenges they face, including:

  1. Access to clean water and sanitation.
  2. Encouraging the refugee community to adopt reuse, reduce and recycle practices.
  3. The creation of more learning opportunities in the program.
  4. Establishing additional youth groups focused on teaching skills like writing, reading and organized sporting activities.
  5. Ensuring key information such as paper processing, environmental protection, reporting security issues and access to clean hygiene and sanitation services are presented in a way that can be understood by refugee children.

UNICEF Zambia says that these workshops enable a greater level of participation from refugee children in Zambia in a meaningful way. Consequently, the organization is expanding this initiative by collaborating with partners to establish additional safe spaces for children. This aims to amplify the voices of more adolescent refugees, fostering a platform where their perspectives are heard and solutions are envisaged.

– Domenico Palermo
Photo: Flickr

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What About Child Poverty in Finland

Child Poverty in FinlandChildren are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for a future. John F. Kennedy is among the many who have famously quoted hopeful statements about children. Children are the future, and if they are taken care of properly, then chances are it will be a promising future. With the increased living costs, many single-parent families in Finland are struggling to provide their children with what they need to thrive.

Child Poverty in Finland Stats

According to UNICEF’s Report Card Study, which compares child poverty in the European Union and OECD countries, Finland is ranked 14th out of 39 countries, with 10.1% of children living in poverty between 2019 and 2021. Children in single-parent households face acute struggles. With the increased living costs, single parents face difficult decisions, such as buying food or new clothing for their children. 

The Biggest Threat

Finland’s government cut its social security and unemployment budget in 2024, hoping to encourage its immigrant population to enter programs designed to prepare them for the workforce. However, the Social Affairs and Health Committee of the Finnish Parliament, after emotional and “chaotic” meetings, expressed concern about how these policy choices impact their population, as similar actions taken by Denmark in 2002 and 2015 resulted in drastic increases in poverty and crime levels. Researchers are also concerned that implementing these policies will discourage immigrants from participating in government integration programs.

UNICEF studies have shown that social security is essential for keeping children out of poverty. Sanna Koskein, a senior expert on child-friendly governance with UNICEF, says, “The proposed social security cuts by the current government will have serious consequences for the children’s well-being.” 

Solving Child Poverty in Finland

Finland has announced an action plan to reduce the number of people at risk for poverty to 100,000 by 2030. This program focuses primarily on people with pensions and families with children and aims to encourage families to participate in government integration programs. The children of families who participate in these programs tend to stay in school longer, perform better academically and enjoy more success in the workforce. In the face of budget cuts to social services, programs aimed to reduce poverty levels are a path forward toward Finland reducing its child poverty rates, thus ensuring a better future for all its citizens. 

– Heather Gisi
Photo: Unsplash

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Child Poverty in Benin  

Child Poverty in BeninLocated in West Africa, the Republic of Benin is one of the most economically challenged nations worldwide. With up to 45% of its population consisting of children under the age of 15, child poverty in Benin is a major concern.

Economic Factors

According to the World Food Program USA, Benin’s economy is primarily agrarian. Up to 70% of the population relies on agriculture as a core source of income. Vulnerable to weather fluctuations and changing weather patterns, the sector of rain-fed agriculture has been challenged by the success of consistent food crop production. In addition, the country is often exposed to droughts and floods that threaten the economic conditions of Benin’s population. This frequently leaves families in uncertain economic situations. As poverty rates among families increase, child poverty in Benin worsens due to insufficient resources to fulfill their essential needs.

Threatened Food Security

In addition to contributing to a lack of financial stability, the unstable nature of agribusiness in the nation has also led to an increase in food prices. As reported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), children in Benin are severely affected by malnutrition. Up to 50% of children up to 5 years of age have developmental issues as a result of nutritional deficiency. The World Food Program USA shows that up to 32% of Beninese children suffer from recurrent malnutrition.

Health Concerns

While improper nutrition has emerged as a significant health concern for children in Benin, the absence of proper health care has also affected the nation’s children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), malaria is the leading cause of death for children under 5 years old in Benin. USAID states that the COVID-19 pandemic posed a risk to ongoing efforts made to reduce the transmission of the disease. The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, created in 2005, has been working toward the reduction and treatment of the disease in African countries, including Benin.

Despite the pandemic’s impact on developmental progress, the initiative’s 2024 strategy outlines the introduction of the malaria vaccine in Benin within the initial quarter of the year.

Child Labor

A direct repercussion of child poverty in Benin is the educational deficit due to child labor. As Beninese families go through financial hardships, children quit their education and engage in varying work practices. Some of these include domestic work, working on cotton plantations and forced begging. Children exposed to child labor practices become vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Work conditions can be hazardous, and children are at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. Data published by UNICEF shows up to 25% of children in Benin are victims of child labor.

Aid Initiatives

Tackling child poverty in Benin requires a wide range approach, integrating economic development, health care, food security and education. Recent years have shown multiple attempts to improve Beninese children’s livelihoods. A report published by the U.S. Department of Labor states that social services inspections freed up to 400 children from child labor in 2021.

In 2022, the government maintained the Integrated National School Feeding Program, providing meals to up to 75% of Benin’s schools. That same year, UNICEF expanded its presence in the north of the nation. UNICEF also collaborated with the religious congregation known as the Salesians of Don Bosco to build a temporary residence for children living on the streets. The congregation runs the charity Foyer Don Bosco, with the mission to fulfill all basic human needs of children living in poverty in Benin. It heavily focuses on helping victims of child labor and human trafficking, striving to ensure that children receive quality education so they can have a better future.

Efforts by organizations like UNICEF and the Salesians of Don Bosco reflect a collective commitment to combat child poverty in Benin and serve as a source of optimism in the ongoing fight against it. 

– Paula Gibson
Photo: Flickr

Reducing Child Poverty in Mozambique

Child Poverty in MozambiquePoverty and health issues share a link. Where one exists, the other is not far away. However, since 2002, organizations like the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) have addressed this link through national immunization campaigns. The following is an overview of how health organizations are working to reduce child poverty in Mozambique. 

About Poverty in Mozambique

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 180 out of 189 countries in the UNDP’s 2019 Human Development Index ranking. Recurring natural disasters and conflict exacerbate the issue of poverty in Mozambique. Cyclones from the Indian Ocean cause regular destruction, drought is becoming more pronounced in the southern provinces due to climate change and insecurity in Cabo Delgado Province has displaced nearly a million people, including women and children.

Providing basic health services and humanitarian assistance to those in need is therefore challenging and many are lacking access to clean water, food and sanitation. As a result, many face the prospect of becoming ill from malnutrition and disease. Cholera infections are rising, as are occurrences of polio and measles, disproportionately endangering vulnerable groups like women and children.

Why Disease and Poverty Share a Link 

Poverty does not only cause poor health, but it is also a consequence of it. By increasing the chances of poor health, disease traps communities in poverty and makes breaking free of its constraints difficult. For example, in countries like Mozambique, tropical diseases kill and weaken many because they are unable to generate an income. Alternatively, others have to care for sick relatives. As a result, instead of going to school, many children enter the labor market at a young age to support their families and their lack of education means they face a future of low-paid/low-skilled jobs. 

Health Programs Reducing Child Poverty in Mozambique

Immunization and vaccine programs have been a cornerstone of global public health policy since 1974. These programs have sought to give children the best possible start in life by making them less susceptible to the risks of disease. The most famous of these is the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

Because of many African countries’ high rates of child mortality due to diseases like measles, tuberculosis and neonatal tetanus, the EPI is a crucial part of the health care strategy for Africa. With countries like Mozambique having little money to fund public health programs, the EPI is a cost-effective intervention. 

Currently, the program has evolved into what is commonly known as the Essential Programme on Immunization. With nearly every country today having a national immunization program, it highlights the belief that vaccines are one of the safest and most cost-effective public health strategies for preventing death and improving the lives of Mozambique’s children. 

Organizations Helping Deliver Immunization Programs in Mozambique 

Immunization programs like the EPI are a truly international effort. While guidelines and policy are written by the World Health Organization (WHO), its implementation is undertaken by several actors, including national governments, WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the vaccine industry, public health institutions and non-governmental organizations. 

Collectively, these actors form the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI), which aims to provide children worldwide with access to vaccines, helping fight infectious diseases and reduce poverty. 

GAVI works by providing a forum for partners to identify key issues and coordinate responses to outbreaks. It uses funds to strengthen immunization services and vaccination programs in countries that require assistance through a special financial mechanism called the Vaccine Fund. This fund receives commitments from wealthy nations like Norway, the U.K., the U.S., the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and the private sector. 

Since 2002, health organizations have been working to reduce child poverty in Mozambique with assistance from GAVI. GAVI importantly has supported the country’s Ministry of Health in providing effective immunization services against several preventable diseases.

Currently, Mozambique is considered an example of the EPI’s success, having achieved several significant milestones. With many rural provinces now having immunization coverage rates of more than 95%, children are given a significant weapon to protect their future health and also escape disease-associated poverty traps. 

The government, with GAVI’s help, has implemented a vaccination catch-up plan for children who missed shots due to COVID-19. They have also successfully coordinated responses to recent cholera outbreaks and rolled out the first phases of a measles-rubella vaccination campaign.

On December 10, 2023, the member organizations of GAVI returned to Mozambique to renew their commitment to the country’s immunization program following its success. In a statement, David Marlow, CEO of Gavi, said: “Gavi and Alliance partners reaffirm commitment to support Mozambique’s immunization efforts. The upcoming official visit presents an opportunity for sustained engagement, detailed conversations and the strengthening of our partnership towards our shared vision: a well-resourced and effective immunization program that improves health outcomes for the people of Mozambique.” 

Looking Ahead

In the efforts against poverty, one effective approach is safeguarding children from the long-term social and economic impacts of diseases. Organizations like GAVI provide successful immunization strategies, which serve as valuable tools for governments in their fight against illnesses. These efforts not only save lives but also create opportunities to break free from the cycle of poverty associated with diseases. This exemplifies the work of health organizations striving to reduce child poverty in Mozambique.

-Cameron Mason

Photo: Flickr

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The Children of Guinea-Bissau and Poverty

The Children of Guinea-BissauThe small, West African country of Guinea-Bissau, comprised of 88 islands, is home to 1.8 million people. Its beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches, cultural traditions and natural source of mangoes, cashews and papayas attract tourists to its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Yet of the 873,000 children of Guinea-Bissau, 70% are living in poverty. 

Children under 5 years of age account for 291,000 of the population and face the highest risk of malnutrition, stunting and high mortality rates. Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau has a detrimental effect on a child’s future by restricting opportunity. Poverty forces children as young as 5 into work, becoming debt slaves, and into sexual exploitation, with “17% engaging in child labor.”

Health and education challenges in Guinea-Bissau limit opportunities for children due to factors such as poverty, malnutrition and cultural norms. These obstacles hinder a child’s prospects. Efforts to address period poverty are ongoing, including increased pad donations, aiming to make lasting progress in ending this issue.

High Child Mortality Rates

For children under the age of 5, malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia account for 27% of deaths, with death in the first month of infancy accounting for 43%. These diseases pose a greater risk in urban areas where only 35% of children are vaccinated.

Between 2014 and 2019, child mortality rates dropped from 8.9% to 5.1%. The COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on child mortality rates, due largely to health care strikes, lack of vaccinations and essential medicines, which has left them unable to access appropriate medical care. 

Malnutrition

Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau causes wasting, affecting 5% of children under the age of 5, with 28% also having stunted growth.

Limited education around infant feeding and consuming food that is poor in nutrition, alongside preventable illnesses like diarrhea and malaria, have raised the rates of malnutrition. 

For children living in poverty in Guinea-Bissau, 40.6% of children experience stunting, and even for those with a more significant income, stunting still affects 17.8%.

Health and Access to Clean Water

Accessing pediatric care for children under 15 is difficult in Guinea-Bissau due largely to the lack of pediatricians. According to UNICEF, the country has three pediatricians for every 720,000 children, and 66% of the population has to walk at least one hour to a health center. 

In terms of health, inadequate sanitation exacerbates conditions. Approximately 84% of households lack access to soap and water for proper handwashing. In 2019, merely 18% of households could access uncontaminated water, free from fecal bacteria, while just 45% had access to water points. These challenges contribute to public health issues.

Diarrhea is the second-highest cause of death for children under 5. Inadequate access to clean water causes diseases and can lead to infection or even death. 

Children’s health is a priority with Vitamin A supplements and deworming becoming “routine activities of community health workers.”

Supported by UNICEF, the integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) has created training and supplies for adequate treatment. It has opened up 78 healthcare facilities nationwide to treat malnutrition. 

Education

Guinea-Bissau Annual Country Report conducted in 2022 found that “93% of cases of children who had to repeat an educational year in primary school were strongly linked to malnutrition.” 

Guinea-Bissau’s children struggle to gain an adequate education, resulting in a lack of basic skills. Teachers are often under-trained and lack suitable knowledge and resources, resulting in substandard teaching outcomes. 

For children aged between 7-14, 88% do not have basic literacy skills, and 93% are unable to demonstrate numeracy skills, with Guinea-Bissau having “a primary education completion rate of under 30%.”

Positive Steps

The World Food Programme (WFP) is working with the Guinea-Bissau government to tackle the impact of malnutrition. 179,000 children receive hot and nutritious meals. In May 2023, WFP implemented a program to provide vegetable gardens in schools, focusing on children with special needs. The program aims to promote home-grown produce that can be used in schools. 

The WFP provides nutritious meals to children, and alongside the Social Behavior Change and Communication campaign, the organization is tackling cultural views on eating habits and locally sourced food. 

Children in Guinea-Bissau with disabilities face further challenges when accessing education. The Humanity and Inclusion U.K. has been working to make schools more accessible to disabled children, and while its education program ended in March 2022, it is working toward implementing further programs and improvements. 

The children of Guinea-Bissau face difficulties accessing health care, education and getting out of poverty. However, key steps by organizations like UNICEF, WFP and Humanity & Inclusion U.K. are creating opportunities for children to reach their full potential. With continued support and investment, there is hope for the children of Guinea-Bissau to rise above poverty and access better health care and education.

– Isabel R. Burnside
Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Uzbekistan

Child Poverty UzbekistanUzbekistan is a ‘young’ nation. Of its 35 million people, 33% are aged zero to 17, with the average age of Uzbekistan citizens being 29. For comparison, the average for the United Kingdom is 40; China’s is 38; Brazil’s is 33. 

Access to Education

Child poverty in Uzbekistan is tied to education. Lately, Uzbekistan has made progress, but statistics showing economic growth and reductions in poverty do not change Uzbekistan’s need for educational reform. The poorest members of Uzbek society are children, and the poorest households are those with the least education. Luckily, Uzbekistan’s government and its international partners recognize this, and plans are being made for the young country’s future. 

Since Uzbekistan’s current president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was elected in 2016, international observers have generally agreed that the country has liberalized its economy and curtailed human rights abuses, particularly slave labor. Although progress slowed with COVID-19, steady economic growth has been met with a reciprocal reduction in poverty. It fell to 14% in 2022 from 17% in 2021 and 21% in 2019. Uzbekistan commits over 20% of its budget to social welfare and education. To compare, China spent 11% of its budget on education in 2021, as did the United Kingdom; Brazil spent 12%. 

Child poverty in Uzbekistan comes, in part, from its past as a former colony of the Soviet Union. Like other Soviet colonies, low funding and the enforcement of Russian as the primary educational language crippled education in Uzbekistan. Wanting to reverse this legacy is understandable. However, significant spending has historically been followed by corruption, inequality and inefficiency. Money is not enough.

Current Poverty Levels

As of 2023, on average, Uzbeks earn around $350 a month, with many making far less. The minimum wage is currently $82 a month. In 2019, UNICEF reported that 30% of Uzbekistan lived on incomes less than the minimum wage. More relevantly, of households headed by someone without education, 62% made less than half the average wage Most uneducated households earn less than $175 a month or a little under $6 a day. If the average household includes five people, then the household earns $1.20 per person.

The more children an uneducated household has, the poorer it will be. The poorer the household, the more likely its children will have low educational attainment. Poverty, like elsewhere, forms a vicious cycle with education. Unsurprisingly, then, children are statistically the poorest part of Uzbek society. A study made in 2021 found that classes often have 40-45 students while being designed for 25. The strain of overcrowding on teaching staff has created a system of after-school courses intended to help students ‘catch up.’ The government does not fund these, costing around $3 per lesson. If some families live on $6 a day and others $12, $14, $100, it is evident enough which families can afford these lessons and which cannot.

This is a small part of a wider problem. Ending child poverty in Uzbekistan is tied to reforming its education. Education and childcare represent a burden families cannot afford, and this poverty, in turn, leads to poorer educational outcomes: a vicious cycle. 

Government Strategy

The government of Uzbekistan recognizes this connection. President Mirziyoyev introduced the ‘Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026’ in 2022, which aims to cut the country’s poverty in half. Education and social protection for families are recognized as critical hurdles to this. As such, the strategy allocated $100 million to create free training and business courses nationwide. It also introduced an online system to allow low-income families to receive their social benefits automatically. 

Access to pre-school is to be raised from 67% to 80%; access to higher education is to be raised to 50%.

The strategy works with international partners. USAID in October announced a $40 million investment in Uzbek education, particularly toward the goal of making 51% of schools inclusive to disabled students. It’s too early to say how successful this strategy will be. Either way, the problem is recognized. 

– Frederick Lake

Photo: Wikimedia Commons