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Human Rights: Remedying the South African Grant Algorithms

GrantWith an unemployment rate of 33% and more than 25% of its residents living at the extreme poverty level, South Africa maintains the title of “most unequal country in the world.” In the wake of economic turmoil catapulted by the coronavirus pandemic, rural-dwelling South Africans increasingly depend on government-issued social grants for survival.

However, significant programs like the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370, a grant in which eligible South African citizens and refugees receive a stipend of $21.2 per month, are increasingly administered by grant algorithms that deny qualified recipients grants for basic goods and welfare accommodations.

Inception of the Social Relief of Distress Grant

In a first attempt to remedy this, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) responded to the pandemic’s tumultuous economic conditions by launching an Economic Reconstruction and Recovery plan. The plan included measures to address the social distress caused by the pandemic.

By 2023, social grants served as the primary form of income for working-age South Africans living at the extreme poverty level, individuals who would otherwise collect a maximum of $40 per month in means. The stipend is available to any unemployed South African of working age. However, many eligible residents encounter demographic obstacles that make acquisition nearly impossible.

Barriers To Grant Approval

For one, the platform, which largely benefits inhabitants of rural areas populated by native speakers, is strictly available in English. Applications are only received digitally, requiring impoverished individuals to acquire a device for submission.

To receive the SRD grant, an individual’s maximum income may not exceed 624 ZAR ($35.21), significantly below the food poverty threshold. The SRD grant is administered by a digital grant algorithm that scans bank accounts and flags any indication of income.

The Automated Means Test

This process, known as the Automated Means Test, rejects qualified applicants whose accounts possess erroneous means that may not reflect sustainable income. One such miscontextualization of funds perpetually influences Brenda Mtshali, a widow and tomato vendor who scarcely makes enough to support her six children.

In her case, the grant algorithm disqualified her from benefaction, falsely arguing that her account contained a loan. In addition to this invasion of personal and financial data, the detection software misinterprets miscellaneous funds as “means” that exceed an already underrepresentative poverty threshold.

Since the inception of the Automated Means Test, the number of grant beneficiaries has decreased from 10.9 million to eight million, despite an existing eligibility pool of approximately 17 to 18 million people. In analyzing this disparity, the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) identified an exclusion rate of 89.7%. Whereas failures on the Automated Means Test cause millions of rejections, the IEJ concluded that only 24% of cases should be eliminated in ethical circumstances.

Benefits of the Social Relief of Distress Grant

On the contrary, the beneficiaries of the stipend report significant increases in quality of living. “Mind the People,” a short film directed by Mozilla Africa Mradi (and available for streaming on YouTube), dissects the disparate qualification process by collecting testimony from individuals who reside in the rural Mountain View and Eldorado regions of South Africa.

Ntombizodwa, an individual who testifies in Mradi’s film, describes how the SRD grant allows her to live a “much better life,” providing access to toiletries, food and electricity that she previously lacked. Nonetheless, significant improvements in accessibility must be made to improve the efficacy of the program.

Researcher Response to Algorithmic Inequity

According to the IEJ Report, applicants should be permitted to submit documents supporting their petition for a grant and that means tests should be conducted over a longitudinal period to eliminate algorithmic error. To improve accessibility, the report suggests shifting to a hybrid and multilingual application model.

A 2024 document published by the European Union–Agence Française de Développement (EU-AFD) Research Facility on Inequalities proposed a new structure to improve the efficacy and sustainability of the former SRD model. The document recommended that SASSA use self-reported data to assess eligibility, increase grant amounts and establish grant permanence.

Conclusion

Ethical access to social grants in South Africa is not only an issue of socioeconomic disparity, but also a matter of social equity and justice. Whereas recent projects have advanced critical conversation about broken South African grant algorithms, many people remain excluded from the precise benefits that might salvage them from tragedy. 

– Talia Gitlin

Talia is based in Natick, MA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Oxfam Innovations Fighting Poverty

Oxfam is a global organization focused on ending poverty and inequality. It provides emergency relief during crises, like natural disasters or conflicts, while also working on long-term solutions such as fair wages, gender equality and climate action. For more than 80 years, Oxfam has partnered with communities around the world to promote dignity and opportunity, while also pressing governments, corporations and financial institutions to create fairer systems. Here are 5 Oxfam innovations fighting poverty:

SuperAdobe

Oxfam introduced a new type of shelter, called SuperAdobe, in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp. Built from basic, low-cost resources like sand-filled bags and barbed wire, these structures provide a practical alternative to the metal caravans many refugees currently live in. SuperAdobe homes are built to stay cool during scorching summers and retain heat through the cold winter months.

The construction method behind SuperAdobe relies on layering sand-filled bags, stacked in either circular or elongated forms. Between each row, barbed wire is laid to strengthen the walls and hold them in place. To improve durability, materials like lime, cement or asphalt can be blended into the soil. The technique mirrors the way clay coils are shaped together in pottery; only here is it used on a larger scale to form entire buildings.

This versatile system can be adapted to create rounded designs such as domes, arches and vaults, as well as traditional rectangular structures. Beyond housing, the approach is also suited for practical applications, including silos, water storage systems, erosion control and even infrastructure projects like roads or bridges.

BlocRice

In Cambodia, an Oxfam initiative called BlocRice is changing how rice farmers engage with global markets. The program is designed to strengthen farmers’ ability to advocate for fair compensation by giving them a stronger voice in price negotiations. At its core, the project introduces digital contracts that directly link members of farming cooperatives with international exporters and European buyers.

By formalizing these agreements through technology, the system not only ensures transparency but also provides farmers with tools that enhance both their economic security and their social standing. Through the BlocRice system, buyers agree to purchase rice at the going market rate with an additional premium, giving farmers both a steady outlet for their harvest and greater financial predictability.

The program also establishes a shared digital platform where all parties involved can track agreements in real time. For some farmers, the additional premium translated into close to $100 in extra income.

TWB Glossary App

In Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, where close to a million Rohingya refugees have sought safety, aid workers struggled to overcome language barriers. Although the Rohingya language shares similarities with local dialects, the differences often made communication difficult, especially when it comes to ensuring refugees could voice their own concerns.

To bridge the gap, a multilingual Glossary App was developed through a collaboration between Oxfam, Translators Without Borders and UNICEF. Covering five languages spoken in the camps, Bangla, Burmese, Chittagonian, English and Rohingya, the tool is now helping humanitarian organizations improve outreach and better respond to community needs.

Hydroponics

Survival in the Algerian Sahara is a daily battle against extreme conditions; temperatures soar past 122 degrees, sandstorms sweep the land and farming is virtually impossible. Sahrawi refugees have endured life in five camps near Tindouf, where one in four struggles with chronic malnutrition.

While international food aid provides some relief, it cannot solve the crisis alone. Oxfam innovations in fighting poverty created a more sustainable option through a hydroponics initiative. By cultivating plants without soil, the program supplies feed for the goats that many families rely on for meat, milk and income. Each greenhouse produces around 132 pounds of fresh feed daily, enough to sustain 20 goats, marking a promising step toward greater food security in the camps.

Led by Sahrawi refugee and Oxfam engineer Taleb Brahim, the initiative turns simple structures, like mud-built domes or repurposed shipping containers, into small-scale greenhouses for livestock feed. Inside, rows of shelves hold shallow trays where barley seeds are spread and kept moist until they sprout. They are then transferred into larger tubs and irrigated daily through a solar-powered pumping system. This low-cost, sustainable method transforms barren spaces into reliable sources of fresh feed.

Sanitation

Oxfam faced a pressing challenge in Bangladesh: how to manage human waste when a sudden surge of people in temporary shelters overwhelmed existing latrines. Rohingya camps experienced outbreaks of severe diarrhea, alongside respiratory illnesses and skin conditions such as scabies, all stemming from inadequate hygiene and sanitation.

To address the growing problem, the Oxfam team established a large-scale centralized sanitation facility capable of safely handling the waste of up to 150,000 individuals. The system operates with zero environmental harm, marking the first successful implementation of such a large-scale waste management solution in a refugee camp.

Final Remarks

Oxfam innovations are fighting poverty. From sustainable housing, effective communication and the cultivation of small-scale greenhouses, Oxfam is empowering communities to build a better future. With continued support and innovation, a more equitable world is within reach.

– Gabriella Luneau

Gabriella is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Bolivia’s Ineffective Education System Is Failing Its Children

Bolivia’s Ineffective Education SystemIn the heart of South America, Bolivia faces a profound education crisis that threatens its youth’s future and the nation’s economic stability. Despite minimal efforts to reform and invest in education, systemic barriers, poverty and inequality continue to prevent millions of Bolivian children from accessing quality schooling. Only one in seven children completes their education. Additionally, more than a million Bolivians aged 15 and above remain illiterate. Hence, the country is grappling with a cycle of underdevelopment that could deepen if left unaddressed.

The Roots of the Crisis

Bolivia has the lowest GDP per capita in South America, at just $4,000. This economic reality directly impacts education, especially in rural and indigenous communities. Students in rural areas complete an average of only 4.2 years of schooling before dropping out to support their families, compared to 9.4 years in urban areas.

Data from the Bolivian Campaign for the Right to Education (CBDE) shows that most students struggle with basic literacy and comprehension. About 70% of third graders and 80% of sixth graders cannot interpret or reflect on written texts. Math and science performance is similarly low, with most students scoring at the lowest levels and unable to apply fundamental concepts.

Data from the World Bank shows that over time, Bolivian children are not completing secondary education courses, while fewer and fewer students enroll in primary education. Bolivia’s ineffective education system fails to equip students with even the most basic skills, leaving them unprepared for higher education and the workforce.

The country’s education system also suffers from a mismatch between what students learn and what the labor market demands. This makes it one of the significant catalysts for an ever-growing wealth disparity. Many graduates find themselves ill-equipped for Bolivia’s dominant agriculture, mining and construction industries, which favor hands-on experience over formal education.

Poverty and Education: A Repeating Cycle

The lack of education in Bolivia is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. Children who leave school early often enter informal labor markets with little opportunity for upward mobility. This keeps a cycle going where families stay trapped in poverty, unable to invest in their children’s futures and it continues for generations. Similar patterns are seen in other countries facing economic struggles.

Several studies have found a strong correlation between education and poverty reduction. Higher levels of education significantly decrease the probability of being impoverished and reduce income inequality. Yet, Bolivia’s ineffective education system fails to deliver these benefits to its vulnerable populations.

Government Efforts and Community Initiatives

Bolivia has tried to make notable efforts to reform its education system. The 1994 education reform aimed to decentralize funding, improve teacher training and expand intercultural bilingual education. These reforms were designed to address the diverse needs of Bolivia’s population, especially in rural and indigenous areas. While efforts to mainstream Indigenous languages in education and reform teaching methods yielded encouraging results, other challenges hinder broader school progress.

In 2010, the Bolivian government enacted the Avelino Siñani–Elizardo Pérez Education Law. This law redefined the country’s educational framework by establishing an educational system rooted in cultural diversity, social inclusion and lifelong learning principles. Rather than using the term “lifelong learning,” the law emphasizes “alternative education,” which serves youth and adults seeking to continue their studies outside the conventional educational system given to them.

The law also promotes education as a fundamental human right and an integration into intercultural and multilingual approaches to strengthen social cohesion, especially among indigenous communities. The holistic approach aimed to democratize access to education and align learning with Bolivia’s social and cultural realities.

Organizations like CHOICE Humanitarian have also taken action to fill gaps. CHOICE Humanitarian has built schools with solar panels, internet access and ecological classrooms that double as greenhouses, providing education and nutrition to students in remote areas. Despite these efforts, Bolivia’s ineffective education system struggles with implementation, consistency and scalability, especially in underserved regions.

The Path Forward

Bolivia’s ineffective education system is complex, rooted in historical inequalities and economic hardship. Yet, the country can pave the way for a brighter future with sustained investment, community involvement and policy reform. In this future, every child can learn, grow and contribute to a prosperous Bolivia.

– Dylan Fly

Dylan is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Inequality: Tax Justice in Kenya

Tax Justice in KenyaProtests in Kenya erupted due to widespread discontent over the government’s proposed 2024 finance bill. Economic and social challenges continued over the year, reigniting anti-government demonstrations in June 2025. Despite Kenya’s broadly positive economic outlook, a large part of the population experiences wealth inequality and a lack of access to social services.

Globally, wealthy individuals and corporations enable Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), resulting in a loss of $1 trillion in 2022 alone. Advocate groups challenge this disparity as it largely contributes to poverty and degrades social welfare. Taxes proposed in the 2024 finance bill were seen as unfavorable to impoverished and middle-class people, possibly widening this gap further and proving the need for tax justice in Kenya.

United Nations’ Convention on International Tax Cooperation

Wealth disparities and illegal wealth extraction in the Global South often enrich Western corporations. The Tax Justice Network researches these illicit financial outflows, which hamper economic development. The organization has also lobbied for stronger global tax policies to promote social development and tax justice in vulnerable countries.

One of its major global concerns is the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on International Tax Cooperation, which seeks to close gaps in the international tax system and help countries recover stolen revenue. The Convention also aims to address tax abuses in cross-border systems and resolve international tax disputes equitably.

Kenyan delegates and other leaders of the African Group were the first to push for the U.N. Convention. The African Group’s concerns in advancing the Convention stem from the unequal distribution of wealth between developing and Western nations and corporate-driven wealth disparities within the Global South.

Social and Wealth Inequality

Oxfam asserts that the number of millionaires in Kenya will grow by more than 80% in the next 10 years. If current rates of inequality continue, it could result in millions of people living in extreme poverty in a similar time frame. Poverty rates in Kenya are higher in rural areas and areas of lower economic growth.

The World Bank Group highlights this uneven distribution as a vulnerability. Indeed, its reports suggest evaluating tax spending and fiscal policy to support poverty reduction. Accountability organizations like the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) in Kenya also work toward this goal.

The NTA supports local endeavors to rebalance social service provisions. The organization supports researching, monitoring and evaluating tax issues and development programs, as well as analyzing policy and legislation. Locally taking charge in the fight for tax justice in Kenya, the independent organization hopes for accountability from the government against economic inequality.

The Challenges Ahead

From 2025 to 2027, the U.N. Tax Convention negotiations will deliberate on multilateral platforms to address global wealth inequalities. Having only completed the organizational phase, member states need to continue talks and vote to pass issues before consideration from the U.N. General Assembly.

Analysts at the Tax Justice Network assert that lower-income countries can be negatively impacted through bilateral tax treaties if equitable terms are not met. The U.N. Convention is one attempt to avoid this, making global trade equitable and reversing many years of richer economies unilaterally dictating global economic agendas.

– Aliyah Omar

Aliyah is based in Alberta, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Disability and Poverty in North Macedonia: “Getting a Life” Project 

Disability and Poverty in North MacedoniaPeople with disabilities in North Macedonia face a significantly higher risk of poverty compared to the general population. In 2020, nearly 30% of working‑age people with disabilities lived in households with very low work intensity, more than double the rate for those without disabilities. Among all children, 32.7% lived below the national poverty line, reflecting inequalities that likely worsen for children with disabilities. Households that include disabilities often incur extra costs for medical care, assistive devices and travel, further increasing financial strain. These systemic barriers keep many with disabilities trapped in poverty. Here is more information about the correlation between disability and poverty in North Macedonia.

Breaking the Cycle of Institutionalization

For decades, individuals with intellectual disabilities lived in large-scale institutions in North Macedonia, isolated from their communities. In 2020, People in Need (PIN) launched “Getting a Life”, an EU‑funded project to shift residents into small, community‑based homes. PIN transformed institutions into nine independent living houses across Demir Kapija, Negotino and Skopje and relocated 45 residents from the Demir Kapija Special Institution to set up a better system to end disability and poverty in North Macedonia. Each house supports under five individuals and includes accessible living spaces designed to encourage autonomy.

Training for Quality Care

PIN trained more than 120 professionals, including social workers, physiotherapists and educators,  in person‑centered care. Eighty of them now prepare individualized care plans focusing on skills such as employment, daily living and social integration People in Need. PIN also launched a daily activity center in Skopje offering cooking, art and computer workshops, helping individuals develop confidence, skills and friendships.

Raising Awareness Across Communities

Community acceptance plays a crucial role in inclusion. PIN organized 18 awareness‑raising events, such as open houses and film screenings, that involved local officials, self‑advocates and neighbors. They helped form self‑advocacy groups and hosted the first national conference in 2023. All of this effort, drew multiple participants to feature policy recommendations. to government officials. PIN has managed to create an inclusive space to normalize disabilities in North Macedonia and to normalize their presence in communities that are often marginalized by poverty.

Measuring the Impact

In just three years, “Getting a Life” improved lives for 45 residents, built capacity for 120 professional caregivers and established community facilities. A final project evaluation found that 66% of trained caregivers found the training relevant, and 86.7% agreed that the principles of inclusion informed their approach. Residents now leave home slightly more regularly, 77.8%  reported occasional outings, whereas institutional conditions previously limited these opportunities. These findings provide further evidence that projects like “Getting a Life” can help identify ways to address disability and poverty in North Macedonia.

The Road Ahead

Despite these milestones, more than 60 individuals still live in the Demir Kapija institution awaiting relocation. Expanding community-based living will require steady funding, strong political leadership and innovative partnerships between government agencies, NGOs and international donors. People in Need aims to use the lessons from “Getting a Life” to guide further deinstitutionalization efforts across the Western Balkans, adapting the approach to meet different local needs. Scaling this model would not only open the door to independence for those still in institutions but also create more inclusive neighborhoods, generate care-sector jobs and reduce the long-term costs of institutional care. Investing in disability inclusion safeguards human rights, lowers poverty rates and strengthens the social fabric for everyone.

– Nilay Ersoy

Nilay is based in Cambridge, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fragility and the Rule of Law in New Caledonia

Fragility and the Rule of Law in New CaledoniaThe French Overseas Territory of New Caledonia is undergoing a political transformation, driven by recent violence in the capital, Noumea. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to grant the territory statehood. This unprecedented move would alter the Pacific island’s constitutional status and mark a first in French history.

Recent Tensions

Last year, the pro-independence Kanak population rioted across New Caledonia, particularly in Noumea. The riot was in response to proposed legislation granting voting rights to expatriates who had lived there for more than 10 years. Under the 1988 Noumea Accord, signed in response to similar riots and tensions in the ’80s, only native New Caledonians have been eligible to vote in elections.

Specifically, expats (many pro-French, anti-independence) were not allowed to vote in referendums on New Caledonian independence. To many Kanaks, this new legislation threatened the momentum of the pro-independence movement against French rule. Riots broke out and the French government sent military troops and police officers to reestablish the rule of law. Macron himself visited in an attempt toward peace; however, this seemed to inflame tensions, with statements of “not my president” from protestors.

The disagreement and subsequent violence go beyond political tensions, with young Kanaks speaking to the levels of disenfranchisement they feel as they struggle to make ends meet. At the same time, French expats use New Caledonia as a wealthy paradise. Europeans, in turn, report a rise in anti-white racism from Kanaks, who have targeted expat communities on the island. Sonia Backes, a pro-French politician in the New Caledonian Congress, has reportedly received death threats for her political stance.

Demographics and Social Groups

New Caledonia hosts a combination of indigenous Kanaks and White-French expats, with a population of more than 300,000. Approximately 39% are Kanaks and 27% are Europeans, with the remaining population comprising various Pacific and Asian ethnicities. Most Kanaks live in Noumea, particularly in the city’s underserved areas. In contrast, French expats tend to live in smaller communities in the south.

The poverty rate in New Caledonia is around 19%; however, in the majority-Kanak Loyalty Islands Province, this rises to around 45%. Amid this inequality, more than 26% of young people in New Caledonia are unemployed, with only 8% of Kanaks holding a university degree. Additionally, 46% have no high school diploma, whereas 54% of Expats completed higher education.

The educational and economic disparity between the two groups is stark and many have argued that this motivates tensions. The history of violence in New Caledonia is multifaceted. Historically, Kanaks have risen against the government for political reasons, which has been successful in the eyes of Kanak independence groups.

The result of the 1988 riots was three independence referendums, with the last occurring in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic. The vote resulted in opposition to independence. However, key pro-independence figures, such as Roch Wamytan, argued that the referendum occurred under abnormal circumstances. They claimed the results should be ignored and another vote held. Many Kanaks boycotted the referendum, following local mourning rituals and fearing the virus. Pro-French loyalists therefore won with 96.5% of the vote.

Foreign Interference

An interesting aspect amid this fragile situation is the role of Azerbaijan in supporting independence. Kanak independence figures dispute claims of economic support from the Azerbaijani government. However, pro-Azerbaijani social media accounts have been linked to widespread misinformation concerning the role of French police in the 2024 riots.

This stems from the French government’s historic support for Armenia, one of Azerbaijan’s rivals. Azerbaijan has responded by supporting independence movements of French colonial territories, with the Baku Initiative Group formed as a collection of anti-colonial groups in European overseas territories.

While Kanaks have historic reasons for supporting independence, foreign governments that oppose the French state see New Caledonian independence as something to weaken French influence abroad. New Caledonia has remained French due to its impact in the Pacific, not to mention the extensive nickel reserves available in New Caledonia, which are key for chip manufacturing and electric vehicles.

The Future of New Caledonia

While tensions have been high, the recent agreement to establish a New Caledonian state has been received mostly positively. Independence groups have agreed that this is the best they could hope for. However, this only calms tensions for now. Pro-independence Kanaks have vowed to continue to fight for their independence and that fervour will not subside anytime soon.

– Lee Stonehouse

Lee is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Panama

Poverty Eradication in PanamaPanama is one of the most prosperous trade hubs in the world’s economy. The Panama Canal drew in 210.3 million tons of cargo in 2024 and is an important part of the United States of America’s trade operations. Panama has also faced significant problems with poverty in the region. The UNICEF annual report 2020 reported that the poverty rate is 41.4% in rural areas, while it is 11% in urban areas. This level of poverty hits children the hardest, as 32.8% of children grow up multidimensionally poor. 

Programs in poverty eradication in Panama have grown over the past few decades, thanks to the Panamanian government, creating innovative approaches to improve the lives of its citizens, such as increasing jobs for the nation and social programs such as the Universal Educational Social Assistance Program (PASE-U) and the Panamá Solidario emergency program. Despite these advancements, the region faces challenges, particularly in addressing income inequality.

Job Creation and Economic Prosperity 

Panama’s rapid economic growth has been a cornerstone of its poverty reduction efforts. Between 1990 and 2019, the country’s economy grew at an average rate of 5.8% annually, thanks to the usage of the Panama Canal. This pace significantly outpaced the regional average of 2.6%. This growth has translated into improved labor conditions for the people of Panama, with mean hourly real wages increasing by 60%, the employment rate rising from 48% to 63% and women’s labor force participation increasing from 34.1% to 55.5%. This increase in jobs has decreased the number of people living in poverty in Panama, plummeting from 50.2% in 1989 to 12.9% in 2021.

This is just one step in poverty eradication in Panama, as giving people jobs and positive economic growth in a country can hopefully help all classes of people in Panama, not just the wealthy business owners.

Social Protection Programs

Innovative social protection programs have been a crucial strategy to poverty eradication in Panama. The Universal Educational Social Assistance Program (PASE-U) and the Panamá Solidario emergency program are notable examples. Starting in 2020, the PASE-U objectives are to prevent school dropout, raise enrollment and school attendance rates and motivate to strengthen academic improvement. This is done by a government allowance to students who continue to pursue education, with the benefits of 270 PAB for primary school students, 360 PAB for presecondary school students and 450 PAB for secondary school students (PASE-U).

Panamá Solidario’s emergency program prioritized the purchase of local production from both agribusinesses and producers, for the manufacture of bags and delivery of products of agricultural and livestock origin. This program aimed to continue economic production in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the program were widely successful, as the nation delivered more than 6 million bags of meals until January 2021. About 2.1 million physical bonds and 4.7 million digital vouchers were credited to continue economic growth. The Panamá Solidario would support more than 1.6 million Panamanians during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining economic growth.

Addressing Inequality

Despite these achievements in addressing poverty reduction, Panama continues to grapple with significant income inequality. The country ranks third in South America and Central America for income disparity, with the poorest 20% earning just 1.2% of the total labor income, while the wealthiest 20% claim 32.7%. Geographic disparities are also pronounced, with poverty rates being higher in the rural areas of the region, compared to urban areas. Indigenous communities face even greater challenges, with 69.4% living in poverty and limited access to basic services such as education and health services.

Future Directions

Progress is still occurring, as the World Bank Group’s Poverty and Equity Assessment of Panama suggests that Panama must prioritize policies that expand access to basic services, improve job quality, enhance human capital and promote household resilience in the long run. Addressing the structural challenges that perpetuate inequality for the people of Panama will be essential for achieving shared prosperity.

Panama’s strides towards poverty eradication are a testament to the power of innovative approaches and sustained economic growth. While challenges remain, the country’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens offers a long-term goal for a more equitable and prosperous future for the people of Panama.

– Dylan Fly

Dylan is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Poverty With Higher Education in Spain

Higher Education in SpainIn Spain, about 25.8% of its people are at risk of relative poverty as of 2024, which is among the highest in Europe. Government efforts to reduce poverty are keeping 10.8 million people out of poverty, a problem especially prevalent for children, women, minorities and those with disabilities. The situation is further exacerbated for those who have not pursued a higher education in Spain; 12.6% of those with a higher education were at risk of poverty compared to 33.7% of those with only a primary education. Plus, those who were raised by more educated parents are significantly less at-risk for poverty.

Higher Education Institutions in Spain

After compulsory education for those who are 3 to 16 years old, various educational options exist for students considering higher education in Spain:

  • Vocational Training. The purpose of vocational training is learning practical skills immediately applicable to a diverse selection of future careers.
  • A University Education. After high school, students pursuing a university degree are required to earn a Bachillerato certificate to be able to apply to universities. Spain offers 45 public and 31 private universities with programs for bachelor’s, master’s and post-graduate degrees. Public universities tend to have lower costs due to government funding.
  • A Higher Arts Education. Another option for those who are more creative is attending a school for the arts.

Challenges of Higher Education in Spain

On paper, higher education in Spain is completely free. However, this fails to include necessary costs, like textbooks and other crucial supplies. As a result, many families still face challenges in paying these costs, which has been on the rise. It then makes sense that unfortunately, many Spanish students fail to finish their education–Spain has the highest rate in the EU of 13.9% of students leaving school. This sparks a brutal cycle; higher education is the key to escaping poverty yet financial barriers come in the way of its accessibility to many Spaniards.

The Good News

The good news is that higher education in Spain is improving. Recent years have demonstrated reforms including supporting student mental health, digitalizing education, adding an emphasis on the environment to the curriculum and reducing antisemitism in schools. 

The Spanish government has outlined several goals that hope to reduce inequalities in its education system, including the high dropout rate. It is also intending to rewrite its curriculum to reflect more modern values, including civics. Additionally, it is allocating a greater budget toward scholarships, especially aimed at expanding the threshold of need-base eligibility, which is predicted to help out 1 million students across the country. It has also recently passed legislature expanding vocational education opportunities. As a result, gradually, more and more people are gradually getting a higher education. Hopefully, these efforts will contribute to reducing poverty, too.

Ayuda en Acción’s Efforts

Nonprofit organizations like Ayuda en Acción are fighting to reduce inequalities among higher education in Spain. Since it originated in 1981, Ayuda en Acción is a global nonprofit organization that has focused on advocating for a Spanish education system that reflects the diversity of its students and the variety of equally valid paths to an education. In particular, the nonprofit has created the Impulsa program, which works to provide more vocational training opportunities for students of lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Its efforts have helped 760,866 people globally.

Looking Ahead

Higher education institutions can also be agents of good that can contribute to a more just society. Rewriting the curriculum to include more topics like civics and social justice can create more global citizens and responsible leaders who contribute not only to the economy but also to the social well-being of those in poverty, thus helping them escape poverty. Ultimately, higher education is an opportunity and with reforms, can be a tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.

– Klara Jones

Klara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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WHO Advocates Progress for Syrian Women’s Health

Syrian Women’s HealthWith more than 6 million women in need of health support in Syria and ongoing challenges like gender-based health care discrimination, political bias and social inequality, the World Health Organization (WHO) has taken meaningful steps to improve Syrian women’s health. These efforts include mental and physical support for survivors of gender-based violence, health education and the promotion of women’s rights through a more inclusive, mainstream health care network.

Gender-Biased Laws Upon Women in Syria

Extremist groups Jabhat al-Nusra, Islamic State of Iraq and Sham have imposed strict gender-biased laws upon women in Syria. Women have unlawfully become required to wear hijabs and full-length robes and threatened if they do not comply, according to Human Rights Watch. Failure to conform leads to misogynistically charged discrimination, barring girls from attending schools, moving freely in public and working.

Since the onset of the Syrian Civil War and its backlash effects on women, the WHO has championed programs in Syrian women’s health care that offer rehabilitation and education services alongside their advocacy for systemic changes. Since 2018, the WHO has institutionalized routine care for victims of gender-based violence.

Syria’s Health Care System

The prolonged conflict has desecrated approximately half the health care infrastructure in Syria, resulting in a shortage of medicine, facilities, health workers and equipment. More than 100 health facilities in northwest Syria have sustained severe damage and a loss of complete funding. More than 15.9 million people are left in need of health support, including 257,000 pregnant women, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF).

With women making up nearly 50% of Syria’s population and the majority of those displaced in refugee camps, the WHO has launched targeted programs to address their health needs. According to the WHO, these initiatives ensure that “every woman enjoys her right to the highest attainable standard of health.”

Advancing Gender Equality in Syria’s Health System

The WHO base in Syria has “mainstreamed gender equality in its programming.” It assures women the highest standard of care through pregnancy, birth, violence and discrimination. By educating women on how to make informed decisions about their health care, the Syria-based program has made meaningful progress in preventing the rise of mental health issues and gender-based violence.

These efforts empower women with knowledge, helping them protect their well-being and advocate for their rights in a challenging environment. The organization provides essential psychosocial treatments to aid in women’s mental and physical health after facing gender-based violence. According to the WHO team in Syria, these services have been implemented in health facilities around Syria.

The fertility rate in Syria was reported by the WHO at 2.7% per woman in 2021, a reduction from 3.4% recorded in 2010. In light of this, reproductive health care in Syria has been threatened by unjust rulings. The WHO and UNPF support hospitals in northeast Syria by providing natural and c-section births, family planning, nursing and how-to care.

Looking Forward

“As we continue supporting gender mainstreaming in the health sector through research, policy formulation and capacity-building, we draw our inspiration and strength from the women of Syria, who, together with other members of society, drive gender transformative changes in achieving universal health coverage and health for all,” the WHO said.

– Chloe Fox Rinka

Chloe is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Colombia: How Stratification Reinforces Inequality

Poverty in Colombia: How Stratification Reinforces InequalityColombia’s stratification system, originally created to fairly distribute utility subsidies, has shaped the classification of poverty in the country and it is now undergoing national reform. Launched in 1985 and solidified in the 1991 Constitution, the system divides neighborhoods into six socioeconomic levels. Authorities assign each area a stratum based on physical characteristics like road quality, construction materials and surrounding infrastructure. Strata 1 and 2 represent the poorest zones, while strata 5 and 6 represent the wealthiest. Strata 3 and 4 fall in the middle. Most classifications are the result of visual inspection, not household income.

Redistribution as a Barrier

The system’s intent was progressive. Higher strata would pay full or elevated rates for public services, effectively subsidizing lower-income households. Those in strata 1 and 2 receive discounts, while strata 3 and 4 are expected to pay market rates. But over time, the policy has increased inequality and distorted the measurement of poverty in Colombia, failing to reflect current economic conditions, thereby leading to mismatches. A struggling family in stratum 6 may pay full price, while a wealthy homeowner in a modest area may qualify for discounts.

A ScienceDirect study found that residents in middle-income Stratum 4 reported a higher quality of life than those in Stratum 6. It cited stronger community ties and a greater sense of safety. In lower strata, household income improved wellbeing, but in wealthier areas, social trust mattered more. The researchers concluded that Colombia’s current classification system may overlook the factors that actually improve people’s lives.

Outdated Metrics and Adverse Incentives

Poorer neighborhoods sometimes resist infrastructure upgrades to avoid reclassification and loss of benefits. In other cases, families face higher utility rates after a neighborhood improves, even if their income remains unchanged. Strata assignments have not kept pace with the country’s demographic shifts, rapid urbanization or population displacement from conflict. The result is a system that reflects outdated stereotypes more than present-day realities.

Strata affect more than just utility bills. Strata details appear on personal IDs and can influence access to bank loans, scholarships and job opportunities. “Stratum” has become a shorthand for class status—mocking someone as “estrato 8” (too rich) or “estrato 3” (unsophisticated) is common in daily speech. This reinforces classism, racial prejudice and territorial segregation.

According to the World Values Survey, as the BBC reported, Colombia ranks among the most socially distrustful countries in Latin America. During the 2021 protests, some residents in higher-income neighborhoods reportedly armed themselves against perceived threats from poorer communities. As noted by a 2024 Reuters report, many Colombians rarely interact with people outside their stratum. For wealthier residents, this makes it easy to ignore poverty altogether.

Colombia’s stratification system aimed to reduce inequality. Instead, it entrenched a modern caste order, where address often determines opportunity. These outcomes have prompted national efforts to rethink how Colombia targets poverty, from the delivery of public services to vulnerability assessment.

SISBÉN IV: A Data-Driven Alternative

The government’s primary tool for identifying and addressing poverty in Colombia is the System for Identifying Potential Beneficiaries of Social Programs (SISBÉN). It is a multidimensional classification system that evaluates households based on income, housing, health and education conditions. Its goal is to help social investment reach the most vulnerable populations.

SISBÉN IV, the latest version, classifies households into groups A through D, with Group A representing extreme poverty and Group D being nonvulnerable. The system shifts focus away from strata and toward individual vulnerability. It does not directly distribute aid, but it enables institutions like Prosperidad Social, ICBF and housing programs to allocate support more equitably. By relying on updated, verifiable data, SISBÉN improves targeting and reduces misclassification, helping ensure that those most in need are prioritized for public assistance.

Universal Income Registry: Replacing the Strata System

To modernize social policy, Colombia is preparing to launch the Universal Income Registry (RUI) in 2026. This system will eventually replace SISBÉN and the outdated strata model. Built on the Social Household Registry (RSH), the RUI will assess household vulnerability based on income, employment, education, housing conditions and health status. This reform will expand the national social registry from 35 million to up to 57 million people, creating a more accurate and unified platform for distributing subsidies.

The RUI aims to:

  • Identify subsidy-eligible families more accurately
  • Maintain Colombia’s principle of social solidarity
  • Reduce exclusion errors through real-time data
  • Improve transparency and efficiency in public spending

This shift toward income-based classification marks a fundamental departure from geographic indicators like strata.

Housing Reform: Mi Casa Ya

The Mi Casa Ya program is Colombia’s primary housing subsidy initiative. It provides down-payment and interest subsidies to first-time homebuyers from vulnerable populations, based on their SISBÉN group rather than strata.

Recent reforms have expanded the program’s reach beyond major cities to include rural and Indigenous communities. In addition to income requirements, applicants must:

  • Not own a home
  • Not have received prior housing subsidies
  • Meet minimum SISBÉN vulnerability thresholds

By using data to prioritize need, Mi Casa Ya makes homeownership more accessible and equitable for lower-income families.

A More Equitable Path

While Colombia’s stratification system has long reinforced inequality, reforms like SISBÉN IV, the Universal Income Registry and programs like Mi Casa Ya reflect growing efforts to reframe how the country defines vulnerability. These reforms reflect a shift in understanding and addressing poverty in Colombia, moving from geographic assumptions to individual need. By using data-driven tools, the country is working toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

– Jacobo L. Esteban

Jacobo is based in Cali, Colombia and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr