Tag Archive for: Poverty in Chad

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Addressing the Gender Wage Gap in Chad

Gender Wage Gap in ChadChad is a landlocked country in north-central Africa, bordered by Libya to the north and Sudan to the east. As well as being the fifth-largest country in Africa, Chad ranks fourth in gender inequality across the world, according to the U.N. Peacebuilding Fund. Understanding the gender wage gap in Chad is challenging because only 34.4% of indicators needed to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are available. This leaves considerable gaps in data regarding care work, physical and sexual harassment and women’s access to assets.

Social History Behind the Gender Wage Gap in Chad

Deep-rooted patriarchal traditions have shaped Chadian society alongside cultural practices reinforcing gender hierarchies. In south-eastern regions of Chad such as Salamat, Sila and Guera, the traditional practice of female genital mutilation continues. This practice aims to control female sexuality and enforce celibacy until marriage, driven by fear of community rejection. 

Child marriage in Chad is widespread. According to UN Women, 35% of girls are married before the age of 15 and 60% are married before the age of 18. This traps generations of women in cycles of limited freedom and economic dependence.

These factors contribute to what UNICEF’s researchers call the Pygmalion effect, when a society holds low expectations for women, those expectations continue to shape behavior and reinforce stereotypes. As a result, external expectations limit female economic growth and widen the gender wage gap in Chad.

Gender Wage Gap in Chad Today 

The gender wage gap in Chad is stark. While precise data on the imbalance between hourly wage data remains limited, the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap report ranked Chad 146th out of 149 countries, with an overall gender parity score of 51.7%.

Further, the UN Women reported that 36.9% of the female population of Chad are employed below the international poverty line, compared to 35.8% of the male population.

While the majority of the female population in Chad hold agricultural roles, 98.99% of women in non-agricultural roles are in informal employment, which can range from family-based enterprises to street vendors or domestic workers. Such work is often unregulated, untaxed and lacking social security, leaving women without financial safety nets.

Women in formal non-agricultural roles face additional barriers to financial equality. Only 14.85% of women aged 15 years and older hold an account at a financial institution, compared to almost 30% of men owning a bank account, according to UN Women. Additionally, 63.6% of the female population do not own a home. Once can trace the gender wage gap to the Chadian school system, which reportedly witnesses a 48% out of school rate for girls in comparison to 29.6% for boys. This study suggests that community and economic pressures divert young girls out of school into domestic work, further increasing the gender wage gap.

Efforts To Close the Gender Wage Gap in Chad 

Several initiatives are striving to combat this pay inequality. Launched in early 2022, UNICEF’s Women in Learning Leadership program works to empower women in school leadership roles, which in turn helps young girls. Evidence across 11,754 schools shows that female-led community schools have a 5.3% lower student dropout rate than male-led schools. Additionally, research shows that there is a strong positive correlation between the decreasing dropout rates for girls as the proportion of female teachers rises. The Women in Learning Leadership program is currently running in 15 provinces across Chad.

Alongside UNICEF’s WiLL program, the World Food Program (WFP) partnered with local Chadian authorities to provide daily nutritious meals in schools, supporting more girls to remain in education. WFP noted how 57% of the 2.3 million school-aged children in Chad go without quality and inclusive education, with many low income households unable to provide children with resources needed to go to school. As a result, the World Food Program distributed school meals to 125,000 children in refugee-hosting areas in 2025. As well as this, the World Food Program revealed that the average pass–rate for girls in WFP assisted schools is 2.5% higher than Chad’s national average.

Literacy and Vocational Training

Beyond school, UNESCO’s Capacity Development for Education program supports women and youth through literacy and vocational training. This initiative trained 9,400 teachers and with its huge success, UNESCO advocated for the program to be expanded. This led the Chadian government to include a focus on literacy and non-formal education in a new $10 million project titled Emergency Project to Reinforce Education and Literacy in Chad.

Further, the Chadian government and UNFPA established the Observatory for the Promotion of Gender Equality and Equity in 2022 to advance women’s rights. In 2023, the Observatory delivered trained 400 members across Ministries and the National Human Rights Commission on integrating gender mainstreaming into plans and budgets.

Conclusion

These efforts have not gone unnoticed. As of February 2024, women held 26.4% of parliamentary seats in Chad, a meaningful marker of political representation and a step closer toward closing the gender wage gap. Another indicator of progression is the percentage of literate women compared with men’s literacy. While both figures are concerningly low, women’s literacy sits at 22.3% in comparison to men’s literacy rate at 14%, representing a result of the drive for girls in education. At a national level, the Ministry of Women continues to advocate for women’s rights, signaling a structural shift in how some are addressing the gender wage gap in Chad.

– Helen Turnbull

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

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Chad: The Program Aiding Migrants Returning to Chad

Migration to ChadReturning migrants, or ‘returnees’ refers to individuals who move back to their country of origin. Many migrants return to Chad involuntarily and face numerous challenges as they try to reintegrate into society.

Chad’s Humanitarian Crisis 

Armed conflict, the climate crisis and food insecurity have worsened Chad’s humanitarian crisis. In 2022, 44.8% lived in poverty and rises to 50% for those living in rural areas. Migration to Chad from Sudan, the Central African Republic and Cameroon have added 1.8 million refugees to an already struggling nation. This has placed further strain on limited and stretched resources.

The Challenges of Returnees 

According to the World Bank, more than 120,000 people fled Chad in 2025. But many migrants choose to return due to risks of trafficking, detention, forced deportation and family separation. A lack of opportunities and additional difficulties in the country of transit or destination has also contributed to the decision for returning migration to Chad. More than 300,000 Chadians have gone back to the eastern part of the country due to the Sudanese conflict. 

Returnees often face unique challenges to other forms of migration to Chad. Many accumulate debt to fund their journeys and return to no assets or employment and no way to repay what they owe. This can lead to animosity from those they are indebted to. Some communities shun or shame individuals for their ‘failed’ migration attempt and competition over limited resources can create additional tensions. This can make it particularly difficult for individuals to resume the life they left behind.

The Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched the Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme in 2024 to address issues returnees face across the region. The program seeks to improve access to employment opportunities, life skills training, social protection measures such as housing and education, and mental health support.

Many migrants returning to Chad experience acute psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, feelings of failure, isolation and fear. The IFRC seeks to help national societies provide counselling and support before and after migrants return to assist with reintegration. 

The programme also aims to strengthen social cohesion. Initiatives such as mothers’ clubs and farmers field schools are intended to encourage positive relationships between local communities. Returnees will also receive job opportunities, vocational training schemes and micro-entrepreneurships to empower those returning to Chad and the communities who receive them. 

Cash-based assistance will be a key aspect of the initiative. Allowing individuals and families to decide where funds are best spent creates a sustainable system in which migrants returning to Chad are encouraged to reach financial independence and stability and local economies are stimulated.

Conclusion

Migrants returning to Chad often face major reintegration challenges, including poverty, debt, stigma and limited access to resources, alongside psychological stress and social isolation. These difficulties are intensified by wider pressures such as conflict, food insecurity, and the changing climate. The Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme supports returnees in their reintegration into Chadian society to help them to re-establish the lives they left behind. 

– Louise Nethercott

Louise is based in Vienna, Austria and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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School Meals and Refugee Education in Chad

Refugee Education in ChadIn Chad, education is the path to a more stable future free of long-term hardship, yet millions of children remain out of school. Education Cannot Wait announced a $20 million grant in December 2024 to extend its multi-year resilience program in Chad, following a report that at least 3.2 million children and adolescents were absent from the classroom. This funding is expected to reach 66,000 crisis-affected learners.

That matters in a country where issues such as conflict spillover, climate shocks and poverty continue to disrupt education. School meals and refugee education in Chad are essential because food support and classroom access can work together during emergencies.

The Crisis in Eastern Chad

The pressure has only intensified since war broke out in neighboring Sudan in April 2023. The World Food Programme (WFP) says the Central African country now hosts 1.5 million refugees. They include 900,000 people who immigrated from Sudan, putting greater strain on communities that were already experiencing immense poverty and food insecurity.

In eastern Chad, UNICEF reported in April 2026 that 900,000 children were not registered in an educational institution. The same report said nearly 300,000 refugee children in the east were not receiving any schooling.

Why School Meals Matter

School meals are one of the clearest tools helping children stay in class. WFP says its emergency response to this problem included providing school meals for more than 125,000 children in refugee-hosting areas in 2025. It also supports home-grown school feeding programs that connect schools with local farmers so children can consume locally sourced meals while rural producers gain a market for their crops. 

According to WFP, this approach has already improved nutrition and school attendance outcomes for more than 110,000 children. In a crisis setting, a meal at school helps improve learning and household food security.

Education Support Beyond Food

Education support is also expanding beyond meals. Education Cannot Wait says more than 40% of the 66,600 children targeted through its new grant will be refugees. The program will also train more than 1,500 teachers in pedagogy, psychosocial support and risk reduction. 

This broader work strengthens school meals and refugee education by combining food assistance with improved classroom support. This is important, since Chad not only needs more students attending school, but it also requires schools that can handle displacement and overcrowding. UNICEF says eastern Chad still needs about 5,000 temporary learning spaces and 10,000 latrines to meet minimum standards.

A Positive Path Forward

These efforts are particularly important for girls. In its 2024–2028 Chad country strategic plan, WFP said that increasing home-grown school feeding can help improve nutrition and health while also keeping girls in school. UNICEF’s report on eastern Chad states that without enough education support, 70,000 children, including refugees, returnees and those from host communities, could miss school days or drop out. 

This raises the risk of child labor and child marriage. In this situation, school meals do more than tackle hunger. They help safeguard children’s futures.

Closing Remarks

School meals and refugee education in Chad are deeply connected. Food support helps children show up in class and stay enrolled, while new education funding helps schools respond to crises more effectively. Despite this, Chad still faces a major gap. 

However, active programs from WFP, UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait show that investments can keep more children in school. If those efforts continue to expand, they could strengthen educational access and long-term resilience for families across the country.

– Ashirah Newton 

Ashirah is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain in Chad and Sudan

vaccine cold chain in ChadAfrica lacks the capacity to manufacture its own vaccines. As a result, combined with other factors such as limited health care infrastructure, vaccination rates across the continent remain lower than in many other parts of the world. Since building high-functioning manufacturing facilities would be both difficult and costly, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are seeking practical, feasible ways to expand vaccine access in Africa.

Why Vaccine Delivery Remains a Challenge

Although many vaccines are available today, low vaccination rates in Chad and Sudan mean that only a few can be prioritized immediately. In 2024, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched pneumococcal, rotavirus and malaria vaccines in Chad. This approach centers on reducing vaccine-preventable deaths, making these vaccines the most immediately impactful.

Vaccines are not widely manufactured in Africa and are often transported from overseas. Most also need to be stored at specific temperatures to remain effective. Adding to the challenge, each vaccine requires its own storage conditions. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a detailed toolkit on vaccine storage and handling.

The cold chain is the critical system that allows vaccines to reach their destination safely and remain usable. If required temperatures are not maintained throughout the process, vaccines can lose potency and health workers must discard them. This means that everyone involved in the cold chain process, from transport personnel to staff managing refrigeration at medical facilities, requires specialized training. 

It also demands strong infrastructure and tightly coordinated logistics to ensure there are no gaps in storage or delivery. Because cold chain delivery and storage require such close oversight, the UNICEF Supply Division treats them as a major operational priority.

The Status Quo

While the vaccine cold chain requires particular attention, refrigeration is also essential for many other perishable supplies that must be transported to especially hot climates, such as Chad and Sudan. According to the WHO’s Communications Officer for News and Media, the organization published an evidence brief for this reason. Titled “Solar direct-drive vaccine refrigerators and freezers,” the brief explains how solar power can play a particularly important role in vaccine storage. 

Because electricity is unreliable in many parts of Chad and Sudan, clinics and transporters often rely on kerosene and gasoline to power cold chain storage and refrigeration. Unfortunately, these fuel-powered systems are both costly and difficult to maintain. Rising prices and supply chain disruptions can also make kerosene and gasoline hard to keep in stock. 

In addition, because these fuels are used with absorption refrigeration systems rather than the more reliable electric refrigerators, reliability remains a major concern.

Where Do Solar Panels Come In?

As demand for reliable energy grows, researchers are exploring alternatives to fossil fuels. Beyond climate concerns, fossil fuels are finite and increasingly expensive. While no energy source currently known to scientists is without cost, many groups have spent years searching for sustainable options with the lowest possible operating costs.

While energy needs vary across regions, Northern Africa’s arid climate and abundant sunshine make solar power a strong candidate for a major energy source. Globally, CleanEnergy predicts that solar power will become a leading source of energy generation by 2050. WHO and UNICEF, alongside partners such as the World Bank, are actively scaling up solar energy to stabilize critical health, water and education services in Chad and Sudan.

Barriers To Creating a Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain

Transitioning to new energy sources does not come without cost. Although sunshine is abundant in Northern Africa, installing solar panels would require a major investment. While exact figures are unclear, providing solar-powered refrigeration and cold chain storage for vaccines in Chad and Sudan would likely require large organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF to purchase and install a significant number of solar panels.

There would also be initial challenges in integrating solar energy into existing power systems. Although this would likely be a short-term issue, failures during the transition could lead to the loss of vaccines and other perishable supplies. In addition, while Chad and Sudan are still developing their solar regulatory frameworks, government policy remains an important consideration when implementing large-scale energy or grid infrastructure projects.

Looking to the Future

While 2050 is more than two decades away, solar energy use is rapidly expanding worldwide and creating a solar-powered vaccine cold chain in Chad and Sudan will soon be a reality. Given the evidence highlighting refrigeration’s critical role in vaccine distribution, solar power is likely to be prioritized and expanded in the region sooner rather than later.

– Nicole Miller

Nicole is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Access to Clean Water in Chad and the Fight Against Poverty

Access to Clean Water in Chad and the Fight Against Poverty Access to clean water is a critical issue in Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa. Millions of people in Chad struggle daily to obtain safe drinking water, which affects health, education and economic development. Understanding the challenges and potential solutions is essential for improving the lives of people in Chad.

The Water Crisis in Chad

Chad faces one of the most severe water scarcity situations in the world. Many rural areas lack reliable water sources, and residents often rely on contaminated rivers or ponds. According to UNICEF, less than half of Chad’s population has access to safe drinking water. This shortage leads to widespread waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid.

Factors Contributing to Water Scarcity

Several factors worsen the water crisis in Chad:

  1. Climate and droughts: Chad has a dry climate, with frequent droughts that reduce the availability of surface water.
  2. Poor infrastructure: Many regions lack wells, pumps and pipelines to deliver clean water.
  3. Population growth: Rapid population growth increases demand, putting more pressure on limited water resources.
  4. Conflict and displacement: Violence and political instability disrupt water systems and force people to flee to areas without safe water.

Health Impacts of Unsafe Water

Without access to clean water, children under five are especially vulnerable. Contaminated water contributes to high rates of malnutrition, stunting and preventable deaths. Women and girls often spend hours each day fetching water, which reduces time for education and work.

Solutions to Improve Access

Efforts to improve water access in Chad focus on both infrastructure and community programs:

  1. Boreholes and wells: Drilling deep wells provides communities with access to safe groundwater.
  2. Water filtration systems: Simple filtration devices can remove bacteria and pathogens from contaminated water.
  3. Education on hygiene: Teaching communities about handwashing, water storage and sanitation reduces waterborne diseases.

Looking Ahead 

Improving access to clean water in Chad is essential for health, education and economic growth. While challenges such as the changing climate, population growth and poor infrastructure remain, targeted solutions such as wells, filtration systems and hygiene education can make a meaningful difference.

– Nishanth Pothapragada

Nishanth is based in London, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Water Scarcity, Inadequate Sanitation and Food Insecurity in Chad

Food Insecurity in ChadChad has been experiencing severe food insecurity and water scarcity, combined with insufficient sanitation services, for several years now. The main contributors to these disasters have been flooding, drought, conflict and inadequate infrastructure. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Chad is now facing its sixth consecutive year of crisis-level hunger.

These crises have been worsened by the influx of refugees entering the country from Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Cameroon and other neighboring states. According to UNHCR data, more than 1.45 million refugees currently reside in Chad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 90% of these refugees are women and children.

There are also nearly 226,000 internally displaced Chadians. In addition, children account for 57% of Chad’s total population, according to UNICEF.

Food Insecurity in Chad

Chad is currently the sixth most food-insecure country in the world. The WFP reports there are currently more than 3.4 million Chadians facing extreme hunger, a 240% increase since 2020. UNICEF has stated that there are more than 2 million Chadian children in need of treatment for severe wasting, which is the most life-threatening stage of malnutrition.

Additionally, according to the Global Nutrition Report, 31.1% of children in Chad under the age of 5 are stunted. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that in Chad, “the 2024/25 agricultural season is marked by the destruction of 819,370 hectares of sown land, primarily due to floods, plant pests and straying livestock. Conflict has also disrupted agriculture, adding to food insecurity in Chad.

The International Crisis Group has reported that between 2021 and 2024, farmer-herder conflict claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Chadians and left more than 2,000 injured. According to FEWS NET, agropastoral clashes have led to significant loss of life: “Since May 2025, 42 people were killed in Logone Occidental, 16 in Ouaddaï, 17 in Mayo Kebbi Ouest and six in Salamat due to these conflicts.” FEWS NET also reported that as of late June, only 11.8% of people earmarked for Chad’s 2025 humanitarian assistance plan had received food aid.

Humanitarian Aid

The WFP reported that between June and August 2024, it had disbursed food, cash and nutritional support to up to 1 million people and provided aid to an additional 400,000 people who had been impacted by flooding. Furthermore, it aims to assist 1 million breastfeeding and pregnant women, along with children aged 6-59 months, with treatment for malnutrition.

According to the FAO, in 2024, the United Nations (U.N.) provided 58.7 tonnes of crops and 3.5 tonnes of vegetable seed to more than 22,800 households in Chad. As a result, 42,660 tonnes of staple foods and 14,400 tonnes of fruits and vegetables were cultivated. Thirty percent was consumed and the remainder was sold for more than $5 million, distributed in average payments of $280 per household, which was sufficient to supply food for up to six months.

Additionally, in early 2025, the European Commission announced that it had allocated €74.5 million (approximately $83.9 million) to Chad for humanitarian assistance. According to UNICEF, in April, the organization appealed for $114.2 million in aid for Chad, with more than $50 million allocated for nutritional support and more than $24 million dedicated to WASH services. However, only 34% of the required funding has been secured.

Water Scarcity and Sanitation

According to the Interactive Country Fiches (ICF), “Chad has the third-lowest level of access to safe water and the lowest level of access to adequate sanitation in all of Africa.” Only 52% of Chad’s population has basic access to drinking water. However, Gannet’s Data Friendly Space (DFS) has reported that only 18% have access to safely managed sources and merely 10% of Chadians have access to basic sanitation.

Doctors Without Borders (DWB) reports, “In refugee camps across the Ouaddaï, Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces, most refugees are receiving far less than the recommended 20 liters (nearly 5 gallons) of clean water per day. This shortage disproportionately affects women and children.” According to UNICEF, Chad’s mortality rate for children under the age of 5 is approximately one in 10. Gannet’s DFS reports that malaria is the leading cause of these deaths, while noting that insufficient sanitation, stagnant water and overcrowded camps further increase the risk of transmission.

Additionally, according to UNICEF, 68% of the population practices open defecation. This stems in part from the lack of latrines in refugee camps; DWB reports that many camps fail to meet the minimum standard of one latrine for every 50 people. With such a high rate of flooding, open defecation and inadequate water management, waterborne disease has wreaked havoc, leading to outbreaks of hepatitis E, cholera and typhoid. According to the WHO, between January and April 2024, there were 2,092 suspected cases of hepatitis E.

Cholera Outbreak

Regarding the recent cholera outbreak, the chief of WASH in Chad, Oumar Doumbouya, stated: “As of 20 October, we have 2,770 cases of cholera and 156 deaths, including 69 in communities. The disease remains active in three provinces: Ouaddaï, Sila and Guéra.” In 2024, the International Water Association reported that more than 78% of the population in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, obtained water from hand pumps.

Doumbouya noted that UNICEF is working to improve water sources across the country. “Just to give you a figure, we have been recently working on trying to upgrade water points in Chad to put this from a simple hand pump to a solar motorized water supply system and basically, we were able to identify more than 5,000 water points that needed to be upgraded.”

UNICEF has reported that in February 2024, it facilitated funding for the installation of two water treatment units in Baga Sola and Bol, which, combined, provide 20 liters of water per person to 4,000 people each day. DWB has also made significant contributions to improving conditions in refugee camps. According to the organization, “In the last two years, MSF [DWB] treated 43,908 patients for acute malnutrition and responded to hepatitis E and typhoid outbreaks in Adré, Aboutengue and Metché.”

In the Adré transit camp alone, water systems built by DWB produced 654,000 liters of water per day in May. The organization also restored 229 latrines, constructed 80 long-term latrines and cleaned 539 existing ones in Adré.

Final Remarks

The battle against food insecurity, water scarcity and poor sanitation in Chad is far from over. However, with the help of international organizations, the nation is making progress every day.

– Owen Armentrout

Owen is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Traditions and Gender Equality for Women in Chad

Women in ChadChadian cultural practices encourage many ethnic groups to showcase their heritage through their traditions. Some of these traditions are deeply rooted in a patriarchal society where women in Chad experience exclusion from sustainable development processes, even though their participation is seen as key to a peaceful democracy.

Cultural Beliefs and Practices Throughout the Region

Many of Chad’s customs and etiquette are deeply rooted in its cultural practices and the various ethnic groups. Some of its formalities are practiced universally, such as respecting your elders, the proper handshake and different verbal greetings. Cultural festivals and ceremonies showcase Chad’s rich heritage and traditions through lively music, dance and costumes. A wide range of styles and instruments is used to express an even wider range of emotions and the diverse ethnic identities found throughout the region.

While some traditions in Chad are bright and innocent, others cause extreme harm to women. One such practice still regularly carried out is female genital mutilation (FGM). Strong motivations to continue it stem from peer pressure, as many girls fear being rejected by their community and feel compelled to comply in order to be socially accepted. The practice is viewed as a necessity for raising a girl. It is typically performed during infancy or adolescence as preparation for adulthood and marriage. It is largely intended to control a girl’s sexuality and promote celibacy until marriage.

Although considered necessary by some, this tradition has no health benefits. It damages healthy tissue and interferes with the natural anatomy of a woman’s body. All forms of FGM are linked to serious health complications, which worsen with severity. Immediate risks include urinary problems, infections, swelling, injury to surrounding tissue and even death. Long-term complications include childbirth difficulties, menstrual disorders, recurring infections and psychological trauma.

This practice reinforces patriarchal control and restricts women’s social and economic independence, reflecting their lower social status. Marriage is often the only path to economic and social security for women and there is a widespread expectation that men should marry women who have undergone mutilation.

How the Chadian Government Is Helping

The Chadian government established a Ministry of Women to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights. The ministry ensures that women’s affairs are integrated into all government policies and programs. It also works to protect women and children from discrimination and violence, promote reproductive health and education, lead awareness campaigns and implement national strategies to improve the livelihoods of women and children.

Alongside this ratification, Chad’s 2023 constitution guarantees equality for all before the law and calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. It secures and protects women’s rights while also requiring greater representation of women in assemblies and public administrations.

In 2002, the Chadian government passed a reproductive health law that upholds the right to medical services, including access to abortion as defined in Article 14. The article is to be activated through specific applications outlining the processes, guidelines and technical specifications required to provide these services.

Other countries and international organizations are also supporting Chad’s efforts toward a safer and more equal future. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a sexual and reproductive health agency working in 150 countries, including Chad, helps ensure the rights and choices of women and girls. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works to empower girls and women in Chad while promoting values of peaceful coexistence through youth activities in local communities.

– Eva Wakelin

Eva is based in Atlanta, Georgia USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Child Marriage in Chad With Education and Reform

Child Marriage in ChadIn Chad, thousands of girls as young as 14 years old are pressured to leave education behind and marry before reaching adulthood. Girls Not Brides underlined that in 2019, nearly 61% of Chadian women between the ages of 20 and 24 were married before their 18th birthday. While child marriage rates remain high in the region, the government of Chad and local organizations are rallying behind reforms. Through tougher laws, an increase in tailored educational initiatives and grassroots activism, efforts to curb child marriage rates are actively advancing, bringing hope to thousands of girls.

Correlation Between Child Marriage and Poverty in Chad

Research highlights a strong link between child marriage and poverty. In Chad, this practice is more prevalent among the lowest-income communities: girls from households facing the greatest economic challenges have more than triple the likelihood of marrying before 18 than those in the wealthiest group. The World Bank further emphasizes that economic hardship and limited educational opportunities drive child marriage. This cycle deprives girls from building secure futures, trapping entire families in economic hardship for generations.

Government and Policy Reforms to End Child Marriage in Chad

Policy changes, local initiatives and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are making meaningful progress in reducing child marriage in Chad. As part of the 2023 Universal Periodic Review, Chad emphasized their dedication to fostering equal rights for both men and women, and prioritizing academic opportunities for girls and their participation within schools.

The Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD), is a collaborative effort between the World Bank Group and United Nations, aiming to narrow the gender gap and back efforts to help girls remain in or re-enter education.

The program’s transformative effect is clear, having already achieved: 

  • About 27,906 girls participated in advocacy workshops, helping them understand their rights and resist early marriage
  • It provided 360 mentors with specialized training on how to deliver education on gender issues and human rights
  • It established 360 refuge centers

Strengthening Laws and Birth Registration 

Policy reforms have paved the way for change, and these efforts are now being reinforced through improved legal protections and birth registration efforts. At the  High Level Political Forum in 2019, Chad confirmed the implementation of a revised statutory marriage age, raising it from 16 years to 18 years.

In February 2019, Chad’s government worked alongside the Organization of African First Ladies and United Nations to launch a fully funded plan to eradicate underage marriage. There were six key components of the strategy: 

  • Strengthening laws
  • Expanding public outreach
  • Offering survivor assistance
  • Workforce training
  • Upgrading facilities 
  • Improving oversight

In 2023, Chad implemented a new constitution that bolstered legal safeguards for women and girls, prohibiting harmful practices like genital mutilation and child marriage. Minister of Justice, Yousoff Tom underlined the commitment of the Chadian government, stating “since ratifying the convention in 1995, Chad had worked tirelessly to eradicate discrimination against women.”

With the assistance of the UN, Chad has strengthened birth documentation systems through the opening of registration offices, a crucial step in preventing age falsification.  Legal authorities now travel to refugee settlements to deliver new copies of birth records, strengthening the government’s ability to verify age with precision, closing the loopholes that once left girls vulnerable.

Chad’s Push for Girls’ Education

Chad has made notable progress in ensuring girls remain in education. The 2024 expansion of the Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend not only worked to prevent violence against girls, but also strengthened access to education. The impacts of the initiative were clear, allowing 127,000 girls to receive academic and financial assistance.

Such measures are vital, just 12% of those who graduate from secondary school end up married before reaching age 18, in contrast to 76.5% of girls that have no education.

These reforms are already showing results, with the percentage of girls attending primary school climbing to 83% in 2024. To further advance girls’ education, Chad’s government imposed penalties on schools that denied admission to pregnant students, to safeguard young mothers’ rights to continue their studies and improve their economic prospects.

The Chadian government also created a ministry dedicated to women’s affairs to embed women’s needs and interests into the frameworks of all state-led initiatives. The Positive Parenthood Program works to challenge harmful gender norms while also expanding centers that offer medical and legal assistance to victims.

How Local and Global Groups Are Driving Change

Founded in 2011, Girls Not Brides brings together organizations from around the world to expand opportunities for girls and women and fight against early marriage. Girls not Brides spans almost 100 countries, successfully linking hundreds of groups together who each contribute to reaching the collective goal of preventing child marriage, and empowering and safeguarding girls. Girls not Brides has 10 member organizations working in Chad to tackle the underlying factors fueling child marriage through public engagement, educational initiatives and support services for girls.

Cellule de Liaison des Associations Féminines (CELIAF) is a further example of a coalition fighting for the rights and safety of girls in Chad. CELIAF consists of more than 450 Non-Governmental Organizations, who together, are working to end all forms of inequality faced by women, through strengthening their role within society. According to Peace Direct, CELIAF plays a key role in bringing together women’s advocacy groups in Chad, with their work impacting 16,000 women. Additionally, from 2012 to 2016 CELIAF launched a women’s empowerment initiative that focused on enhancing female participation in peacebuilding. Through linking grassroots organizations, advancing leadership opportunities and championing women’s perspectives, CELIAF effectively lays the groundwork for social change and combats damaging practices like child marriage.

Looking Ahead

Chad continues to face one of the highest child marriage rates globally, but change is on the way. Indeed, through policy changes, expanded educational opportunities and the commitment of local and international organizations, measurable progress has been made. From increasing the legal age of marriage and enhancing birth registration systems, to providing educational support and guidance to young girls, these efforts are empowering women and equipping the, with the tools to shape their own futures.

– Ciara Moore

Ciara is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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UAE Sends Aid To Help in Fight Against Cholera in Chad

Cholera in ChadSince the start of 2025, more than 390,000 cases of cholera have been reported across 31 countries. At least 4,322 of those cases have been fatal. On paper, these numbers can be hard to grasp.

However, to put them in perspective, the number of infections is nearly four times the capacity of Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the U.S. The death toll is equally staggering, approaching one and a half times the number of lives lost in the September 11 attacks.

What is Cholera?

Cholera is a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mild cholera cases can be easily treated with oral rehydration solutions, which replace lost fluids and electrolytes. More extreme cases may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Cholera can be fatal if not treated quickly, though if caught in time, treatment is very effective.

Cholera is a waterborne disease, meaning it is primarily spread through contaminated water sources. This fact is particularly sobering in Chad, where only 52% of the population can access clean drinking water. The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where that number drops to just 43.8%.

Cholera in Chad

This global outbreak has hit Chad, a country in north-central Africa, especially hard. Chad has a population of more than 19 million, with 44.8% living on an income below the national poverty line. From July 13 to August 19, Chad recorded 776 cholera cases and 53 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 6.8%.

The disease is believed to have entered Chad from its eastern neighbor, Sudan. Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a violent civil war that has devastated the country. According to the United Nations (U.N.), the ongoing conflict has triggered a massive refugee crisis, forcing approximately 1.2 million Sudanese to flee across the border into Chad in search of safety and stability.

The cholera outbreak has been further worsened by these cross-border movements and the instability caused by the war. Armed conflict often exacerbates disease spread, making it essential to focus on this region now to prevent outbreaks and further human suffering.

UAE Involvement

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small but wealthy country on the Arabian Peninsula. In August 2025, its government sent 30 tons of lifesaving medical supplies to Chad to combat the cholera outbreak.

Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, the chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, confirmed that Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s priority is to continue the country’s “international humanitarian commitment to address health challenges wherever they arise.”

In 2025 alone, the UAE has distributed more than $80 million in health-related aid worldwide, with the primary beneficiaries in West Asia and Africa.

Conclusion

Efforts to contain cholera in Chad are critical. The UAE’s contribution is a meaningful step in the fight against cholera, offering critical relief to one of the regions hit hardest by the outbreak. However, millions remain at risk due to limited access to clean water, basic health care and humanitarian support.

– William Brentani

William is based in San Francisco, CA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling Poverty and Disease in Chad: Driving Change

Tackling Poverty and Disease in Chad: Local Innovation and Global Partnerships Driving ChangePoverty and disease in Chad remain deeply intertwined, especially in rural and underserved regions. More than 40% of the population is currently living in extreme poverty with preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrheal infections and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including visceral leishmaniasis, continuing to spread, exacerbating an already fragile health conditions. These diseases not only harm public health but also reinforce poverty and entrench economic instability by reducing productivity, limiting education and overwhelming fragile health systems. 

According to 2022 data, 44.8% of the total population of Chad is living below the national poverty line, whilst 36.5% of the population is surviving on less than $2.15 per day. This dual burden of disease and deprivation underscores the importance of integrated, evidence-based solutions; an area where international health organizations are increasingly stepping up with promising, collaborative interventions.

Cross-Border Collaboration and DNDi

Chad is not fighting alone. Local health ministries, supported by international organizations, are taking significant steps to break this cycle. In partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and the African Union, Chad has joined a cross-border collaboration with countries like Ethiopia and Sudan to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, a deadly NTD affecting some of its poorest regions.

DNDi is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to discover, develop and deliver new treatments for these neglected diseases that primarily impact people in lower-income countries. DNDi operates on a needs-driven model focusing on affordability, accessibility and partnerships with local health systems. In Chad, DNDi has played a central role in strengthening surveillance systems, supporting local capacity to diagnose and treat leishmaniasis, as well as ensuring that life-saving medicines reach remote communities. 

Organizations Aiding Chad’s Development

Meanwhile, organizations like the END Fund are supporting large-scale treatment campaigns targeting soil-transmitted helminths and other parasitic diseases that affect school-age children. These programs also contribute to improved school attendance, nutrition and long-term development outcomes. Together, these collaborative efforts underpin a growing recognition that tackling NTDs in Chad requires both medical innovation and regional cooperation.

In addition to medical treatment, organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and WaterAid are investing in clean water and sanitation infrastructure, which are critical tools in the fight against waterborne diseases and hygiene-related poverty. Since the early 2000s, UNICEF has been actively working in Chad to combat poverty and disease by focusing on providing sanitary water, providing education for vulnerable children and allowing easier access to essential services, including nutrition, health and protection of vulnerable populations. Community health initiatives are also expanding, with trained health workers delivering care and education directly to families in rural areas, bridging the access gap.

Another organization who are helping to prevent the spread of the levels of poverty in Chad is the Sahel Adaptive Social Protection Programme (SASPP), World Bank. The SASPP aims to increase access to social safety nets for the poor and vulnerable population, including refugees. It focuses on building adaptive social protection systems, including cash transfers, productive inclusion and emergency support, all underpinned by digital targeting, payment and monitoring systems. The program in Chad is designed to benefit more than 780,000 people, including refugees and those in refugee-hosting communities, through various interventions like cash aid and productivity programs.

Looking Ahead

Coordinated efforts in Chad in combining disease treatment, health education, and basic services are not only saving lives but also creating a foundation for long-term economic resilience. With stronger investment and continued support, Chad has the potential to transform its health crisis into a model of community-driven recovery.

– Carise Wallbank

Carise is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr