Tag Archive for: Poverty In Pakistan

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The Ehsaas Program: Empowering Women and Fighting Poverty

The Ehsaas ProgramThe Ehsaas Program, launched by the Government of Pakistan, has become one of the world’s most recognized social protection initiatives. Ehsaas is a word in the Urdu language meaning “to feel,” representing empathy and a commitment to helping those in need. It is the Government of Pakistan’s comprehensive initiative to tackle poverty and inequality. Launched to mitigate the socioeconomic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ehsaas has provided financial relief to millions of vulnerable households, particularly women, through direct cash transfers. The program, led by Dr. Sania Nishtar (currently serving as the CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance), continues to be a model for innovative and scalable poverty alleviation.

Global Recognition and Impact

In a 2021 report by the World Bank, Pakistan’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program was highlighted for its remarkable reach, ranking fourth globally in terms of the number of people covered and third in terms of the percentage of the population served. The Ehsaas Emergency Cash initiative disbursed stipends of PKR 12,000 ($48) to nearly 15 million households, benefiting more than 100 million people—almost half of Pakistan’s population. The World Bank praised the program for its rapid rollout and extensive coverage, calling it one of the most impressive large-scale social protection measures worldwide.

Economic Empowerment Through Targeted Initiatives

A significant aspect of the Ehsaas Program is its emphasis on women’s empowerment. More than 50% of its initiatives focus on providing financial security to women. By targeting women for poverty alleviation and supporting the United Nations (U.N.) SDG 5 on gender equality, Ehsaas is empowering women economically and socially.

The Ehsaas Kafaalat Program provides direct cash transfers to low-income women, ensuring that they have the financial support needed for necessities such as food, health care and education. Women have been the focal point of the Ehsaas Interest-Free Loan Scheme, which enables them to start small businesses and gain financial independence. Nishtar highlighted how the empowerment of women is beneficial for society and the economy and that the “government is determined to lift seven million poorest women in Pakistan out of poverty and help them achieve their potential.”

Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods

The Ehsaas Aamdan Program provides sustainable assets such as sewing machines, shops, livestock and vehicles to help individuals generate long-term income. This asset-based approach empowers women to contribute to their families’ economic stability while fostering entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

Similarly, the Ehsaas Nashonuma Program promotes gender-sensitive financial support for nutrition. Families receive $7.18 for girls and $5.39 for boys younger than 2 years of age, which not only provides vital nutrition for children but also encourages a shift in societal attitudes toward gender equality. By offering higher financial incentives for female children, the program aims to combat cultural practices like female feticide and emphasize the value of female children.

Final Remark

Ehsaas’ implementation provides valuable lessons for other nations, especially in light of the recent crises that have highlighted the need to redefine the role of the welfare state. This presents a unique chance to create a pivotal moment in advancing global social welfare. Moreover, its emphasis on gender equality mirrors the development strategies of economically advanced countries, which have leveraged the potential of their female populations to achieve sustainable growth.

This realization is paving the way for Pakistan’s future economic, social and political development, with women playing a crucial role in these advancements. By empowering women, the Ehsaas Program is driving Pakistan closer to achieving its national development goals while addressing the pressing issues of poverty and inequality.

– Irtija Ahmad

Irtija is based in Slough, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Khilo aur Barho: Education Initiative in Pakistan

Khilo aur Barho: Education Initiative in Pakistan The Khilo aur Barho initiative, translating to “Grow and Flourish,” aims to transform education for girls and out-of-school children in Pakistan. The British High Commission (BHC) launched this program as part of the Girls and Out of School Children: Action for Learning (GOAL) initiative. The initiative addresses educational access and quality in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab. Targeting children aged 5 to 16, this five-year program, which began in January 2023, strives to expand educational opportunities by enhancing the quality of teaching and learning outcomes. With a budget of up to £20 million, Khilo aur Barho aims to enroll at least 100,000 children in school. Additionally, the aim is to ensure that an additional 150,000 girls can read by the age of 10.

British Foreign Aid Allocation

In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) allocated £41.54 million in official development aid (ODA) to Pakistan. Furthermore, current plans are to increase this amount to £133 million in 2024/25. The aid strategically focuses on education, support for women and girls, humanitarian efforts and climate change initiatives. Programs like GOAL have already had a positive impact on millions of children.

Educational Challenges in Pakistan

Despite some progress in recent years, Pakistan’s education system still faces significant challenges. Both government and private schools struggle to provide quality education. A nongovernmental organization focused on women’s rights in Punjab attributes the state’s historic neglect of education to insufficient resource allocation and lack of budget prioritization. This situation highlights widespread governance failures that compromise educational standards and perpetuate public distrust in the system. Reports indicate problems such as absentee teachers, bribery for teaching positions and inadequate government oversight in private schools, all of which further exacerbate the educational crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated educational challenges, resulting in 26.2 million children out of school by 2024. Girls face disproportionate effects, with only 64% in Punjab and 54% in KP ever attending school. Systemic deficiencies and socio-cultural barriers compound these ongoing challenges, as families in impoverished areas often prioritize boys’ education due to financial constraints and traditional gender roles. High education costs, including fees and related expenses, frequently push girls into labor or early marriage.

Strategies for Educational Reform

Khilo aur Barho’s approach to improve educational outcomes:

  1. Foundational Learning. The program employs accelerated and alternative learning programs (ALPs) providing access to education for marginalized, over-age and out-of-school children, enabling them to enrol in mainstream schools or gain educational certification.
  2. Reading and Maths Skills. Direct interventions aim to enhance literacy and numeracy among children, with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place to measure progress.
  3. School Safety and Inclusivity. Efforts to promote school safety and inclusivity involve sensitizing school administrations, parent-teacher councils, teachers and students to safeguarding principles and addressing issues such as violence, bullying and corporal punishment. Training initiatives for school stakeholders aim to foster a culture f safety and tolerance, utilizing positive storytelling, media interventions and inclusive pedagogy to cultivate empathy and build tolerance across communities.
  4. Community and Parental Engagement. Engaging communities and parents is crucial for boosting enrolment and retention rates. This includes addressing home and environmental factors that impact learning, such as lead poisoning. By involving communities in educational initiatives, Khilo aur Barho ensures that children are supported academically, emotionally and socially. This approach aims for the program’s sustainability beyond its initial funding period.
  5. Support for Marginalised Groups. The program targets marginalized children, including those with disabilities, religious minorities and girls. They provide specialized support to ensure their inclusion in the education system.

Looking Ahead

The Khilo aur Barho initiative is making strides toward addressing educational disparities in Pakistan. With the goal of enrolling 100,000 children in school and ensuring that 150,000 girls can read by age 10, this program focuses on improving access to education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. By targeting marginalized groups and enhancing teaching quality, the initiative aims to create lasting change in the educational landscape of Pakistan.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Poverty and Gender Inequality in Pakistan

Gender Inequality in PakistanAccording to the World Bank, Pakistan’s poverty rate is 40.1%, about the same as in 2018. However, when accounting for population growth, approximately 7 million more Pakistanis are living in poverty today. Pakistan has faced several setbacks in combating poverty, such as its slow economic growth in the last six years.

However, there is another facet of Pakistan’s poverty that is equally important to consider. Women are disproportionately represented among the nation’s vulnerable communities, with 75% of Pakistan’s extremely impoverished population being women and girls. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the “feminization of poverty,” is critical to consider when attempting to address the country’s poverty rate.

Gender Inequality in Pakistan

Pakistan ranks low on global gender inequality indexes. The nation ranked 145th out of 146 countries on the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Index, which examines the current state and evolution of gender equality across four categories: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival and Political Empowerment. Pakistan’s performance in each domain warrants brief discussion.

  • Economic Participation and Opportunity: In 2023, only 24% of women aged 15–64 participated in the workforce, compared with 81% of men in the same age range. Reasons for this gap include lower salaries (the gender wage gap was about 34% in 2022) and discriminatory work environments. Moreover, traditional gender roles discourage women’s participation in the workforce, establishing men as wage earners for their families and expecting women to perform more domestic tasks such as caring for their home and children.
  • Educational Attainment: As of 2021, the average number of years of education was 3.9 for women and 6.4 for men across the country — while these numbers varied by region, in all provinces, 10% or fewer of women completed secondary school. As of October 2022, the literacy rate for men in Pakistan was 69.3%, compared with 46.5% for women.
  • Health and Survival: About 27% of women in Pakistan experience intimate partner or domestic violence throughout their life, according to a United Nations (U.N.) report in 2023. Furthermore, only 51% of Pakistani women perceived their communities to be safe. While the nation has passed laws and policies against violence, implementing and enforcing them remains a challenge. Many women have little access to services such as police and social support that ensure their safety and protection.
  • Political Empowerment: Women’s representation in parliament remains limited. As of 2023, women held only 20.4% of seats in Pakistani national parliaments.

How Does Gender Inequality Affect Poverty in Pakistan?

Pakistan’s adherence to traditional gender roles limits educational, occupational and political opportunities for women. But how does this account for the disproportionate share of women among the country’s poor? According to the U.N., gender disparities in poverty stem from women’s lack of access to economic resources and financial independence. Pakistan’s substantial gender gap in economic participation reveals this disparity. Lower literacy rates and education levels also reinforce these numbers. Education is essential to securing a well-paying job — fewer years of schooling reduce a woman’s economic opportunities and serve as an obstacle to overcoming poverty.

Addressing Gender Inequality in Pakistan

While Pakistan needs to make considerable progress to overcome gender inequality, some organizations are currently working to provide more opportunities for Pakistani women. The U.N. Women Pakistan supports U.N. initiatives to implement global gender equality standards in Pakistan and encourages the Pakistani government to comply with those standards. Recent efforts include creating committees for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and strengthening Pakistan’s Women Development Departments.

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus also works to influence gender-related legislation in Pakistan. The nonpartisan caucus works with international organizations to strengthen women’s rights and implement policies combating gender inequality in Pakistan. It recently organized a roundtable titled “Gender Responsive Budgeting for Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan,” during which it addressed various gender-related topics, including women’s lack of access to educational and medical facilities in rural areas and the prevalence of gender bias against national and provincial women legislators.

Pakistan’s gender gap in educational and economic participation is substantial. While the U.N. Women Pakistan and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus are working toward improving educational and financial opportunities for women, much more work remains to reduce gender inequality in Pakistan. Bridging the gender gap will help diminish the feminization of Pakistan’s impoverished population—a major step in addressing the nation’s poverty rate as a whole.

– Lana Swindle

Lana is based in Princeton, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Update on SDG 6 in Pakistan

SDG 6 in PakistanIn 2015, the United Nations (U.N.) and its member countries set forth 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030 to improve the world. SDG 6 is specifically dedicated to clean water and sanitation. Clean water and sanitation are fundamental human rights that are crucial for the health and economies of communities and countries. They play a vital role in the health of children as water-borne diseases can cause stunting, malnourishment and even mortality, underscoring the significance of this issue.

SDG 6 and Pakistan

According to the Sustainable Development Report 2023, Pakistan is making “moderate improvements with major challenges remaining” in its pursuit of SDG 6 by 2030. The report states that these efforts are insufficient to achieve the goal.

Current Situation

  • Official statistics mention that 90% of the population has access to drinking water.
  • Only 36% of the water is safe for human consumption.
  • The percentage of the population using at least one basic sanitation service has risen from 40 % in 2015 to 68 % in 2020.
  • Pakistan is on track to end open defecation by 2030 with continued government involvement, which indicates the achievement of the sanitation part of SDG 6.

Challenges in Achieving SDG 6

Pakistan’s significant challenges in achieving SDG 6 are multifaceted and mainly involve uncontrolled population growth, water scarcity and instability. The changing climate and minimal water storage are a few factors contributing to these problems. Political instability has also led to less focus on planning and implementation. As a result, 54,000 children die every year because of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera, which can be prevented.

Progress

In the last decade, progress towards achieving the goal has been made. This has been achieved via collaborations with the U.N., the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other organizations like Global Waters and Water Aid Pakistan. The following are a few of the programs implemented to achieve SDG 6.

  1. Hand Hygiene: In 2015, the government of Pakistan established the Ministry of Climate to achieve SDGs by 2030. The ministry has an SDG department that evaluates the progress made through data collection and sets the pathway for the future. In 2020, the Climate Ministry launched a roadmap called Hand Hygiene For All. The campaign targets the whole population and aims to achieve universal handwashing by 2030.

    For this purpose, a Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) cell has been established at the ministry. Around $1 billion is allocated annually for this cause. The provincial governments are ensuring the training of school teachers, female health workers and other community workers in hand hygiene and other behavior-modifying techniques to achieve the roadmap’s targets. Implementing the roadmap would improve sanitation practices and reduce mortality related to waterborne diseases.
  1. Monitoring Water Quality: Recently, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Pakistan, has completed a project called “Enhancing Water Quality Monitoring System to achieve SDG 6 in Islamabad, Punjab and KP.”

    The project targeted 62 million people and cost $4.4 million. It includes installing the latest equipment in the laboratories and upgrading existing labs. Aditionally, eight vehicles have been converted into mobile laboratories to monitor water quality in two of Pakistan’s most populated provinces. These labs would test water for 16 parameters that the World Health Organization (WHO) has mandated in its guidelines. This will help Pakistan ensure clean water provision for its population.

Final Remark

Despite the hurdles and slow progress in achieving SDG 6, the Government of Pakistan is working closely with international organizations like USAID, UNICEF and other nongovernmental organizations to overcome them. These organizations provide crucial support in funding, technical expertise and advocacy, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s efforts.

– Maria Waleed

Maria is based in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Soldiers in Pakistan

Child Soldiers in PakistanPakistan is an emerging middle power within the East Asia hemisphere quickly on the incline to becoming one of the world’s largest militaries and economic power in the East. However, for all its recent growth, a multitude of issues still plague the nation; terrorism, corruption, religious strife, illiteracy and poverty are all issues that remain, including the use of child soldiers in armed civil and religious conflict. Let’s take a look at the history of child soldiers in Pakistan and what steps the government has taken to eliminate and reduce the issue.

The Past

According to UNICEF, conflict parties around the world recruited more than 105,000 children between 2005 and 2005 and that number could be “much higher than reported.” It is hard to quantify just how responsible Pakistan is to these numbers due to the lack of statistics surrounding the subject, but that does not detract from its role in the involvement of child soldiering.

Pakistan struggles with the problem of active recruitment from factions and parties that are not associated with an official government. These militant groups work on cross-border recruitment strategies to bolster their ranks. The Taliban in Afghanistan forced recruitment through madrassas, Islamic seminary groups acting to radicalize the children. Similar situations arise in the bordering regions in Kashmir and Jammu, where party elders recruit teenagers and subject them to informal combat training. The elders push the envelope further as after combat training, they monitor the recruits at home to make sure that they are following the recruitment program.

In Pakistan, internal recruitment independent of outside parties was also going strong. The Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM) represents the Mohajir community in Pakistan but concurrently engages in periodic violence to resolve religious disputes. It is unknown how many numbered the ranks of MQM in the early 20th century, but the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers reported that a degree of their number did consist of underage soldiers.

Socioeconomic Realities

Forced recruitment is not the only underlying cause of the prevalence of child soldiers in Pakistan: many choose to enlist. The reasons vary according to political circumstances and geographical and socioeconomic realities and can explain voluntary recruitment. In 2018, 21.9% of people in Pakistan lived in poverty. Poverty was prevalent while economic opportunity was scarce and many children did not have viable options to support themselves. The onset of poverty and financial instability led many children to resort to becoming child soldiers as a way to escape the poverty of Pakistan.

To further the issue, an increased number of underage soldiers is a result of the legislation and constitution of Pakistan. Under Article 39 of the 1973 Pakistan Constitution, “the state shall enable people from all parts of Pakistan to participate in the Armed Forces of Pakistan.” The law of Pakistan meant that as long as one volunteered, they could serve, independent of a legal and required age. As the U.N. reported in Geneva in 1997, the legal age [was] between 17 and 22 for officers and between 16 and 25 for soldiers, according to the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers.

The constitutional mandate of 16 being the minimum age to serve in an official capacity paired with the active recruitment of militants through madrassas and grievance causes created a pipeline of child soldiers, however, in a more progressive turn, the government has slowly decreased the amount of child soldiers in Pakistan.

Government’s Initiatives

The Pakistani government is all too aware of their issues and has taken the first steps to overcome the issue of recruitment. Beginning with the problem of madrassas and radicalization of religion for terrorism, the Pakistani military announced it would bring more than 30,000 religious schools under government control in 2019. Many non-state armed groups used these schools to forcibly recruit children. By recognizing the issue of indoctrination at a young age from outside militants, the government is protecting the children and giving them an opportunity for education without the possibility of forced recruitment for armed conflict.

Other initiatives can help increase the education retention rate and act as a deterrent to becoming child soldiers voluntarily. There are multiple options for rehabilitating and inclusion besides forced participation in school. Programs like sports and recreation centers can keep kids engaged and able to experience childhood without the ramifications of militant group recruitment. Additionally, the Pakistani government can implement reintegration centers to destigmatize and de-radicalize former child soldiers. By addressing their issues, accepting them as part of society and taking steps towards integration, the rate of child soldiers will drop dramatically.

Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA)

In 2008, the U.S. federal government passed the Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA). This Act had one major goal: to combat the recruitment or use of children as soldiers by publicly identifying countries that engage in this practice. Since its inception, Pakistan has appeared on the CSPA list every year. However, in 2021, Pakistan, notably, was removed from the list, no longer being seen as a country that engages and participates in the practice of child soldiers. The justification waiver the President released upon the removal of Pakistan from the CSPA list relates as follows: maintaining “security assistance to Pakistan subject to the CSPA restriction supports critical U.S. objectives of promoting regional stability and counterterrorism in South Asia,” according to the Stimson Center.

Pakistan, a country once embroiled in political turmoil and radicalization has taken the first steps to legitimize itself. Taking the initiative to protect the education of children, increasing education rates and the protection of children shows that leadership is reforming the problems of the past. Children are no longer subjected to the active recruitment practices of internal militants and outside organizations. Stability within the region provided by the Pakistani military has created a wave of progression that is slowly eradicating the practice of child soldiers in Pakistan, serving as an example to other countries within the region and the globe.

– Luke Scroggins

Luke is based in Tolar, TX, USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Mangroves in Pakistan Are Helping Local Communities

How Mangrove Expansion in Pakistan Is Helping Local Communities Sindh, the southeastern region of Pakistan, hosts up to 600,000 hectares of mangroves and tropical trees that primarily grow in saltwater. Over the past century, the country has lost up to three-quarters of its mangrove forests, but there have been significant efforts to restore and expand these areas. The current Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has committed to planting 10 billion trees by 2023. Expanding mangrove forests has yielded numerous benefits for local communities, including creating jobs, enhancing food security and protecting neighborhoods from natural disasters.

Mangroves as Natural Protectors

Before the mangrove expansion, severe flooding and monsoons in the Sindh region displaced 8 million people and caused financial losses of up to $30 billion. Fortunately, mangroves naturally function as protective barriers against storms, cyclones and floods. This trait inevitably adds a layer of protection, helping to mitigate serious destruction in many communities.

Economic and Ecological Benefits

In Sindh province, up to 100,000 people work in fisheries and the expansion of mangroves in Pakistan has led to a healthier and more diverse habitat for fish and shrimp, enhancing food and employment security. Many locals have seen improved seafood yields, attributing the increase in crab, shrimp and fish to the expansion of mangroves. This growth has also boosted community welfare by creating jobs and community projects. Locals find employment in planting and transporting mangrove saplings and protecting these planted areas from damage.

The proactive restoration of mangroves in Sindh, Pakistan, is set to bolster ecological resilience, with the expanded forests acting as vital carbon sinks. This initiative, aligning with global climate action goals, not only supports local biodiversity but also integrates community development with environmental conservation, thereby positioning the region as a leader in ecological restoration efforts.

Community Empowerment

Local women and young people can also earn money by supplying, growing and providing their mangrove seeds to developers and government agencies, creating valuable income sources for many households living below the poverty line. The expansion of mangroves in Pakistan has proven successful, with the area of mangrove forests increasing from approximately 184 square miles in 1990 to 565 square miles in 2020. Moreover, this growth has helped local communities lessen the impact of natural disasters, secure sustainable income and employment and protect food sources.

Looking Forward

The expansion of mangrove forests in Sindh represents a beacon of environmental and economic renewal. As these ecosystems thrive, they continue to provide essential protection against natural disasters and bolster local economies through fisheries. Community engagement in mangrove restoration not only empowers residents but also instills a sense of stewardship over natural resources. The ongoing efforts to restore mangrove areas are expected to further enhance biodiversity and ecological stability in the region. Each new mangrove planted is a step toward a more sustainable and resilient future for the Sindh communities.

– Zaynab Yusuf

Zaynab is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Impact of Concern Worldwide in Pakistan

Concern WorldwideConcern Worldwide, an international nongovernment organization “that strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression,” has been pivotal in driving positive change and significantly impacting Pakistan through its range of programs and initiatives. With a commitment to addressing the most pressing needs of communities across the country, Concern Worldwide has established itself as a key player in the realm of humanitarian aid and development. From health care and education to livelihood support and emergency response, the organization’s multifaceted approach aims to uplift and empower individuals and communities in Pakistan, ultimately contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

Why Is Concern Worldwide Helping Pakistan?

Pakistan faces a significant risk of natural disasters, including droughts, earthquakes, floods and landslides. These events often lead to mass displacement, increased humanitarian needs and worsened food insecurity and malnutrition. In fact, from June to September of 2022, Pakistan experienced significant impacts from heavy monsoon rains and glacial lake outbursts, which led to widespread flooding and landslides. Approximately 33 million people were affected, with more than 1,700 reported deaths, nearly 12,900 individuals injured and an estimated 7.9 million people displaced.

Additionally, more than 2.3 million houses and millions of acres of agricultural land and crops were damaged or destroyed. As of 2023, according to the latest Global Hunger Index (GHI) report, Pakistan has been placed 99th out of 129 nations and has classified its hunger level as “serious.” The intersection of political conflict, the changing climate and the COVID-19 pandemic has placed millions at risk of food insecurity.

What Is Concern Worldwide Doing To Help?

Concern Worldwide is making an impact in Pakistan and creating substantial positive changes. Through community empowerment and enhancing education and health care accessibility, its efforts focus on building a better tomorrow for those most in need. In partnership with local entities in the South Asian nation, its efforts are concentrated on building resilience to natural challenges, swift responses to crises, tackling malnutrition and encouraging the development of skills, livelihoods and economic self-reliance.

Health and Nutrition Programs

By improving access to health care services, providing nutritional support to children and pregnant women and raising awareness about hygiene and sanitation practices, the organization is helping to improve the overall health and well-being of communities in Pakistan.

Its Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Surge strategy is geared towards improving the health care system and enhancing the skills of health care professionals. The nonprofit has trained medical officers, nutrition assistants and paramedical staff in 28 health facilities to provide essential care to malnourished children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Emergency Responses

One of the main ways in which Concern Worldwide is making an impact in Pakistan is through its emergency response efforts. From distributing food and water to offering medical assistance, its emergency response teams work tirelessly to ensure that individuals and families have the support they need during times of crisis. For example, the initiative’s Responding to Pakistan’s Internally Displaced (RAPID) Fund Program helps those affected by natural or artificial disasters nationwide.

The organization also tackles the underlying factors contributing to emergencies by emphasizing disaster risk reduction and building resilience. In 2018, the initial phase of the DFID-funded Building Disaster Resilience Program (BDRP) was completed successfully, improving resilience at the community and household levels in districts prone to flooding.

Economic Opportunities and Gender Equity

Using the Building Disaster Resilience program, Concern Worldwide is working to empower individuals to create lasting income sources through Climate Smart Agriculture by providing workshops for both women and men. These workshops include male and female farmers learning climate-smart practices to improve their crop production, leading to better incomes.

However, these interventions were specifically targeted at women. In fact, in 2018, 2,250 nutritious and locally-grown vegetable packages were provided to women, along with the necessary tools to help them create home-based kitchen gardens. These initiatives aim to enhance women’s economic prospects and boost their confidence and motivation to assist in making their communities a better place.

Agriculture

Furthermore, Concern Worldwide is impacting Pakistan through its efforts to promote environmental sustainability and climate resilience. By working with communities to implement sustainable agricultural practices, conserve natural resources and adapt to the changing climate, the organization helps protect the environment and build resistance against the impacts of the changing climate in Pakistan.

This has benefited the environment and improved the livelihoods and well-being of vulnerable communities in the country. In 2019, more than 200 sessions were held on Climate Smart Agriculture. Additionally, 129 training sessions on livestock management were conducted for households relying on livestock for their income. Furthermore, 240 community livestock extension workers were trained to ensure the availability of cost-effective livestock services.

Conclusion

By focusing on education, health care, emergency response, livelihoods, gender equality and environmental sustainability, Concern Worldwide is positively changing the lives of millions of people in Pakistan and helping to create a more stable society for future generations.

– Sara Hatab
Photo: Flickr

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Hydropower Plants Light Up Northern Pakistan’s Path Out of Poverty

Hydropower Plants Light Up Northern Pakistan's Path Out of PovertyIn the heart of Pakistan, where rural areas often face a lack of infrastructure and limited access to amenities like electricity, exacerbating poverty, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has become a beacon of hope. Established in 1982, AKRSP aims at fostering sustainable development and empowering marginalized communities. Furthermore, among its transformative projects are hydropower plants, which illuminate the path out of poverty for Northern Pakistan’s rural communities, ensuring access to reliable electricity and promoting economic growth.

Comprehensive Community-Led Development

AKRSP primarily focuses its efforts on rural regions of Pakistan, spanning provinces such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. It employs a comprehensive approach to community-led development and support projects in agriculture and food security, early childhood development, credit and savings, community infrastructure development and education. Moreover, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme commemorates 40 years of community-led development in Pakistan.

Sustainable Energy Solutions in Chitral

The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has installed 148 micro-hydropower plants in Chitral, addressing the area’s significant electricity access challenges. These run-of-the-river systems, which do not require large reservoirs, harness the natural flow of rivers and lakes to generate sustainable energy. Moreover, water is diverted from rivers and channeled to turbines through penstocks and the movement of turbines generates electricity, distributing power to local communities and improving their access to basic needs. This initiative exemplifies a sustainable approach to enhancing rural electrification and living standards.

Local Empowerment and Global Recognition

Part of these installations is getting the local communities involved in running the plants and putting them in control of their own long-term prosperity and energy creation. Furthermore, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) received a global award for a sustainable rural electrification project in Pakistan and it plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation in Chitral, providing access to electricity for 49% of the population. In addition, AKRSP empowers local communities to engage in income-generating activities.

Social and Economic Benefits of Hydropower Plants

The School for International Training’s study highlighted the positive social and economic impacts of micro-hydropower plants. With the newfound electricity access, communities have seen behavioral changes through television viewing, leading to personal development improvements. Additionally, the switch to hydropower from kerosene has resulted in financial savings for families, enabling investment in new activities and business ventures and further catalyzing community growth and prosperity.

Hydropower Plants: Empowering Rural Communities

The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) stands as a testament to the power of community-driven and NGO-backed development can significantly uplift rural areas in Pakistan. Furthermore, by focusing on sustainable hydropower projects, AKRSP not only provides reliable energy but also encourages economic growth and environmental stewardship. Moreover, the initiative’s success highlights the importance of aligning development goals with community needs and aspirations.

In addition, as AKRSP moves forward, its model serves as a blueprint for similar endeavors globally, aiming to achieve sustainable progress and equity. Above all, through continued dedication to empowering rural communities, the organization is helping to illuminate the path toward a brighter, more sustainable future in Pakistan.

– Emily Shapiro
Photo: Unsplash

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Aurat Foundation: Fighting Poverty in Pakistan

Aurat FoundationIn a 2023 report, the World Bank expected poverty level in Pakistan to reach 37.2%. This percentage is slightly below the previous rate of 39.8% in 2018, however, when adjusting for population growth, the number of Pakistanis living in poverty has grown by nearly 3 million since 2018. Considering these rates, this article will outline three factors that are contributing to individuals being poor in Pakistan today.

Deeply Rooted Inequalities in Pakistan

Social inequalities, specifically those rooted in gender workplace discrimination, are the first factor leading to individuals being poor in Pakistan. According to the World Bank, gender inequalities remain persistent in Pakistan, with only one out of four working-age women participating in the labor force and 80% of these women working in agriculture. The majority of women therefore find themselves concentrated in low-paid jobs and have limited opportunities for upward mobility in the formal sector of the economy, making these social inequalities a primary factor of being poor in Pakistan.

Environmental Degradation in Pakistan

Environmental Degradation is the second factor contributing to being poor in Pakistan today. Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlines a clear connection existing between environmental degradation and poverty, with both factors continually reinforcing each other. “Increasing air pollution and contamination of ground and surface water,” for example, are “the most commonly cited indicators of environmental degradation in Pakistan” and ones that those living in poverty are especially vulnerable to. Long-term exposure to these pollutants has significant effects on the health of impoverished individuals, who must then devote significant portions of their already limited incomes to health costs.

Limited Poverty Reduction Programs

The final factor contributing to being poor in Pakistan is the insufficient poverty reduction programs that the country has implemented. Although Pakistan indeed has a long history of poverty reduction programs, these programs tend to focus on only one measure of poverty and thus often fall short of reducing overall poverty levels. These programs also account for only about 2% of GDP and have a limited outreach, thus making them the third factor that is contributing to poverty in Pakistan.

The Good News: Aurat Foundation

Established in 1986, the Aurat Foundation focuses on spreading awareness and creating a society where men and women are coequal, both possessing the right to lead their lives in whichever ways they decide. This right extends to the formal sector of the economy, a sector that with a current male domination. Throughout its many years of operation, the Aurat Foundation has therefore established itself as a prominent NGO in Pakistan, specifically focusing on “providing grants, undertaking advocacy for women’s economic empowerment through gender-responsive budgetary allocations and incorporating of women’s concerns into the macro-economic policy framework and social protection programs.”

In addition to women’s political and economic empowerment, the Aurat Foundation contributes to disaster relief, particularly in launching the Motherland Flood Relief Campaign which responded to “Pakistan’s worst-ever floods in 2010.” These floods are ones that disproportionately affect the poor in Pakistan as these individuals lack the resources necessary to rebuild their lives after such a disaster.

In understanding these deeply rooted inequalities, the effects of environmental degradation and limited poverty reduction programs, the detrimental effects of being poor in Pakistan become clear. However, looking at the Aurat Foundation’s work, people can learn how to mediate these effects for each impoverished individual in Pakistan for a better future.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay

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On the Brink of Eradication: Polio in Pakistan

Pakistan and Polio: On the Brink of Eradication Polio was once a disease that threatened children across the world, its outbreak was a constant cause of worry among communities in every country. However, thanks to successful worldwide immunization, more than 2.5 billion children have received a polio vaccination since the late 1980s and polio is largely a disease of the past. However, children still face the threat of polio in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, where the disease remains endemic.

Polio is an extremely infectious viral disease, largely affecting young children under five. Symptoms can range widely from flu-like illness to paralysis or even death, with paralysis victims often permanently losing use of their legs or arms. This life-altering virus spreads via fecal-oral transmission or occasionally through contaminated food or water and can spread rapidly through communities if not managed carefully.

Eradicating Polio in Pakistan

In an effort to tackle the persisting threat of the virus, Pakistan launched its Polio Eradication Programme in 1994 and has since seen a significant decline in polio cases, with cases dropping from 20,000 annually in the 1990s to only eight cases in 2018.

The country’s eradication strategy prioritizes:

  • Quick and early detection, containment and elimination of outbreaks
  • Efficient and widespread vaccination
  • Dedicated and properly trained frontline workers
  • Continued government attention and support
  • Coordinating their efforts with neighboring Afghanistan, where polio is also a pressing health issue.

Vaccine Home Delivery

In 2000, the year Pakistan launched home delivery of the oral polio vaccine (OPV), there were a reported 119 cases of polio in Pakistan. Although figures were initially on the decline, with only 32 cases reported less than a decade later, these figures have been steadily increasing since 2008. In 2019, there were 146 cases of polio in Pakistan reported.

Many parents and carers are beginning to refuse the vaccine for their children, proving to be a critical factor in polio’s resurgence. In polio-endemic countries such as Pakistan, children require multiple doses of the vaccine in order to build up sufficient immunity from the disease.

Tracking Reasons for OPV Rejection

In an attempt to address the rising rejection of OPV, the World Health Organisation (WHO) developed a tally sheet for frontline workers to make a record of the various reasons for vaccine refusal.

Here are some of the notable reasons for rejection:

  • Religious beliefs
  • Children unavailable to receive OPV (such as being unwell or sleeping)
  • Demand of compensation
  • “Campaign fatigue”, whereby parents had lost patience with repeated OPV campaigns

However, despite this regression in the 2010s, polio in Pakistan has been back on the decline in recent years. Cases dropped by 36% from 2019 to 2020, with numbers continuing to drop in 2021. This is reassuring progress for Pakistan and all the more impressive when considering the additional challenges the Coronavirus pandemic posed to the safety and efficiency of successful OPV rollout.

Polio in Pakistan: The Future

In 2023, there were six reported cases of polio in Pakistan. As the country continues to press on with its fight against this life-altering virus, there seems reason for optimism for the future. Consistent and thorough vaccination campaigns continue to be carried out across Pakistan, but it seems that successfully and thoroughly eradicating polio relies upon both the continued efforts from the government and health care workers in hand with consistent cooperation from parents.

– Rose Williams
Photo: Flickr