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Updates on SDG 5 in Namibia: Setting the Standard 

SDG 5 in NamibiaNamibia, a southern African country with a population slightly above 2.5 million, marked a milestone in global development. It is currently the first African country to meet the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

In 2012, the United Nations (UN) created a list of 17 interconnected goals to act as the blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for people and the planet by 2030. These “global goals” cover many issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water and more.

SDG 5: Empowering Women and Combating Gender Discrimination

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 specifically targets ending discrimination against women and girls through a comprehensive approach that encompasses the following:

  • Including women in the labor market: Globally, only one in two women work for wages as compared to three in four men.  
  • Ending violence against women,  both physical and sexual abuse: One in three women above the age of 15 experience physical/sexual violence in their lifetime. 
  • Stopping harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation: At least 200 million girls are subject to female genital mutilation. In 2021, nearly one in five girls were married before age 15. 
  • Integrating women within leadership and decision-making roles: The UN reports that women’s representation in government across more than 23 countries was under 10% in 2022. 
  • Adopting policies that strengthen and empower women and girls: Remove discriminatory laws and replace them with legislation to reflect society’s equal gender roles. 
  • Strengthening women’s empowerment through technology: Women make up a significant portion of the 3.9 billion people lacking access to technology.
  • Recognizing the value of domestic unpaid work: Women are more than twice as likely to be engaged in domestic work than men. 

Gender Equality and Economic Growth

Gender equality is not only a matter of human rights but also a driver of poverty reduction and good governance. The World Bank’s Gender Employment Gap Index (GEGI) predicts that closing all gender gaps would result in a 20% increase in GDP across all countries.  

Namibia’s Commitment to SDG 5

Working on SDG 5 in Namibia achieved the following: 

  • Achieving gender balance in the labor force: In 1990, women represented 45.6% of the workforce. As of 2022, women represent 49.8%. 
  • Ensuring gender-equitable education for males and females: In 1990, women’s literacy rate was 74%. Currently, the rate for women above 15 is 91.4%, equal to that of men.  
  • Increasing the representation of women in national government positions: In 2013, women held 24.36% of government positions. As of February 2021, women held 44.2% of parliamentary seats.
  • Increasing women’s use of technology: Around 93.6% of female-headed households have mobile telephone access.  

These accomplishments are a testament to the influence SDG 5 has had on local and national legislation, education and public awareness in Namibia. The Namibian government has implemented and enforced legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in the workforce and public campaigns promoting positive gender roles while eradicating harmful practices such as female genital mutilation. These efforts have facilitated women’s transition from the informal to the formal economy, giving autonomy to women and bringing them into the workforce. As of 2023, more than 50% of women are in the workforce, and 80% of Namibian women hold a bank account through an institution or online platform. 

Critical Success Factors: Collaboration

Namibia’s success in meeting SDG 5 goals is due to a cooperative effort between international organizations led by the UN, local Namibian government institutions and citizen-led movements. Namibia achieved a remarkable 91.7% implementation of the SDG 5 programs through this collaborative effort.

Participation of the UN has been vital to meeting SDG 5 in Namibia. Particularly noteworthy was the support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women. Furthermore, local and governmental institutions within Namibia played crucial roles. In fact, the Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Namibia Ministry of Gender Equality played essential roles in following these advancements. 

Another notable role involved Namibian citizens. The “ShutItAllDown” movement in October 2020 propelled the country into action, calling for the protection of women against gender violence. Protests in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, began in response to gender-based violence following the femicide of Shannon Wasserfall as a result of protesters’ demands. Namibia implemented security measures to enhance women’s protection. The government implemented a school curriculum focused on gender-based violence and enhanced training for police officers.

The Way Forward

To address poverty among women in Namibia, a robust political movement has emerged, accompanied by increased budgetary allocations for gender mainstreaming. National initiatives focus on preventing and educating against gender-based violence, and a recent positive step involves the elimination of the “tampon tax.” Legal foundations, such as The Namibian Constitution (1990) and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act (2003), along with affirmative action, contribute significantly to gender equality and poverty reduction.

Despite commendable progress, challenges persist, necessitating continued efforts. Achieving gender equality is an enduring process demanding sustained commitment across various sectors. Notably, Namibia’s significant strides in fulfilling SDG 5 exemplify the attainability of such goals. Also, Namibia’s progress could serve as an inspiration for neighboring countries.

– Isabella Oliver-Steinberg
Photo: Flickr

5 Organizations Aiding Earthquake Victims in Haiti

5-organizations-providing-food-aid-to-earthquake-victims-in-haiti
On August 14, 2021, “a 7.2 magnitude earthquake” hit Southern Haiti, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring more than 12,000 others. Additionally, nearly 137,000 homes suffered either damage or destruction. The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that the impacts of the earthquake affected 1.2 million Haitian people, with children accounting for 540,000 of these victims. Considering the extent of damage and destruction in Haiti, several organizations are working to provide assistance to affected Haitians. In particular, there are five main organizations providing food aid to earthquake victims in Haiti.

5 Food Organizations Providing Food Aid to Haiti

  1. World Central Kitchen. A nonprofit that Spanish celebrity chef José Andrés founded, World Central Kitchen came into existence in 2010 when Haiti experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that led to more than 300,000 deaths and severe destruction. Since then, the organization has gained attention for setting up makeshift kitchens in countries such as Puerto Rico and Haiti, which have been the sites of natural disasters. World Central Kitchen is now trying to help Haiti recover from the 2021 earthquake by deploying local and foreign relief workers to cook hot meals for the nation’s people. With roads and infrastructure sustaining damage, the organization sometimes uses planes and helicopters to deliver food to its five locations in Haiti. Today, the kitchen in Les Cayes, Haiti, feeds an average of 11,000 people daily. The aim is to increase this daily number to between 15,000 and 20,000 people.
  2. Convoy of Hope. Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization that aims to provide food and services for the world’s most impoverished populations. The organization achieves this by creating feeding initiatives for children and by responding to natural disasters. Convoy of Hope’s assistance to Haiti began in 2007, expanding to feed more than 100,000 Haitian children across almost 500 programs every day. The organization quickly responded to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti and announced an initial plan to distribute 1 million meals for victims the day after. Convoy of Hope was able to aid a million survivors within the first week, receiving assistance from other mission-based nonprofits and even the U.S. Navy, which provided transport for food and supplies. In less than one month, Convoy served 163 communities in Haiti, helping more than 5 million earthquake victims to date.
  3. Haitian Health Foundation. The Haitian Health Foundation is a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization that aims to improve the health and quality of life of people living in Haiti. It specifically operates through its location in Jeremie, the capital city of the Grand’Anse department of Haiti. Since its beginnings in 1982, the Haitian Health Foundation has grown to support not just the people of Jeremie but more than 100 mountainous villages in the Grand’Anse department. It now serves more than 225,000 people within these rural areas. Like other organizations such as World Central Kitchen, the Haitian Health Foundation is working to distribute food to the victims of the 2021 earthquake by operating a kitchen out of one of its health clinic cafeterias in Jeremie. HHF is also taking measures to treat and transport survivors, like organizing tents for victims with PTSD and providing radiography and sonography services. The organization continues to monitor the situation and has set up protocols to address the needs of Haiti’s people.
  4. World Vision. Founded in the 1950s, World Vision International is a Christian humanitarian organization helping disadvantaged communities overcome poverty. World Vision’s work extends to almost 100 countries and it supports more than 3.5 million children across the globe. Haiti is one of the nations that World Vision backs, receiving aid from the organization for 30 years. Unfortunately, World Vision does not have any programs close to the southern regions of Haiti, which experienced the most devastation following the 2021 earthquake. Despite this, the organization still had enough supplies on standby to distribute food and hygiene kits to 6,000 people. World Vision’s goal, however, is to assist an additional 240,000 Haitians. World Vision is currently working with other organizations to assist families and orphans with access to food, water and shelter.
  5. Action Against Hunger. Operating for about 40 years, Action Against Hunger is a humanitarian organization with a mission to alleviate malnutrition in impoverished countries. Since its founding, it has assisted more than 25 million people across 50 different countries. Action Against Hunger’s presence in Haiti began in 1985, and like other organizations, it was quick to respond to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010. Today, the nonprofit is doing its best to help Haiti recover from the most recent disaster, seeking to raise $9 million to fund “nutrition, sanitation and mental health services” to aid more than 300,000 citizens.

The Road to Recovery

Though these are notable examples of organizations providing food aid to earthquake victims in Haiti, several others are also stepping in to help Haiti recover from this catastrophic incident. With continued aid and support, Haiti can successfully rebuild and recover from the impacts of the most recent earthquake.

– Eshaan Gandhi
Photo: Flickr

Lack of Menstrual Products in Syria Threatens Women’s Health

Menstrual ProductsAmid conflict and war, Syrian women face a forgotten but significant issue: a lack of access to menstrual products. Despite its natural occurrence, periods are a source of shame and taboo in many countries, including Syria. Those living under siege in Syria are forced to live without basic necessities such as clean water and feminine hygiene products.

Huda’s Story

An article in the Independent newspaper details the interview of a 23-year-old named Huda living in a small village called Saqba, outside of Damascus, under strict government siege since 2013. She explains that there are hardly any menstrual products available for citizens of Saqba; any products available are marketed with prices so high that women are forced to choose between pads and food. As a result, Huda decided to use an old rag she found instead of buying menstrual products. This decision ultimately led to gynecological infections. Evidently, this is an issue that comes with deadly consequences, especially because many Syrians cannot afford proper medical treatment. Those who can afford to see one of the few gynecologists in the area will be prescribed medicine, a commodity usually unavailable in sieged regions.

The Alternative

More than 860,000 Syrians live under government siege, lacking basic necessities such as menstrual products and food. The shortage has led to the adoption of “the traditional method,” meaning women reuse old rags, pieces of mattress or even moss and grass as an alternative to menstrual products. The lack of clean water or fuel to boil water has also made it impossible to clean these rags properly, leading to infections.

Along with menstrual products, cramps are a source of distress for a majority of women who have periods. Without access to painkillers or heating pads, women are sometimes confined to bed rest or in constant agony during their period. Additionally, Global One conducted a study in refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria and found that almost 60% of Syrian females do not even have access to underwear. An even higher amount do not have access to feminine hygiene products.

The Taboo of Periods

The taboo of periods has only added to the mounting struggles that Syrian women face surrounding their menstrual cycles. In the Independent newspaper, many interviewed Syrian women even asked to be referred to under a pseudo name to protect their reputation while discussing their periods. To add to this, the anxiety of war and loss can lead to skipped periods or more heavy bleeding, further exacerbating the issue.

Many women in refugee or displacement camps do not leave their homes due to fear or shame; this fear intensifies when they do not have any menstrual products or a way to hide the bleeding. This can lead to social isolation and difficulty integrating into society. In addition, lacking access to menstrual products not only impacts women physically but can also affect their mental health.

Aid Packages

Many aid packages sent to Syria now include sanitary items. However, it is still not enough to help the millions of Syrian women in desperate need of these essential menstrual products. Along with this, sieged areas have limited access, with many nonprofit organizations unable to gain entrance to areas under government control. In 2016, the United Nations Children’s Agency successfully delivered 84,000 pads to Syrian women. While this seems like a significant amount, it hardly scratches the surface of the necessary amount of menstrual products.

An estimate from 2016 assumed that if one-third of the sieged population (860,000 as of 2016) were female, they would need more than 10 million pads annually. According to the World Bank, in 2020, 49% of the Syrian population was female. Since the sieged population has increased, the need for sanitary products is more prominent than ever.

The main obstacle in the path to safe menstrual hygiene for Syrian women is that many people do not view menstrual products as a priority, mainly because it only affects women.

Days for Girls to the Rescue

An organization in Lebanon has spearheaded an initiative to give these women a safe and affordable way to obtain menstrual products. Days for Girls (DFG), founded by Celeste Mergens in 2008, supports girls who do not have access to sanitary pads. The organization reaches 128 countries, the first location being Lebanon. These efforts focus on helping the 1.14 million Syrian refugees living in Lebanon. Not only does DFG provide sanitary pads for girls who need them but it also helps provide young women with a source of income by educating girls on pad production lines during an eight-day training session. The training aids young women by giving them a stable source of income and specialized skills that they can use in the future.

Arguably, one of the most significant impacts of DFG is battling the stigma that surrounds menstruation and teaching girls that periods are not a source of shame. DFG also focuses on creating reusable cloth pads that can last up to three years, helping reduce the amount of waste created by pad disposal. This benefits both the environment and the Syrian refugees in need of feminine hygiene products.

Ending Period Poverty in Syria

While the situation may seem bleak, organizations like DFG are continuously working to help Syrian women obtain the help they need. Through efforts made by DFG and others with similar missions as well as raising awareness of the issues, the international community can eradicate period poverty in Syria.

– Mariam Abaza
Photo: Flickr

COVID-19 Vaccination in Uruguay

COVID-19 Vaccination in UruguayAt the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uruguay had some of the lowest infection rates in Latin America. On June 30, 2020, Bloomberg reported that while its bordering country Brazil had 1.34 million total cases, Uruguay had only 932 cases. Now, about a year later, COVID-19 vaccination rates in Uruguay are among the highest in Latin America, with more than four million doses received by citizens.

Impacts of COVID-19 in Uruguay

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uruguay’s unemployment rates have increased dramatically. In March 2020, more than 86,000 citizens applied for unemployment insurance. Before the pandemic, applications averaged 11,000 per month. A complete vaccination rollout is critical for Uruguay’s citizens to return to work.

Uruguay has already started to reopen businesses, but since only about half of the country has been vaccinated, infections are increasing. In order to avoid another shutdown of the country and another fall in employment, efforts for COVID-19 vaccination in Uruguay need to receive continued support and funding.

Vaccine Success

On June 8, 2021, Uruguay released reports about the success of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine along with more information about the Pfizer vaccine. According to Reuters, Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% successful in preventing intensive hospitalization and death. Further, the vaccine reduced COVID-19 infections by 61%. The Pfizer vaccine was 94% effective in preventing intensive care hospitalization and death and 78% effective in reducing COVID-19 infections.

Increasing COVID-19 Cases in Uruguay

COVID-19 vaccination in Uruguay has been very successful so far, with 52% of the population given at least one dose of either the Sinovac, Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines. Despite this success, Uruguay is also facing a crisis as COVID-19 infections skyrocket.

For several weeks in late May and early June 2021, Uruguay had one of the highest global COVID-19 related death rates per capita. In the last week of May 2021, the small nation of just 3.5 million residents recorded an average of 55 deaths per day. Many experts blame public health guidelines that have become increasingly lax as the pandemic continues. Not enough of the population is vaccinated to support the less restrictive public health measures and Uruguay is now rushing to further increase its vaccination rates.

Global Support

The United States is working with COVAX to improve the vaccine rollout around the world, which might help Uruguay. COVAX is led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the World Health Organization, Gavi and UNICEF. Its goal is to vaccinate at least 20% of every participating country’s population by the end of 2021. NPR notes that it may not be able to meet this goal due to the global vaccine shortage. Wealthier countries that have already secured enough vaccines for their populations need to step in to help struggling countries with vaccine donations.

Supporting the Global Vaccine Rollout

According to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, there are many ways in which organizations can support the global vaccine rollout. First, it is important that there is a level of trust between citizens and the distributors of the vaccine. Many people are hesitant about vaccines because they do not necessarily trust the intentions of vaccine developers. With trustworthy messengers such as community leaders and trusted organizations working to combat vaccine hesitancy, people may be less reluctant to receive a vaccine.

Second, the delivery of vaccinations requires innovation. A major problem for those in rural and low-income areas is a lack of access. Many cannot travel far to receive a dose, therefore, investing in creative ways to deliver vaccines to remote locations is important. For example, implementing mobile vaccination sites.

Finally, supporting the training of local healthcare workers in contact tracing, COVID-19 education and vaccination means more people will be qualified to address the pandemic. Thus, COVID-19 vaccination in Uruguay can continue long after global organizations leave the area, ensuring efforts are sustainable. With private and public sector groups working together, combating the COVID-19 pandemic and improving global health is not a distant goal.

– Jessica Li
Photo: Flickr

Ending Forced Child Begging in the Era of COVID-19

Forced Child Begging
In many impoverished countries, especially Greece, India and Senegal, forced child begging is prominent. This practice means that parents or another group of adults will send children out on the streets to beg for money from tourists. With the COVID-19 virus, tourism has decreased drastically. This means that these children no longer have anyone to beg from, which is both good and bad. Child begging is very damaging to the children forced into it, but it is also how many families suffering from extreme poverty sustain themselves. Here’s what the impact of COVID-19 means for both child beggars and their families.

The Problem

Forced-begging is incredibly damaging for children. Not only does it put them in dangerous situations and leave them vulnerable to abuse, but it also keeps them out of school. If a child is being forced to beg by an adult who is not their parent, it can lead to them being separated from their families. Since this practice involves child trafficking, it is hard to record exactly how many children are victims of forced begging, and very little data exists on the issue.

While data in forced begging is almost non-existent, data on general child labor is more plentiful. Forced-begging takes place primarily in impoverished countries. In fact, child labor in general is overwhelmingly a sign of a poor country. According to data published by the United Nations Children’s Fund, in the world’s poorest countries, just over one in four children is involved in child labor. While this statistic may look bleak, it also means that if these countries were to become more developed, child labor would likely become drastically less prevalent.

An Unfortunate Necessity

Forced begging is also how many families keep themselves fed. In the era of COVID-19, child beggars face a number of hardships. First, they are at risk of catching the disease. These children spend much of the day on the crowded streets where they are exposed to many people and their risk of contracting the virus is higher. Second, there is hardly anyone left to beg from. According to data published by the World Tourism Organization, the change in international tourism in April 2020 was -97%. These families have lost a major source of their income, in a time when their country’s economy is likely struggling, especially if that economy relied heavily on tourism.

Solutions

The human rights organization Anti-Slavery has been fighting to end forced child begging for almost a decade. The organization works specifically to end forced child begging in Senegal, where child begging is commonly perpetuated through Koranic schools, where students’ schoolmasters will often require that the children beg. The organization has been working to get the government of Senegal to recognize how drastic the problem of forced child begging is, and to take action to prevent it.

Making sure that education is available to child beggars is also a vital step in getting these children off the streets. The World Bank has been working to support Senegal’s government in its efforts to improve education and bring education to poorer areas.

The drop in tourism hurting the forced child begging industry is both a positive and a negative; it could leave families without income, but it could allow child beggars a chance to get an education and stay off the streets. However, this outcome is only possible if education is available. When the tourism industry begins to grow again, it is vital that these children don’t return to the streets.

– Sophia Gardner
Photo: Flickr

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The Fight Against Poverty in Fiji

Poverty in Fiji
The island of Fiji is located in the South Pacific Ocean and has a population of more than 895,000. A vibrant native population traverses the tropical climate of Fiji. The economy is dependent on agricultural products and tourism. Farmers cultivate bananas, cocoa, pineapple and taro root to supplement trade between nations, and commercial fishing and sugarcane are similarly important exports. Despite the high amount of trade between bordering islands and nations, 28% of native Fijians live below the national poverty line. Here is some information about poverty in Fiji and efforts to combat it.

Relocation on Limited Land 

Many citizens of Fiji make a living in the boat-making or fishing industry; as a result, relocation threatens the livelihood of a small business economy. Rising water levels often force villages to move. Changing weather patterns have caused widening rivers and altered seasons, contributing to the issue. “Where there was rain, there is now sun,” reports a native islander who recently relocated because his village was flooded.

In the next 10 years, an estimated 676 villages will have to move, which will increase the number of unemployed islanders. As unemployment increases, those who live above the poverty line are at risk of falling below the global margin of $1.90 per day. The relocation of one village costs an estimated $445,000.

Education and Health Care

Fiji consists of 100 inhabited islands, a number that is drastically decreasing due to the rising water levels. Implementation of primary health care practices and basic amenity improvements in villages provide locals with clean water and permanent housing. The adoption of these principles by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund sought to improve Fiji’s situation between 1970 and 2000. In the past 20 years, though, the flow of central health support from the capital city of Suva into villages has slowed due to a limited number of health professionals.

Previous Health Minister Jona Senilagakali states, “…the government did not schedule workers to go to all communities in all the islands to monitor the project. And health workers were not encouraged to work more with the communities to improve their health standards.” The slow progress of Fiji’s modern health initiative is also a direct impact of “brain drain.” This occurs when educated individuals emigrate for higher-paid positions. Proper education in Fiji is also progressing rather slowly. Though secondary enrollment and literacy rates are high, the university system in Fiji lacks resources and government funding. Improving higher education largely depends on the willingness of the government to provide more aid to the people.

Prospects of Hope

Last year Fiji saw high prospects in the global market of reduced unemployment and the lowest amount of extreme poverty in the country’s history. The percentage of those living below the global poverty line, currently 0.5%, continues to fall as a result of incentives by the United Nations. In 2013, Fiji received honors from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for a substantial decline in poverty and hunger among the population.

– Natalie Williams
Photo: Pixabay

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Children with Developmental Disabilities

Children with Developmental Disabilities
Across all countries, 20.4 percent of children have at least one developmental disability. In developed countries like the U.S., many schools have resources for children with developmental disabilities, but in countries where a solid implementation of an education system is struggling to find a foothold, people with learning disabilities often face an additional, invisible hurdle.

Medical professionals conducted a study that screened populations for developmental disabilities throughout the world. A developmental disability is a type of disability that occurs before adulthood. Some of these are learning disabilities, but all of them impact a child during the prime educational years. The study first sorted countries based on HDI (Human Development Index) a score the U.N. gives to countries according to life expectancy, education and gross domestic product (GDP). In general, this means that countries with higher HDI are more developed, and those with lower HDI are less developed.

Out of a pool of 16 countries, this study included 101,250 children averaging 5 years of age. The countries with the highest number of children with developmental disabilities include Thailand, Bangladesh and Iraq.

Thailand has an HDI of 0.755, Bangladesh has one of 0.608 and Iraq has one of 0.685. For scale, Norway has the highest HDI at 0.953. Thailand ranks 83rd in the world for high human development (though still developing), whereas Bangladesh and Iraq lay in the “medium developed” range.

Thailand 

The study concluded that Thailand had 12,911 children with a developmental disability. In Thailand, communities, professional groups and other social institutions provide education and learning centers, which serve as Thailand’s primary agents of education. Thailand has separate schools available for children with developmental disabilities. Thailand gives other resources, like communicative devices, to children with disabilities to aid in education. Thailand has different classifications of disabilities, like intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and behavioral disorders, and different sorts of schooling options available to accommodate these different groups. The parents and the children can choose which system they would like to use, and it is available as a lifelong educational resource for them.

The Education for Development Foundation (EDF), founded in 1987, started a scholarship in 2003 with the intention of making education more accessible to children with developmental disabilities. This scholarship aims to support the physical, social and emotional development of Thai youth. To qualify, candidates must already demonstrate a certain level of communicative and learning ability.

Bangladesh 

The study also found that in Bangladesh, there were 36,987 children with developmental disabilities. It also determined that the rate of enrollment for a primary school in Bangladesh was 97 percent, but only 11 percent of disabled children received any sort of education.

Approaching education with respect to disabilities, methodical diagnosing and treating physical ailments is not possible. A child’s environment has a larger role in deciding how a disability might appear. As such, many early childhood education specialists recommend an approach that relies more on the stage of development the child is in to see what children with disabilities are capable of learning. Similar to how Thailand’s education system handles children with disabilities, Bangladesh has different types of schools to choose from. Unfortunately, that sort of data is not readily available or consistent.

Many international efforts to improve educational and social infrastructure have aimed to support the needs of children with developmental disabilities in impoverished countries. As a result of the UNESCO Declaration on Education for All (1990), the Dakar Framework (2000) and the Salamanca Declaration on Inclusive Education (1994), Bangladesh is working to offer children with developmental disabilities an inclusive education alongside able-bodied children.

While this sentiment does bring the needs of children with developmental disabilities to light, it is not sufficient in clearing various obstacles that arise. One study surveyed educators on the barriers of educating children with disabilities. The results were that 11 out of 15 respondents answered ‘yes’ to a lack of the proper instruments and learning materials.

Iraq

The study showed that Iraq had 11,163 children with developmental disabilities. Malnutrition, an issue in many developing countries, can inhibit cognitive development, leading to learning disabilities and difficulties.

Further, one in three children suffers from an iodine deficiency in the Iraq and Afghanistan areas. This deficiency can result in a slew of health issues including goiter, learning difficulties and severe mental impairment in the worst cases. Statistics have shown that this environmental factor contributes to the rate of mentally disabled individuals. This adds pressure on Iraq to determine adequate educational accommodations for children with developmental disabilities.

Although, since the Iraqi society is advancing technologically, there are diverse ways to deliver education to children. This means that a wider range of people can receive education, including children with developmental disabilities. The United Nations Children’s Fund launched a series of e-projects in an attempt to standardize accessible, inclusive learning. These projects were available to all students – disabled or otherwise. About 4,000 schools had access to these e-projects, not only making education accessible to all but also providing equity to education.

Solutions

Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), established in 1981, works on behalf of all disabled individuals to give them a proper place in education, the workforce and society alongside able-bodied counterparts. DPI is active in 139 countries and seven regions, including Africa, Asia and the Middle East. DPI also develops educational materials, promotes the rights of disabled people and collects data on disability issues.

In working with MPhasiS F1 Foundation, the organization is creating a Global Youth with Disabilities Network. This network will advocate for the representation of children with developmental disabilities throughout all levels of decision-making. The organization plans to ensure these youths have access to public transportation, health care, education and employment opportunities.

– Catherine Lin
Photo: Flickr