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The Growth in Food Systems in Senegal

Food Systems in SenegalSenegal is located in West Africa with the Atlantic ocean on the coast and the savanna stretching inland. The food systems in Senegal are dependent on agriculture, fishing and livestock. Domestic farming supplies many people with sustenance. Senegal’s fishing industry on the coast supports cities like Dakar. 

Many people are struggling to afford food in Senegal even if it is available. Poverty has left 1.3 million people facing acute food insecurity. The people need the ability to purchase and access food. Many people living in poverty are in the rural areas of Senegal. Cities like Dakar, the capital of Senegal, are growing rapidly. There are new initiatives to make Senegal self-sufficient and less dependent on imports and foreign aid.

Food Sovereignty

Senegal is starting to implement new agricultural practices that incorporate drought-resistant crops and better irrigation. New technology and machines are being incorporated into farming. The country is striving to reach food sovereignty by increasing its productivity and building the economy. Senegal is now a lower-middle-income country.

New policies aim to help Senegal grow and reach food sovereignty. The AgriConnect Senegal Compact aims to improve the food systems in Senegal. The World Bank has partnered with the Senegalese government to work on new farming methods. Grains, horticulture and livestock are the main focus of the AgriConnect Compact. This initiative aligns with the Senegal National Agenda for Transformation 2050 and the Food Sovereignty Strategy (SSA 2025-2034).

“By 2029, the AgriConnect Compact aims to achieve more than 90% food security at the national level and create 800,000 formal jobs in the agricultural sector,” according to the World Bank. “Among the objectives set are an increase in the cereal coverage rate from 48% to 78%, rice self-sufficiency to 64%, and the establishment of 100 community-based agricultural cooperatives across the country.”

Agriculture

The food systems in Senegal rely on agriculture. Rural areas of the country focus on small-scale farming that supplies food for their families. The Senegalese women do most of the farming. They plant and harvest everything by hand. Farms are typically two to seven acres. Larger commercial farms export crops to places such as the U.K. The farmers grow vegetables such as okra, tomatoes, onions and peppers. Vendors sell the produce in markets such as Marché Tilène in Dakar.

“In Senegal, agriculture is not just an economic activity but also a central aspect of cultural identity and community life,” according to a peer-reviewed article in World. “Growth in agricultural productivity also contributes to reducing poverty. In essence, higher agricultural productivity leads to increased incomes, which can be reinvested into local communities, further enhancing rural development.”

Peanuts are one of Senegal’s biggest cash crops. Kaolack, Kaffrine and Fatick are known as the “Groundnut Basin.” The peanuts are often sold shelled and roasted. Senegal’s national dish, Maafe, is a peanut butter and tomato stew served with meat or fish over rice. Peanuts are a large part of the country’s exports that contribute to the growth of the economy. China is a major importer of Senegalese peanuts.

Fishing

Senegal borders the Atlantic Ocean, where fishing supports the local community. Blue Marlin, Sailfish and Yellowfin Tuna are caught and sold fresh in the markets. Inland, there is the Saloum Delta and Casamance River where locals catch tarpon, captain fish and barracuda. The fishermen are known as “The Pirogue Fleet” where they partake in artisanal fishing in the colorful boats.

The people in cities such as Dakar depend on the fish for their livelihood. Overfishing has drastically depleted the numbers of fish and devastated the people who live on the coast. The Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa will apply new regulations concerning illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing that can lead to an increase in the fish population.

“This project will effectively and sustainably improve Senegal’s capacity to fight IUU fishing through better fisheries governance, in particular by increasing the transparency of the activities of fisheries policy bodies, through enforcement of fisheries legislation and by building capacities of stakeholders in Senegal,” according to an article by Oceans 5.

Livestock 

Livestock is a smaller portion of the food system in Senegal. The Senegalese diet mainly consists of fish and rice because meat is too expensive. Poultry makes up 80% of the livestock population. Farmers herd cattle, sheep and goats in rural areas. These herds are typically small. The climate poses a great challenge to raising livestock in Senegal. The drought, land and water all pose challenges for farmers.

“To optimize the use of natural resources such as pasture and surface water, whose availability varies throughout the year, livestock farmers are forced to move their herds around: these movements occur all the year round (nomadism) or in specific periods (transhumance),” according to a study by Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. “Because of the lack of storage facilities and infrastructure, the majority of animals are sold alive at markets all year round.”

A Growing Senegal

The impact of inflation, war and trade have increased the price of food in Senegal. The growing agriculture business has contributed to a significant decrease in the poverty rate. With time, West Africa can successfully grow into a productive, competitive economy with less poverty.

– Brittany LeJeune

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in the Marshall Islands

Poverty Eradication in the Marshall IslandsThe Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) faces growing economic and environmental pressures, from the changing climate to food insecurity. The legacy of U.S. nuclear testing continues to affect communities, while changing weather patterns threaten the country through rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events. Despite these obstacles, innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands are being pursued through universal basic income, food security initiatives and renewable energy investments.

Poverty in the Marshall Islands 

Poverty remains a major challenge in the Marshall Islands. Approximately 7.2% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Outmigration has increased, driven by economic hardship and climate-related pressures, and one-third of Marshallese citizens now live in the United States. According to the RMI’s 2021 census, the population declined by an average 2.3% annually over the previous decade due largely to outmigration. 

The country also faces food insecurity, wealth inequality and limited access to health care. In response, the government and its partners are developing policies aimed at improving living conditions and creating opportunities for residents to remain in the islands.

Universal Basic Income

In 2025, the Marshall Islands launched ENRA, the world’s first long-term nationwide universal basic income program. The initiative provides annual cash payments to every Marshallese citizen living in the country, helping households manage rising living costs and reducing pressure to migrate abroad. 

More than 33,000 residents enrolled in the program, making it one of the largest national outreach efforts in the country’s history. By providing a reliable source of income and building a financial safety net, ENRA seeks to strengthen economic security for families while addressing poverty at a national scale. As the world’s first nationwide long-term universal basic income program, ENRA represents one of the most significant innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands to date.

Strengthening Food Security 

Food security is another pressing concern. Arable land is limited, much of the natural environment has been damaged by nuclear testing and more than half of households reported that natural disasters had limited their livelihoods in the most recent census. The national diet relies heavily on imported, highly processed foods, with an estimated 80% to 90% of the country’s food supply coming from abroad.

To address this dependence, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the Government of Japan, launched a two-year initiative in 2026 to strengthen local food systems on Majuro and Wotje atolls. The project supports school gardens, nutrition education and improved food storage while promoting greater use of locally produced foods and fisheries. Efforts to strengthen local food production are another example of innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands, addressing both nutrition and economic resilience.

Renewable Energy for Economic Resilience

Innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands also take the form of renewable energy. Although the country achieved universal access to electricity in 2022, it remains heavily dependent on imported diesel fuel, which contributes to high energy costs. 

To reduce this dependence, the RMI has partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank to expand solar power, modernize electricity infrastructure and improve energy storage systems. These investments are expected to lower energy costs, strengthen energy security and increase resilience to climate-related disruptions. 

In low-lying nations like the RMI, extreme weather is a key driver of poverty. An estimated 1.7% of RMI GDP is lost annually to typhoons and tsunamis. Through the Pacific Resilience Project II, supported by the Green Climate Fund and the World Bank, the Marshall Islands is improving coastal protection, disaster preparedness and early warning systems. These measures help reduce the economic losses caused by extreme weather events, which can undermine development progress and deepen poverty.

Looking Ahead 

Innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands demonstrate how even small island nations can develop ambitious solutions to complex challenges. While the changing climate, geographic isolation and economic vulnerability remain significant obstacles, innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands, such as investments in income security, local food production and renewable energy, are helping build long-term resilience. These efforts offer a model for how targeted policies can reduce poverty while preparing communities for an uncertain future.

– Anna Morin

Anna is based in Fairfield, CT, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Behind the Statistics: Poverty in the Dominican Republic

A street vendor sells fruits from a cart in the Dominican Republic.Poverty in the Dominican Republic continues to affect many families despite economic growth in recent years. The World Bank states that although the Dominican Republic has experienced rapid economic growth over the past two decades, inequalities and limited access to quality jobs and public services continue to affect underserved populations. Limited access to stable employment, reliable infrastructure, affordable health care and higher education creates ongoing challenges for low-income families.

A former resident of a low-income community in the Dominican Republic, who requested anonymity for privacy reasons, described growing up in a household where survival depended on constant work. According to the source, every member of the family began working at a young age to help cover necessities such as food, clothing and utility bills.

“Every day was spent working to pay for clothes and food and keep the bills up to date,” the source said. They also stated that in a household of five children and two parents, financial pressure shaped nearly every aspect of daily life.

Economic hardship also affected social relationships and community life. Long work hours left little time for friendships, recreation or personal development. “It was just to focus on work and get money to pay bills and get food to continue living,” the source explained.

Education and School Dropout Rates

Financial hardship often creates long-term educational barriers for children living in poverty in the Dominican Republic. Families struggling to meet daily needs frequently depend on children and adolescents to contribute financially, increasing the likelihood of school absenteeism and dropout rates.

UNICEF reported that many children in the Dominican Republic continue to face educational exclusion due to poverty and limited resources. The organization found that 60% of Dominicans ages 18 to 40 had not completed school during the 2014-2015 academic period.

According to a UNICEF report, 9.9% of adolescents aged 15 to 17 were not attending school during the 2014-2015 academic period. The report also found that 24.1% of secondary students were enrolled with an overage of two or more years, increasing the risk of school abandonment and educational exclusion.

The report additionally noted that students living in rural and underserved communities face greater barriers to completing secondary education and accessing equal educational opportunities. Researchers also found that many adolescents who left school would have needed to return to primary education if they reentered the school system.

The anonymous source explained that balancing work and education created constant stress and exhaustion during childhood. Although education was valued within the household, financial hardship often took priority over long-term academic opportunities.

“In the Dominican Republic, the school systems were not the best, but it is what we had,” the source said. Financial limitations eventually prevented the individual from attending university after graduating from high school, forcing full-time entry into the workforce instead.

Education Quality and Access

Educational inequality in the Dominican Republic extends beyond school attendance to learning quality and student achievement.

According to UNICEF, education challenges in the Dominican Republic include low learning outcomes, school exclusion and unequal access to quality education, particularly among vulnerable communities. Despite increased investment in education, many students continue struggling to complete school due to poverty and limited educational resources.

UNICEF reported that only 12% of third-grade students achieved satisfactory results in Spanish language studies, while only 27% achieved satisfactory results in mathematics during the 2017 National Diagnostic Assessment. The organizations also identify school violence and unequal educational opportunities as major barriers affecting learning outcomes throughout the country.

According to UNICEF’s All Children Learn in the Dominican Republic initiative, educational programs currently focus on improving literacy and mathematics instruction, supporting vulnerable students and increasing inclusive learning opportunities for children and adolescents with disabilities. UNICEF has also worked with schools and communities to strengthen programs for peaceful conflict resolution and improve inclusive classroom practices.

These educational challenges are often closely connected to broader housing and infrastructure issues that affect low-income communities daily.

Housing and Infrastructure Challenges

The effects of poverty in the Dominican Republic also extend to housing and infrastructure. According to the source, the family lived in a crowded home where multiple people shared rooms and privacy was limited. Daily routines were often disrupted by unreliable electricity and inconsistent access to water.

“The light would always go out and there was not much access to water,” the source explained. They also described poor infrastructure in the community, including constant construction and difficult road access, which disrupted daily life.

The World Bank states that inequalities in infrastructure and access to public services continue to affect underserved populations throughout the Dominican Republic, particularly low-income communities. Limited infrastructure can also contribute to educational and health-related challenges, especially for families already struggling financially.

Health Care and Community Support

Health care expenses created major financial burdens for families living paycheck to paycheck. Instead of relying on larger pharmacies, many residents turned to smaller local “boticas,” which offered more affordable medicine options.

“When it came to someone who was ill, we would have to skip out on work or school to take them to the hospital,” the source said. Missing work to care for a sick family member often meant losing income needed for food, rent or utility bills.

In many underserved communities, churches remain one of the only reliable forms of local support. The source explained that families often depended on churches for food, clothing or emergency assistance because few organizations or social programs were available in the area.

“There were only churches; there were no types of support or organizations that would help,” the source explained.

Looking Beyond the Statistics

UNICEF continues to support educational initiatives in the Dominican Republic to improve learning opportunities and school accessibility for vulnerable children and adolescents. The organization’s programs focus on strengthening early education, improving inclusive learning opportunities and helping students remain in school. UNICEF has also supported programs designed to reduce school violence and improve educational accessibility for children with disabilities.

Although poverty in the Dominican Republic continues to limit opportunities for many families, educational initiatives and community-based support programs may help reduce long-term inequalities. Personal accounts from individuals directly affected by poverty highlight the realities behind economic statistics and underscore the importance of continued efforts to improve living conditions across the country.

– Grelby Santos

Grelby is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Cuerpxs En Resistencia: Reducing Poverty in Colombia

Cuerpxs En Resistencia: Community Meals in ColombiaCuerpxs En Resistencia helps provide warm and dignified community meals in Colombia’s poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods to those in precarious and exploitative positions. Colombia’s first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, has lifted almost 4 million people out of poverty since his inauguration in 2022. However, with criticisms of an unequal urban-rural welfare distribution and an upcoming election in May, poverty in Colombia is in the spotlight. The Borgen Project spoke with a previous volunteer of Cuerpxs En Resistencia, who helps explain the necessity of social enterprises to provide both physical resources and a sense of community and dignity in an attempt to tackle poverty in Colombia.

Poverty in Colombia

Much of the current poor economic situation in Colombia can be traced back to the U.S.-led war on drugs, where policies led to increased militarization of several key areas and increased rates of criminalization and incarceration. The consequences of these policies led to land dispossession, a decrease in rural autonomy and food sovereignty and an increase in violence and precarious employment.

Although numbers are still relatively high, since the COVID-19 pandemic and President Petro took office, poverty rates in Colombia have been on a steady decline. The most recent statistics from 2024 indicate that 31.8% of the population is below the national poverty line, while 4.5 million people (8.5%) are below the international poverty rate, calculated at living on less than $3.00 a day. Compared to figures in 2020 and 2021, at the height of the pandemic, where 39.7% of the population lived below the poverty line and 15.76% (almost 8 million people) lived on less than $3.00 a day, these figures suggest major improvements to the welfare state in Colombia under President Petro.

Rural Poverty

There does, however, remain an uneven distribution of this poverty. Around 61.5% of people living in rural Colombia are identified as poor, likely as a result of the historically disproportionate delivery of quality public services across departments and municipalities. Poverty and inequality are a particular concern in certain Colombian departments such as Nariño and La Guajira, where vulnerable groups such as Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected.

An absence of money is not the only aspect of poverty. Multidimensional poverty takes into consideration other factors of deprivation that individuals experience. In Colombia, multidimensional poverty is assessed across five dimensions:

  • Employment
  • Housing conditions
  • Health
  • Household education
  • Children’s or youth’s conditions

The National Administrative Department of Statistics published the most recent report on multidimensional poverty in Colombia in 2024 and found that in 2023, around 12% of the population was identified as multidimensionally poor. This means that in addition to receiving less than $3.00 a day, they and their households have little to no basic education and poor access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and electricity. The World Bank reported that by 2024, this percentage had reduced to 8.76%.

Cuerpxs En Resistencia: Bodies in Resistance

The Borgen Project spoke with Sofia, who has previously volunteered with Cuerpxs En Resistencia, a social enterprise helping to fight poverty in Colombia. Cuerpxs En Resistencia translates to “Bodies in Resistance,” with the “x” in “cuerpxs” indicating inclusivity to all types of bodies. The organization describes itself as a grassroots nonprofit social, community, political, artistic and academic organization that fights for sexual and bodily emancipation. It focuses on the intersections of class, gender and disability to advocate for the ways in which oppressive systems and policy changes do not affect everyone equally. Its work ranges from raising awareness about the lived experience of intersecting forms of oppression to community projects such as providing safe spaces and community meals in Colombia.

Sofia volunteered with Cuerpxs En Resistencia in one of the particularly poor neighborhoods of Colombia’s capital city, Bogota, called Santa Fe. She emphasizes how poverty in Colombia is not simply the lack of money but also leads to an increased sense of dehumanization due to limited access to other human rights, such as access to water and a lack of resources and organizations to turn to in times of need. She also recalls how common gun violence and the use of serious drugs were in Santa Fe as a result of decades of conflict.

Due to these local conditions, many individuals in Santa Fe are forced into exploitative and precarious job situations. Recognizing the need for help, Cuerpxs En Resistencia helped create a community-funded project to form a safe and welcoming community, providing the people of Santa Fe a safe space to receive a free, warm community meal, as well as entertainment, with the goal of improving the lives, health and dignity of those facing multidimensional poverty in Colombia. A diverse group of people attended these community meals — from young children to people in their 70s facing homelessness.

Looking Ahead

Sofia stressed that President Petro has given her and many people in Colombia hope for reducing poverty across the country. Petro has focused on the concept of dignity alongside tangible measures to help those facing poverty. While the work of grassroots projects such as the community meals provided by Cuerpxs En Resistencia is an important lifeline, systemic changes such as those implemented by President Petro are also necessary to drive broader change.

– Stephanie Gable

Stephanie is based in Wales, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Poverty Reduction in Kiribati

Fisherman casting net in Kiribati waters, showcasing local poverty reduction efforts. poverty reduction in KiribatiKiribati is an archipelagic country in Micronesia, where 5.5% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Despite economic challenges, Kiribati has shown improvement over the years, with its GDP increasing from 2.65% in 2023 to 5.27% in 2024. By exploring social protection programs, infrastructure developments and climate resilience efforts, this article highlights how Kiribati is reducing poverty in 2026.

Poverty in Kiribati

While Kiribati has experienced economic improvement, challenges continue to affect vulnerable communities. Within Kiribati, fisheries are essential to its economy. Since 2013, Kiribati has seen growth in its fishing license revenue. In 2025, the total fishing revenue exceeded government projections by AUD 18.9 million (approximately $13.3 million). However, fishing revenue can fluctuate due to climate conditions and global market changes, making long-term economic stability a challenge.

As a geographically isolated country, Kiribati’s economy also depends on foreign support for food and fuel, leaving it vulnerable to global price increases. Kiribati also faces climate-related risks, including rising adaptation costs and environmental challenges such as cyclones that threaten economic stability. These factors can make it more difficult for vulnerable households to access opportunities and maintain financial security.

Social Protection

Social protection is important for reducing poverty. From 2019 to 2023, the implementation of social protection programs contributed to a 75% decrease in poverty. These programs target those who are vulnerable. For example, Kiribati introduced old-age pensions, helping provide financial stability later in life and reducing overall poverty. These old-age pensions can also reduce the effects of gender inequality, as women often face unequal access to employment and have caregiving responsibilities.

Kiribati has also implemented tax reforms aimed at supporting women and girls. Tax reforms will ensure Value-Added Tax (VAT) is applied fairly to imports and remove VAT from essential menstrual health products to reduce costs for women and girls.

Through these efforts, social protection programs have lifted more than 19,000 citizens out of poverty, showing their positive effects on overall economic security and poverty reduction.

Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure development is another part of poverty reduction strategies in Kiribati. The government has invested in outer-island transportation, port and airport improvements and connectivity projects to better connect remote communities. Improved infrastructure can help residents access jobs, markets, health care and other important services.

Kiribati is also pursuing renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure projects. Since the country is highly vulnerable to climate-related events, these investments can help protect communities from economic disruptions while supporting long-term development.

Foreign Aid

Foreign aid plays an important role in poverty reduction in Kiribati. While the country does have local resources, its economy also heavily relies on foreign aid and remittances. In December 2025, the World Bank provided a $15 million grant toward financial reforms, such as increasing tax revenue and strengthening state-owned enterprises. These reforms also target environmental obstacles by supporting pollution and waste collection on beaches and increasing the number of elevated, cyclone-resistant homes. These improvements also open job opportunities for local citizens, contributing to economic opportunity. Overall, foreign aid remains an important part of how Kiribati is reducing poverty, helping fund development projects, creating jobs and addressing long-term economic challenges.

Although Kiribati continues to face challenges due to geographic isolation, climate instability and economic vulnerability, the country has made progress in improving economic security for its citizens. Through social protection programs, infrastructure development and support from international organizations, these efforts show how Kiribati is reducing poverty. Kiribati’s efforts highlight the importance of sustainable development and resilience in the global fight against poverty.

– Michelle Kurniali

Michelle is based in Dallas, TX and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Gender Pay Gap for Roma Women in North Macedonia

gender pay gap for Roma womenThe gender pay gap remains one of the most overt and measurable indicators of disparity globally, rooted in traditional attitudes that disproportionately assign unpaid domestic work to women. In North Macedonia, this gap persists at roughly 12%, often driven by the concentration of women in lower-paying sectors like care and education. However, the situation is most critical for Roma women, who face a ‘double-burden’ of gender inequality and social exclusion.

Due to a combination of rationed socio-economic rights and a discriminatory job market, Roma women are hence bound to a “vicious cycle of poverty.” In fact, the World Bank (2024) reports that 87% of the total Roma population in North Macedonia live in material deprivation, with women suffering the most severe impacts. Compounded by a staggering 81% NEET rate (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) among young Roma women aged 18-24, the depth of the pay disparity compared to both men and non-Roma women is a significant challenge that demands targeted intervention.

While the overall landscape of pay parity does not entertain a ‘quick fix’, dedicated programs and organizations are beginning to turn the tide. By focusing on formalizing labor and providing specialized entrepreneurship tools, the following three initiatives are creating a new blueprint to reduce the gender pay gap for Roma women in North Macedonia. 

1. The Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI)

The Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI) acts as a cornerstone for economic mobility by bridging the gap between “informal potential and formal enterprise” for marginalized groups. The initiative successfully lays the foundations for Roma people to build sustainable career portfolios through three primary objectives:

  • One-to-One Mentoring: REDI provides direct coaching focused on building essential business acumen, leadership skills and operational know-how.
  • Employment Support: The program offers comprehensive career guidance, including CV development and job placement.
  • Digital Transformation: REDI aids Roma-led businesses in adapting to a changing digital environment.

By taking a bottom-up approach, REDI has established a supportive framework through which Roma people and women are able to build their own opportunities. Within the first 6 months alone, REDI was able to map 140 Roma entrepreneurs and 273 unemployed Roma individuals. 

2. ROMANSE 

The ROMANSE (Social Entrepreneurship for Young Roma Women) project is a specialized initiative that the European Union funded. Established in April 2024 and set to run through March 2027, the project is a collaborative effort between the Roma Resource Centre and the Women’s Rights Initiative of Shuto Orizari in North Macedonia, alongside international partners from Greece and Belgium. The program aims to tackle the ‘double discrimination’ of gender and ethnicity by promoting social entrepreneurship to subsequently enable the integration of Roma women into society and the economic sphere. In order to fulfil this objective, ROMANSE utilizes several key strategies:

  • Capacity Building for CSOs: The project strengthens Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to better support Roma women in business.
  • Targeted Training: Young Roma women receive specialized training to develop business skills.
  • Grant Schemes: ROMANSE provides essential funding through “grant schemes for grassroots CSOs.”
  • Community Awareness: By facilitating local partnership and awareness-raising activities, the project fosters a supportive environment for Roma-led businesses.

To date, the project has already initiated focus groups and digital training modules to ensure that young Roma women have the resources to secure equal-pay positions in the modern labor market. By focusing on sustainable business models rather than just temporary aid, the program is ensuring a long-term reduction in the wage gap for North Macedonia’s most vulnerable group.

3. The World Bank: Investing in the ‘Care Economy’

The Government of North Macedonia, with support from the World Bank, has restructured how care is valued in North Macedonia through its Social Services Improvement Project (SSIP). This initiative tackles the gender wage gap at its roots by formalizing historically unpaid domestic and caring roles into professional, stable career paths. The SSIP established a contracting model that combines “public resources with private expertise” that offers home-based care for the elderly and people with disabilities. Since 2021, the project has achieved significant measurable results for marginalized groups: 

  • About 773 professional caregivers have gained formal employment through SSIP-funded services, particularly women and Roma.
  • About 120 Roma women joined the workforce through an innovative social mentoring scheme, supported by World Bank and the European Union, that provided them with training and certifications as professional care providers.
  • Approximately 1,600 elderly beneficiaries now receive home-based support enabling them to live both more comfortably and independently.

Looking Ahead

Although there is still a long way to go to close the gender pay gap for Roma women, the efforts made by these programs demonstrate a clear path forward. By dismantling the barriers to formal employment, these programs are ensuring the integration of Roma women into economic society as well as laying the crucial foundation for future financial independence. 

The transition into the formal workforce offers far-reaching social benefits that extend beyond a paycheck. Stable, registered employment provides Roma women with increased security through personal pension contributions and the freedom that comes with financial autonomy. By utilizing a bottom-up approach, these development schemes do more than offer immediate relief; they actively dismantle the cycle of generational poverty. As education and employment rates rise among Roma women, the positive effects directly manifest in the next generation. Supported by a mother earning a steady, fair wage, young girls are no longer forced to enter the labor market prematurely or marry early as a means of survival. Instead, reducing the gender pay gap for Roma women safeguards their futures, paving the way for a generation of empowered young women, ultimately strengthening the economic fabric of the entire country.

– Jessica Daly

Jessica is based in Tunbridge Wells, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Statistics and Support: Elderly Poverty in Sao Tome and Principe

Elderly Poverty in Sao Tome and PrincipeElderly poverty in Sao Tome and Principe is an ongoing issue. Sao Tome and Principe is an island nation off the coast of West Central Africa and the second smallest country in Africa. Uninhabited until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1470, it became a colony of plantations dependent on the labor of enslaved Africans who eventually protested and sought independence. Through organized resistance, the Republic finally gained its independence in 1975 and is now considered by the World Bank a model for the democratic transition of power in Central Africa.

Since its establishment, Sao Tome and Principe’s economy has relied on food and fuel imports and produced agricultural exports. Its population is increasing steadily, with a projected population of 245,000 by 2026. However, the country has high income inequality, and in 2024, 16.8% of the population lived on less than $2.15 USD per person daily. For those of working age in Sao Tome and Principe, the job market is not robust and many are leaving the country in search of job opportunities. However, this is not a viable option for the elderly and brings into question the poverty rates among the elderly population of Sao Tome and Principe.

Statistics for Elderly Poverty in Sao Tome and Principe

According to the World Bank, 8.1% of citizens aged 65 or older in Sao Tome and Principe live on the international poverty line of $3 USD per day or less. This is about 7 percentage points lower than the poverty rate among children aged 14 years or less, which stands at 15.1%. The difference may partially reflect Sao Tome and Principe’s relatively large youth population, while adults aged 65 and older make up only about 5% of the population.

As socio-economic vulnerabilities persist, looking at the most vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, is important to protect the growing population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lower income and instability, as well as dependence on family members, can lead to abuse and abandonment if support is unavailable. As a result, attention to statistics around elderly poverty in Sao Tome and Principe is essential as the country’s population continues to increase.

Solutions

Many organizations are working with the elderly population to support those living in poverty and prevent isolation or violence. The Red Cross in Sao Tome and Principe has hosted a welcome center for the elderly since 2005. It hosts around 18 residents and welcomes and supports other elderly visitors. It receives funding from churches, associations and members of the diaspora.

This welcome center not only provides water, meals and washrooms for its visitors and residents, but also becomes a space for the community to develop among the elderly living there. Volunteers not only provide basic needs for the residents but also social connections.

There is also Stitchting Lagalaga, a newer NGO established in 2023. In 2024, its volunteers provided direct aid to more than 45 individuals, children and the elderly. In its policy plan for 2025-2027, a core objective of theirs is to provide wellness visits and social programs for isolated elders without state pensions, alongside monthly aid packages, ensuring their health and dignity.

Looking to the Future

Though the islands may be subject to economic volatility, significant progress has been made in Sao Tome and Principe. Life expectancy is steadily increasing, averaging almost 70 years in 2024. As life expectancy increases, so will the elderly population of Sao Tome and Principe, making improved living conditions a necessity for their well-being. With the support of the World Bank, Sao Tome and Principe continues to improve access to electricity and education for all its residents, as well as strengthen public financial management, road and digital connectivity and the climate resilience of its coastal communities.

– Daphne Komut

Daphne is based in Renton, WA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The International Affairs Budget: How It Saves Lives Worldwide

The International Affairs BudgetThe International Affairs Budget accounts for less than 1% of total federal spending in the United States (U.S.), yet it continues to play a major role in reducing global poverty and supporting humanitarian aid worldwide. The budget funds diplomacy, food assistance, international health programs and development programs that provide millions of vulnerable people with access to clean water, education and health care. As Congress debates Fiscal Year 2027 spending priorities, advocates argue that protecting these investments is necessary for humanitarian progress and long-term international security.

Global Health Programs and Humanitarian Aid

The International Affairs Budget supports programs through agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). According to the U.S. government, the U.S. provided nearly $3.7 billion in humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa during Fiscal Year 2024, supporting food assistance, emergency relief and humanitarian programs in regions affected by conflict and displacement. In 2024, USAID and the U.S. Department of Agriculture also deployed $1 billion in emergency food assistance to address the growing global hunger crisis.

Global health funding also remains one of the most important components of international affairs spending. U.S.-supported initiatives have helped combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria prevention efforts have saved millions of lives globally over the last two decades.

Specific Global Impact

In countries such as Zambia and Kenya, U.S.-supported HIV/AIDS programs through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have expanded access to antiretroviral treatment and reduced AIDS-related deaths. According to the U.S. Department of State, PEPFAR has saved more than 25 million lives globally since its creation in 2003.

Supporters of the International Affairs Budget argue that these programs improve health outcomes abroad while helping vulnerable communities recover from conflict, displacement and food insecurity.

Debates Over Foreign Assistance Spending

Foreign aid and development spending remain active topics in Congress. The House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee continue reviewing legislation and discussing policy related to diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and international development programs.

Advocates for protecting the International Affairs Budget point to the connection between poverty reduction and economic development. According to the Center for Global Development, investments in development assistance can help reduce instability, support economic growth and strengthen international partnerships.

International Cooperation and Poverty Reduction

International cooperation remains a major part of global poverty reduction efforts. Organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank continue to partner with governments and humanitarian organizations to improve food security, education and access to medical services in low-income nations. According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day.

Outside the United States, countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland continue to support international development programs. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes updates on humanitarian relief and education programs worldwide. Irish Aid also supports programs that address hunger, improve access to health care and provide economic development in disadvantaged regions.

Moving Forward

Despite the International Affairs Budget’s relatively small size, proposed funding cuts have prompted concern from advocacy groups and humanitarian organizations. Certain critics argue that reducing foreign aid funding could weaken life-saving programs and limit America’s ability to respond effectively to global crises. Supporters claim that diplomacy and development funds remain important components of humanitarian response efforts worldwide.

As lawmakers continue to discuss FY27 spending priorities, deliberations on the International Affairs Budget mirror broader questions about America’s position in global development and humanitarian leadership. While the budget accounts for only a fraction of federal spending, its impact touches the lives of millions worldwide. For many advocates, protecting these investments is both a human rights responsibility and an important investment in a safer and more stable future.

– Gabriel Perez

Gabriel is based in Detroit, MI and focuses on Global Health and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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5 Things to Know About the Gender Wage Gap in Suriname

Gender Wage Gap in SurinameSuriname is a small, vibrant country in northern South America, bordered by Brazil to the south, Guyana to the west, French-Guiana to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Suriname is known for its lush tropical rainforests and diverse cultural heritage. However, the gender wage gap in Suriname remains a key issue that Surinamese women face. Here are five things to know about the gender wage gap in Suriname.

5 Facts About Gender Wage Gap in Suriname

  1. UN Women highlights difficulties in assessing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding gender equality in Suriname. There are significant gaps in the data needed to holistically assess the gender wage gap in Suriname. Specifically, data pertaining to gender disparities in unpaid care, poverty rates, domestic work, wage gaps and technological skills is often methodologically inaccurate, sparse or even nonexistent. This lack of research into economic gender disparities hinders the pursuit of full economic equality. Thus, more research on the gender wage gap in Suriname must be conducted before it will be possible to enact policies and practices which will adequately address the issue of economic gender disparities.
  2. Organizations such as the World Bank have recorded enough data to make preliminary assessments of economic gender disparities in Suriname. The World Bank indicates that the legal framework score of Suriname is 71.2%. This legal framework score measures to what extent currently instituted laws support women’s entrepreneurship and professional development opportunities. This figure surpasses the global average of 66.97%, indicating that Surinamese law is progressing toward equality between the genders. For example, recent amendments to Suriname’s Trade Register Act heighten women’s economic opportunities by allowing women to register their businesses without prior spousal consent.
  3. Though the current legal frameworks surpass global averages, supportive frameworks promoting the practical implementation of women’s economic rights score only 25.83% in Suriname, falling behind both regional and global averages. Further, Suriname’s enforcement perception score, which quantifies the extent to which women’s economic rights are enforced, comes out to about 45.77%. This is lower than regional and international averages as well. Thus, though the current laws instated in Suriname largely support women’s economic equality, vast disparities persist between such legal frameworks pertaining to gender equality and their enforcement in practice.
  4. Women in Suriname currently spend much more time on household labor and childcare than men, which exacerbates gender-based professional and economic disparities. Child marriage and youth motherhood hinder the pursuit of women’s economic equality. According to the UNFPA, adolescent mothers in Suriname are 28% more likely to withdraw from the labor market than women who begin having children in adulthood. Child marriage hinders women’s ability to attain education and maintain a career. The IMF estimates that eliminating child marriage in Suriname would help to close the gender wage gap and “could potentially increase per capita growth by 1.44 percentage points.” Although the rate of adolescent fertility in Suriname is slowly declining, it is still currently almost twice the average for countries in similar economic conditions. Enacting policies to combat childhood marriage and maternity, expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare and improving paternal leave policies so that women don’t have to singlehandedly care for children can alleviate these disparities.
  5. One and a half times more young women than young men are currently unemployed, not receiving an education or not in professional training. Surinamese women are more likely than their male counterparts to have vulnerable jobs, which often pay low wages, provide minimal benefits and lack decent working conditions and protections. Though women are more likely to work in less profitable, vulnerable sectors, the World Bank suggests ways to alleviate this disparity. Specifically, enacting policies which provide certifications in non-traditional, women dominated sectors, guaranteeing equal pay and parental leave for men and women and encouraging workplaces to recruit women through quotas or gender-inclusive job postings would help women access stable jobs. Moreover, increasing women’s access to business training and grants will increase women’s ability to engage in entrepreneurship. Though it is systematically less common for women to own and control productive assets, enacting policies which promote joint titling and enable women to register for property rights can combat this issue.

Solutions

Despite these challenges, Suriname joined the World Bank Group’s International Development Association in late 2024 to achieve long-term social and economic goals and build “a more sustainable and prosperous future for all Surinamese.” Further, Suriname’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and several NGOs work to promote full economic equality between men and women in Suriname.

In early 2026, Suriname’s Director of Entrepreneurship, Ms. K. Mathoera, met with WINI UMU ABW movement leaders to discuss ways to promote their shared goals of supporting and expanding women’s entrepreneurship in the country. WINI UMA ABW focuses on promoting women’s economic empowerment through training, networking and strategic mentorships.

Further, the Nationale Vrouwen Beweging (NVB) is an active NGO that promotes women’s entrepreneurship and socio-economic equality in Suriname. The NVB successfully established Ilse Henar Hewitt Juridische Bijstand voor Vrouwen, a foundation which protects women’s rights, provides legal aid to Surinamese women who are victims of discrimination or violence and advocates in favor of non-discrimination policies. The NVB and the Ilse Henar Foundation have successfully advocated in favor or legislation to protect women from sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace, thus lessening one factor inhibiting women’s participation in the workforce. The organization also works with the EU and the UNDP to support women farmers to develop innovative new ways to cultivate the land and raise livestock in the face of changing weather patterns. 

Looking Ahead

As more women receive access to education, legal assistance and other aid from NGOs and governmental organizations promoting gender equality, Suriname is making promising progress toward political, social and economic equality for women.

– Melody Hubbard

Melody is based in Knoxville, TN, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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8 Facts About The World Bank’s New Water Forward Program

New Water Forward ProgramApproximately 4 billion people worldwide are victims of water scarcity. To combat this, the World Bank recently announced its newest program, “Water Forward,” in collaboration with many other multilateral developmental banks. This initiative will target assisting water-stressed nations, particularly in Asia and Africa, by limiting water leakage, modernizing national irrigation systems, modernizing the nation’s water usage data collection and improving how wastewater is reused. Here are eight facts about the new program.

Background

The Water Forward initiative aims to improve water access for 1 billion people worldwide. The World Bank has predicted their independent investment in Water Forward should improve water access for over 400 million people by 2030. To supplement this, other multilateral developmental banks have also pledged their resources to access an additional 600 million people. An impact this size would provide an incredible amount of improvement for the world’s water-scarce populations.

Water Forward looks to expand and protect 1.7 billion water-related jobs. The increased investment in national large-scale water projects will not only create new local jobs in water-related sectors, but also improve the conditions of existing professions. Within affected nations, job growth is expected in sectors like agriculture, water system manufacturing, energy and maintenance.

Investment

Many different developmental banks are helping with funding the Water Forward program. The new initiative displays great examples of international collaboration, with a total of 10 multilateral developmental banks involved. Some of these banks include the Asian Development Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development, among others.

The initiative aims to double worldwide private investment in water. Public investment dominates capital expenditure in water, with a whopping 90% of capital investment coming from governments. However, the World Bank claims that it believes private investment can be increased to 20% within the next 10 years. They claim this is partly due to tightening government budgets and a rising need for water pricing to reflect its essentiality to life. To attract private investment, the World Bank will seek to create safer water projects with the potential for higher returns.

Water Compacts

Fourteen countries have already announced their water compacts under the initiative. Water compacts exist as commitments from nations to the Water Forward plan, with outlines for how they can best help improve water availability within their respective nations. The 14 nations are Albania, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. These commitments symbolize the willingness of these nations to follow the World Bank’s guidelines and improve water availability in their nations.

Examples

Kenya started their expanded water access program 13 years ago and looks to expand it with the help of the World Bank. Kenya has been implementing the World Bank-financed “Water Security and Climate Resilience Project” since 2013. This program has increased access to irrigation water and enhanced institutional frameworks for water security. As of 2025, thousands of farmers have gained access to improved irrigation systems as a result of the program.

Uzbekistan’s Water Forward compact aims to provide water security for 3.8 million people and improve irrigation access for 2.2 million people. Uzbekistan, one of the most recent issuers of a water compact, has pledged to install water-saving technology within 1.1 million hectares of land, which should reduce irrigation losses by 25%. Furthermore, it hopes to modernize almost 11,000 km of the main canal, digitalize farm water intake points, and achieve 100% coverage of clean drinking water and modern sanitation by 2030.

– Luca Napolitano

Luca is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr