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Sign Language Training Fighting Poverty in Indonesia

poverty in indonesiaDisabilities are a major contributing factor to poverty in many countries. Individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to be out of the labor force and three times more likely to be poor. This difference may be attributed to a lack of national health care and limited access to workforce participation, with only 18.7% of people with disabilities in Indonesia employed.

Regarding hearing disabilities, there are many forms of sign language for each language. Therefore, learning multiple sign languages is important for communication with individuals within the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This aids sign language education in a way that allows more deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to sign and be understood by hearing people. A 2024 report revealed that 38.8 million people in Indonesia have disabilities, with 2.6 million having hearing impairments. The Indonesian government ratified the Convention on Disability Rights of Persons with Disabilities under Law Number 19 of 2011. Alongside this was the enactment of seven regulations under Law Number 8 of 2016, which highlight the importance of equal rights for persons with disabilities. The government hopes to empower persons with disabilities through national development. Empowering persons with hearing disabilities helps advance the broader effort to reduce poverty through expanded access to sign language education. Indonesia promotes a philosophy of inclusivity through communication and highlights the importance of accessibility in fighting poverty as a result of inequality.

Sign Language Training at UGM

Sign language training was introduced at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in 2023 as part of the university’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The training specifically fits within SDG 4, which “ensures inclusive and quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all,” and SDG 16, which promotes “peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The training was held for non-teaching staff but included many student participants as well.

In 2024, UGM held a sign language training with a member of the Indonesian Sign Language Center, presenting on the importance of regional diversity within communication. In her presentation, Raihana Mahira Dhaniswari, or Dhanis, explained the different regional sign languages within Indonesia and highlighted the importance of being able to learn and recognize all of them. Dhaniswari pointed out that, for people who can hear, sign language learning is gradual and that difficulties can be aided by people with hearing disabilities who are often eager to provide guidance.

This training has helped open up opportunities to students, such as accommodations for students in admission tests. The 2025 test accommodated eight test-takers with disabilities, three of whom had hearing impairments.

Sign Language Training With UNDP Indonesia

UNDP Indonesia held sign language training for about 30 participants from various teams to support its Sustainable Development Goals addressing poverty, inequality and environmental issues. In partnership with the Pusat Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia, a research and development center for sign language, UNDP conducted multiple training sessions between August and October 2024. The initiative reflects UNDP’s “no one left behind” philosophy, recognizing sign language as an important tool for advancing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). By improving communication, the training aims to expand inclusion in education, employment, political participation and other aspects of social and economic life.

Sign Language Training With CBM

Christian Blind Mission, or CBM, is a group dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities living in poverty in a way that allows them to actively and meaningfully participate in society. In West Java, a group of deaf individuals, as part of a Self-Help Group supported by a CBM project, is empowering other deaf individuals through sign language training. The training is assisted by local government, disability advocates, youth organizations and community members.

CBM identifies barriers to communication, education and social inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons. Limited awareness and access to sign language education isolate many people in the hard-of-hearing community. CBM views sign language as a mode of empowerment and dignity for people who are deaf and intends to address this through sign language training for people with hearing impairments. The training also extends to family and community members, broadening the awareness of the general public. CBM found that this group had an impact on the confidence of Self-Help Group members who were able to engage more with others through a better mode of communication. The relationships built between deaf and non-deaf people as a result help break down barriers and foster understanding between groups, benefiting not only the deaf community but the wider public.

What This Means for Fighting Poverty in Indonesia

Disability and poverty are intertwined due to the accessibility factors that inhibit people with disabilities from receiving equal treatment and opportunities in areas such as education and employment. Indonesia’s prioritization of SDGs that promote inclusivity and integration is shown through programs such as those at UGM, UNDP Indonesia  and CBM. Many organizations have also amended their policies to better accommodate people with disabilities. By prioritizing a society where people of all hearing abilities can communicate fully, Indonesia is helping people with hearing disabilities and other disabilities more broadly gain equal opportunities in education and employment, supporting a path out of poverty.

– Arden Schultz

Arden is based in Milford, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Indigenous Political Representation and Poverty in Bolivia

A Bolivian Indigenous leader speaking at a political gathering, highlighting Indigenous political representation. Poverty in BoliviaIndigenous peoples make up roughly half of Bolivia’s population, yet for generations they remained largely excluded from the political decisions that shaped their lives. Over the past two decades, constitutional reforms have expanded Indigenous political representation in Bolivia, giving Indigenous communities a greater voice in government and helping shape policies affecting land rights, education, health care and poverty reduction.

Electoral Quotas in Bolivia

Electoral quotas are most commonly associated with increasing women’s political participation. However, some countries have also used electoral reforms to improve the representation of Indigenous peoples. Bolivia is a prime example. Although Indigenous peoples make up around half of the population in Bolivia, they have historically faced political exclusion, discrimination and disproportionately high poverty rates.

While political representation alone cannot eliminate poverty, Bolivia’s reforms have helped create more inclusive institutions that support Indigenous communities. Alongside the efforts of organizations such as the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and development partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), these reforms have contributed to stronger land rights, expanded public services and greater opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in decisions that affect their futures.

Poverty in Bolivia

Although Indigenous peoples make up a significant share of Bolivia’s population, they have historically experienced higher levels of poverty than the national average. According to the World Bank, rural areas where Indigenous populations are disproportionately concentrated recorded a moderate poverty rate of 77.3% and an extreme poverty rate of 63.9% in 2007. These communities have also faced longstanding barriers to accessing quality education, health care and other public services.

Indigenous political representation in Bolivia can help address these disparities by giving Indigenous communities a stronger voice in decisions affecting their livelihoods. This can contribute to policies that expand public services, strengthen land rights and improve economic opportunities. More inclusive political institutions can support policies that expand access to public services, protect land rights and promote economic opportunities in historically marginalized communities.

Electoral Reform and Indigenous Representation

Bolivia’s political landscape changed significantly in 2005 with the election of Evo Morales, the country’s first Indigenous president. His administration introduced constitutional reforms that strengthened Indigenous political representation in Bolivia.

The 2009 Constitution redefined Bolivia as a Plurinational State, formally recognizing the country’s many Indigenous nations and guaranteeing their participation in political institutions. The Constitution also recognizes Indigenous forms of self-government and established special Indigenous electoral districts that reserve seats for Indigenous representatives in the national legislature. These measures complement Bolivia’s gender quota system, making it one of the few countries to promote representation based on both gender and Indigenous identity.

Why Representation Matters

Indigenous political representation in Bolivia has helped bring issues affecting Indigenous communities onto the political agenda. Bolivia reserves seven special Indigenous electoral districts in the national legislature, and the ninth officially recognized Indigenous autonomous government was recently created for Challa. Since these reforms, governments have expanded recognition of Indigenous territories and strengthened collective land rights, giving many communities greater control over their traditional lands.

Bolivia has also promoted intercultural bilingual education, allowing Indigenous students to receive instruction in both Spanish and their native languages while incorporating Indigenous cultures and knowledge into the curriculum. These policies aim to improve educational outcomes while protecting Indigenous identity.

Organizations have also helped translate these political reforms into practical improvements. IWGIA has worked alongside Indigenous communities to strengthen territorial rights and support Indigenous self-governance, while UNDP has partnered with Bolivian institutions to promote inclusive democratic participation and strengthen local governance. Together, these efforts help Indigenous communities turn increased political representation into lasting social and economic gains.

Continuing Challenges

Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Indigenous communities continue to experience higher poverty rates than many urban populations, and political representation does not always translate into equal economic outcomes. One example is the ongoing debate over natural resource extraction in Indigenous territories. In Bolivia, conflicts over mining, oil and gas development have raised concerns among Indigenous communities about environmental protection, consultation rights and control over ancestral lands. Although resource projects can generate government revenue and economic opportunities, Indigenous organizations have argued that communities must have a voice in decisions affecting their territories.

Looking Ahead

Political representation is not solely about gaining seats in government but also about ensuring Indigenous voices influence economic and environmental policies. Continued efforts to strengthen Indigenous consultation processes, support community-led development and invest in education and land rights can help balance economic growth with Indigenous self-determination. Even so, Bolivia’s experience demonstrates that expanding Indigenous political representation can be an important step toward reducing poverty and inequality. By combining inclusive political institutions with continued investment in education, Bolivia is enabling historically marginalized communities to play a central role in shaping policies that improve livelihoods and create more equitable opportunities for future generations.

– Anna Morin

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

Photo: Flickr

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Indigenous Communities and the Digital Divide in Guyana

Digital Divide in GuyanaGuyana, beautiful and diverse, reflects disparities that coexist with economic growth and wealth expansion. In recent years, Guyana’s economy has progressed, but its Indigenous communities, particularly those in the hinterlands, continue to experience high poverty due to insufficient resources and inadequate internet services. Despite the nation’s progress, the persistent digital divide remains a key barrier for those in the hinterland regions. According to the World Bank, as of 2019, approximately 48% of households in Guyana are experiencing poverty, with higher social exclusion and limited access in the hinterlands. These statistics underscore that although Guyana has experienced extraordinary economic growth since commercial oil production began in 2019, growth is often not equally distributed. This can be due to geographic challenges and technological disadvantages.

Geographic Isolation and the Digital Divide in Guyana

Historically, Indigenous communities are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty due to geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and reduced access to education, health care and digital services. Guyana’s persistent digital divide is one of many barriers preventing the hinterland regions from fully participating in the country’s economic progress. Approximately 10% of Guyana’s population identifies as Indigenous, with Amerindian communities residing in regions 1, 7, 8 and 9. These regions are characterized by dense rainforests, rivers and mountainous terrain that make transportation and infrastructure development particularly difficult. As a result, many villages remain isolated from technological resources essential to modern life.

Geographic isolation perpetuates poverty by restricting access to economic opportunities more readily available in urban areas with better connectivity. To bridge the digital divide, Guyana’s government launched Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs. These hubs provide internet access, computers and digital skills training to thousands of residents across the hinterland regions. They enable community members to complete online training, search for employment, communicate with government agencies and develop small businesses that reach customers beyond their villages.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure Across the Hinterland

Several organizations are working together to close Guyana’s digital divide. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with the Government of Guyana, the National Data Management Authority and the office of the Prime Minister to expand broadband access in Indigenous communities. Through these partnerships, more than 250 ICT hubs have been established in Amerindian villages, providing internet access, computers, digital literacy training and public services. These hubs also support entrepreneurs, students and local leaders by improving access to education, financial services and government programs.

According to the Government of Guyana, internet connectivity has now reached 253 Amerindian communities, marking one of the country’s largest investments in digital inclusion to date. As additional satellite technology and renewable-energy-powered infrastructure are deployed, more remote villages are expected to gain reliable internet access.

Digital Inclusion Can Reduce Poverty

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) acknowledges digital infrastructure as a fundamental element of sustainable development. Reducing the digital divide in Guyana generates opportunities that extend beyond communication. Enhanced connectivity enables students to pursue online education, entrepreneurs to access broader markets, health care providers to expand medical services, and governments to deliver public resources more efficiently. Digital literacy prepares future generations to join a workforce increasingly reliant on technology. As Guyana invests oil revenues in national development, ensuring that Indigenous communities have equitable access to digital resources is essential for reducing long-term poverty and fostering inclusive growth.

Guyana’s economic success presents a historic opportunity to ensure prosperity reaches every community. Continued investment in broadband infrastructure, digital literacy and community technology centers can help reduce long-standing inequalities experienced by many Indigenous populations. Partnership between the Government of Guyana, UNDP and additional community agencies is already demonstrating that expanding digital access creates meaningful opportunities in both education and economic participation.

Looking Ahead

As internet connectivity continues to expand across the hinterland, more families will gain the tools needed to improve their livelihoods, strengthen local businesses and participate fully in Guyana’s rapidly growing economy. Bridging the digital divide is not simply about technology; it is an investment in sustainable poverty reduction and a more inclusive future for all Guyanese.

– Rayonna M. Sanders

Rayonna is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tafenoquine Malaria Treatment in Brazil

Malaria Treatment in BrazilAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were an estimated 282 million cases of malaria with 610,000 deaths in 80 countries worldwide in 2024. Malaria remains a life-threatening disease affecting mostly countries with tropical climates. Among low- and middle-income countries, nearly half of households spend more than 40% on health care. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that 1.9 billion people who live in areas with malaria face the threat of being pushed into poverty.

Malaria in Brazil

In Brazil, malaria has a disproportionate impact on the poorest and most vulnerable communities, predominantly concentrated in the Amazon regions. When malaria is contracted, symptoms can be overbearing, affecting the person’s ability to work. As these regions are relatively remote, accessing health care requires time and travel costs, further adding to the economic burden.

Between 2016 and 2022, large-scale deforestation from illegal mining worsened the situation. Miners who come to these regions are potential parasite carriers and may increase transmission. Mining, which involves deforestation and river dredging, also creates breeding grounds for mosquito species that carry malaria. Researchers have described communities in Brazil’s Amazon regions as trapped in a cycle in which deforestation drives poverty, and poverty in turn drives further deforestation.

In 2023, Brazil declared malaria a public health emergency in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory in the Amazon rainforest bordering Venezuela. Nearly every person tested by a team of doctors sent to the region had malaria.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to successful recovery and reducing disease transmission. Some people have higher risks of developing and experiencing severe symptoms, including infants and children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and individuals with immunocompromised conditions.

Common treatment involves oral medication, though some cases may require injections. Standard therapies include a combination drug regimen based on artemisinin, considered the most effective option against the P. falciparum parasite; chloroquine, used against the P. vivax parasite in regions where it remains effective; and primaquine, often added to prevent relapses caused by the P. vivax and P. ovale parasites.

A Single-Dose Treatment Emerges

The challenge with these treatments is poor patient adherence. They involve multiple stages, and the full treatment course takes 14 days. Many people must travel far and miss work just to access treatment, and when a course goes uncompleted, the risk of relapse and continued spread of malaria increases.

To address this issue, Brazil started a rollout of pediatric tafenoquine, a single-dose treatment that has proven effective against relapsing malaria. Tafenoquine kills P. vivax parasites, which often hide and remain dormant in the body for years before symptoms appear.

P. vivax has the widest geographical reach of any malaria species and predominates across Latin America. While most malaria deaths in Africa are caused by P. falciparum, tafenoquine is a promising treatment and a potential path toward eliminating malaria in regions where P. vivax is dominant.

Thailand recently became the second country to adopt this single-dose treatment, approving pediatric tafenoquine in a step toward its own malaria elimination goals.

Since its first rollout, Brazil has also adopted tafenoquine for adults within its health system. More than 7,000 adults across different municipalities were treated between June 2024 and April 2025, and the country reported a 26.8% drop in malaria cases by the first quarter of 2025.

Global Efforts and Research

Eliminating malaria is a collective effort. In the United Kingdom, reports show that investment in treatment research boosts the country’s economy and creates jobs while saving lives. Brazil is still a long way from its goal of eliminating malaria by 2035, but continuous research, treatment and testing of tafenoquine represent a step closer to that goal, and to strengthening global health security overall.

– Marine Baume

Marine is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Disability and Poverty in Tuvalu

Disability and Poverty in TuvaluAccording to a 2018 study by PacificData.org, 466 people in Tuvalu live with a disability. With little accessibility around the islands and in workplaces, many of these individuals tragically fall into disability poverty. Here is more information about disability and poverty in Tuvalu.

About Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a collection of small South Pacific islands with a population of approximately 11,500 people. It is a developing nation but is full of coconut trees, which provide the country’s main export.

Formally a British colony, Tuvalu’s population significantly diminished in the mid-nineteenth century from 20,000 to a mere 3,000. Multiple factors affected this shift, but most notably: the severe European enslavement of Tuvaluan people (more than half the population by 1863) and diseases brought over from Europe.

The islands were named the Ellice Islands in 1819 after a British MP who travelled there. However, after gaining independence from Britain in 1975, the islands were renamed Tuvalu, meaning ‘eight standing together’ in reference to the eight islands that made up the country, with a ninth later being included as part of the state as well. 

Disability Poverty in Tuvalu Today

Life can be tough in Tuvalu; as a small nation with little foreign trade, work is scarce. A Tuvaluan may work in the agricultural or farming industries to make use of the country’s natural resources; however, this type of work typically involves hard labor, which further limits career opportunities for people with physical disabilities.

People like Sinkiagi Taulamati (a former carpenter) had to give up work in the wake of amputation surgery. In a 2021 interview with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Taulamati noted that thereafter, he struggled to provide for his family as there were no other suitable work opportunities for him.

Welfare for Disabled Tuvaluans

In 2015, Tuvalu introduced the ‘Disability Support Scheme’ for those struggling in disability poverty. This was a welfare benefit scheme for disabled Tuvaluans which provided money for people who could not work due to their disability. However, access to this benefit was extremely limited, only including the congenitally disabled (from birth) and paralyzed people.

This act excluded disabilities that developed later in life, including amputees such as Sinkiagi Taulamati. Although Tuvalu amended it the following year, Pacific Data found that only eighty-seven people were receiving the benefit in 2018. 

Progress for Disabled Tuvaluans

Despite little government intervention, the Tuvaluan people have not given up on those living in disability poverty. In 2009, the first and only non-government organization in aid of disabled people in the country originated.

Fusi Alofa Association (FAA) advocates for disabled welfare in Tuvalu through lobbying activities in an effort to draw attention to the difficulties faced by disabled Tuvaluans, such as poverty, inaccessibility around the islands and education.

While the FAA remains the only organization of its kind in Tuvalu, it has amassed support from the Commonwealth Foundation, which has provided funding that allows the organization to flourish in its mission to stand up for disabled Tuvaluans.

In 2017, partnering with the Australian government, the FAA conducted a study to provide important data on disability and poverty in Tuvalu. This study not only demonstrated that a great deal of disabled Tuvaluans live in poverty but the FAA ensured jobs for disabled people like Taupaka Uatea, through the project, who worked as an FAA researcher.

Looking Ahead

Although disability poverty remains an issue in Tuvalu, the FAA has helped to provide work for disabled individuals as well as conduct surveys that accurately demonstrate the widespread problem and raise awareness of the difficulties that disabled Tuvaluans face.

– Lisa Jane Bryant

Lisa is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Tuvalu

Poverty Eradication in TuvaluTuvalu is a small island country in the West Pacific Ocean with a small population and faces unique climate-based challenges with its development. The current basic needs poverty rate in Tuvalu is 21.5%, due to the lack of fertile land and climate-related issues affecting the local population such as many homes and crop farms consistently being damaged from storm surges. The country is especially at risk from rising sea levels and has to rely heavily on outside aid which makes development difficult due to its remote location. However, the government as well as organizations like the UN, has made considerable progress in supporting and funding innovations in poverty eradication in Tuvalu.

Land Reclamation Efforts

One of the ways Tuvalu is tackling climate issues is through reclaiming land. As Tuvalu at its highest point is only 15 feet above sea level, many communities are at risk of coastal erosion because they are too low-lying and a sea level rise as low as 8 inches could make the country uninhabitable in 100 years. A measure to solve this problem organized by the national government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project which began in June 2017.

The project aims to implement protections against coastal erosion and increasingly intense storm and wave activity. This will involve creating 7 hectares of new land designed to withstand storm surges and stay above forecast sea level rises until at least 2100. The project is set for completion in September 2026 and so far has already seen the construction of a 2,500 foot platform on the island of Fongafale to protect essential infrastructure and coastal homes. The new land can be used to relocate the most vulnerable residents and to provide government and community services on safe ground. 

Improvements in Food Security

On the island of Nui, violent hurricanes make traditional crop farming difficult and food security very uncertain. Innovative solutions are essential to ensuring food security for the small community living there. 

One of these innovations in poverty eradication in Tuvalu is the introduction of food cubes on the island, where people can plant crops in movable containers instead of in the vulnerable soil by the shore. The UNDP and International Organization for Migration (IOM) has implemented these and provided them to residents as part of the Climate Security in the Pacific Project.

The food cubes have proven to be especially effective and have provide much needed security for the crops of the 500 residents on the island of Nui. The cubes are simple to set up and are easy to move to a safer location more inland by the residents in the event of a storm. The cubes have also been successful on other Tuvaluan islands such as Nukulaelae and Funafuti where food security has also improved.

Fostering Connections to Global Institutions

Tuvalu is a very remote country, it is very reliant on aid from international institutions. With the impending risk of changing weather patterns exacerbating the poverty level in the country, Tuvalu is prioritizing forming connections with organizations that can assist with tackling climate poverty.

An example of this is the Tuvalu Second Climate and Disaster Resilience Development Policy Financing from the World Bank. While the previous initiatives have been for specific projects, this loan from the World Bank to the Tuvaluan government is to ensure the fiscal resilience of the country amidst the risks of changing weather.

The loan, as well as the strengthened ties between Tuvalu and the World Bank and other monetary organizations, provides much more financial security for Tuvaluan citizens and allows local entrepreneurs and business owners to contribute more to the island state’s economy.

Looking Ahead

These innovations in poverty eradication in Tuvalu, such as cultivating connections with international organizations, can help to ensure a safe and secure future for the country and its citizens.

– James Holder

James is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing the Gender Pay Gap in the Gambia

Gender Pay Gap in the GambiaThe Gambia is a small nation nestled in the vicinity of the much larger Senegal, and its population thrives along the banks of the Gambia River. The country faces multiple problems of inequality, with the gender pay gap in the Gambia remaining one of the most persistent challenges. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the wage gap between males and females was almost 65% in 2022, ranking amongst the lowest in Africa and the world.

Women earn approximately $700 less than men. This means there is a higher chance for women to be in poverty than men, especially since the COVID-19 restrictions. In Gambia, women tend to work in the informal sector. This can range from working in the hospitality and tourism sector in urban areas to the agricultural sector in rural areas, where they constitute 50% of the workforce.

What Is the Gambia Doing Right?

  1. The Gambia, despite struggling with poverty, keeps its unemployment rate quite low, and the rate is only 5.8% in comparison to 7.2% for men. This improvement has expanded economic opportunities for Gambian women and increased their access to income.
  2. Gambian women now hold almost 30% of managerial and middle-management positions, reflecting this progress, which is significantly higher than in countries with higher literacy rates, such as Egypt. This share continues to rise as Gambia relies less heavily on agriculture.
  3. Improvements to Gambia’s education sector have driven greater female employment, leading to a literacy rate of 50.8% amongst women, in comparison to men at only 41.6%. This includes women outperforming men in increasing their reading and mathematics proficiency.

Where Is the Gambia Struggling?

  1. Informal Sector: While Gambia has improved female employment rates, according to the LFS, in reality, about eight out of 10 women worked in the informal sector, which widened the gender pay gap because men dominated higher-paying white-collar jobs.
  2. Financial Sector: As the IMF noted, only 2% of women hold bank accounts in contrast to 8% of men. Gambian women have a low rate of financial literacy and use of financial services, including loans for businesses. Limited access to financial services has restricted women-led businesses and startups across the country.
  3. Government Sector: While local governments have improved female representation, the central government and parliament still persist in a massive imbalance. The underrepresentation of women in politics weakens efforts to implement policies that reduce the gender pay gap.
  4. Global Events: The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have widened gender pay gaps. These crises directly affected nine out of 10 working women in the informal sector, especially in the tourism sector. Agricultural uncertainty also prevents many women from achieving optimal productivity.
  5. Inflation: Rising living costs highlight gender inequality by forcing many women to remain financially dependent on men. This exposes the reality of the unequal divide between the genders, as living costs force women to remain dependent on men.

Solutions

In 2024, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare announced a 10-year plan to increase the pace of removing gender inequality, with the gender pay gap in Gambia being at the forefront of the plan. The government plans to implement the strategy between 2025-2034.

In 2025, the Ministry launched a popular program in partnership with the UNDP called the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions. The program focuses on improving educational opportunities and workplace equality. It connects public institutions to other similar establishments around the world and prepares them to improve their inclusivity and accessibility skills for women.

The Path Ahead

High fertility rates among young women, driven by low female school enrolment, keep many Gambian women out of the workforce and contribute to pay inequality. Improvements in education have helped reduce fertility rates among young women. 

There is a chance to reduce gender pay gaps by only provisioning better educational resources, such as the construction of new schools, and giving them access to basic school supplies. 

Similarly, child marriage has been a persistent issue in Gambian society, but a higher educational rate amongst girls and even boys has led to improvement in changing perspectives and an increasing rate of marriages after the age of 18.

This shows that there is a chance for tackling the gender pay gap in the Gambia if there are some basic provisions of education and opportunities for young girls.

– Tanay Ashok Sonthalia

Tanay is based in Melbourne, Australia and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan: Solving Poverty with Technology

Digital Family Card in KazakhstanKazakhstan has made strong progress in reducing poverty, but some families still face more difficulties than others. The World Bank reported that Kazakhstan’s poverty rate fell from 49.5% to 8.5% between 2006 and 2021. These advancements helped 5.9 million people leave poverty. However, poverty in rural areas remained higher than in cities, with 11.4% of the rural population living in poverty compared with 6.6% of residents in urban areas. The same report also found that children made up 40% of poor people in Kazakhstan in 2021. These gaps demonstrate why the Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan matters for families that may need faster and direct support.

How the Digital Family Card Works

The Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan is a government technology tool that helps identify families who may qualify for social support. The project emerged from joint work between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Instead of making every family search for programs on their own, the system uses official data to help the government understand which families may be at risk.

UNDP says the Digital Family Card offers more than 30 services that people can access automatically, without needing to apply. This is important because vulnerable families may not always know what support exists or how to request it. UNDP also says the project focuses on groups such as single mothers raising more than three children, families with disabled members and orphaned children.

A System Built Around Family Needs

The Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan does not work like a regular plastic card. It functions more like a digital profile that helps the government understand a family’s situation. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says the system uses a scoring model of family well-being with 120 parameters from more than 20 data sources. These include areas such as social and economic conditions, education, health and housing.

This kind of system can make social assistance more targeted. For example, a family may need help because of low income, disability, unemployment or another difficult situation. The Digital Family Card can help the government see these risks earlier and connect people to support. ITU also explains that the system uses anonymized data for analytics, which helps protect personal information while still allowing the government to make decisions based on strong data.

From Pilot Program to Social Support Tool

Kazakhstan started testing the Digital Family Card in 2022. According to the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Labor launched the card in pilot mode for nine types of benefits and social payments. The plan included using the card to provide state guarantees in social protection, health care and education.

The Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan later became part of the country’s wider social policy. UNDP says Kazakhstan included the project in its Social Code. The system now has information on more than 6 million families. This information helps the government plan spending and deliver social assistance more accurately, using real-time data.

Making Benefits Easier to Access

One major goal of the Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan is to make government support easier to receive. UNDP explains that the system can assess family vulnerability without citizens needing to take the first step. If a person may qualify for support, the system can send an SMS asking for consent. If the person agrees, the social benefit, payment or other type of support can go directly to the person’s bank account.

This matters for people who may not have strong access to government internet platforms. Some families may live far from public offices, lack digital skills or not know which benefits match their situation. A text-message system can reduce confusion and make the process easier. It also helps the government reach people before their problems become more serious.

Recognized as a GovTech Solution

The Digital Family Card has received some recognition. In February 2024, the project won the 2024 GovTech Prize at the World Government Summit in Dubai. It won in the “Inclusive Digital Transformation” category. UNDP says the award recognized the card as a tool that improves access to government support for vulnerable people.

Kazakhstan has continued to use the card as part of its social support system. In July 2024, the Prime Minister’s official website reported that the government planned to use the Digital Family Card platform to monitor the well-being of families in five categories, from emergency and crisis levels to satisfactory and prosperous levels. This helps local officials track whether families’ living conditions improve or worsen.

Looking Ahead

The Digital Family Card in Kazakhstan does not solve poverty. Families still face problems linked to rural inequality, children’s poverty and access to services. However, the card helps address one important issue: accessibility of families to know programs. By using data, SMS notifications and automatic services, Kazakhstan is making social support easier to access. For vulnerable families, this digital tool can address many of their issues instantly.

– Mateo Alcocer

Mateo is based in West Hills, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Local Peace Efforts in Sudan Have Reduced Violence

Local Peace Efforts in SudanThe Sudanese civil war, which began in April 2023, has devastated the North African nation; it has forcibly displaced 12 million people, caused widespread famine, contracted the economy by 40% in two years and created a humanitarian crisis. Additionally, polarization has divided society, leading to distrust among civilians and street fighting. Still without a cease-fire, many Sudanese residents have taken it upon themselves to reduce violence.

Religious leaders, respected elders and youth groups trained in peacebuilding have protected markets, brokered local peace agreements, improved communication and community outreach and helped civilians relocate safely and access hospitals. Although only national peace negotiations can end the war, local peace efforts in Sudan have saved lives and rebuilt the trust necessary for creating and maintaining a peaceful nation.

Ground-Level Efforts

There have been noticeable reductions in violence where local peace initiatives have taken place, as seen in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) “Bridging Divides” report from October 2025. The report tracked efforts in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, noting the key actors, objectives and successes. In places such as Nyala, Ad-duain and Babanousa, native administrative figures, business leaders, local authorities and tribal chiefs led the charge; while in Zalingei, Youth Peace Ambassadors trained by the UNDP drove the initiatives.

In El Fasher, a formal group, the Elders and Mediation Committee of El Fasher, formed to represent various voices throughout the region including women’s representatives and representatives of armed groups. These leaders shared similar objectives, namely protecting essential infrastructure and medical facilities, brokering local cease-fires and assisting civilians with travel and aid. Because of the polarization experienced throughout Sudan, these groups also spread awareness campaigns and opened up dialogue between divided community members.

While most negotiated temporary cease-fires or truces to sustain regular civilian life, the efforts in Ad-duain led to a seven-month peace span and the committee in El Fasher prevented large-scale clashes for about a year. Local leaders in Ad-duain, Zalingei and Babanousa also reached out to the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces directly in hopes of postponing major confrontations and creating verbal non-aggression arrangements within their regions.

Within all of these local peace efforts in Sudan, community aid was an entry point for rebuilding trust and traditional community structures, such as tribal leadership, served as a vessel for mediation. An important objective in every region was the maintenance of hospitals and local markets, as well as safeguarding the routes leading to essential services. By protecting and providing for civilians, fractured communities unified for peace despite the conflict at the national scale.

The UN in Kassala

In Kassala, the U.N. Secretary-General Peacebuilding Fund funded a project titled “Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Social Cohesion in Kassala and Red Sea States.” The project supports social cohesion, gender equality and youth engagement. It helped 25 women in Kassala town establish a petty trade business supplying sugar, flour, cooking oils and other essentials. Through this, women who lived on opposite sides of the divide came together to collectively support each other.

Gisma, a woman from Kassala who is part of the enterprise, stated, “I used to worry about the future, about division. But this project gave me hope. We now have a reason to work together, to support each other.” The fund has also been used to train Youth Ambassadors who are assuming leadership roles within their communities, such as those in Zalingei.

Looking Ahead

Local peace efforts in Sudan currently lack the resources and recognition needed to sustain their successes. As long as the war continues, these initiatives remain under constant threat due to changing conditions and positions, which affect different areas. However, investments in these initiatives could also kick start a new approach to diplomacy. Rather than working only for a national cease-fire, victories in smaller regions could accumulate into a larger one. The tireless and dangerous work of local leaders and groups has paved the path for stability and will hopefully lead to lasting peace in Sudan.

– Joshua P Megson

Joshua is based in Albemarle, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

 

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Women’s Economic Empowerment in Hasbaya

Women’s Economic Empowerment in HasbayaAgainst the backdrop of Mount Hermon, the Hasbaya region of South Lebanon features ancient olive groves, terraced hillsides, and the winding Hasbani River.

Yet, beneath this scenic tranquility, rural communities face deep economic marginalization intensified by national financial instability and geographical isolation. In the lanes of Hasbaya’s historic souks, a new narrative is taking shape; not of crisis, but of enterprise.

Hounna Lil Tamkeen Project

Launched in late 2025 and scaling through 2026, the “Hounna Lil Tamkeen” project (Women for Empowerment) equips participants with the technical skills and business resources to establish their own guesthouses and craft enterprises.

The project is part of a broader movement; the United Development Program (UNDP) recently provided $1.5 million in assistance and technical support to women-led enterprises and cooperatives to restore local production and livelihoods across Lebanon.

The Leadership and Vision

Al Madad Foundation established the project as a core initiative under the vision of its founder, Lebanese-British artist and humanitarian Aya Haidar. Haidar’s work frequently explores themes of cultural heritage and the value of women’s domestic labor, actively shifting the focus from traditional aid toward a model of “creative empowerment.” The leadership’s philosophy for Hounna Lil Tamkeen pushes business ownership rather than one-time food parcels. It also professionalizes the production of mouneh (traditional preserves), ensuring that Lebanese heritage becomes a marketable asset in the modern economy. The project acts as a direct intervention against the rising poverty rates in rural Lebanon, where one out of every three citizens now lives below the poverty line. It provides a sustainable path toward women’s economic empowerment in Hasbaya in this traditionally conservative region.

How it Works: From Training to Table

Instead of requiring women to travel to urban hubs for work, the initiative brings the professional economy directly to their doorsteps through three distinct phases:

  • Phase 1: Professional Skill Acquisition: Participants receive intensive hospitality training from the foundation, mastering international service standards, rigorous food safety protocols, and foundational digital literacy. This specialized instruction enables them to list their traditional homes on global booking platforms, effectively turning underutilized domestic spaces into reliable revenue streams. This localized approach tackles the regional inequality affecting 44% of the population while prioritizing women’s economic empowerment in Hasbaya as a core engine for rural recovery.
  • Phase 2: The Culinary Tourism Pipeline: Women are trained to scale and professionalize their traditional production of mouneh (artisanal Lebanese preserves). By standardizing product quality, safety and packaging, the project helps these local entrepreneurs sell their goods directly to visiting tourists and high-end urban markets. This provides a vital, insulated source of income at a time when the tourism sector’s contribution to Lebanon’s economy fluctuates around 5.5%.
  • Phase 3: Digital Visibility and Infrastructure: The initiative provides the physical tools and marketing training necessary for women to establish an online presence. Creating a digital footprint is essential for bypassing Lebanon’s ongoing banking hurdles, offering a critical intervention in a country where female labor force participation stands at just 27.54%; significantly lower than the global average of 51.07%.

From Blueprint to Reality

The tangible reality of this economic shift is documented directly by the field updates of the “Hounna Lil Tamkeen” initiative on social media. Supported by the Mediterranean Women’s Fund and guided by expert trainer Omar Abou Ali, the project successfully executed its specialized “Treasures of Hermon: Feminine Tourism” training modules across rural South Lebanon. After conducting successful training blocks in the towns of Kfayr and Mimes, the foundational phase concluded with an intensive two-day workshop in the village of Khalwat. The field execution seamlessly bridged hospitality with the region’s culinary heritage, featuring a traditional rural lunch that served as a practical showcase for professionalized, homemade preserve production (mouneh). Moving forward, these real-world assessments are being translated directly into localized tourism brochures for each village, creating a permanent marketing infrastructure that connects rural women directly to the modern travel economy.

Looking Ahead

The success of these rural initiatives mirrors a broader national effort to revitalize Lebanon’s economy through women’s economic empowerment in Hasbaya. International partners have mobilized substantial support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which comprise 90% of Lebanon’s economy and serve as the backbone of local livelihoods. Under the Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, a total of $1.106 million in grants has reached 96 SMEs, providing both financial capital and United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) technical support to strengthen operations and expand market reach. Ultimately, the project aims to support more than 1,000 women-led businesses, ensuring that as Lebanon navigates its recovery, women remain at the heart of a more equitable and sustainable economic future.

– Celine Dib

Celine is based in London and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr