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Targeting Poverty and the Environment in South Africa

Environment in South AfricaUnemployment has been a persistent concern in South Africa. At the same time, South Africa is a water-scarce nation facing inconsistent rainfall, which disproportionately affects the country’s impoverished population. To address poverty and the environment in South Africa, the nation launched the Working for Water (WfW) program in 1995. This has expanded to larger environmental and social employment programs that are still effective today.

Impacts of the WfW Program

The WfW program hires unemployed persons to remove invasive plant species, thereby providing income while targeting pressing environmental concerns. These plant species deplete water resources in an already water-scare nation, limiting water supply for health and economic needs. In addition to water, the invasive plant species also threaten biodiversity and ecosystems. They contribute to soil erosion and obstruct grasslands used for livestock grazing. The program also has social targets, seeking to hire at least 5% disabled persons, 20% youth and 60% women, with baby chrèches provided for mothers with young children.

The program has successfully targeted poverty and the environment in South Africa. According to the South African government, 20,000 jobs have been created through the WfW program. Furthermore, 52% of participants were women. It has removed more than one million hectares of invasive plant species, which, as of 2010, has helped the nation retain more than 46 million cubic meters of water and prevent $22.7 billion of national income from being lost.

The Working for Energy Program

With the success of the WfW program, the government has rolled out additional “Working for” programs to target poverty and the environment in South Africa. One notable example is the Working for Energy program, which was inspired by the leftover biomass from the WfW program. This program focuses on providing low-income families with electricity generated from renewable sources.

The initiative is projected to generate 720 megawatts (MW) of electricity and create 50,000 jobs, demonstrating a sustainable approach to both energy production and economic development. In addition to Working for Energy, programs have been implemented targeting wetlands, fire, the coast and waste. In total, these programs are expected to create 230,000 public employment opportunities by 2025.

The Expanded Public Works Program

With the success of the “Working for” programs, the South African government established the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) following the Growth and Development Summit in 2003. This initiative continues to create employment opportunities under the summit’s goal of “more jobs, better jobs, decent work for all.” The EPWP targets additional sectors of the environment, which now runs the “Working for” programs, including Infrastructure, Social and Nonstate. The EPWP continues to be successful, having achieved its goal of the creation of one million jobs ahead of schedule in 2008.

Looking Ahead

Despite such successes, challenges lay ahead. Though the EPWP presents employment opportunities, larger structural concerns are at play. Unemployment rates have been rising in the last 20 years, currently sitting at 32.9%. Water shortages are also becoming increasingly common. Furthermore, though the expansion of EPWP can create some permanent employment, most of the jobs it provides for the unemployed are temporary.

The United Nations Development Programme claims that the program can benefit from additional skills training to help its beneficiaries switch into employment outside of the EPWP. However, the “Working for” programs and its continued development as the EPWP remains an innovative measure. It is frequently cited as one of the leading examples globally of simultaneously targeting poverty and environmental concerns.

– Imme Koolenbrander

Imme is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Increasing Access to Child Care in South Africa Supports Women

Child Care in South AfricaIn South Africa, women are disproportionately affected by unemployment, with the rate for women at 35.1% in 2023, compared to 31% for men. However, progress is being made in areas such as child care. Around 70% of care in Africa is provided by female relatives, with just 3% of care involving paid work. Africa has the highest amount of unpaid care work globally. This unpaid care work is a barrier to women’s participation in the labor force. Approximately 34% of women in Africa reported that unpaid care work prevented them from having a paid job, compared to 3.9% of men.

In South Africa, many waste pickers and domestic workers leave their children with neighbors as a form of child care. In Durban, a group of waste pickers collectively pays an elderly couple for child care, choosing this option for its affordability and flexibility in payment terms. The female caregiver accepts materials collected by the waste pickers as part of the payment. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, 68% of child care workers in South Africa said they were in danger of closing permanently due to rising costs. This threatened to decrease the number of child care options available further. However, different initiatives are addressing child care in South Africa.

Child Care South Africa

Child Care South Africa is one initiative aiming to provide quality child care in the country. Between 2017 and 2019, the Cash Plus Care (Qhawekazi) project was established to empower women aged 19 to 24. A total of 5,087 young women completed all 12 Cash Plus Care Empowerment sessions, highlighting the project’s extensive impact on their lives.

SmartStart

Furthermore, SmartStart provides communities in South Africa with access to high-quality early learning programs for children aged 3 to 4. About 80% of lower-income families in South Africa lack access to early learning for children younger than 5, making child care crucial not only for mothers but also for children’s futures.

One of SmartStart’s goals is to create a women-led care economy by empowering them to become early learning practitioners. Since 2015, a community of 9,000 practitioners has emerged. These Early Learning Practitioners are trained to secure government funding as microentrepreneurs.

South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Program

Started in 2004, South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) trains unemployed beneficiaries, mostly women, in areas such as day care activities. By 2015, approximately 20,000 care practitioners had been trained. Reports indicated that this scheme contributed to income growth more than any other similar project. Women particularly benefited from paid care work, as they represented 90% of the home-based care workers who participated in the program.

The ECCE Program

By 2030, the government in South Africa aims for all children aged 0 to 5 able to access an early childhood care and education (ECCE) program. The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (ECD) allows more women to have paid jobs because it alleviates the need for women to be responsible for child care during working hours. The following three benefits arise from supporting ECCE services:

  • More paid jobs in the care economy.
  • More women can form part of the labor force.
  • More assistance for children’s development.

The Future

The highlighted initiatives aim to increase the amount and quality of child care in South Africa. The additional support enables women to engage with the economy. This will improve the position of women while also benefiting the wider community and combating poverty by raising household income levels.

– Amy Fox

Amy is based in Birmingham, UK. and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Charities Operating in Spain

Charities in SpainSpain has experienced a wave of poverty ranging from 2019-2022. The highest recorded rate was during 2020 (21.7%), when the pandemic hit, leaving the economy to shrink severely. Improvement significantly hit around 2021 (20.4%), decreasing by 1.3%. Though poverty in Spain has grown to shift throughout the years, it remains a significant issue.

In May 2020, the government modified the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) program, though support levels were high, the cause of inflation ultimately surpassed them. The plan affected particular individuals, those who had not been residents for an entire year and young adults ages 18 through 22. Eventually, it made it more difficult for the IMV to offer sufficient social support. In August 2021 and August 2022, price inflation had increased by 10.5%, reaching the highest level since the official measurement began in 1994. As a result, staple foods increased in price by 25 to 40% by September.

As inflation fluctuates and prices continue to rise and fall, the fight against poverty continues. Charities operating in Spain like the ones listed below advocate to help those in need.

Lanzaderas de Empleo y Emprendimiento Solidario

In the first quarter of the year, the unemployment rate in Spain increased to 12.29% from 11.80% in 2023, demonstrating that the issue remains consistent. Lanzaderas de Empleo y Emprendimiento Solidaria (Employment and Solidarity Entrepreneurship Shuttles) is an educational workshop established in 2013 by the Santa Maria la Real Foundation. The program focuses on supportive proactive training to help individuals overcome the challenges that come with unemployment. More than 800 Employment Shuttles have worked at this free-of-charge program across the country. About 20,000 people have participated and around 60% have improved their employment situation.

Fundación Balia

Founded in 2001, another of the charities operating in Spain is the Fundación Balia, which aims to promote social inclusion by helping disadvantaged children. Its goal is to break the pattern of poverty through education, allowing minors the opportunity to develop their fullest potential. The organization has delivered numerous programs through 27 public primary and 31 public secondary schools. In June 2020, The Scheinberg Relief Fund worked with the foundation to provide “a year’s supply of masks and hygiene items” when its doors reopened after the mass pandemic. Children began to attend the restarting of face-to-face events to prevent the inequality gap from increasing. Its various initiatives have helped more than 1,444 families and 914 children in 2020.

The Human Safety Net España

Developed by Generali in 2017, The Human Safety Net focuses on vulnerable families with children under 6 helping more than 150,000 families. Its For Families program aims to support parents who live in difficult circumstances by providing the best possible foundation for their children’s future. The program allows parents to invest in courses on positive parenting and learn how to educate their children at each stage of their growth. It joins forces with NGOs and private sectors that share the same objectives to accomplish its goals.

Acción Contra el Hambre

Since 2014, Acción contra el Hambre (Action Against Hunger) has been approaching the food safety problem. It helps the unemployed by offering training and programs to detect food insecurity. In 2023, its programs opened employment opportunities for more than 5,000 people. By offering employment and training itineraries, they achieved a labor insertion rate of 43% in less than six months. The organization has helped around 24.5 million people working in 55 countries.

Cáritas Española

The Spanish Episcopal Conference established Caritas, associated with the Catholic Church, in 1947. Its objective is to improve conditions and promote social justice by helping in areas of health and housing. One of its many projects includes Nueva Esperanza (New Hope), a temporary house for women seeking sanctuary. Cáritas has provided support to around 500,000 people in Spain in 2023 and continues to make a difference.

Poverty remains an issue in Spain as the cost of living fluctuates, resulting in higher prices. However, with the work of charities operating in Spain, a difference is being made.

– Savannah Garza

Savannah is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How the Youth of Moldova Are its Future

Youth of MoldovaIn 2023, reports indicated a decline in the involvement of youth in decision-making and public policy implementation in Moldova. By early 2024, statistics revealed that Moldova’s population was 3.3 million, with young people making up over a quarter of this figure. Further analysis reveals that 72% of community youth programs fail to meet the population’s needs effectively, particularly those of the most vulnerable citizens. This situation highlights a significant gap between the objectives of youth programs and the actual needs of young Moldovans.

Economic Challenges and Depopulation

Moldova is facing significant depopulation, primarily due to the high emigration rates among young people. This trend presents a critical challenge to the economy, potentially limiting national development and restricting access to essential services. As one of Europe’s poorest countries, economic downturns disproportionately affect families with children, exacerbating the risk of poverty. Although there have been overall improvements in recent years, Moldova continues to experience high poverty rates, with child poverty being a major concern.

Youth and Social Policy

In 2020, Moldova recorded a child poverty rate of 26%. Households with multiple children, as well as those headed by a self-employed, unemployed or single-working parent, are particularly vulnerable to poverty. Current social policies fail to meet the needs of children living in poverty. Despite this policy gap, 72.7% of households with children reported satisfactory living conditions in recent years.

Educational and Employment Challenges

In Moldova, the youth population contends with significant challenges in education, employment, health and civic participation. Although 39% of 25 to 29-year-olds hold high-ranking degrees, the quality of education often fails to meet satisfactory standards. Many Moldovans remain disengaged from education and employment opportunities, complicating efforts to empower this generation with suitable jobs. Despite a general decline in poverty rates in recent years, the country faces hurdles in achieving economic growth, compounded by high emigration rates that particularly affect young citizens. Currently, 29% of Moldova’s youth are unemployed, a rate that exceeds many other countries and fosters social exclusion among this demographic. Prioritizing youth development is essential for Moldova’s national progress.

Various factors contribute to youth unemployment beyond economic challenges. Individual circumstances often require young people to assume caregiving responsibilities, leading them to become homemakers rather than active job seekers. Additionally, many young Moldovans plan to emigrate in search of better job opportunities that match their skills and qualifications. This trend is particularly pronounced among the most vulnerable segments of the youth population. Those from impoverished families, orphaned children or residents of rural areas face significant barriers to accessing education, further limiting their employment prospects.

The Youth Participation Program Initiative

Following youth-led protests in 2009, which demanded fairer governmental procedures and inclusion in policymaking, the Eurasia Foundation initiated the Youth Participation Program (YPP) in Moldova. This program aimed to channel the passion of the youth toward enhancing their country’s economy. To build momentum, the Eurasia Foundation collaborated with Moldova’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, organizing a series of youth debates across the country in partnership with Ministry representatives. These debates highlighted the perspectives of young people on policy reforms. The culmination of these efforts was the National Youth Forum, providing a platform for young Moldovans to discuss the 2009 to 2013 Youth Strategy directly with government officials.

Youth Sector Development Strategy

In 2023, the Moldovan government approved the “Youth 2030” Development Strategy, which targets three main objectives to bolster the nation’s youth. This strategy is designed to expand access to youth programs and enhance the participation of young Moldovans in voicing their ideas for the country’s future. Despite the absence of a specific public policy dedicated to the social inclusion of young people, the Youth 2030 strategy represents a comprehensive effort to unify various institutions that influence youth development and empower young citizens in Moldova.

Looking Ahead

Moldova’s initiatives to engage and support its youth are intended to contribute to the nation’s future development. The “Youth 2030” Development Strategy seeks to address significant gaps in youth participation and to improve access to essential programs. Addressing the root causes of emigration and enhancing opportunities for young people could be vital in fostering a more prosperous and stable society. By prioritizing youth inclusion and development, Moldova can potentially build a stronger, more resilient future.

– Brogan Dickson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Balancing Prosperity and Income Inequality in Luxembourg

Income Inequality in LuxembourgEconomically, Luxembourg is rated one of the most affluent and prosperous countries in Europe. Acclaimed for high standards of living, a strong economy and a strategic geographical position to become a doorway for international business, the Grand Duchy has made its own identity in the international arena. Nevertheless, one of the greatest challenges of the country comes in the form of income inequality and societal differences.

Economic Prosperity

Luxembourg has a very high economic potential, with a strong financial services industry, high-quality steel and a strategic position in geography. Its financial sector acts as the backbone of its economy. It attracts world corporations, investment funds and financial institutions who are looking for stability and fine regulatory frameworks.

Financial services are one industry that heavily contributes to Luxembourg’s gross domestic product (GDP). Luxembourg for Finance reports that “the financial sector accounts for approximately 26% of the GDP of the country, making it one of the greatest contributors to the economy.”

Although not quite as prosperous as in its heyday, Luxembourg’s steel industry remains another important sector of the country’s economy. Its location in the center of Europe makes it easy to trade and carry out commerce, making it a good place for international businesses to have their headquarters or regional offices.

Income Inequality in Luxembourg

Despite its prospering economy, Luxembourg is faced with sharp income inequality, a challenge pervading many aspects of society. According to a report by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Watch Europe, the top 20% of earners in Luxembourg take home about five times what the bottom 20% earn.

Differences between the well-off and the underprivileged are reflected in the accessibility of basic services: education, health and housing. While the country is generally characterized by a high living standard, spots of poverty and social exclusion do remain, particularly among certain groups.

Government Response

The government of Luxembourg has implemented social welfare policies that try to alleviate poverty and enhance social mobility. At the very core of these lies a comprehensive social safety net. They include salient welfare programs in the form of unemployment allowances, housing subsidies and even health support schemes. These range from better education and training opportunities to job prospects that economically empower marginalized communities.

Conclusion

Of course, Luxembourg’s impressive economic success is praiseworthy. The government continues with new social welfare policies and programs intended to level the playing field in society.  They aim to foster mobility and bring the nation closer to achieving its vision of an equitable society.

– Honorine Lanka Perera

Honorine is based in Highland, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Women’s Rights Issues in Tuvalu

Women's Rights Issues in TuvaluSituated in the vast Pacific Ocean halfway between Hawaii and Australia, Tuvalu is one of the world’s smallest, most remote island nations, made up of slightly more than 11,000 people, all living on a mere 26 square kilometers of land. Women in Tuvalu encounter challenges across various aspects of daily life, including representation in government, participation in the economy and the risk of violence in the household. Here are three big women’s rights issues in Tuvalu:

Underrepresentation in Parliament

Tuvalu gained independence from Britain in 1978 and since then, only three women have been elected as members of the Tuvalu Parliament. Most recently, in the general election of 2019, only 5.4% of candidates were women and only one was successfully elected. Tradition and cultural norms are factors as to why women are not represented in the government as much as men. Traditionally, it is the belief that women should take care of domestic labor while men dominate the workforce. While this belief is not a hard and fast rule, it does bleed into governance as women are excluded and limited from decision-making in local governmental participation.

In addition, family ties and connections play a big role in who gets elected, as there are no formal campaigns or parties. Although progress toward improving equal representation in the government has been made, tangible improvements toward this goal in terms of a permanent legislature have yet to be made. Exclusion from decision-making marginalizes women’s influence on the legislature that addresses issues that directly affect them, such as poverty, poor education and underemployment. By including women in government, these pressing issues like poverty could be directly confronted.

Economic Disparity

In Tuvalu, women’s participation in the workforce remains unequal to that of men. According to the World Bank, in 2023, young women from the ages of 15 to 24 made up only 43% of the workforce, while young men made up 53%. Additionally, the unemployment rate for women was 16.2% and 4.6% for men in 2022. In terms of education, 37.4% of women were not in training, employment or education. The lack of women in the labor force keeps Tuvaluan women in a cycle of economic inequality and poverty. Addressing these issues could lead to a more productive workforce and economic development that not only helps improve the lives of low-income women but also of the community.

Gender-Based Violence

In Tuvaluan society, nearly 36% of women between 15 and 49 reported experiencing physical violence from a partner within their lifetimes, with 24.3% of women stating that they experienced violence within the 12 months before the report. Violence, including physical, sexual and emotional forms, significantly impacts the lives of Tuvalu women. These women might have a harder time accessing money or making any financial decisions, which can contribute to their financial dependency and their exposure to poverty.

Looking into the Future

While these major areas of society need women to be included to improve, one organization is working on building a better future for the island and women’s rights issues in Tuvalu. The Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP) focuses on building infrastructure to protect and raise the island away from rising sea levels due to climate change. A huge component of this project is advocating for women to speak up in the government and community spaces.

The project focuses on supporting women through education, offering scholarships and helping them obtain governing positions. Two female recipients have already been placed into universities abroad thanks to this program. Additionally, TCAP has created 100 new jobs that not only fight against island erosion but also prioritize female applicants to maintain a 50-50 gender balance. TCAP trains women in the relevant skills to boost their careers and also gives them a platform for their existing streams of income, which typically come from selling handicrafts.

– Rachel Venable

Rachel is based in Berkeley, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Peru’s Inclusive Growth Agenda

Peru's Inclusive Growth AgendaPeru is a country full of cultural heritage and natural resources. Yet, it has also constantly struggled with issues of poverty and socioeconomic disparities. The Peruvian government responded to this issue and led a serious campaign toward fostering economic growth that includes all people.

Addressing Poverty

One major objective of Peru’s Inclusive Growth Agenda is reducing poverty. The government has issued several policies and programs targeting the most vulnerable. An example is the Juntos program, launched in 2005, which consists of the payment of conditional cash transfers to impoverished households, conditioned by satisfaction of specific stipulations like schooling and health check-ups. This would imply that studies by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have established the effect of Juntos on steeply reducing poverty rates, particularly in rural areas where poverty is more entrenched.

Improving Access to Education and Health Care

Quality education and accessible health services are key factors in poverty reduction. Peru has strived far to improve access to such services through the initiative of Qali Warma, a school food program in the country since 2013 that emphasizes the nourishment of children and their school attendance.

Similarly, Seguro Integral de Salud, which translates to Comprehensive Health Insurance, was launched in 2002 and includes health insurance coverage for low-income families. These two programs have ensured that, as reported by the World Bank, more and more marginal communities are sending their children to schools and, in cases of need, seeking medical treatment.

Creating Employment Opportunities

Unemployment and underemployment continue to be major problems in Peru, particularly among the youth and female population. Therefore, job creation remains at the top of the government’s agenda with large programs such as Proempleo and Construyendo Perú.

Proempleo offers training and support to the most vulnerable to find employment. So far, the initiative has helped more than 100,000 people. At the same time, Construyendo Perú focuses on infrastructure projects to generate employment in underserved areas. The International Labor Organization (ILO) paper demonstrates that the program played a significant role in reducing unemployment and fostering social inclusion.

Enhancing Social Protection Mechanisms

Social protection systems have thus gained importance in shielding vulnerable populations from economic shocks. Peru has increased social protection through programs such as Pension 65 and Life Insurance (Seguro de Vida). The former offers cash transfers for elderly citizens in poverty, while the latter offers life insurance to low-income households.

Even though the Inclusive Growth Agenda in Peru has scored some successes, there are still challenges to be considered. The regional inequalities are still significant; for example, in indicators of development, rural areas trail far behind their urban counterparts. Secondly, the COVID-19 pandemic only stressed the previous weaknesses. It once again urged further initiatives that will assure growth with inclusiveness and resilience.

Conclusion

Peru’s Inclusive Growth Agenda has been the most laudable in seeking to address poverty and ensure sustainable development. Its government has done a lot to achieve better access to education, health, employment opportunities and social protection through well-focused policies and programs.

Further, evaluation on a continuous basis and adaptation to the prevailing circumstances remain to be done in dealing with the challenges that are still current and paving the way for the benefits of development to include all societal strata.

– Honorine Lanka Perera

Honorine is based in Highlands, NJ, USA and focuses on World News and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Rising Youth Unemployment in China

Youth Unemployment in ChinaAt the end of June 2022, statistics showed that youth unemployment in China was rising significantly to an unprecedented level of 19.3%. This is partly due to the slow growth (only 0.4%) of the Chinese economy in the second quarter of this year. Such a worrying scene could require powerful solutions.

Reasons Behind Rising Youth Unemployment in China

Nearly one in five young men is unemployed in China, a country with the second largest economy in the world. One of the greatest contributors to youth unemployment in China was the pandemic and the government’s relative lockdown policies. As the Chinese government made tight policies to control the number and spread of COVID-19 cases, major cities including Shanghai experienced large-scale lockdowns, affecting many economic activities.

For example, the retail sales in China have decreased considerably by 11.1%, which was its highest contraction value since March 2020, according to the BBC. An executive at Huawei, Richard Yu, has expressed his worry that if the lockdown persisted, the whole “technology, industrial and automobile supply chains” would come to a full shutdown. The poor performance of the economy in the pandemic made unemployment become more widespread.

Also, due to the Chinese government’s policies since 2021, most extracurricular tutoring was banned in China to lower pressure and discourage competition among Chinese students. However, as many private tutoring institutions had to shut down, teachers lost their source of income.

Chinese Government’s Effort to Solve the Problem

Fortunately, youth employment in China is not at a dead end. Circumstances can get better for those young people who are desperately seeking jobs.

The Chinese government was aware of this problem and already implemented some measures. On the one hand, the government made it compulsory for state-owned businesses and institutions to create new jobs for young graduates from higher education. On the other hand, universities are opening up temporary positions for their own graduates as emergency support, according to NZZ.

The Future

Although the unemployment figure was high in June, the Chinese labor market has already started to revive slowly since May. It may take some time for the reviving effect to lower the youth unemployment rate. As the government started to focus on tackling this problem for the younger generation, it started to provide subsidies and guaranteed loans for small businesses to help them overcome the financial difficulties that came with the pandemic lockdowns.

It was clear that the strict lockdown policies in China limited economic performance instantly. However, the economy is recovering steadily since the end of the second quarter of 2022. Consumer expenditures, including the key Chinese industry—vehicles, have experienced an impressive boost since June. In fact, economists from other countries still give high expectations for China’s future economic growth.

Hopefully, a more thriving economy could benefit the job market and ease the pressing problem of youth unemployment in China very soon.

– Ella Li
Photo: Flickr

Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Saudi Arabia

Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Saudi Arabia
The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Saudi Arabia is undeniable, especially when considering the growing unemployment rate. During the non-pandemic years, around 10%-20% of Saudi Arabians were in poverty and many of that number were women. However, Saudi Arabia’s government has not released specifics regarding poverty or homelessness.

COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia led to 8,591 deaths and 539,698 cases as of August 18, 2021. Additionally, the government administered approximately 32.8 million doses of the vaccine to Saudi Arabians. Saudi Arabia has a strict mask policy, requiring all people to wear a mask in all public places. Otherwise, unmasked individuals will receive a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals, which is almost $3,000.

Unemployment and Poverty in Saudi Arabia

The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Saudi Arabia certainly begins with unemployment. The unemployment rate rose from 6.13% in 2019 to 8.22% in 2020 because of COVID-19. Most people in Saudi Arabia work in the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, the reduction of oil prices due to the pandemic caused the country’s economy to suffer and have significant layoffs. At the end of 2020, the unemployment rate in the gas and oil sector was 12.6%. However, it decreased to 11.7% at the beginning of 2021. The increase in layoffs made the job market more competitive. Unemployed men and women with no prior job experience must compete for jobs with people who have more work experience.

Furthermore, the pandemic severely affected women in the job market. Women are struggling because their main career areas are private-sector jobs such as retail and education. These types of jobs are core areas where the pandemic stay-at-home policies caused quite a shift. Additionally, half of the young Saudi women do not have employment and do not have education or formal training. COVID-19 is slowing the process for Saudi women to join the workforce. Closing schools and daycare made it difficult for women to work because someone needs to stay home with their children.

What is Saudi Arabia Doing to Help?

In 2016, the Saudi Arabian government created Vision 2030, a strategy to improve many aspects of the country by 2030. Tourism and women’s rights are examples of Vision 2030’s goals. However, the larger aim is to improve the overall life of people in Saudi Arabia. Concerning women and jobs, the goal is to encourage women to go to college and develop their talents. Saudi Arabia is making efforts for women to have more job security and improve their quality of life. In fact, from 2017 to 2020, the percentage of women in the workforce increased from 20% to 33%. Women having more job security and opportunities will make challenging events such as COVID-19 more manageable in the future.

According to the Vision 2030 plan, Saudia Arabia will address poverty. The plan also stated that “subsidies for fuel, food, water and electricity will be better utilized by redirecting them towards those in need.” The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Saudi Arabia slowed down the progress of Vision 2030, but the strategy is still flourishing. Vision 2030 is important because it is building a stronger infrastructure for Saudi Arabia, especially for the poor and women.

– Shelby Tomassini
Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG Goal 10 in Argentina

Updates on SDG Goal 10 in ArgentinaIn Argentina, the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic unrest has stalled efforts to close the inequality gap. Before the pandemic hit, Argentina was making progress on a series of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is a framework of global objectives created by the United Nations, designed as a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” by 2030. The country was “well-positioned” compared to its Latin American counterparts, according to the Argentine Network for International Cooperation (RACI). The onset of COVID-19 has impacted updates on SDG Goal 10 in Argentina.

Achieving SDG 10: Reducing Inequality

Argentina had been struggling to achieve SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities within a county’s population and among different countries around the world. To measure inequality, the SDGs use a scale of 0 to 100. The lower the score, the closer the country is to achieving economic equality. The goal is to achieve a ranking of 30 or lower by 2030. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Argentina had a ranking of 51. The pandemic has siphoned resources out of the government and stalled updates on SDG Goal 10 in Argentina and other progressive reforms. On top of that, millions of Argentinians have lost their jobs and inequality is expanding as a result.

President Alberto Fernández

In December 2019, President Alberto Fernández won the presidential election over conservative incumbent, Mauricio Macri. President Fernández’s political style is that of his mentor, former president, Néstor Kirchner. However, “the COVID-19 pandemic might very well shatter the center-left president’s dreams of following in his mentor’s footsteps and bringing social progress and economic growth to Argentina,” writes Hugo Goeury.

Despite Fernandez’s progressive goals for his administration, reforms have all been put on the back burner since the arrival of COVID-19 in Argentina.

Poverty, Unemployment and the Wealth Gap

In the first half of 2020 alone, the poverty rate among Argentinians increased to almost 41%, the Americas Society/Council of the Americas reported, nearly a 5% increase from the previous year. The Central Bank is also predicting the GDP to contract by nearly 11%.

With almost a third of Argentine workers facing unemployment, President Fernandez is scrambling to financially support his unemployed constituents, while also negotiating the country’s debt owed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to the World Inequality Database, as of 2019, the top 10% wealthiest Argentinians controlled nearly 40% of the country’s income, while the bottom 50% only possessed 17.9% of the nation’s income.

Better Days Ahead for Argentina

Even though updates on SDG Goal 10 in Argentina seem especially challenging right now, Argentinians are still
pushing forward to make their country more equitable for everyone. The U.N. says, “In the post-pandemic world, Argentina must strengthen its productive apparatus and continue to eliminate inherited social inequities and those aggravated by COVID-19.”

– Laney Pope
Photo: Wikimedia Commons