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Women in UgandaIn Uganda, women continue to find their capacity to materialize their potential hampered by deeply entrenched inequalities despite considerable political progress. The 1995 constitution rendered men and women equal before the law. Since then, numerous governmental initiatives have sought to eradicate gender-based discrimination. This includes the 2007 establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission, a statutory authority that works to enforce anti-discrimination laws and equalize opportunity.

However, the United Nations (U.N.) has identified a chasm between this politically decreed equality and the living reality of Ugandan women, social mores frequently limiting their engagement in the public sphere. The result is a gaping monthly gender wage disparity of 32.3% and a mammoth loss in human capital and, thus, national wealth. Organizations of varying scales are, therefore, working to foster the economic inclusion of women in Uganda.

Resilient Women Uganda

Established in 2016, Resilient Women Uganda is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that helps vulnerable girls and women escape cyclical poverty by creating spaces where they can blossom unimpeded by patriarchal beliefs that undervalue them.

Harmful practices mar the economic inclusion of women in Uganda. A massive 45% of female Ugandans have suffered physical abuse at the hands of their partner. Additionally, more than one in five have experienced sexual violence. Moreover, child marriage is rampant, with 34% of girls entering unions before they turn 18 and 7% before the age of 15.

Seeking to limit the effect that these breaches of basic rights have on girls’ development, Resilient Women Uganda operates a shelter for those in immediate danger of violence or exploitation, where they can access food, medical treatment and pastoral care.

Furthermore, the organization offers vocational training in various sectors, supporting its beneficiaries in sculpting a future. Through the program, at-risk girls aged between 13 and 19 can develop skills that will lead them to secure employment and become economically self-sufficient members of society. In 2023, 55 young women trained by the program found jobs in hairdressing and fashion design.

The Women’s Microfinance Initiative

The Women’s Microfinance Initiative (WMI) empowers female entrepreneurs from impoverished rural communities by providing them with microloans and increasing their financial literacy. Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2008, the organization operates through hubs across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

The “Transition to Independence” program gives women access to four consecutive loans at a 10% flat interest rate, which they can use to propel their businesses into economic self-sufficiency. The program also provides a holistic support system that seeks to mold its beneficiaries into well-rounded participants in the economy. At the community-level hubs, operated by local women, the borrowers receive training in business and marketing, ongoing mentoring and free bookkeeping resources such as calculators and notebooks. They also open bank accounts as part of the program and develop a strong grasp of financial processes.

WMI combats exploitative lending practices through its woman-centered approach, which is reflected in an impressive loan recovery rate of 98%. Its borrowers experience a monthly income growth rate of between 100% and 400%. The organization’s impact is as far-reaching as it is remarkable; in 2023 alone, it provided 12,000 loans and it has served more than 28,000 women since its inauguration.

Moreover, WMI estimates that its loans impact an additional 20 people for every borrower. This considers the effect of increased household income on family members and the reach of each business’s roots within the community’s economic network. According to the U.N., self-employed women in Uganda face heightened vulnerability to poverty due to limited access to services and capital. WMI is working to remove these barriers and allow female entrepreneurship to flourish.

Women in Technology Uganda

Women in Technology Uganda (WITU) is an NGO that has supported girls and women from underprivileged communities with training programs in technology and entrepreneurship since 2014. The “Code Girls” program operates across primary, secondary and tertiary education to bring ICT training to young people, especially girls, who are otherwise unlikely to access STEM resources. In 2022, the program bridged the technological divide for 1,354 students.

WITU also offers talented young women the opportunity to complete a two-year diploma in Computer Science and Entrepreneurship through the Women’s Institute of Technology and Innovation. In 2022, 33 girls excluded from tertiary education because of a lack of financial means received scholarships.

Moreover, the 12-week “Elevate” program fosters economic autonomy by training young women from marginalized backgrounds in ICT and providing them with various marketing and employability skills. As of 2022, the program had served more than 6,000 women. Given that just 31% of Ugandan women have access to the internet, compared with 69% of men, WITU’s work represents a vital pathway toward improved economic inclusion of women in Uganda.

Moving Forward

Although significant challenges remain, numerous organizations are working to strengthen Uganda’s social fabric by fighting for a future where its women are free to incorporate their unique and colorful threads. Their efforts demonstrate what WMI aptly calls “a long-term investment in human potential” and their shared vision is one of a nation that holds equal promise for all of its people.

– Leila Powles

Leila is based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

Nongovernmental Organizations Operating in KiribatiThe United Nations (U.N.) currently lists Kiribati as a Least Developed Country (LDC). The U.N. defines an LDC as one that requires significant international aid to assist its development. This designation is based on three main criteria: an average income below $1,080, a low score on the Human Asset Index, an index designed to assess multiple factors in a country’s education and health outcomes and a high score on the Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index. Additionally, the designation must be accepted by the country.

Kiribati has made significant strides in its goal of graduating from this distinction and meeting the economic threshold. However, concerns exist regarding its ability to survive independently without the support of the U.N. Situations like this are when the efforts of NGOs become crucial. With volunteer efforts working within Kiribati on a daily basis to provide its citizens with critical, potentially life-saving information, Kiribati can, in turn, place a greater emphasis on not only meeting its goal of graduation but on progressing the country’s development in order to continue the positive strides it has already made.

Nongovernmental Organizations Operating in Kiribati

The impact of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can be felt worldwide. In developing countries like Kiribati, homegrown efforts often arise to make drastic strides in the fight for good. Here are seven nongovernmental organizations operating in Kiribati.

KANGO

The Kiribati Association of NGOs (KANGO) helps to enact the Kiribati Vision 20 plan, a 20-year development program for the betterment of the islands. One way it does this is via one of the many workshops it holds on the island. In these workshops, participants are first educated about the Kiribati Vision 20 plan. The plan is a blueprint for the country’s long-term development goals and the U.N.’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) for Kiribati.

After the lecture, participants participated in activities, including weaving, sewing and making local handicrafts. Though it may seem pedestrian on the surface, learning to craft in this manner helps the community achieve Kiribati’s SDGs by allowing even the unemployed to contribute to the economy.

ICAAD

The International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) is an advocacy group working within Kiribati to support marginalized communities on the islands. These include the indigenous peoples of Rabi island, the Banaban people. A primary goal of the ICAAD is to ensure that the voices of the native population are heard. Methods it uses to achieve this goal include artivism projects and interviews with members of the population. Highlighting and elevating the stories of these groups serves to pass on their memories and traditions to future generations, a value that can’t be calculated on a chart.

KFHA

The Kiribati Family Health Association (KFHA) works to provide crucial information and resources regarding family planning and sexual health. In addition to this, it advocates for social justice programs for marginalized groups across Kiribati. By hosting programs relating to reproductive health, critical information can be delivered to those in need of it. The most marginalized communities can receive the tools needed to thrive in times of crisis.

KTU

The Kiribati Teachers Union advocates on behalf of teachers across the islands. Providing a voice for a sector of society that is all too often overlooked, the KTU serves as an organization that can organize, negotiate and advocate on behalf of teachers across the islands. In addition, there are also separate wings of the union, including one dedicated to improving conditions for women teachers and one dedicated to those younger than 35.

Teitoiningaina

Teitoiningaina is a group dedicated to providing women on the island with crucial knowledge and resources regarding subsistence methods. Due to scarce water availability, many in Kiribati rely on water tanks for daily subsistence. In these workshops hosted by Teitoiningaina, composting techniques are among the methods taught to produce greater yields of crops. Attendees are given the ability and knowledge to better provide for their families.

KiriCAN

The Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN) is an NGO dedicated to raising awareness of the nation’s unique climate struggles. Given the Island’s location, climate and weather concerns are often crucial to its development. Mitigating the potential issues faced by its remoteness is key to the Island’s prosperity. Kirican has a long history of cleanup efforts and educational programs and its efforts to advocate for the planet are well appreciated.

Lifebox Foundation

The Lifebox Foundation, an NGO dedicated to distributing lifesaving medical equipment across the world, has a branch focused on Oceania that operates in Kiribati. Its initial goal was to distribute Pulse Oximeters to underserved communities. Though it has since expanded from this initial goal during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lifebox Foundation demonstrated that this was still a crucial point of its operation.

Pulse oximeters are critical to COVID-19 relief efforts, as a potentially life-threatening symptom of the disease is Hypoxia or an absence of oxygen in the blood. The best tool to detect this lack of oxygen is a pulse oximeter. During the relief efforts, the Lifebox Foundation distributed more than 100 pulse oximeters to medical centers across Oceania, including Kiribati. The help of the Lifebox Foundation was key in such a critical time for Kiribati. Without it, many patients would have been left without this crucial piece of lifesaving kit.

Final Remark

These are just a few ways NGOs can impact the local Kiribati community by directly targeting key issues in the island nation. By addressing these issues on a community level, Kiribati can see its broader goals met in due time. Suppose the finish line is graduating from the LCD status. In that case, nongovernmental organizations operating in Kiribati will be the fuel needed to propel the country to its development goals.

– Malik Vega

Malik is based in Florida, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Single Elderly Women in Japan Struggle with PovertyA recent survey conducted by Tokyo Metropolitan University Professor Aya Abe reveals that 44.1% of single women aged 65 and older in Japan are living in poverty. This rate is notably higher than their male counterparts and is nearly equivalent to the 44.5% poverty rate among working-age single-parent households.

Japan faces growing concerns about its aging population, particularly single elderly women who are at a higher risk of poverty. Current data suggests a stark contrast in poverty risks between genders and marital statuses, with elderly women more likely to struggle financially. Projections indicate that poverty rates for elderly women could increase from 22% to 25% and for divorced or unmarried women, the rate could spike to 50%. In contrast, only about 10% of elderly men are expected to fall into poverty. Widowhood offers limited financial relief, often restricted to bereaved family pensions.

Economic Inequality and Labor Market Challenges

The 2022 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare report in Japan reveals significant gender and age disparities in “one-person households.” Men constitute 35.9% of these households, with the largest age group being 70 to 74 years old, accounting for 28.7% of single male households. In contrast, women make up 64.1% of one-person households, with the largest demographic being those aged 85 and over, representing 24.1% of single female households.

Despite a doubling of income over the past two decades, Japanese women still earn significantly less than their male counterparts. As of Feb. 2023, the Statistics Bureau of Japan reported that the average monthly income for women was ¥83,896 ($630), compared to ¥345,645 for men. This disparity is exacerbated by the fact that 70% of female workers hold part-time or nonpermanent positions, which typically offer lower pay and limited opportunities for advancement. Consequently, Japan’s ranking suffered in the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap report, ranking 116th out of 146 countries, primarily due to wage inequality and a scarcity of women in senior management roles.

Societal Norms and Systemic Disadvantages

“Social norms that assume women are being supported by men have led to a system that doesn’t consider women living alone—and persist even today,” said Abe, “Attention on ‘women’s poverty’ often focuses on young women and single mothers. Policies also revolve around child support and are not essentially supporting women.” This disparity stems from the post-war pension system, which was based on the assumption that women would leave the workforce to raise children while men, employed full-time, would secure generous benefits. Consequently, the system inadequately supports single, divorced or never-married women in their later years.

Policy Recommendations and Future Directions

In Japan, the public pension system covers individuals from age 20 to 59, with basic pension benefits starting at age 65, contingent on a minimum of 10 years of contributions. Full benefits are available after 40 years of contributions. Enhancing the income security function of this system can potentially mitigate the risk of elderly poverty.

A RIETI report recommended three frameworks for improving Japan’s pension system. Firstly, it suggested expanding employee health insurance to cover nonpermanent, part-time workers, thereby ensuring more comprehensive protection and reducing the risk of exclusion from the pension safety net. Secondly, raising the pensionable age could increase benefits for those currently receiving low amounts, more effectively addressing elderly poverty. Finally, implementing partial reforms to the existing system could significantly alleviate poverty without the need for a complete overhaul.

The Japanese government is actively promoting “lifelong work” to alleviate the country’s significant labor shortage and to encourage elderly citizens to contribute more toward their medical and nursing care expenses. To support this initiative, the Fiscal System Council is evaluating a proposal to raise the pensionable age to 68. Although the official retirement age in Japan is 65, the country has the world’s second-highest rate of senior employment, with many older adults working informal part-time jobs to supplement their pensions.

Looking Ahead

Japan’s aging population, especially single elderly women, faces severe economic challenges. Despite efforts to improve income security, significant disparities remain in wages and employment opportunities. With proposed reforms like raising the pensionable age and expanding insurance coverage, Japan aims to address these ongoing issues and enhance financial stability for its elderly citizens, striving to reduce poverty and improve their quality of life.

– Cindy Hong

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

Photo: Unsplash

Women’s Education in GuatemalaAs a strongly patriarchal society, Guatemala has made progress toward gender equality in the past years. This is partially due to work done by the Foundation for the Integral Development of Socioeconomic Programs (FUNDAP). This nonprofit organization uses six different programs (education, health, microcredit, handicraft, agricultural and environmental) to educate women. FUNDAP is elevating and empowering women to cultivate growth in various impoverished regions of Guatemala.

What Is FUNDAP?

FUNDAP is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 that focuses on improving the lives of people (specifically women) in rural areas of the Republic of Guatemala. It is dedicated to moving forward with respect for people’s dignity and culture, avoiding the patriarchy to empower local women.

How Does FUNDAP Work toward Empowering Women?

FUNDAP operates by first monitoring at-risk and poverty-stricken areas and then evaluating the best ways to assist the residents. Following the evaluation, it implements various changes, which often involve creating job opportunities, offering financial support to local women and developing tools for sustainable environmental use.

After these changes are enacted, FUNDAP will focus specifically on individual women, limiting its view from the wider community to the impoverished woman. It will help the women learn important habits (like hygiene, nutrition, literary and financial literacy), develop their sense of self (through self-confidence) and then educate those women until they are qualified workers in a specialized field.

Like many patriarchal societies, Guatemala holds a deep cultural belief in specific gender roles and biases. These cause great difficulties for women trying to achieve financial stability or even financial independence, as many locals do not support women’s businesses. This is not to say that women entrepreneurs do not exist in Guatemala. In fact, they make up the majority of lower-level businesses. The problem lies in the fact that they lack access to the necessary tools and are being denied opportunities to enhance their businesses and progress to the next level.

FUNDAP assists women in advancing to the next level by providing them with the education that has been denied to them due to their gender. The organization also works with them to cultivate self-confidence and affirm gender equality. By teaching women how to save, invest in equipment smartly and handle their finances, the organization allows local women to feel confident and secure in their businesses.

FUNDAP Improves Women’s Education in Guatemala

FUNDAP offers six programs that Guatemalan women can join. The programs focus on providing specialized training to make women highly qualified in areas such as education, healthcare, microcredit, handicrafts, agriculture and the environment. These programs are designed to educate and empower women to excel in specific fields of their interest.

Impacts

While many international programs and nonprofits have focused on education, FUNDAP provides diverse opportunities for women’s education in Guatemala. According to the World Bank, in 1980, only 17% of Guatemalan women were enrolled in secondary education. However, by 2022, that number had risen to 47%. These programs are effective and although they take time, they often achieve their goals.

In 2023 alone, FUNDAP helped more than 181,000 people with its programs, with more than 83% of those beneficiaries being women. FUNDAP is an organization with a wide reach throughout Guatemala. It identified a problem and took active steps to address it by providing education and empowerment to women.

– Paige Tamasi

Paige is based in Los Gatos, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

Gender Wage Gap in PeruPeru struggles with high national poverty rates and an economy that inflation and political and financial uncertainty further hinder. While Peru was one of the most prominent performers in Latin America in the last 25 years, COVID-19 hit the nation especially hard. Its economy contracted by 11% in 2020, accompanied by a 10 point rise in its national poverty rate (from 20.2% in 2019 to 30.1% in 2020) as a result of the pandemic. The nation is recovering from this setback, but several obstacles are in its way. One major obstacle is gender inequality — or, more specifically, the gender wage gap in Peru.

Gender Inequality in Peru

Gender inequality in Peru originates from an adherence to traditional gender roles. Women are less likely to work full time for pay, for example, occupied instead with unpaid work such as household chores and child care. Women in Peru spend around 24 more hours per week on unpaid tasks than men, while men spend roughly 21 more hours per week on paid tasks than women. The prevalence of these gender roles affects economic participation and wages for women — the median full-time female worker in Peru earns 17% less than the median full-time male worker.

The labor force participation rate for women in Peru was 65.9% in 2023, compared with 79.5% for men. The effects of motherhood intensify this gap, with 41% of women in Peru stopping working after their first child, a percentage that remains after 10 years. Women with children often seek more flexible occupations such as part-time or informal jobs to accommodate their added responsibilities, according to the OECD. Traditional gender roles reinforce these effects of motherhood and may discourage the full-time participation of women in the workforce.

Bridging the Gap

Increasing the participation of women in the workforce could both strengthen efforts to reduce the gender wage gap in Peru and bolster the nation’s economy. Women represent a large portion of the population — their contributions to the workforce could help Peru’s formal economy grow, especially after COVID-19. Addressing this gap could be key to restoring and revitalizing the nation’s economy in the wake of the pandemic.

Education level is an important step towards achieving these goals. Women who graduated from upper secondary school and university have 80% and 90% labor market participation rates, respectively, while those with lower levels have under 50% participation, according to the OECD. Encouraging higher education could thus stimulate Peru’s economy by incorporating more people into the workforce, while simultaneously addressing gender inequality.

However, while reducing gender inequality in Peru still needs more work, education rates have increased for both genders in recent years. Rates of enrollment for boys and girls from pre-primary to upper secondary education are virtually the same, and illiteracy has essentially vanished among older teenagers of either sex, at a rate of about 0.5 percentage points. By contrast, among 60+ year-olds, women tend to be more frequently illiterate, with the gap between genders reaching roughly 18.7 percentage points, according to the OECD.

Encouraging higher education and economic participation among women could help bridge the gender wage gap in Peru — heightened labor participation and education provide girls with a stronger political voice and representation. Bridging this gap in itself could incentivize more women in Peru to work, including those in disadvantaged communities. Thus addressing gender inequality could gradually reduce the national poverty rate and bolster Peru’s economy.

Addressing Poverty and Gender Inequality in Peru

Organizations such as Peruvian Hearts, a nonprofit that focuses on educating girls and women in Peru, encourage the independence and economic participation of women. This organization’s PH Scholars program offers university scholarships and psychosocial support to disadvantaged girls to empower and educate women. It focuses specifically on girls from low-income families and has raised $666,072, as of June 2024, to address gender inequality and the interconnected problem of national poverty.

Globalteer’s Women’s Empowerment Project also aims to educate disadvantaged women in Peru and encourage their participation in the workforce. Concentrated in rural villages near Cusco, this project provides resources, financial backing, market knowledge and support to women in these areas to encourage economic independence and address poverty in Peru. This organization has currently raised $5,759, as of June 2024, to bridge Peru’s gender divide.

Peru has undoubtedly made significant progress in addressing gender inequality. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the gender wage gap can encourage more women to participate in the workforce and thus bolster Peru’s economy.

– Lana Swindle

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

Photo: Flickr

Bicycle ReliefWorld Bicycle Relief is a nonprofit working to provide people with a form of transportation. Six locations are the main focus of their mobilized community programs: Cordoba, Colombia; Siaya, Kenya; Kasungu, Malawi; Mumbwa, Zambia; Chiredzi, Zimbabwe; and Hwange, Zimbabwe.

The Way Society Moves

Transportation powers the way society moves, getting people from one place to another in a reasonable amount of time. It is this flexibility that not only provides freedom and convenience in daily life but also boosts development and economic growth. For many people living in rural areas, imited access to vehicles and high costs make it difficult to progress. World Bicycle Relief aims to bridge these barriers by targeting specific areas of this region offering a chance for women to expand their economic opportunities and provide them with a basic means of transportation.

World Bicycle Relief has distributed almost 786,000 bikes since 2005. Its “Buffalo Bike” is the nonprofit’s model, customized to withstand daily use such as handling rough terrain, long distances, and pulling cargo. The bike’s build is stronger than typical road bicycles that are more lightweight. It features steel tubing, heavy-duty spokes and rims, puncture-resistant tires, a rear rack capable of holding 100kg and a durable seat for comfort. After the distribution, locals within these rural areas get mechanics training, using basic tools and locally available spare parts, keeping riders on the move and continuing the program’s progress. There are now more than 3,000 mechanics available.

Gender Gaps and Poverty

Gender gaps put women and girls at a disadvantage early on in their lives trapping them into continuous poverty, limiting their productivity and potential. In sub-Saharan Africa, 37% of women were married or in a union before the age of 18 and girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys. More than half (56%) of urban women and girls live in slum conditions, where they lack access to clean water or suitable housing conditions. Approximately 980 million women do not have access to financial services walking long distances to work and school. Work inequalities also limit opportunities, as many women earn income by selling goods and produce.

Within the household women often take on the domestic role spending more on transport costs because they make more trips to and from their local markets to provide for their families. There are additional challenges for expecting mothers and mothers with young children as they face difficulties accessing health facilities in larger cities where they can receive medical services and child care resulting in missing or postponing appointments The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the region is 556 deaths per 100,000 births making it the highest at two thirds of all maternal deaths each year, according to the U.N. Women. Despite mobility being the most beneficial for women, men are the primary owners and operators of transportation. However, most of the trips they make outside their communities are for personal reasons.

Empowering Communities

At least 70% of bike recipients with World Bicycle Relief are women and girls, empowering them to focus on their education and growth opportunities and prioritize their well-being. The next big goal is to deliver 1 million bikes. In a world that is fast-moving, everyone should have a chance to move along with it.

– Tanita Love

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

Photo: Flickr

Women’s Health in the DRCIn the vast and diverse landscapes of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), women’s health has long been a pressing concern. The DRC presents a formidable challenge with a history of conflict, limited health care access and staggering maternal mortality rates. This narrative explores the profound impact of Doctors Without Borders on women’s health in the DRC, a story encompassing life-saving interventions and women’s empowerment woven intricately into the fabric of this remarkable journey.

Maternal Health and Sexual Violence

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) grapples with a profound and interconnected women’s health crisis, characterized by two critical dimensions: maternal health challenges and the scourge of rampant sexual violence. This crisis paints a harrowing picture, with the DRC consistently ranking among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates globally. The startling figure of 547 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, as classified by the World Health Organization, underscores the severity of this issue, marking it as “very high” on the global scale.

Factors contributing to this dire situation include a shortage of skilled health care providers, limited access to quality maternal care in remote regions and the enduring consequences of armed conflict that have ravaged the nation’s health care infrastructure. These barriers encompass health care infrastructure, socio-economic hurdles and weak health governance, making it a multifaceted challenge.

Unfortunately, many women continue to depend on traditional birth attendants, resulting in critical delays when complications arise. These delays often lead to devastating outcomes such as stillbirths and obstetric fistulas, inflicting severe health consequences on mothers and infants. Moreover, the lack of timely access to cesarean sections remains a significant challenge, further underscoring the urgency of improving maternal health care services in the region. 

In tandem with maternal health issues, sexual violence has cast a long shadow over the DRC, leaving countless women physically and psychologically scarred. Shockingly, one in two women in the DRC reports having experienced physical or sexual abuse at least once. 

Rape, disturbingly, has been weaponized as a tool of war, with dire consequences resonating throughout communities, perpetuating cycles of trauma and stigma. Indeed, multiple warring factions, including the Congolese Army and various rebel groups, have employed rape as a deliberate warfare strategy, amplifying the urgency of this complex and interconnected women’s health crisis. 

Doctors Without Borders’ Approach to Women’s Health

In the face of the escalating conflict in 2022, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF) exhibited unwavering commitment to women’s health in the DRC. Operating in challenging environments, MSF embarked on a multifaceted approach to address women’s pressing health care needs. 

In the conflict-affected regions of Rutshuru, Binza, Kibirizi and Bambo, MSF provided crucial support to local health facilities. Their interventions spanned a wide spectrum of medical activities, including providing intensive care, surgical procedures, therapeutic nutrition and specialized treatment for survivors of sexual violence. The organization’s presence and dedication were instrumental in ensuring that women in these regions had access to life-saving medical care despite the challenging circumstances. 

Moreover, MSF’s commitment extends beyond immediate medical needs. They focused on the comprehensive well-being of women, including their sexual and reproductive health. This focus encompassed vital services such as HIV and tuberculosis treatment, sexual and reproductive health care, safe abortion care and mental health services. By providing a holistic range of services, MSF aims to address existing health issues and empower women to make informed decisions about their bodies and well-being.

In Salamabila, MSF introduced innovative programs such as “husband schools” and awareness sessions on sexual violence. These initiatives aimed to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence and promote gender equality. By engaging with both women and men in the community, MSF sought to challenge traditional norms and behaviors contributing to sexual violence and discrimination.

The Organization’s Impact

Doctors Without Borders has made an indelible impact on women’s health in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exemplifying their commitment to saving lives and empowering women. In their tireless efforts, MSF treated a staggering 10,000 patients for sexual violence, a testament to their unwavering dedication to addressing this critical issue. 

Since the resurgence of conflict in 2022, MSF’s teams have remained steadfast in their mission. Between April 17 and 30, 2023, they provided critical care to 314 victims of sexual violence in Bulengo, Lushagala, Kanyaruchinya, Eloime and Munigi camps — areas that have faced a shortage of humanitarian assistance. This timely intervention offered much-needed medical and psychological support to survivors and underscored MSF’s commitment to reaching the most vulnerable, even in the most challenging environments. 

With a dedicated team of over 2,670 full-time staff, Doctors Without Borders’s impact on women’s health in the DRC has been monumental. Their holistic approach, spanning medical care, trauma support, community engagement and awareness initiatives, has saved lives and nurtured empowerment and resilience among women. MSF’s unwavering dedication and adaptability in the face of evolving health care challenges continue to be indispensable in pursuing a brighter and healthier future for Congolese women. Their work is a source of inspiration, illuminating the path toward improved women’s health and gender equality in the DRC. 

Moving Forward

However, comprehensively addressing the crisis goes beyond infrastructure development. Political change and reform are vital components of a sustainable solution. In certain African nations, like Mauritania and Kenya, governments have taken bold steps by prohibiting home births to reduce serious complications due to home deliveries in remote areas, a doctor working for the organization explained in the interview. Such policies aim to ensure safer deliveries and reduce maternal mortality, highlighting the potential impact of political initiatives in addressing the challenges faced by women in health care access.

Doctors Without Border’s work exemplifies the path to a brighter and healthier future for Congolese women. This collective effort, driven by compassion, dedication and a commitment to justice, is essential for progress in the challenging health care landscape of the DRC.

– Hannah Klifa
Photo: Flickr

Textile Cooperatives in Refugee CampsIn the heart of Lebanon and Jordan’s refugee camps, amid the backdrop of displacement and uncertainty, Syrian women are weaving threads of hope and resilience. The formation of textile cooperatives in these camps is not just preserving the intricate art of Syrian textiles. Still, it also provides a lifeline – a crucial source of income and a profound sense of community for these displaced individuals.

Al Badia Cooperative: A Symbol of Cultural Preservation

The Al Badia Cooperative in Lebanon is one such beacon of hope. Renowned for its traditional embroidery techniques, Al Badia has become a textile group; it’s a symbol of cultural preservation. Here, women meticulously create patterns that tell stories of their homeland, keeping the rich tapestry of Syrian heritage alive. These artisans, many of whom had to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs, find solace and dignity in the rhythmic movement of their needles and threads.

UNHCR’s Role in Supporting Livelihoods

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays a pivotal role in supporting these cooperatives. By providing materials, training and a platform to sell these textiles, organizations like UNHCR are aiding in livelihood creation and helping preserve a vital part of Syrian culture. This support has been crucial in turning these initiatives from small-scale projects to sustainable income and cultural preservation sources.

Economic and Psychological Impact

The economic impact within the camps is palpable. For many women, the cooperatives offer not only a source of income but also a sense of normalcy and purpose. The earnings from these cooperatives often go towards supporting entire families and providing food, education and healthcare. Beyond the economic benefits, these cooperatives are a testament to the resilience and strength of Syrian women, who demonstrate remarkable fortitude in the face of adversity.

Cultural Significance Amidst Displacement

In a time when displacement threatens to erase cultural identities, these textiles stand as a defiant symbol of heritage and history. These fabrics are more than just craftsmanship products; they are narratives woven with threads of resilience, hope and a deep longing for a homeland left behind.

Conclusion: A Movement Beyond Economics

The emergence of textile cooperatives in refugee camps is more than an economic initiative. It is a movement that is preserving the intricate art of Syrian textiles, empowering women with a sense of purpose and ensuring that even in the face of displacement, the vibrant tapestry of Syrian culture continues to flourish. Through their work, these women are not only contributing to their communities. Still, they are also keeping the stories and traditions of Syria alive for future generations.

– Hana Al-Khodairi
Photo: Freepik

Bulogo WomenIn Kamuli district, Uganda, a quiet revolution is brewing. Led by the inspiring Bulogo Women’s Group, a set of women who are not just defying expectations but dismantling them brick by brick, one successful business at a time. Their story whispers an anthem of empowerment, echoing across communities and resonating with a message of development that rings clear: invest in women and watch economic barriers crumble.

From Small Seeds to Mighty Businesses

Born in 2005, the Bulogo Women’s Group blossomed from a simple yet powerful desire: to mobilize and empower women through enterprise, agriculture, health, human rights promotion and protection of the environment and girl child education.

The Bulogo Women’s Group takes its mission further by partnering with NGOs like Street Business School (SBS). Recognizing the unique needs of women in their community, many of whom lack formal education and the concept of business ownership may feel daunting, Bulogo harnesses the power of SBS’s tailored curriculum.SBS’s program, designed specifically for women like those in Bulogo, integrates coaching and confidence-building elements to empower graduates to not only acquire practical knowledge but also believe in their entrepreneurial potential. This holistic approach equips these women with the tools and the courage to step out of their comfort zones and turn their business aspirations into reality.

Juliet Basilika is one such example of how the Bulogo Women are empowering communities. After graduating from the Street Business School (SBS) program through the Bulogo Women’s Group, Juliet joined forces with three fellow graduates to create the Bakuseka Foundation, a unique catering business in their village of Nawango.

The Power of Prescience

Juliet and her companions, all with backgrounds in subsistence farming, faced a common challenge: their village market was already saturated with agricultural produce. Instead of following the well-trodden path, they dared to be different. With a shared vision and just $24 each or a total of $96, these determined women pooled their resources and invested in cooking and serving equipment. Their bold move transformed them into the village’s first-ever meal service providers for weddings and other ceremonies.

The journey, however, wasn’t without obstacles. Skepticism and even disdain greeted their venture, with some community members doubting their ability to succeed. Yet, Juliet and her colleagues persevered, fueled by their belief in themselves and the transformative power of education. After earning their initial income from catering gigs, they innovated further, renting out their equipment to others and soon their earnings surpassed their wildest expectations.

Blooming Employment

Today, the Bakuseka Foundation has gone beyond generating income for Juliet and her team; it has become a source of livelihood for many in the community. To manage the physical demands of their work, the group now employs several men for heavy lifting tasks. Each day, the women earn an average of $5 each, a testament to their hard work and the success of their venture. Moreover, they reinvest most of their profits back into the business, aiming to purchase server shirts and party chairs to expand their rental services and further increase their income.

“The name Bakuseka means they laugh at us,” Juliet shares with a beaming smile. “But we are starting to prove them wrong.”This is a testament to the impact of the Bulogo Women’s Group in bringing life-changing opportunities to women like Juliet, transforming lives empowering communities and breaking the cycle of poverty.

Challenges

Like most women in Uganda, the journey is not without its challenges. Access to financing, limited infrastructure and traditional gender roles remain significant hurdles. Yet, the Bulogo Women’s Group continues to persevere, forging partnerships with international organizations and NGOs like the Universal Charitable Fund to secure funding for their women and empower their communities. Their unwavering spirit and collaborative approach are their greatest weapons, propelling them forward in the face of adversity.

The initiatives brewing in Bulogo may seem small, but their impact resonates loud and clear a testament to the power of women empowering communities through enterprise.

– Abraham Ikongshul
Photo: Flickr

Period Poverty in the Dominican Republic Joining the fight to tackle period poverty in the Dominican Republic, Batey Relief Alliance, a nonprofit organization in the Dominican Republic, worked with Always, a famous American brand of menstrual products, to distribute pads to Dominican women through their #ChicaAyudaChica campaign.

Period Poverty and its Effects

According to UNFPA, “period poverty describes the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products.” Though period poverty is a global issue, it is more prevalent in countries where women are disproportionately impacted by economic hardship. In the Dominican Republic, while the poverty rate is 3% higher for women compared to men, it is also important to note that “40% of women [carry] out unpaid work at home.”

Societal norms limit many Dominican women to domestic work rather than professional occupations. Women in rural Dominican Republic who do work often earn a total of $1 per day when the average package of pads costs $3, making it near impossible for them to afford the products. Thus, the cycle of period poverty persists.

Along with financial difficulties, women also struggled to access menstrual products due to COVID-19, as shown in a survey conducted in 30 countries including the Dominican Republic. Per the survey, 73% of health professionals noted that increased shortages and disrupted supply chains restricted women from buying menstrual products. In addition, 68% of health professionals highlighted that there was limited access to “facilities to change, clean and dispose of period products.”

Without access to sanitary products, most girls fear they will bleed through their clothing and be seen as “unclean” or “dirty” due to the taboo placed around periods and sexual health. In response, some girls trade sexual favors for money to pay for their menstrual products, while others simply stay home from school. These absences lead to lasting negative effects as these girls sometimes miss out on their education or drop out altogether.

How Batey Relief Alliance is Helping Dominican Women

Batey Relief Alliance is a non-political nonprofit founded in 1997 that addresses extreme poverty for women, children and families across the Americas and the Caribbean. In 2021, the organization revealed that 20% of Dominican girls in rural areas missed an average of 2-3 days of school monthly due to lack of access to menstrual products. Overall, a UNICEF report notes that only 56.7% of Dominican girls complete high school.

In response to period poverty in the Dominican Republic, the organization partnered with Always and a famous supermarket chain in the Dominican Republic called La Sirena to launch the ChicaAyudaChica campaign on April 6, 2022. The ChicaAyudaChica, or GirlHelpsGirl campaign is a response to the financial strain the pandemic placed on low-income families. The initiative grew using platforms like Twitter and Facebook to reach a bigger audience. By the end of the month, Always donated 20,000 sanitary pads to girls who lived in the rural province of Monte Plata, the seventh poorest town in the Dominican Republic.

Moving Forward

Even though the campaign is over, Always continues the fight against period poverty through its ongoing #EndPeriodPoverty movement, using social media as a tool to spread the word. As awareness of period poverty and its effects increases, the more young girls and women can gain control over their well-being and future economic opportunities.

– Blanly Rodriguez
Photo: Flickr