Scotland — Child labor remains a critical issue in Ghana, as more than 1.1 million children aged 5 to 7 years old were working in 2023. This accounts for approximately 10% of children in that age group, with the majority from rural areas and often missing school. Nearly 458,000 of these children had never attended school or dropped out entirely. Farming accounts for around 31%, family support around 35% and service roles nearly 92% of child labor jobs across the country. This widespread exploitation, like hazardous work in fishing and gold mining, reveals a cycle of poverty that systematic interventions…
Author: The Borgen Project
OXFORD, United Kingdom — Before 2019, Doreen from Kabale, Uganda, had few economic prospects. Like many Ugandan women and mothers, she relied on a male breadwinner. She lacked access to opportunities to become self-sufficient. Today, she is a successful mushroom farmer and entrepreneur, helping other women in her community empower themselves as agripreneurs. Doreen’s transformation was enabled by AgroMush Uganda, a community-focused enterprise using mushroom farming in Uganda to turn agricultural waste into income and nutrition. In an interview with The Borgen Project, AgroMush’s founder, Ahabwe Canary, explains, “Our mission is to train, equip and empower communities to attain improved livelihoods… through promoting sustainable,…
CARDIFF, Wales — Decades of brewing tensions between Israel and Iran erupted into the 12-Day War which had a severe impact on the two nations’ societies and economies. The 12-Day War began on June 12th, when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told people in Tehran’s District 18, which includes military buildings and residential neighborhoods, to evacuate. According to Iranian state television reports, Israel launched strikes in Tehran in the early hours of the following day, with residential areas in the capital hit. It resulted in the death of several Iranian nuclear scientists and state officials. Israel launched further attacks targeting…
CHICAGO, Illinois — Gustavo Dudamel is not only one of the most celebrated figures in classical music today, but he is also a living example of how art and music can be powerful tools for social transformation and human potential. Trained in El Sistema, Dudamel made his conducting debut with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra at the age of 18. Since then, he has toured the world and dedicated his career to expanding access to music. Through the Dudamel Foundation, he empowers vulnerable communities worldwide through music education. What is El Sistema? Founded in 1975 by Maestro José Antonio Abreu, El Sistema is a…
BOSTON, Massachusetts — Born in 1965 in the Garífuna village of Santa Fe, Colón, Miriam Miranda’s life has been intertwined with the fate of local Garífuna communities since birth. This fight has led to her becoming an internationally recognized human and environmental rights activist. It has also left her at odds with criminal organizations, wealthy property developers and the Honduran government. Here is information about how some are protecting Garífuna land. Miriam Miranda’s Early Efforts Miranda and her family had to leave their ancestral village early in her life for new economic and educational opportunities. This exodus eventually landed Miranda in the…
CHICAGO, Illinios — “Para todos aquellos amores que fueron obligados a ser separados.” (“For all those loves that had to separate.”) This line not only changed the life of Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean but also turned his song “Me Rehúso” into an anthem for millions of Venezuelan refugees. Like many of his compatriots, Danny Ocean left Venezuela amid a humanitarian crisis. He turned his personal experience into music that resonates with displaced communities. Today, he uses his platform to raise awareness about refugee issues and promote dignity, education and hope through his work with the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR). A…
ONTARIO, Canada — Tom Hiddleston participated in the UNICEF Soccer Aid Match, which took place on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Hiddleston served as a manager/coach for the match. The Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, housed more than 70,000 spectators who gathered to watch the list of celebrities compete in the match. The crowds were excited as England XI and World XI competed, with England dominating until the 58-minute mark with a 3-0 lead. This year’s UNICEF Soccer Aid Match was the 14th edition of the annual charity football game played between England XI and World XI. It raised over £15.2…
GALVESTON, Texas — As the world increasingly relies on technology and innovation, it is essential to reflect on the transformative role of digitalization in shaping our future. A powerful tool extending beyond mere convenience, serving as a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction. Yet, despite the digital revolution’s promise of social change, many women worldwide find themselves at the margins and unable to harness its benefits. On the continent of Africa, where women account for 50.14% of the population in 2021, barriers to accessing the digital landscape exacerbate the feminization of poverty. To understand the relationship between tech inclusivity and…
GLASGOW, United Kingdom — In recent years, headlines about debt defaults in Zambia, Sri Lanka and Ghana have made global waves. But the deeper story lies in the politics behind who gets financial relief and when. Debt relief in developing countries is more than an economic decision; it is profoundly political, often shaped by global power dynamics and creditor interests. Delayed or denied debt relief for the world’s most impoverished populations translates into fewer jobs, weaker health care and greater food insecurity. Who Owes Whom? The debt burden faced by developing nations is staggering. According to the World Bank, as of 2023,…
LONDON, United Kingdom — Mahira Khan, a popular actress in Pakistan, has starred in many Asian films and television programmes such as Raees and Humsafar. Humsafar was a global success, airing in multiple languages around the world, including Somali, Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Pashto. She has also found success through her digital media platform ‘Mashion,’ which details content focused on lifestyle, culture, food, beauty, fashion, wellness and career, mainly targeted toward South Asian Women. Mahira Khan also uses her influence to speak out for religious minorities, children, refugees and women’s rights. Child Labor in Pakistan Pakistan faces a challenging landscape, where…