COLOGNE, Germany — France, often celebrated for its cultural heritage and progressive policies, has not been immune to a widespread issue affecting countless women and girls around the world: period poverty. According to French period charity Règles Elementaires almost 4 million people in France will struggle in obtaining sanitary protection, and therefore in experiencing their periods with dignity. However, there is a growing movement, driven by student organizations, aimed at eradicating period poverty. The Borgen Project talked to Salomé Galès, former president of the student organization “Dignité à nos Trousses,” which is helping to reduce period poverty in France. Understanding Period Poverty…
Author: The Borgen Project
SEWICKLEY, Pennsylvania — Indonesia is a country full of diverse cultures and natural beauty. However, beneath its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant traditions lies a significant struggle with poverty. Within this sprawling nation, boasting a population exceeding 274 million and standing as the world’s fourth-most populous, approximately 9.5% or 26 million individuals grapple with the stark realities of poverty. The intricate web of challenges surrounding poverty in Indonesia, as revealed by compelling data, is deeply entwined with economic inequality and uneven development. Remarkably, despite Indonesia’s stature as a burgeoning global economy, a substantial segment of its populace still contends with restricted access to fundamental necessities.…
SALFORD, United Kingdom — India is home to 4 million domestic servants, many of whom face exploitation, abuse and expectation to tolerate poor working conditions while performing informal household chores. The real and unofficial figure is as high as 50 million servants who live in abject poverty in India. The Borgen Project interviewed a domestic worker in the city of Gurgaon (now called Gurugram) near the country’s capital New Delhi. She has chosen to remain anonymous. The Borgen Project asked her about her working hours and income. “I work at five houses in a day. In total I work for…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Canada is known to be a diverse nation, with refugee and immigrant populations creating strong foundations for the country. The UNHCR reports that more than 1 million refugees have immigrated to Canada since 1980, with many creating a successful life for themselves and their families. Socio-Economic Conditions Of all refugees in Canada between 25 and 54 years of age, only 9% face unemployment. This is similar to the 6% of Canadian-born citizens who are unemployed. In terms of income, adult refugees average $20,000 in their first year, with the number growing significantly over time. Tax data from…
WINCHESTER, United Kingdom — In rural Uganda, the non-profit organization Interoots has been collaborating with the community of Kasasa to create a project that is “for the community, by the community.” The result of their hard work and dedication is the TaSCA project. While it was initially based on three pillars; a secondary school, the Institute of Indigenous Cultures and Performing Arts (ICPA) and a credit union, the community has now decided to extend the project further, with the construction of a health care clinic. The clinic will serve the students of the secondary school and residents of the community,…
GLASGOW, United Kingdom — After more than a year of a full-scale war, Ukraine faces an economic crisis. According to the official data of the National Bank of Ukraine, the economy in the country has dropped by 30% in 2022. The Bank indicated a full-scale invasion as the main reason for the decrease. Economic growth in Ukraine relies on the contribution of both large and small businesses. Small businesses have a crucial role to play in the economy as they generate employment opportunities, foster innovation, and, as a result, stimulate economic upswing. While some women serve in the Ukrainian armed…
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colorado — Mexicans have access to universal health coverage, yet the system’s disparities prove access and quality issues for most, particularly in rural, remote regions. Barriers to healthcare for rural communities are the result of a lack of resources, funding and health care professionals. Partners in Health is a “social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most.” The organization collaborates in 11 countries across four continents, providing care that extends beyond the medical and addresses the whole patient. Based in settings of poverty, it works…
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom — Since 2000, the rate of poverty in Rwanda has decreased from 75.2% to 52% in 2016. Such ubiquity of poverty is deeply damaging for those who suffer from its effects. Whilst there is still much work necessary, the country has taken promising strides in tackling the problem of poverty in Rwanda. Here is how different policies have cut the rate of poverty. Investment in Agriculture Ever since 2001, the International Development Association (IDA) has invested heavily in Rwandan agriculture. This investment has been crucial in reducing poverty in Rwanda. This is because 79.5% of…
LOS ANGELES, California — European Union nation-states maintain some of the most comprehensive and wide-reaching social services in the world. France, a nation that had a poverty rate of 14.6% in 2020, is an especially exceptional example of poverty reduction and care efforts. France’s comprehensive social security system includes but is not limited to health and disability insurance, occupational accident and illness insurance, government pensions, family allowances and unemployment benefits. Solutions to Poverty In order to fully understand French solutions to poverty, it is important to discuss the five major aspects of it – L’Assurance Maladie, l’Assurance Accidents du Travail…
PLANTATION, Florida — India, like many other major countries across the world, struggles with issues related to human trafficking. According to the U.S. State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, India ranks as a tier 2 country, meaning that the country has not fully eliminated severe forms of human trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so. Unfortunately for India, this means that human trafficking still runs rampant in the country. According to the same report, there were 6,622 victims of human trafficking in 2020 (a 28.7% increase from 2019). These cases of human trafficking disproportionately affect women,…