While Africa is still reeling from the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict poses a new major threat to the global economy, with Africa being the primary country affected by this conflict because both Ukraine and Russia are major food importers for Africans, affecting East, West, Middle, and Southern Africa.
Wheat, oil, and sunflower oil are just a few of the products that have been imported, and their costs are currently rising due to the conflict in Ukraine; prices are rising, and there are also issues with the transportation system.
The conflict is significantly impacting Africa, not just in terms of food but also due to increasing concerns in global financial markets and supply chain networks. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the AfDB, caused a 30 million-tonne food scarcity across the continent and a significant spike in price.
According to the World Food Program (WFP), “While this is partly due to the conflict in Ukraine, food, fuel, and fertilizer prices were already at unprecedented levels by the end of 2021.” The UN-negotiated “Black Sea Grain Initiative,” agreed in July 2022, has relieved some of the “fertilizer crunch” by allowing fertilizer supplies from Ukraine to the rest of the globe.
In Conclusion:
Each individual has the right to food under global and African human rights. To have and guarantee this vital right, international governments should develop programs and legislation to ensure that nations such as Africa can afford safe food, and in broad terms, greater attention should be directed to those countries that face the most significant challenges. The world’s leaders must act to assist and change the African situation since we can all make a difference and save millions of lives if we work together.
Author: Maryanne Jelagat Koima – Art in Tanzania intern
Introduction
Child labour is a harsh reality that continues to plague societies worldwide, despite significant progress in the fight against it. Millions of children are robbed of their childhoods, subjected to hazardous work conditions, and deprived of access to education and proper development. This article aims to shed light on the global issue of child labour, its root causes, its impact on children’s lives, and the imperative need for collective action to eradicate this grave violation of human rights.
Understanding Child Labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children in work that is harmful, exploitative, and detrimental to their physical and mental well-being. It violates international labour standards, robbing children of their right to education, leisure, and protection. Many child labourers are in a cycle of poverty, with limited opportunities to break free from their circumstances.
Root Causes of Child Labor
Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of child labour across the globe. Poverty remains the most significant driver, forcing families to rely on the income generated by their children. Lack of access to quality education, inadequate enforcement of child labour laws, and societal norms perpetuating child exploitation also play crucial roles. Additionally, conflicts and economic instability in certain regions exacerbate the problem, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous employers.
Impact on Children’s Lives
Child labour inflicts profound and long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological damage on children. They are exposed to hazardous working conditions, leading to injuries, illnesses, and developmental delays. Working long hours in strenuous environments deprives them of opportunities to play, learn, and experience a nurturing childhood. Such experiences can negatively affect their self-esteem, mental health, and prospects.
Legal Framework and International Efforts
Numerous international conventions and organizations are combating child labour. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been at the forefront, advocating for eliminating child labour through its conventions and programs. Key legal instruments like the ILO’s Minimum Age Convention and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) set standards and guidelines for governments to protect children from exploitation and promote their well-being.
Challenges in Eradicating Child Labor
Despite concerted efforts, eliminating child labour remains a complex challenge. In some countries, the lack of proper implementation and enforcement of child labour laws hinders progress. Additionally, the intricacies of global supply chains make it challenging to eradicate child labour from industries like agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing. Tackling child labour requires a multi-faceted approach that involves governments, businesses, civil society, and consumers working in unison.
Role of Businesses and Consumers
Businesses have a crucial role in eradicating child labour from supply chains. Adopting responsible and ethical sourcing practices, conducting thorough audits, and supporting social programs can help eliminate child labour from production processes. Consumers, on their part, can make a difference by choosing products that are certified as child-labour-free and supporting companies with transparent supply chains.
Empowering Communities and Education
Empowering communities through economic development and providing access to quality education are vital to combating child labour. When families have access to better economic opportunities and understand the importance of education, they are likelier to keep their children out of exploitative labour.
Conclusion
Child labour is a pressing global issue that demands immediate attention and concerted action. We must unite as an international community to end this violation of children’s rights and ensure they can lead dignified, safe, and fulfilling lives. By addressing the root causes, empowering communities, and holding businesses accountable, we can pave the way for a future where all children have the opportunity to thrive, learn, and dream without the burden of child labour weighing them down. Together, we can be change agents and create a world where every child’s potential is nurtured and protected.
Tanzania, a country of remarkable landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant wildlife, struggles with a climate crisis and its negative influence on human rights. Tanzania faces a range of pressing environmental challenges that threaten its delicate balance and the well-being of its people. Tanzania’s continuously rising temperature and erratic weather patterns shed light on the detrimental ecological transformation and the unsolved problem: mistreating human rights.
Unmasking the Climate Crisis: Tanzania’s Battle for the ecological challenge
Climate change is one of the issues that has been prevalent worldwide. The majority of countries have been concerned about the ongoing change in climate conditions and challenging altogether against the unsolved problem.
Climate change does not affect everyone equally; developing countries, advanced nations, the impoverished rather than the affluent, and socially vulnerable groups such as women, children, and youth suffer more significant impacts. Tanzania is no exception to this worldwide issue. As a developing country, the whole nation is grappling with drought, while over 80% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. Typically, November should have been the month of rain, but it still didn’t rain when November was almost over.
Unfortunately, this dire situation leads to several detrimental issues, bringing chaos to Tanzanian society. No rain means no water, no water means no farming, and no farming means no money. Since over 80% of people in Tanzania have been maintaining their life by farming and selling crops, droughts caused by climate change are nothing short of a severed lifeline.
Climate Change: Unveiling the Silent Crisis of Human Rights
The bottom line is that this unprecedented issue has brought another problem to human rights for Tanzanians. Young children and even teenagers, who are supposed to be in schools, are fetching water from a river which is 2~3 kilometres far away from their house. Likewise, Tanzanian children dedicate themselves every day without a break. Then, why do they have to do this every day?
Since the water and food shortage inflicts pain on numerous households in Tanzania, young workers must enter the economic workforce early and provide water for their families, taking care of them. In addition, on the way back to their home after fetching water, children often face venomous snakes or hyenas that can potentially kill humans.
As drought persists, the number of empty school desks is increasing continuously. According to a 15-year-old Tanzania girl named Shania Shabani Ramadhani, some households resort to sending their children to work in aluminium mines. In contrast, others marry off young girls to men in their forties for a fee. She said she had seen many friends becoming pregnant and disappearing from school. The international humanitarian organization “Save the Children” statistically proved that about one-third of children worldwide are exposed simultaneously to poverty and climate crisis.
The Global Responsibility: Empowering Tanzanian Children for a Better Future
For Tanzanian children going through the most challenging time, many nonprofit organizations are aiding those children by investing in and protecting them.
The global nonprofit organization “Art in Tanzania”, has been working as a nonprofit organization, aiding Tanzanian children for almost 30 years. “Art in Tanzania” strengthens Tanzanian communities, encourages sustainable growth, and raises awareness about human rights, environmental sustainability.
Likewise, another nonprofit organization, “GlobalGiving”, manages a considerable funding platform to permanently lift poor people, including Tanzanians, out of poverty.
Africa has experienced numerous wars and conflicts, some of which are still ongoing. These conflicts have significantly affected the affected countries’ people, economy, and stability. This blog post will explore the effects of war in Africa until 2023.
One of the most significant effects of war in Africa is displacement. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there will be 20.7 million refugees worldwide by the end of 2021. Africa has the most significant number of refugees globally, with more than 7.2 million refugees in 2021. Many refugees result from ongoing conflicts in countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The displacement of people has resulted in a strain on resources in host countries, leading to an increased demand for humanitarian assistance.
Another significant effect of war in Africa is the loss of life. Thousands have died due to conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and the DRC. The loss of life has resulted in a significant demographic imbalance, with the working-age population reduced, leading to reduced economic growth.
Chai, North Kivu, DRC – March 29, 2014: FDLR soldiers marching and training on an abandon football field before patrols.
The economy of countries affected by war is significantly impacted. The cost of war, including the destruction of infrastructure, has resulted in a loss of productivity, leading to reduced economic growth. In addition, the displacement of people has resulted in a loss of labour, which has also impacted the economy.
The effects of war have also increased poverty. The displacement of people and loss of life has reduced economic growth, resulting in increased poverty rates. The demand for humanitarian assistance has also resulted in a strain on resources, further exacerbating poverty levels in affected countries.
The ongoing conflicts have also resulted in political instability. The political instability has made it challenging for these countries to attract foreign investment, reducing their capacity to rebuild infrastructure and promote economic growth.
In conclusion, the effects of war in Africa till 2023 have been significant. The displacement of people, loss of life, impact on the economy, increase in poverty, and political instability are some significant effects of war in Africa. The international community must continue to support African countries affected by war to ensure a peaceful and stable future for the continent.
At the height of COVID-19 in 2020, swarms of desert locusts appeared in the “Horn of Africa” in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, causing a food crisis for the first time in decades. The number of locusts has increased too much, moving in droves, quickly eating crops, and destroying the land for farming, posing a significant threat to residents’ food supply and demand.
Experts point to climate change as the cause of the sudden increase in locusts. Due to the abnormal climate, the weather in this African area has become humid as the rain has become more frequent. As a result, the temperature level has also risen, which created an environment suitable for locusts to breed.
Furthermore, the unexpected flood incident in East Africa in 2019 caused another environmental damage despite recovering from the recent effects of climate change. Indeed, the damage made the region’s humanitarian crisis more severe than before.
When ungrown desert locust larvae form a group, they are about 60km long and 40km wide. In Kenya, locusts have raced from Mandera in the north to Marsabit, Wajir and Garissa in the southwest, devastating the Ethiopian area and severely damaging its border in the eastern part of the country. When locusts grow into adults and lay eggs, the cycle of larvae born from the eggs increases quickly and coming adults. This damage inevitably doubles as time goes by. Since most people in East Africa still make their living through agriculture or driftwood, most of the people in East Africa who make use of crops and land have suffered from the food crisis.
In this situation, unfortunately, as COVID-19 restricted the movement of human resources and materials between countries, controlling the population of desert locusts was difficult. Power spray and pesticides, essential for maintaining desert locusts, are mainly imported from Europe and Asia, as regular supply and demand of it have become difficult due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, evaluate is that the assistance of developed countries and the international community to eradicate desert locusts is needed. The FAO formed a task force to eliminate desert locusts, established aviation control and ground control measures in 10 countries directly affected by desert locusts, and allowed more than 740 people to receive education to cope with desert locusts. It also strengthened cooperation with local organizations and on-site rural leaders to immediately update information on the occurrence of desert locusts so that temporary measures take place quickly. Meanwhile, the World Bank has also provided emergency funds.
The problem that has arisen in one area is no longer a challenge in that area alone anymore. The locusts that swept through East Africa moved at about 13 kilometres per hour, damaging 23 countries through the Middle East and South Asia. This swarm of locusts also appeared in China and Russia, and China launched an all-out war to prevent locusts by releasing 100,000 duck troops. The 2020 plague of locusts is a problem caused by climate change and persistent food shortages, which could lead to a food and hunger crisis in a short time. Furthermore, because climate change has become worse than in 2020, a locust invasion is a crisis that can happen again at any time, and that is why an appropriate response is needed. I hope the international community can cooperate to establish a system to prevent possible risks. There is a precedent in which the international community can take a united approach towards reasonable measures and create a response manual amid COVID-19.
Entrepreneurship is a multifaceted field that requires a broad range of skills, including creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Art, design, and culture are all essential components that play a crucial role in entrepreneurship. This blog post will explore the importance of art, design, and culture in entrepreneurship.
First and foremost, art, design, and culture are integral to branding and marketing. A business incorporating art and design into its branding strategy can create a unique identity and stand out from competitors. The right design can effectively convey a business’s mission and values, making it easier to connect with potential customers. Art and culture also play a significant role in advertising campaigns, as they can help create a connection with a target audience and memorably convey the message.
Secondly, art, design, and culture can inspire innovation and creativity. Artistic expressions and cultural traditions can help entrepreneurs develop new ideas and concepts to apply to their businesses. These inspirations can come in different forms, such as visual art, music, literature, and even culinary arts. By incorporating these influences into their work, entrepreneurs can develop new and innovative products and services that stand out in the market.
Furthermore, art, design, and culture can help entrepreneurs think critically and solve problems creatively. The creative process often requires thinking outside the box, and art, design, and culture can help entrepreneurs develop their critical thinking skills. In addition, by analyzing and interpreting different forms of art and culture, entrepreneurs can learn to see things from different perspectives and develop unique solutions to complex problems.
Moreover, art, design, and culture can also foster collaboration and teamwork. Entrepreneurs can work with artists, designers, and cultural experts to create new products and services that reflect the values and aesthetics of different cultures. This collaboration can lead to new ideas and innovations that benefit the business and the community.
In conclusion, art, design, and culture are essential to entrepreneurship. By incorporating these elements into their businesses, entrepreneurs can create unique branding and marketing strategies, inspire innovation and creativity, develop critical thinking skills, and foster collaboration and teamwork. These skills are crucial for any entrepreneur seeking to succeed in today’s competitive market. As an aspiring entrepreneur, it is essential to recognize the value of art, design, and culture in achieving your goals and positively impacting the world.
American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
Due to its unstable situation, Africa, where a condition of the influx of refugees occurs frequently, continues to have problems with migration. The recurrence of refugees coming into the nations of this continent causes social confusion that spreads to transnational issues, thereby resulting in conflicts with other countries.
However, some countries do not view refugee issues negatively. Ethiopia, for one, has refined its policy towards embracing refugees and developing its society through refugee acceptance instead of opposing it.
In 2019, the Ethiopian government in East Africa decided to provide educational opportunities to all refugees staying in refugee camps and allowed them to perform economic and financial activities. It drew attention worldwide as it was a contrasting approach to the solid anti-refugee policies of developed Western countries due to socio-economic burdens.
On January 20, 2019, local African media, African Daily Voice, reported that “the Ethiopian government has opened its doors to the opportunity to serve as a full member of society for up to 1 million refugees in its country. Ethiopia’s parliament passed a new refugee law on January 17 2019, allowing refugees to get a job, open a bank account, attend elementary education, obtain a driver’s license, and register documents for birth, marriage, and death reports.
As of August 2018, 905,831 refugees are staying in Ethiopia. It is the second largest in Africa after Uganda (having a population of about 1.19 million). Most refugees came from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea, bordering Ethiopia, and flocked to relatively stable Ethiopia to avoid decades of ethnic conflict, civil war, climate change and drought.
Currently, there are 26 refugee camps in Ethiopia alone. In addition, Ethiopia opened a large refugee camp near the border, accommodating 85,000 refugees even when massive bloodshed broke out in South Sudan in 2016.
The Ethiopian government expects refugees to speed industrialization and economic development by partially solving the sluggish domestic economy and workforce shortage. It must also be noted that about 40% of refugees staying in Ethiopia are aged 18 to 60 years old, meaning people who can perform economic activities. In other words, they have changed the idea of allowing their economic activities to grow into “future human resources” rather than “existence that eats away at taxes.”
On the day the refugee law was passed, Abebe Abebayehu, chairman of the Ethiopian Investment Committee, said, “The new refugee law will create various jobs and have a positive impact on the national economy,” adding, “It will be a great opportunity for the Ethiopian people.” The government announced its plan to invest 500 million dollars to create 100,000 jobs and provide 30 per cent to refugees.
The U.N. refugee agency and others praised that “Africa’s most progressive refugee policy has been born.” “Providing education and the right to work is not just for refugees, but for the entire community,” said Dana Hughes, a spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency East Africa. Norwegian refugee relief activist Stine Paws also told Reuters, “It is completely different from some Western countries turning a blind eye to refugees and implementing xenophobic policies.”
On the other hand, there are countries where protection laws for refugees are not adequately established, and unfortunately, these countries form the vast majority. Tanzania can be one example of these countries. Tanzania and Ethiopia signed the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status and the 1967 Protocol. Both countries have laws and policies stipulating refugees’ acceptance, protection, and support. Tanzania and Ethiopia’s refugee policies are based on non-supplementation, meaning no one will be repatriated to a country that can suffer persecution or severe damage. The two countries also focus on providing refugees with basic needs such as shelter, food, medical care, and educational and training opportunities.
However, Tanzania has faced difficulties in implementing refugee policies. Tanzania forcibly deported about 25,000 Burundi refugees from its country in 2013, according to the UNHCR. In 1993, a civil war in Burundi caused more than one million refugees, with the majority flowing into Tanzania.
Since the end of the Burundi Civil War in 2006, most Burundi refugees have returned home, but some have stayed in Tanzania. However, it is confirmed that the policy of deporting Burundi refugees without any measures such as drinking water and accommodation and forcibly deporting Burundi refugees continued until 2018. In addition, Tanzania has also accelerated its move to forcibly evict refugees from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which long-standing conflicts with the Victorian lake countries have caused. In other words, Tanzania’s decision to stop accepting refugees is contrary to the legal framework established by the nation itself and thus has faced criticism from the international community.
It is difficult to request or impose greater responsibility because accepting refugees is difficult for the country. However, as Tanzania shares its commitment to protecting and supporting refugees by international law and standards, the nation hopes to guarantee minimum refugee human rights, even if it does not become a model country for refugee law like Ethiopia.
The importance of mental health and well-being cannot be overemphasized, especially in social and environmental issues. The environment’s state and our society can significantly affect our mental health and well-being. This blog will explore the link between mental health, social and environmental issues, and the role of NGOs in promoting mental health and well-being.
The Link between Mental Health, Social, and Environmental Issues
There is a clear link between social and environmental issues and mental health. People living in poverty, for instance, may experience stress, anxiety, and depression due to their living conditions. In addition, climate change, environmental degradation, and natural disasters can cause psychological distress and trauma. These issues threaten the basic human needs of safety, security, and social connectedness.
The Role of NGOs in Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
NGOs are vital in promoting mental health and well-being in communities affected by social and environmental issues. They can provide support and services to those in need, such as counselling, mental health education, and access to healthcare. In addition, NGOs can provide programs that empower individuals to take control of their mental health and well-being. For instance, programs that promote mindfulness, self-care, and positive coping mechanisms.
The Importance of Self-Care for Activists and Volunteers
NGOs rely heavily on activists and volunteers to bring about social and environmental change. However, activists and volunteers can experience burnout, anxiety, and other mental health issues due to the emotional toll of their work. It is, therefore, essential for NGOs to prioritize self-care and provide support to their volunteers and staff to prevent burnout and promote mental health and well-being.
The Benefits of Nature and Outdoor Activities
Spending time in nature and engaging in outdoor activities can positively impact mental health and well-being. Being in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall well-being.
NGOs can promote the benefits of nature and encourage people to spend time outside to improve their mental health.
Addressing Stigma and Promoting Awareness
Mental health issues are often stigmatized, preventing people from seeking help. NGOs can promote awareness of mental health issues, address stigma, and encourage people to seek help when needed. In conclusion, mental health and well-being are essential to a healthy and sustainable society. Therefore, NGOs are crucial in promoting mental health and well-being in communities affected by social and environmental issues. By prioritizing mental health and well-being, we can create a resilient society capable of overcoming the challenges posed by social and ecological problems.
Tanzania is a country in East Africa with over 60 million people. Like many countries in the region, it faces significant challenges in providing quality education to all.
Education in Tanzania is an important issue that has received increased attention over the past few years. However, while the country has made significant progress in expanding access to education in recent decades, there are still significant challenges to ensuring that all children have access to quality education.
One of the critical challenges facing Tanzania’s education system is the shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in rural areas. The lack of teachers has led to a situation where many children are taught by untrained or underqualified teachers, which can significantly impact the quality of education they receive. The government has been working to address this issue by increasing the number of trained teachers and providing incentives for teachers to work in rural areas.
Another challenge facing the education system in Tanzania is the lack of resources, particularly in rural areas. Many schools do not have adequate facilities, such as classrooms, textbooks, and other learning materials, making it difficult for children to learn effectively. The government has been working to address this issue by investing in infrastructure and providing resources to schools in rural areas.
Despite these challenges, Tanzania has made significant progress in expanding access to education in recent years. The country has achieved near-universal primary school enrollment, and the number of children enrolled in secondary school has also increased significantly. The government has also been working to improve the quality of education by introducing new curricula and assessments designed to better prepare students for the workforce.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also working to improve education in Tanzania. These organizations are focused on a range of issues, from improving access to education to providing resources and training to teachers. In addition, some NGOs are also working to address broader issues, such as poverty and gender inequality, which can significantly impact children’s ability to access and benefit from education.
In conclusion, education in Tanzania is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. While the country has made significant progress in expanding access to education, there are still significant challenges to ensuring that all children have access to quality education. Therefore, the government, NGOs, and other stakeholders must continue to work together to address these challenges and ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
SOURCES:
Coulson, A. (2013). Tanzania: A Political Economy (Second edition, Vol.). Oxford University Press.
Ito, K., Madeni, F. E., & Shimpuku, Y. (2022). Secondary school students and peer educators’ perceptions of adolescent education in rural Tanzania: A qualitative study. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01418-6
Lugalla, L. P., & Ngwaru, M. (2019). Education in Tanzania in the Era of Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities. Mkuki Na Nyota Publishers.
Eastern Africa is a region of the African continent experiencing significant economic growth and development. Comprising of countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda, this region is home to over 300 million people. In this blog post, we will explore the economic future of Eastern Africa, including the factors contributing to its growth and the challenges that lie ahead.
One of the key factors contributing to the economic growth of Eastern Africa is the region’s rich natural resources. These resources include minerals such as gold, diamonds, and copper and agricultural products such as coffee, tea, and flowers. In addition, the region is also home to significant oil and gas reserves, with important discoveries made in recent years.
Another critical driver of economic growth in Eastern Africa is the region’s strategic location. Eastern Africa is at the intersection of crucial trade routes, including those linking the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. This location provides opportunities for the region to serve as a hub for trade and investment, contributing to its economic development.
The region has also experienced significant investment in infrastructure, including the construction of ports, airports, and highways. These investments aim to improve connectivity within the region and the rest of the world, promoting economic growth and development.
Despite these positive developments, Eastern Africa still faces several challenges that could affect its economic future. One of the primary challenges is the need for more significant investment in human capital. The region has a young and growing population, and it is essential to invest in education, health, and other social services to ensure that this population can contribute to economic growth in the long term.
Another significant challenge facing the region is political instability. Some countries in the region, such as Somalia and South Sudan, continue to experience conflict and instability, which can negatively impact economic development. Therefore, it is vital for the region’s leaders to address these challenges and work towards building stable and peaceful societies.
Climate change is another significant challenge that could affect the economic future of Eastern Africa. The region is already experiencing the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. These events can significantly impact agricultural productivity, a crucial driver of economic growth in the region.
In conclusion, the economic future of Eastern Africa is bright, with rich natural resources, a strategic location, and investments in infrastructure driving economic growth and development. However, challenges like the need for more significant investment in human capital, political instability, and climate change could impact the region’s economic future. Therefore, the region’s leaders must address these challenges and work towards building a more prosperous and sustainable future for the people of Eastern Africa.
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