Over time, child labor transitioned from agricultural and small handicraft settings to the industrial sector during the era of the Industrial Revolution. In urban areas, children became valuable labor assets due to their low wages, lower likelihood of participating in strikes, and susceptibility to manipulation. Factors such as socioeconomic inequalities and limited educational access are key contributors to the persistence of child labor.
In the world’s poorest countries, we encounter children engaged in the workforce. For instance, in South America, Brazil (2,065) ranks the highest in terms of child employment. While Jordan ranks the highest in terms of working hours (53.2)
Ensuring access to high-quality education and continuous learning opportunities is essential for enabling individuals to lead fulfilling and productive lives and for achieving sustainable development. Despite notable advancements in school enrollment, millions of children still face exclusion from education, particularly in regions where educational systems struggle to keep up with the challenges posed by rapid population growth.
Lack of educational opportunities often forces children into the workforce perpetuating a cycle of poverty and limiting their potential. Quality education not only equips children with knowledge and skills but also fosters critical thinking and empowerment, enabling them to make informed choices about their lives.
For instance, the deteriorating economic conditions in the Jordan Kingdom have forced thousands of children into hazardous work including dangerous machinery, heavy loads, long hours, and unhealthy living conditions. The below graph shows the long working hours of Jordan children’s employment, where the education levels are minimal.
The graphs show, the inverse relation between children employment rates and education levels. The higher the education levels, the less the children employment rates are across the countries.
Efforts to improve and expand access to education ought to be combined with programs to end child labor. This means addressing issues like poverty, gender inequality, and inadequate infrastructure that impede access to education. Prioritizing quality education allows nations to break the link between inadequate education and child labor, laying the foundation for long-term development and the well-being of future generations.
In the wake of economic crises that shook nations, Lebanon in 2019 and Greece in 2010 faced turbulent times. Both crises were rooted in corruption, leading to drastic declines in GDP growth. However, the divergent paths they took in managing their public health expenditures reflected the crucial role of external support, particularly from the European Union (EU), in shaping their healthcare resilience. The following graph depicts the impact of each economic crisis on the growth of the GDP for each country.
Greece:
Greece’s Response in 2010: As the economic crisis unfolded in Greece, the government faced the daunting challenge of preserving essential public services, including healthcare. Despite severe austerity measures, Greece was able to maintain a relatively stable level of public health expenditure, thanks in part to support from the EU. The EU, in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB), provided financial assistance and worked closely with Greek authorities to implement structural reforms.
In the tumultuous landscape of Greece’s economic crisis, the government, stood resilient in preserving public health expenditure due to the support of the EU. Aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) Greece’s commitment to maintaining health services during austerity was instrumental in ensuring equitable access to healthcare, mitigating potential disparities among its citizens.
Maintaining Public Health Expenditure: The EU support for Greece’s health sector included targeted funds, policy guidance, and technical expertise. Greece’s commitment to maintaining public health expenditure, even amid broader economic challenges, was seen as a strategic priority. The EU assistance helped Greece safeguard essential healthcare services, ensuring that the population continued to have access to medical care despite the economic downturn. Greece was able to increase its public health expenditures and decrease its private health expenditures even in light of the crisis.
Investment in Health Infrastructure: One key aspect of the EU support was the emphasis on investing in health infrastructure and promoting efficiency within the healthcare system. This approach aimed not only to address immediate needs but also to build a foundation for long-term sustainability. Greece utilized these funds to upgrade medical facilities, enhance healthcare delivery, and improve overall public health outcomes.
Lebanon:
Lebanon’s Struggle in 2019: In contrast, Lebanon faced a more challenging situation in 2019. The absence of a supportive regional union akin to the EU left Lebanon with fewer external resources to combat its economic crisis. Rampant corruption, compounded by political instability, hindered effective governance and the ability to mobilize funds for public services.
Public Health Expenditure Dilemma: As Lebanon grappled with economic turmoil, the public health sector bore the brunt of budget cuts. Public health expenditure decreased, leaving the population vulnerable, particularly in a time when healthcare needs were escalating with the rise of COVID 19. The lack of external support and a fragmented political landscape hindered Lebanon’s capacity to protect its citizens’ health. The economic crisis of 2019 prevented Lebanon from safeguarding the situation of its citizens. The public health expenditure decreased significantly and the private health expenditure increased which left citizens to bear the heavy load of the crisis.
Impact on Healthcare Accessibility: With decreased public health spending, the burden on private healthcare providers increased. Private health expenditure rose as individuals sought alternatives to strained public services. The divide in healthcare accessibility deepened, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations who lacked the means to access private healthcare.
The divergent paths of Greece and Lebanon underscore the critical role of external support during economic crises. Greece’s ability to maintain a relatively stable level of public health expenditure with the assistance of the EU highlights the importance of collaborative efforts and financial support in times of crisis. In contrast, Lebanon’s struggle to secure external aid resulted in a significant impact on public health services. This tale serves as a reminder that international cooperation and support can play a pivotal role in mitigating the human costs of economic downturns, particularly in the realm of healthcare.
In a world teeming with progress, one persistent challenge darkens our collective horizon – the rising specter of suicide. Behind the cold statistics lie countless untold stories of despair, each one a testament to the urgent need for a compassionate and effective response. Let us delve into the stark realities that underscore the gravity of this issue.
The global landscape of suicide mortality rates is a sobering tableau. Over the years, the data reveals a consistent gender disparity, with male suicide rates consistently surpassing those of females. Between 2000 and 2019, the male suicide rate remained at an alarming average of 16.075%, overshadowing the female rate. While there has been a slight decrease in the overall rate, from 11.63% in 2000 to 9.33% in 2019, the persistence of high numbers and occasional spikes, like the one in 2013, signals an urgent need for intervention.
Economic disparities exacerbate the issue, as revealed by the Gender Distribution of Suicide Mortality Rates by Income Class. Notably, those with low income levels exhibit lower suicide rates (9.71% for males and 4% for females), hinting at a potential link between financial struggle and mental health. Paradoxically, the highest suicide rate is observed among high-income males, reaching a staggering 21.23%. The reasons behind this economic divergence merit careful consideration.
Zooming in on a country-by-country perspective, certain nations emerge as outliers, bearing the weight of exceptionally high suicide rates. Lesotho, Eswatini, the Russian Federation, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Ukraine, South Korea, Botswana, Latvia, and Hungary are among the nations grappling with disproportionately high suicide rates. Identifying patterns within these outliers offers crucial insights into potential factors contributing to the crisis.
We should collaborate on comprehensive mental health education programs to destigmatize mental health issues and foster a culture of open communication. Developing targeted support systems for individuals facing economic challenges will address the intricate relationship between financial struggles and mental health. Strengthening community support systems to identify and aid individuals at risk ensures that no one is left to battle their demons alone.
Comprehensive Strategies for Mental Health Advocacy against Suicide could be the following:
Collaborate with educational institutions to integrate mental health education into curricula, focusing on destigmatization, early detection, and coping mechanisms.
Implement awareness campaigns to reach a broader audience and enhance understanding of mental health issues.
Establish programs offering financial counseling, employment assistance, and mental health resources tailored to different income groups.
Foster partnerships with businesses to create inclusive work environments that prioritize employee well-being.
Develop community-based mental health initiatives, including support groups, helplines, and outreach programs.
Encourage local leaders to champion mental health awareness and facilitate resources at the grassroots level, strengthening community outreach efforts.
In conclusion, conducting pilot programs in select regions to assess the effectiveness of the proposed solutions is a necessary step. Moreover, utilizing quantitative and qualitative metrics, such as changes in suicide rates, public awareness, and community engagement, will help evaluate the impact of implementing these measures.
Findings/Recommendations:
Upon validation, refining and scaling successful programs for broader implementation is the next logical step. Advocating for policy changes that prioritize mental health and allocate resources to address the multifaceted challenges contributing to the global suicide crisis is crucial. Remember, breaking the chains requires a collective effort – a united front against the darkness that shrouds the lives of those grappling with the heavy burden of despair.
Lebanon’s public education sector has grappled with numerous challenges in recent years, such as a shortage of spots in public schools, strikes by primary and secondary teachers, and various other issues. As a previous student in the public sector, STRIKE! was the most common act I encountered from my teachers. A lot of strikes and movements were organized by teachers, asking for their rights, increased wages, etc.. This was a great disabler for an efficient learning journey, where stability, the most important aspect was absent. Such a state deprived students, in one way or another, of having access to free and inclusive educational institutions/schools. For that reason, a comprehensive study I conducted revealed that a significant number of students have turned to private schools as an alternative, highlighting a critical problem in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of providing quality and inclusive education for all students.
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To address the issue of the lack of educational opportunities in public schools, which should be guaranteed by the government, as the 4th goal of SDG states, an examination of Lebanon’s education expenditure as a percentage of GDP was undertaken, where reflects the amount of money the government spends on education, in addition to another factor, which is the percentage of government’s expenditures on education as a percentage of total expenditures, These 2 metrics are then considered particularly in comparison to France, given Lebanon’s adherence to the French Educational System. The analysis of these two metrics exposed a disparity, with Lebanon’s current education expenditure as a percentage of GDP having risen since 2019 due to the economic crisis, reaching 2% in 2022, compared to France’s 6%. Although Lebanon fares well in terms of the percentage of education expenditures compared to other sectors, with a steady increase since 2014, reaching nearly 8% in 2020 in contrast to France’s 10%, the gap in GDP percentage remains concerning.
In conclusion, addressing this issue requires recommending an augmented budget for Lebanon’s educational sector. Ideally, a tripling of the budget over the next decade is proposed. This increase could be implemented gradually, but decisive action must be taken to ensure progress towards the SDG of providing quality and inclusive education for all Lebanese students.
The transformative threshold of Africa.Getting Africa on-line is not all about pulling together the disparate elements, but that this approach can be truly inspirational for the innovative technologies which shun conventional ‘hard-wired’ powers and embrace sustainable energy delivery.Despite all that, flickering of the previous shadows in some dimmed-down villages is the sign of change.Nevertheless, the narrative goes beyond the question of access and moves even further into green energy as light for illuminating our environment which is being over polluted at an unheard pace.This transformation encapsulates a dual ambition: clean and green lighting to homes, schools and factories, big and small, in this continent’s crowded cities and small villages under clear day and night skies.During the course of our discourse on details and stories surrounding Africa’s energy map, we will analyze more than just statistical aspects of electric power availability between towns and villages and the recent movement towards renewables – from darkness to sustainable light, which portrays an illuminating future.
We can also check the disparity between urban and rural areas in Africa.
Our initiative seeks to illuminate the African continent by expanding access to electricity, with the firm commitment to SDG 13.2—integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. We aim to electrify the future of Africa through the adoption of renewable energy solutions, ensuring that every watt powering development is also protecting our planet. By fostering the use of clean, renewable energy sources, we are not only turning on the lights but also paving the way for a sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem across African communities.
Increasing electric power consumption (kWh per capita) in Africa does not inherently lead to a rise in CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) when we strategically incorporate renewable energy sources. By integrating solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power into the energy mix, Africa can satisfy its growing energy needs while mitigating carbon footprint. This sustainable approach aligns with the global ambition to combat climate change, embodying the spirit of SDG 13.2. It demonstrates that economic growth and environmental stewardship can coexist, powering development that honors our collective commitment to a greener future.
We can see from this graph that in the European Union, increasing electric power consumption per capita did not lead to an increase in CO2 emissions per capita. This is due to the fact that they have increased their reliance on renewables, shown in the following graph.
In conclusion, the imperative for Africa is not just to electrify but to do so sustainably. Green energy solutions offer a pathway to empower the continent with the electricity it needs, without compromising the health of our planet. The adoption of renewable energy technologies in Africa represents a convergence of developmental aspirations with ecological responsibility. By harnessing the abundant renewable resources available, from solar to wind to hydro, Africa can leapfrog traditional, carbon-intensive energy models, setting a global example of sustainable growth. This approach not only addresses immediate energy needs but also aligns with long-term climate goals, fulfilling our collective responsibility to future generations.
From the year 2000 to 2020, the health narrative of Nigeria’s children is evident through several vital indicators.
Our first indicator is life expectancy at birth. The numbers ranging between 47 to 52 years is significantly below the global average at 72.27 years. This not only reflects the health of newborns but also unveils the challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
While infant mortality rates have declined from 109.6 to 72.3 per 1000 births, each data point signifies a story, a potential turning point for their healthcare policies.
A nation’s commitment is mirrored in its investment. The graph on health expenditure as a percentage of GDP is at an average of 3 to 5% across the years. However, for a cause as important as children’s well-being, this sliver of the budget is too small.
Immunization is a shield against preventable diseases. Positive trends in DPT and measles vaccination among infants aged 12 to 23 months emerge, yet the figures, standing at 56% for measles and 59% for DPT, flag an issue. Increasing immunization is a pivotal solution for decreasing infant mortality in Nigeria.
These graphs, urge us to strive for positive transformations. Each child deserves the chance to lead a healthy life. It starts with shifts in governmental expenditures and efforts from NGOs, ensuring free immunization for all children. Our journey towards a healthier country is rooted in understanding these trends and collectively working toward a future that every child deserves. Let’s turn these graphs into blueprints for a healthier tomorrow.
