Kean Smith – Page 6

8 April 20219 April 2021

Health Services and Education: impact of unaddressed inequalities on people living in rural communities

Originally published on the Centre for African Justice, Peace & Human Rights website, 7 April, 2021

The theme of World Health Day 2021 is “[b]uilding a fairer and healthier world”. This theme encompasses Goals 3 and 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages[i] and Goal 10 is to reduce inequality within and among countries (see infographics for these goals below).[ii] The UN SDGs that were adopted in September, 2015 by Heads of State and Government and High Representatives comprise of 17 Sustainable Goals and 169 targets which were designed to be comprehensive, far-reaching and people centred.[iii] In the remainder of this article, I will share some insights into the challenges people living in rural communities face with accessing health services and education.

Impact of very low income

All over the world, some people struggle to make ends meet with little daily income, have poorer housing conditions and education, fewer employment opportunities, experience greater gender inequality, and have little or no access to safe environments, clean water and air, food security and health services. This leads to unnecessary suffering, avoidable illness, and in some cases premature death. Ultimately these consequences of little daily income harm both our societies and economies.[iv]. For example, in 2019, “… 34% of rural schools had a basic hygiene service and 41% had no hygiene service.”[v]. The lack of such hygiene service results in increased risk of contracting and spreading viruses and bacteria that cause COVID-19, Ebola and Diarrhea.

Poverty in rural areas

While global progress in poverty reduction has been remarkable, poverty is still far from eradicated. The proportion of the global population living in extreme poverty (living below $1.90 a day in terms of the 2011 purchasing power parity) fell from 36 per cent in 1990 to 10 per cent in 2015, yet 736.7 million people still lived in extreme poverty in 2015.[vi]

Based on the international poverty line of $1.90 a day, the share of rural inhabitants in developing countries that live in extreme poverty is three times higher than the share of those living in urban areas. When considering moderate poverty, over 46 per cent of the global rural population is poor, compared with approximately 16 per cent of the global urban population.

In least developed countries, a significant majority of the poor live in rural areas. Based on national poverty lines, more than 80 per cent of the poor live in rural areas in Afghanistan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Myanmar, the Niger, Nepal and Zambia.[vii]

Challenges accessing health services

Poor people living in rural areas face greater challenges than their urban counterparts in obtaining access to health services, in particular in developing countries. Rural areas have fewer and less adequate primary care services, weaker referral systems, insufficient numbers of experienced and qualified health professionals, including doctors and nurses, poorer working conditions for public health workers, inadequate social security, deficient laboratory networks and underdeveloped intersectoral action in support of health, which together undermine the health of the rural poor.[viii]

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in western Africa highlighted how an epidemic can proliferate rapidly and pose huge problems in the absence of a strong health system capable of a rapid an integrated response. The outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 but soon spread into neighbouring Libera and Sierra Leone. By early August 2014, Ebola was declared an international public emergency.

At the time the outbreak began, the capacity of the health systems in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone was limited. Several health-system functions that are generally considered essential were not performing well and this hampered the development of a suitable and timely response to the outbreak. There were inadequate numbers of qualified health workers. Infrastructure, logistics, health information, surveillance, governance and drug supply systems were weak. The organization and management of health services was sub-optimal.

Government health expenditure was low whereas private expenditure – mostly in the form of direct out-of-pocket payments for health services – was relatively high.[ix] In 2017, only around one third to half of the global population was covered by essential health services. The proportion of the population spending more than 10 per cent of its household budget on out-of-pocket payment for health services increased continuously, from 9.4 to 12.7 per cent (927 million persons), between 2000 and 2015. This resulted in nearly 90 million persons being pushed into extreme poverty owing to out-of-pocket medical expenses.[x]

Challenges accessing education

In the past 50 years schooling has expanded dramatically. Years of schooling completed by the average adult in developing countries more than tripled between 1950 and 2021 – from 2 to 7.2 years. Previously marginalised groups, especially girls, are now much more likely to start primary school; however, the likelihood of completing school remain low in some countries. Exclusion due to poverty, gender, ethnicity, disability and location persists. In sub-Saharan Africa, poor rural girls are seven times less likely than non-poor urban boys to complete school, and less than 1 in 20 of these girls is on track to complete secondary school. Other barriers include a lack of accessible facilities and inclusive education for students with disabilities.[xi]

Sustainable Development Goal 3 infographic[xii]

Low educational attainment levels, coupled with scant opportunities to acquire job-specific skills and on-the-job training, continue to constrain job opportunities for many rural people seeking productive work.[xiii] Additionally, rural transport and roads have an important role in facilitating access to essential services, including education and health, as well as to markets and income-generating opportunities.[xiv]

In 2019, less than one half of primary and lower secondary schools in sub-Saharan Africa had access to electricity, the Internet, computers and basic handwashing facilities, key basic services and facilities necessary to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for all students.

Since last year, the closure of schools to slow the spread of COVID-19 is having an adverse impact on learning outcomes and the social and behaviourial development of children and young people. It has affected more than 90 per cent of the world’s student population, 1.5 billion children and young people. Although remote learning is provided to many students, children and young people in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, such as those living in remote areas, in extreme poverty, fragile states and refugee camps, do not have the same access thereto. The digital divide is expected to widen existing gaps in equality with regard to education.[xv]

Conclusion

About 8 in 10 people worldwide who lack access to basic drinking water services live in rural areas, as do 7 out of 10 people lacking basic sanitation services. [xvi]

Access to adequate health services and education are necessary for the development and improvement of live in rural communities. Low income and proximity from urban areas are two factors that may lead to inadequate and poor delivery of services.

More broadly, it is the inequality of the provision of services that negatively impacts residents of rural areas. Not only do many residents earn little money and are unable to afford health services and education, these services may be limited and far distances from their homes. If we build a fairer world, then people who live in rural areas will benefit from improved services like health and education.

Sustainable Development Goal 10 infographic[xvii]

[i] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Https://Sdgs.Un.Org/Goals/Goal3. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3

[ii] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Https://Sdgs.Un.Org/Goals/Goal10. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10

[iii] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.-a). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

[iv] World Health Organization. (n.d.). World Health Day 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021

[v] World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund. (2020). Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: Special Focus on COVID-19. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO). https://washdata.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/jmp-2020-wash-schools.pdf

[vi] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[vii] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[viii] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[ix] Kieny, M., Evans, D. B., Schmets, G., & Kadandale, S. (2014). Health-system resilience: reflections on the Ebola crisis in western Africa. Organisation Mondiale de La Sante. https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/12/14-149278.pdf

[x] United Nations Economic and Social Council. (2020, April). Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. https://undocs.org/en/E/2020/57

[xi] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[xii] United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3

[xiii] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[xiv] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[xv] United Nations Economic and Social Council. (2020, April). Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. https://undocs.org/en/E/2020/57

[xvi] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189

[xvii] United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10

2 April 20213 April 2021

World Autism Awareness Day,  2 April

“To truly leave no one behind in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, we must realize the rights of all persons with disabilities, including persons with autism, ensuring their full participation in social, cultural and economic life.” – António Guterres

“The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society.

Autism is mainly characterized by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information.” – (https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day/background)

25 March 202125 March 2021

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 25 March

2021 Theme: “Ending Slavery’s Legacy of Racism: A Global Imperative for Justice”

The theme reflects the global movement to end injustices whose roots lie in the slave trade. The theme highlights the importance of educating about the history of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery, to bring about an acknowledgment of slavery’s impact on the modern world, and action to address its long-lasting effects. The theme guides the Programme’s development of educational outreach and remembrance to mobilize action against prejudice, racism and injustice. (https://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/2021/events.shtml)

Calendar of Events for the 2021 Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Every year on 25 March, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The International Day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today. (https://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/index.shtml)

22 March 202122 March 2021

World Water Day, 22 March

“World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater.

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Today, water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change.

As societies balance the demands on water resources, many people’s interests are not being taken into account.” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day)

Water for use at home. Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash

“This year’s theme World Water Day is about what water means to people, it’s true value and how we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day)

“As we observe World Water Day, we should remember the 4.2 billion living without access to adequate sanitation. We can reduce this number by supporting projects that aim to provide access to adequate sanitation. We can do this and succeed with our collective efforts. Happy World Water Day.” – Kean Smith

21 March 202121 March 2021

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March

UN Secretary General’s message for 2021

“Last year, people around the globe took to the streets to protest the vicious global pandemic of racism.

They recognized racism for what it is.

Dangerous. Abhorrent. Ugly. And everywhere.

Racism is a deeply rooted global evil.

It transcends generations and contaminates societies.

It perpetuates inequality, oppression and marginalization.

We see racism in the pervasive discrimination suffered by people of African descent.

We see it in the injustices and oppression endured by indigenous peoples and other ethnic minorities.

We see it in the repugnant views of white supremacists and other extremist groups.

Wherever we see racism, we must condemn it without reservation, without hesitation, without qualification.

This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination highlights the important role of youth, who have been in the forefront of the fight against racism.

Young people’s attitudes and behaviour will dictate the future shape and look of our societies.

So, I appeal to young people everywhere, as well as educators and leaders, to teach the world that all people are born equal.

Supremacy is an evil lie.

Racism kills.

On this day, and every day, let us work together to rid the world of the pernicious evil of racism so all may live in a world of peace, dignity and opportunity.”

Click on this link to find out more about the background to this International Day.

20 March 202121 March 2021

Stop spending good money on this …

This short blog is for the benefit of any of you who may encounter conflict or disagreements in your personal or business lives which cannot be settled by negotiation. If you cannot sever ties with the other party and the relationship must continue in some way then this is for you.

If you have a conflict with another party but the relationship must continue then it is my view and opinion that you should not litigate your issue as a means of trying to reach a solution. Doing so will cost you money, time and also worsen the relationship. An example of this is the ancillary matters of a divorce where children, specially minors, are involved.

One of the disadvantages of litigating in national courts is the expense of instructing Counsel and the risk of losing and/or not being able to recoup legal costs.

I recommend Mediation as a cost-effective alternative to Litigation. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution where a third party [a mediator] is appointed by agreement of the parties involved in the dispute to help them come to a mutually acceptable agreement. (Chartered Institute of Arbitration)

This process is less expensive than litigation because only the parties with settlement authority are directly involved and the parties must agree to the mediator and the process. There is nothing in this process that is forced. Mediation is an ideal process for parties who are looking for a solution and are willing to compromise on some terms to reach a settlement. It also gives the parties an opportunity to personally present their side of the story if they wish.

Mediation is a viable option to parties who must retain an ongoing relationship, has some room to compromise and want to avoid protracted and costly proceedings.

Feel free to direct any questions or comments to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com

8 March 20218 March 2021

International Women’s Day 8 March

2021 Theme: Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world

“This year’s theme for the International Day,”Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world“, celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also aligned with the priority theme of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, “Women in public life, equal participation in decision making“,and the flagship Generation Equality campaign, which calls for women’s right to decision-making in all areas of life, equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end all forms of violence against women and girls, and health-care services that respond to their needs.” – Accessed 8 March, 2021 – https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day

Meeting in Progress – Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

“When women lead in government, we see bigger investments in social protection and greater inroads against poverty.

When women are in parliament, countries adopt more stringent climate change policies.

When women are at the peace table, agreements are more enduring.

And with women now serving in equal numbers at the top leadership posts at the United Nations, we are seeing even more concerted action to secure peace, sustainable development and human rights.” – Accessed 8 March, 2021: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/message

28 February 202128 February 2021

Refugee and Migrant … yes they are different

Sometimes we may think of refugees as being people from a country far far away who have voluntarily left their home country because they are looking for a better way of life. Many of us, including me, would at some point even mistakenly use the terms “refugees” and “migrants” interchangeably. These terms are totally different with distinct legal and/or practical meaning.

A quick read of the term “refugee” in the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees show that the term “refugee” has a specific definition in international law.

The term “refugee” is defined in the mentioned documents and applies to any person who:

“… owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it”.

United Nations, Geneva Photo by Mat Reding on Unsplash

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there is no universally accepted definition for “migrant” at the international level. However, for its own purposes, the IOM defines the term “migrant” as follows:

“An umbrella term, not defined under international law, reflecting the common lay understanding of a person who moves away from his or her place of usual residence, whether within a country or across an international border, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons. The term includes a number of well-defined legal categories of people, such as migrant workers; persons whose particular types of movements are legally-defined, such as smuggled migrants; as well as those whose status or means of movement are not specifically defined under international law, such as international students.”

I believe that using the appropriate terms will allow us to better understand the magnitude and issues surrounding refugees and migrants.

For example, according to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), there are more than 80 million forcibly displaced people worldwide of which 45.7 million are internally displaced people; 26.3 million are refugees and 4.2 million are asylum seekers.

Furthermore, the current global estimate is that in 2019 there were around 272 million international migrants, which equates to 3.5% of the global population.

Please feel free to direct any questions or comments to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com

22 February 202122 February 2021

Who needs a Will anyway?

I will answer that question this way.

Since March, 2020, we have experience directly or indirectly, many unexpected deaths. You can probably recall that on 11 March, 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

You may also be aware that as of 21 February, 2021 a total of 2,455,131 million COVID-19 related deaths were reported to the WHO. Below is a short list of countries and the number of COVID-19 related deaths:

Singapore – 29;
Barbados – 30;
The Bahamas – 179;
Malaysia – 1,051;
Kenya – 1,817;
Switzerland – 9,148;
Canada – 21,576;
Mexico – 178,965; and
The United Kingdom – 120,365.

The large number of unexpected COVID-19 related deaths have caused many people to think more about life, death and their love ones. An increased number of people have asked me about inheritance related issues.

Have you considered what will happen to your assets in the event of death? How will they be inherited if you die without a Will (if you die intestate)?

Here is an example of one of the scenarios under Inheritance laws in The Bahamas. Section 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Inheritance Act, 2002 states the following:

“(b) if the intestate –

…

(ii) leave children but no husband or wife the residuary estate shall be distributed equally
among the children and where there is only one child that child shall take the whole
residuary estate;”

Do you think this is fair or reasonable?

Well I believe that the law is clear and it gives family and interested parties certainty and mitigates the risk of costly litigation.

So who needs a Will anyway?

I highly recommend that you take a little time out of your busy day to consider how you would like for your affairs to be dealt with in the event of death because doing so should allow you to determine whether or not you need a Will.

All the best.

Please feel free to direct any questions or comments to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com

20 February 20218 March 2021

World Day of Social Justice 20 February

Paragraphs below taken from United Nations website – https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day

2021 Theme: A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy

“On 26 November 2007, the General Assembly declared that, starting from the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice.”

“This year’s commemoration … aims at fostering dialogue with member States and relevant UN institutions and other stakeholders on actions needed to overcome the digital divide, provide decent work opportunities, and protect labour and human rights in the modern era of digital technologies.”