This article is focused on the following UN Sustainable Development Goal:
SDG 1: An Overview
SDG 1 is the dilemma of poverty. The definition of poverty is a population that is in a state where there is a lack of resources and capabilities called for to meet their basic needs and enjoy a minimum standard of living. Generally, this means a population has material deprivation; access to essential materials such as food, clean water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. Income and economic factors; there’s limited or unstable income making it difficult for the population to cover costs for the present and future. These two examples of poverty lay within other factors of the term. Poverty is not a one-dimensional state, countries can overcome it, and other countries can fall into it over time.
History of Malawi
Malawi has a total population of 20.4 million people, and for some, each day is in a state of disarray. It stands in the southern-eastern part of Africa, landlocked by surrounding countries such as Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia. The capital of Malawi, Lilongwe holds nearly 1 million people and is considered the wealthiest city in the country. The country is known to have a rate of nearly more than half its population living in poverty (World Bank). It’s generally unknown worldwide and mushes into the overall pinpoint of being in Africa. The country struggles with economic agricultural dependency, limited access to education, and healthcare challenges.
The Economical Agricultural Dependency of Malawi
Malawi has long grappled with a significant dependence on land, with approximately 60% of its population engaged in agricultural activities, as reported by the World Bank. The country's GDP heavily relies on this sector, particularly small-scale, subsistence farming focused on maize cultivation for water security. However, this reliance poses challenges, including vulnerability to climate-related disruptions such as droughts and floods, leading to food shortages and economic instability.
Limited access to modern agricultural practices and scientific advancements hampers productivity, perpetuating a cycle of scarcity. In response, Malawi has initiated efforts to diversify its economy, promote cash crops, and improve farming methods through government initiatives and international assistance. These measures aim to enhance economic resilience, alleviate poverty, and bolster food security.
The agricultural dependency is closely linked to food insecurity in Malawi, significantly contributing to economic challenges. Reliance on subsistence-based agriculture has made the country susceptible to climate-related shocks, resulting in crop failures and reduced food production. The dependence on a few crops, particularly maize, increases vulnerability to shortages caused by pests, diseases, or unfavorable weather conditions.
Limited Access to Education in Malawi
Limited access to education has largely contributed to Malawi's persistent poverty problem. The country's education system faces many challenges making it difficult for many Malawian children, especially those in rural areas to access high-quality education. This disparity in educational attainment is a major cause of the cycle of poverty. One of the most pressing problems is the need for more qualified teachers, especially in rural areas. Due to this shortage, classes are overcrowded, instructional time is reduced, and the quality of education is at risk. Furthermore, a significant number of students, especially girls, drop out of school for a variety of reasons, including early marriage, long commute to school, and financial pressure on their families.
Limited Healthcare Struggle in Malawi
Malawi's poor living conditions are exacerbated by the country's limited health infrastructure and access to treatment services. Malawi's healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including a lack of healthcare capacity, medical organization, and essential medical supplies. Rural areas, where the majority of the population lives, frequently lack access to quality health care resulting in health disparities.
The prevalence of preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS is one of Malawi's most pressing health issues. These diseases not only have a high mortality rate, but they place a significant burden on households because they necessitate costly treatments and can result in lost productivity. Inadequate health care also contributes to a cycle of disability, as individuals and families struggle to make ends meet.
Actions for this pressing need
There is a long road ahead for the country to finally state its success in completing this SDG. The government launched the Malawi 2063 vision; the goal behind this project is to resurrect the country, bring it to wealth, and reliance, industrialize itself to be an upper-middle-income country, and urbanization. The United Nations has also contributed to saving lives with “a record 6.5 million food insecure Malawians over 2016/17 and reach 1.7 million people with cash transfers in 2019 to address hunger,” (UNSDG). Malawi with all its challenges in poverty is climbing its way up. The population still grows at a rate of 2.6% and economically has a slight increase this year. The country though in a difficult state is working, trying, and on its way to success, to be a part of this world.
You as a reader have a way to contribute as well. The organization Save The Children allows you to help a Malawian child living in poverty. Your contributions can help support healthcare and their overall quality of life.
Remember, change starts with you.
Works Cited
75. “Malawi - Agricultural Sector.” International Trade Administration | Trade.Gov, 15 Aug. 2022, www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/malawi-agricultural-sector.
Chimbali, Henry. “Overview.” World Bank, 6 Oct. 2023, www.worldbank.org/en/country/malawi/overview#:~:text=Economic%20Overview&text=Growth%20is%20projected%20to%20decline,in%202023%20but%20remain%20subdued.
“Help Malawian Children.” Save the Children, www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/malawi. Accessed 7 Oct. 2023.
“Learn Facts about Malawi, Poverty, and Development.” Opportunity International, opportunity.org/our-impact/where-we-work/malawi-facts-about-poverty. Accessed 7 Oct. 2023.
“Malawi - Country Snapshot.” Action on Poverty, 11 July 2022, actiononpoverty.org/our-impact/where-we-work/malawi/#:~:text=Malawi%20is%20one%20of%20the,Malawians%2C%20especially%20in%20rural%20areas.
“Malawi.” Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, 31 July 2023, globalhealth.unc.edu/our-work/Malawi/#:~:text=Malawi%20has%200.05%20physicians%20per,the%20country’s%20limited%20healthcare%20infrastructure.
Mitchell, Jason. “Malawi Looks to Shed Image of Africa’s Poor Relation.” The Banker  Unrivalled Coverage of Global Finance & Banking -, 2 July 2019, www.thebanker.com/Malawi-looks-to-shed-image-of-Africa-s-poor-relation-156205441
Pensulo, Charles. “Malawi’s Deadly Cholera Epidemic Hits the Poor Hardest.” Context, Context, 9 Mar. 2023, www.context.news/socioeconomic-inclusion/malawis-deadly-cholera-epidemic-hits-the-poor-hardest.
“UNSDG | UN in Action - Malawi.” United Nations, United Nations, 1 Jan. 2019, unsdg.un.org/un-in-action/malawi#:~:text=The%20UN%20helped%20efforts%20to,in%202019%20to%20address%20hunger
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