Sustainable Development

In speaking of decent work; the availability of an appropriate environment that embraces the human and appreciates his efforts is one of the simplest conditions that must be provided. And even though we just described it as “simple”, achieving it guarantees high productivity for individuals and improvement for the economy of the countries. And from that, “Decent Work” is considered one of the goals of sustainable development. As this goal guarantees to achieve a productive and sustainable economy in the event that the work carries out the minimum livelihood components for its employees/ owners.

What is decent work?

Decent work is a wide concept that refers to achieving complete and sustainable development, which grants opportunities for everyone and helps many people get rid of poverty. It also refers to the economic growth that provides full and productive employment, with decent work circumstances.

These circumstances include: Achieving career safety and security and equality in circumstances between women and men. And finally, decent work refers to the development that protects the environment and guarantees sustainable exploitation of resources.¹

When is the work considered decent? 

According to the standards of the International Labor Organization; The following dimensions measure the level of decent work:

• Availability of job opportunities and sufficient profits: That is by providing appropriate opportunities for all individuals willing and able to work. With enough salary, they can live a decent life. And it is compatible with the price of goods and services needed by the individuals.

• Stability and safety at work: This includes the protection and peace of employment consistent with economic changes, and protection against unfair dismissal. As losing a job is a severe incident for most people.

• Equal opportunities and treatment at work: Decent work must guarantee equal opportunities for men and women without any kind of discrimination in terms of opportunities or treatment. Achieving economic and social justice largely reflects equality. Which leads to tangible and sustainable improvements at work.

• Social protection: This refers to general actions taken in response to levels of vulnerability, risk, and deprivation considered socially unacceptable within a given system or society. These measures include labor market interventions, social safety networks, and pensions. 

• Fighting the work that should be abolished: The expression “fighting the work that should be abolished” expresses protection from discrimination, forced labor, and child labor. And that work must be freely chosen without forcing it on the individuals. We must eliminate these practices as agreed in international declarations and labor standards.²

In addition:

• A safe work environment:  work cannot be decent unless the work environment is safe and healthy. Therefore, we must emphasize the prevention of work-related injuries and accidents, occupational diseases, and deaths. An effective inspection system is an essential element for promoting decent work and ensuring workers’ rights.

•  Decent work time and balance between work, family, and personal life:  The case of “work time” has been important to the International Labor Organization since its foundation. In fact, balancing work, family, and personal life is often associated with greatly increased productivity. Contributing to the achievement of this improves the attraction of new employees and maintains the existing employees.

• Social dialogue and representation of employers and workers:  It includes all types of negotiation, consultation, and exchange of information between representatives of governments, employers, and workers on issues of common interest with regard to economic and social policies. Which leads to increased productivity and sense of belonging to the workplace, and avoiding conflicts in the workplace.²

What are the challenges?

The lack of decent work opportunities remains a major challenge for emerging and developing economies. Understanding the barriers that obstruct obtaining decent work is of paramount importance in order to be able to address them. There are many reasons for these barriers, which may be: 

1. The gender gap: in terms of achieving the necessary skills, equal pay, bias, and occupational inequality. As well as discrimination and stereotypes in the workplace. 
2. The spread of unemployment in the society. 
3. Weak social security systems and poverty among workers.
4. Technological challenges in the labor market, include the development of information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence, and robotics. Which requires the existence of training programs that allow workers to keep pace with this tremendous progress.³ 

Syrian organizations

Syrian organizations seek to provide decent work, and many Syrian organizations seek to help provide decent and appropriate job opportunities. This allows individuals to work within suitable conditions and environments. 

Among these organizations is “Caritas Syria”. This organization provides many services to Syrians, such as providing assistance to the most vulnerable groups so they access the labor market and provide their own work.⁴

To this day, many peoples are still struggling to find jobs that would allow them to reach the minimum necessities of a good life. This is what drives many of them to stick to jobs that do not meet even the most basic human rights and with low wages that are not compatible with the work and expended effort, which creates more disability for them.

Therefore, based on this and the belief of the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative in the importance of providing decent work and achieving equal access to job opportunities, the initiative offers free training workshops.

It provides learning and training opportunities for everyone remotely and equally, which prepares them to enter the labor market. An example of this is the series of “Freelance” workshops held by the initiative, through which the beneficiaries were introduced to the specializations of self-employment and how to enter this world.

Also read:

• Sustainable Development Goal 8
• Clean and Affordable Energy in Syria
• Good Health and Well-being in Syria

References: 

1. SDG Plus
2. Egyptian Journal
3. International Labour Organization
4. Caritas Syria

As the ones who inherited this planet, we must preserve the rights of future generations in the non-renewable energies of the planet. From here came the idea of sustainability. This idea is definitely not a priority for countries that suffer from harsh conditions such as Syria, as environmental problems generally come last in the list of priorities. However, since environmental problems are among the most urgent and dangerous problems of the current century, they have been included in the sustainable development goals in Syria. The seventh of the sustainable development goals in Syria states: Securing clean and renewable energy at reasonable prices.

There are many questions that come to mind regarding clean energy, such as the following:

1. What is clean energy?
2. What is the need to secure clean energy given other pressing problems?
3. What are Syria’s plans to achieve this goal?

We will answer all of these questions.

What is clean energy?

Clean and renewable energy is the one that does not harm the environment. It is also renewable and inexhaustible, unlike most current energy sources such as fossil fuels, and gas that is subject to depletion in the future. The most common sources of clean energy are water, wind, and solar energy.  Some countries are also trying to extract clean energy from the Earth’s core.¹

Applicable clean energy sources in Syria include Solar, wind, and hydroelectric energies. But the problem is that the process of turning to rely on these energies is a very expensive one. So providing them at affordable rates was part of the goal. In view of the great cost of turning to renewable energy, it had to be accomplished in gradual steps and over many years, and this is what Syria is trying to do.

What is the importance of this energy?

All over the world, there are some people who are questioning the importance of environmental problems and the investments directed toward solving these problems. In Syria in particular, these doubts abound because they believe that there are more important and deserving issues to invest in, such as the trend towards reconstruction. Therefore, it is necessary to note the need to invest in clean and renewable energy, and the size of the environmental problem in Syria.

Syria, like other countries in the world, is suffering from global warming and climate change, which is increasing every year. The director of the “FAO ” (Food and Agriculture Organization) office in Syria also stated that the Syrian environment is suffering greatly from a natural phenomenon represented in the increasing droughts in large areas of the country, especially the central regions of the Badia. The environment is also suffering from effects related to human activities, such as unregulated hunting, logging, wasting water resources, toxic gas emissions from factories, and many other practices that harm the environment. Part of these problems arise in the loss of biodiversity, the loss of natural habitats, the depletion of natural resources, and some agricultural practices that are harmful to the environment.²

In addition to the environmental problems that the whole world suffers from, such as global warming caused by gaseous emissions that are usually caused by the extraction and use of non-renewable energy around the world. The Syrian war in 2011 played a major role in exacerbating the environmental problems that the country suffers from.  New problems arose, such as the overuse of natural resources, deforestation, and the use of forests for heating in light of the lack of fuel. In addition to the unplanned overuse of groundwater, as well as pollution resulting from illegal oil refining operations that led to groundwater pollution. Finally, pollution from mines and unexploded remnants of war.²

We can conclude from the things mentioned above that the problems which threaten the environment in Syria are many, and of course, they cannot all be solved by using clean and renewable energy, but it is an important step that can solve a large part of the environmental crisis, reducing the gas emissions that cause global warming, and reducing water and air pollution.

We all have to realize that environmental problems affect our lives and the lives of future generations. As the problems and risks associated with this deterioration resulting from climate change play a major challenge in the process of sustainable development and the achievement of its goals. This is because of its direct impact on the means of life and human health.²

In addition, the trend towards solving environmental problems and investing in clean energy has many positive side effects, such as providing new job opportunities and solving many service problems in our society, especially the electricity problem in light of fuel shortage.  We can say, then, that the trend towards clean energy and providing it at reasonable prices will produce positive results on all levels.

What are the measures taken to secure clean energy at reasonable prices in Syria?

Although there is still a long way to achieve this goal, the efforts made to secure clean energy in Syria so far cannot be denied. In light of the Syrian war, the electricity sector was one of the most affected sectors, as many power plants were damaged. In addition to the lack of fuel needed to operate these stations, which resulted in the following: Syria is currently suffering from an electricity crisis.

In these circumstances, Syria found a way to start over, relying on clean energy in order to solve the electrical and environmental crises. Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous stated, “The process of rehabilitation and modernization of the sector should not be limited to returning to the situation it was before the war, but rather work should be done to rebuild the sector according to new and modern foundations that keep pace with the global developments that this sector is witnessing in accordance with the possible limits, especially in regard to clean electric energies and renewable energy.

Based on this goal, many projects related to the provision of electricity from photovoltaic energy are currently being worked on. The Syrian Minister of Electricity explained that his ministry has drawn up a plan to add 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy sources by 2030. Work is also underway to implement photovoltaic power plants in various Syrian cities, including Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus, with the aim of supplying industrial cities.³ These projects are considered a promising beginning to achieve this sustainable development goal.

In order to support all projects that aim to adopt clean energy, whether in the domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural or service sectors, the Syrian Presidency issued a law for the creation of a fund to support the use of renewable energies and raise energy efficiency with the aim of contributing to the expansion and support of renewable energy projects.

The fund provides interest-free loans to support projects related to clean energy in all sectors, as it will eventually reduce the consumption of oil derivatives.⁴ This fund also flows into the second part of this goal; it will provide the possible financial facilities to obtain clean energy at affordable prices. All these steps and projects show the extent of Syria’s interest in relying on clean energy and achieving this goal. They are also promising steps towards a country that relies on clean and renewable energy.

Environmental problems are no less important than other problems faced by Syrian society, and each member of society has an important role to play in preserving the environment, as the real impact begins with simple steps taken by each individual, such as regulating the consumption of plastic, orderly purchase, not overconsumption, in addition to recycling.

The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative encourages all individuals to reduce practices that harm the environment and preserve all resources allocated to this goal, hoping to achieve this goal and live in a safe and suitable society for all.

Also read:

• Clean Water and Sanitation in Syria
• Good Health and Well-being in Syria
• Goal 7: Clean and Affordable Energy 

References: 

[1] ALCSE

[2] Alahed News

[3] Attaqa

[4] Attaqa

The relationship between clean water and sanitation is strong. There is no cleanliness without water. Therefor, there is nothing on Earth as important as water; it is the lifeblood of our world and the mystery of existence. In addition, the emergence of civilizations is linked to the availability of water; the greatest civilizations were established on the banks of rivers and their continuity was linked to the abundance of clean water for food and drink, as well as for watering the animals and plants. Water conservation has been a fundamental and essential matter since ancient times, and it is still to this day.

Clean water, personal hygiene (Sanitation), and development factors

Globally, the number of people without access to an improved source of water – clean water free of any external pollution – has halved over the past twenty-five years, the poorest countries are struggling to provide safe and clean water and sanitation for all their citizens in a sustainable manner. As a result, more than a quarter of the population in low-income countries and more than half of the population in lower-middle-income countries had access to improved sanitation facilities in 2015.

The delivery of water supply and sanitation is no longer just a challenge to secure an improved source, but it is intrinsically linked with climate change, water resource management, water scarcity, and water quality. Access to safe water and adequate sanitation is a basic human right and underpins success in development areas such as agriculture, energy, economy.

This is why Sustainable Development Goal 6 recognizes that sustainably managing water goes beyond simply providing a safe water supply and sanitation to address the broader water context, such as:

• Water quality.
• Wastewater management.
• Water scarcity.
• Use efficiency.
• Water resources management.
• The protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.¹

Balancing water demand with available resources

Many countries around the world are facing the threat of water scarcity prompting calls for efficient water use, while the demand for water continues to grow and the global per capita freshwater supplies have been nearly halved over the past 50 years. Today, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia are classified as water stressed-regions, with less than 1,700 cubic meters of water available per year per person.¹ Moreover, the use of water in agriculture and energy generation will exacerbate competition for water use, and the agricultural sector accounts for over 70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals.¹

It is anticipated that by 2050, providing water for a planet living on increasing consumption will become a very difficult challenge, and it is also estimated that the demand for energy generation, which is water intensive, to increase by 35 percent and water withdrawals for energy generation are projected to grow by 20 percent over the next two decades.¹ Furthermore, climate change is expected to exacerbate the situation by increasing water stress in arid regions, and by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

By 2030, half of the world’s population is expected to suffer from water stress.¹ In order to sustain economic growth, and protect and restore water-related ecological systems, many countries, including high-income countries, need to manage their water resources more effectively.

Increasing freshwater consumption and pollution put increasing stress on freshwater systems and hence threaten the sustainability of the water resource itself and its value to humans and to ecosystems. Large infrastructure investments, especially in wealthy countries, have significantly reduced the threat of human water security (in terms of water quality, at least).

In addition, protecting and restoring water-related ecological systems requires significant improvements in water resources management especially in developing countries as well as significant investments in both developed and developing nations. This is fundamental for protecting the resource base required to deliver safe water for all.¹

Access to clean drinking water

In 2015, 91 percent of the world’s population had access to an improved drinking water source, exceeding the Millennium Development Goal target of 88 percent.¹ However, more than 660 million people still lack access to clean water (mostly in rural areas, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa).¹ Furthermore, over 250 million dollars in Gross Domestic Product is spent annually in low- and middle-income countries without tangible benefits, due to inadequate water supply and sanitation services; at a country level, this can be as much as 7 percent of Gross Domestic Product.¹

Even for those with access to water, the service is often inadequate or unsustainable, and the water from an improved source is not necessarily safe to drink.¹

Access to sanitation facilities

Only 68 percent of the world’s population has access to improved sanitation facilities for personal hygiene, which is below the target of the Millennium Development Goals of 77 percent.¹ Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure adequate sanitation for all and to put an end to open defecation, which in turn leads to water pollution and the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery.

According to figures, around 842,000 people die annually as a result of diarrhea (due to unsafe drinking water), poor sanitation services, or lack of public health.¹ The problem is widespread in rural areas of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where 7 out of 10 people lack access to safe and hygienic toilet facilities in rural areas, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.¹

Furthermore, rapid urbanization contributes to more than 700 million urban dwellers not having access to sanitation services, as only 10 percent of wastewater in low- and middle-income countries is treated in urban areas, as the amount of wastewater increases, the impact on public health also increases.¹ 

The efforts to provide clean water and sanitation

Providing clean water for all is a necessary and urgent need and one of the important essentials of the world we want to live in, and there is sufficient fresh water to achieve this goal. However, due to bad economics, millions of people including children die every year.

Therefore, most countries – including Syria – are making every effort to ensure clean water and personal hygiene. They participate in several annual global conferences, including the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development to discuss the steps to ensure the provision of clean water.

Syria has committed itself to develop mechanisms to ensure the implementation of activities related to the participation of various components of the Syrian people in the achievement of all sustainable development goals. The role of supporters such as “Insaf for Development”, a humanitarian organization based in Syria which works in service, education, and community, cannot be overlooked; as it has made many efforts to secure clean water for all people. The “World Vision International” organization also provides services and activities to help many of those affected or who suffer from a lack of basic needs.²

water conservation is one of the most important issues that countries strive to find solutions for, especially with the spread of drought, by working on all levels. Water is directly linked to life and survival, and without water, life on Earth would end. Severe suffering is apparent in many countries that suffer from scarce rains, and the lack of water sources such as seas, rivers and springs. This itself poses the greatest challenge for States and Governments. 

Will countries be able to find the necessary and adequate solutions? The most important question is: How will people solve the problem of the shortage of clean water and manage personal hygiene until appropriate solutions are developed?

Also read:

• Gender Equality in Syria
• Good Health and Well-being in Syria
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

References: 

[1] World Bank

[2] UNESCWA

Is equal opportunity the only solution for achieving gender equality? or is this goal obstructed now by a greater number of problems and issues?

In fact, achieving gender equality is a global challenge, as the United Nations Secretary-General has stated that achieving gender equality and empowering girls and women is the unfinished business of our time and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.¹

Despite the progress, Syria has made in relation to the international changes on gender equality and women’s access to education and employment, violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving development and building peace in society.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.²

However, social norms and various forms of violence against women constitute an obstacle to achieving this equality. They also put pressure on the efforts aimed at activating women’s roles and empowerment. Therefore, the Goal 5 targets are:

1. End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
2. Eliminate all forms of violence against all girls and women.
3. Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life
4. Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
5. Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources
6. Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.

Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment

Providing equal opportunities for women to access education, health care, and decent work, in addition to taking on political and economic roles, represents the pillar of sustainable development. The empowerment of women within their society plays a fundamental role in the progress of society.

In Syria, there are many youth-led and community initiatives seeking to achieve gender equality. In addition to agencies and NGOs pursue, through their activities and goals, to achieve equality, empower women and activate their role in society.

One of them is the Mauj organization, which is a non-profit civic local organization that works in a participatory manner to address societal and developmental issues and links them to reality-driven media content that seeks to create a state of change. Mauj also seeks to achieve gender balance through its media coverage, in order to overcome discrimination against women and achieve gender equality through its community and development activities.³

The Role of Education in achieving equality

Gender equality requires an approach that ensures that girls and boys, women and men not only gain access to and complete education cycles but are empowered equally in and through education.⁴

However, there is still a societal gap that prevents a large number of girls from exercising their right to education, due to various reasons such as poverty, early marriage, and pregnancy. In addition to the impact of gender-based violence and traditional attitudes about the status and role of women.

Therefore, the development of educational strategies in order to reach the various groups of society without discrimination is an important and effective link in the path to gender equality. From this point of view, the plans and strategies of community institutions in the educational and vocational fields aim at providing education opportunities that are appropriate for societal groups, in addition to equal opportunities to achieve equality.

The Role of the USW Initiative in Achieving Goal 5

The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative aims to uplift society again by advancing its women, supporting them, and walking with them step by step until they can achieve their desired goals. These are among the various services and activities provided by the initiative in order to empower women in the educational, economic, professional, and social fields; which is a milestone in achieving gender equality in Syrian Society.

Also read:

• Goal 4: Quality Education.
• End Poverty and End Hanger in Syria.
• Good Health and Well-being in Syria.

References: 

[1] UN- Global Issues

[2] UN- Sustainable Development

[3] Mauj Foundation

[4] UNESCO

According to many international organizations, quality education is not only limited to providing educational material but also requires sustainable environments at all levels. The creation of an integrated society is undoubtedly a long-term process that depends on efforts to create a healthy learning environment able to invest all the capacities and energies in the right place. Perhaps one of the most significant barriers a society may face is the lack of young people’s access to educational services.

The Definition of Quality Education

Quality education is one of the sustainable development goals, and the UN describes  this goal as ensuring “inclusive and equitable quality education and [promoting] lifelong learning opportunities for all.”¹

Achieving SDG 4 targets

Some of the targets the UN lists for achieving SDG 4 (quality education) include ensuring that children have access to:

1. Pre-primary education.
2. Free primary and secondary education.
3. Affordable technical, vocational, and higher education options (such as college and university).¹

It’s not enough for education to be accessible, it also has to add value to the lives of students. An increase in school enrollment rates does not mean that students will have basic life skills. This leaves them unprepared for the labor market and gives them very little hope for breaking out of the cycle of poverty.¹

 Challenges in Syria

The war in Syria and the economic crisis that the country is currently going through are leaving an estimated 2.5 million children out of school.²

In addition, education in Syria faces many challenges. Some of which are:

1. Insufficient resources are available for education.
2. Failure to prioritize quality control and monitoring learning outcomes.
3. Mismanagement of data and classification of information for each region. This leads to less accurate assessments of quality education trends and needs across Syria.²

Interested Bodies in Achieving Quality Education in Syria

Today, several bodies are working to provide educational services in Syria, in an effort to reach a good educational level and help the country advance, We showcase a few:

• Uplifting Syrian Women initiative:
  A non-profit, educational, and awareness-raising digital initiative,  through publishing awareness-raising articles in various fields, in addition to providing free workshops and training. In order to empower Syrian women and provide equal access to quality education for all.
• Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA):
  A non-profit organization is concerned with the capacity development of Syrian youth around the world. That is through educational programs which provide many scholarships allowing students to access global educational platforms for free.
• Paper Airplanes:
  An organization concerned with providing quality education to conflict-affected individuals; by offering free online education courses and workshops. The courses include English language teaching and educating women on computer technology.
• Caritas Syria:
  A global relief organization that provides many educational services such as paying for private school tuition, and providing enrichment classes for students. In addition to providing vouchers for school bags and stationery for school students, bank checks for undergraduates, and many other services.
• The German-Syrian Research Society (DSFG):
  A non-profit organization that supports Syrian students and scholars in their studies and work and, in addition, obtains the relevant scholarships so that they can continue their scientific careers in Germany.
• Syrian Computer Society (SCS):
  This association has adopted many development goals;  some of which are worth noting: cooperating with educational authorities to develop curricula for the Information Systems field, and using them in developing other educational curricula. In addition to organizing many projects and free courses in the field of information technology and computer use.
• Sanad Team for Development:
  A youth team working to empower youth and develop their skills. It works on networking young people’s ideas with sponsors and companies. It helps young people enroll in educational or training programs and find job opportunities. In addition to introducing students to their academic specialization in a practical way, and conducting specialized training programs.

The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative believes that every human being has the right to education, and it is the basis for building the human. From this standpoint, the initiative emphasizes providing full support to effective organizations and institutions that provide educational services to the Syrian community.

Also read:

• Goal 4: Quality Education.
• End Poverty and End Hanger in Syria.
• Good Health and Well-being in Syria.

References: 

[1] Concern USA

[2] MEI

Achieving a state of optimal health and wellness is a prominent problem that the modern world faces. Maintaining good health is challenging in today’s polluted world. Everyone is aware that good health is essential for any living thing, including humans, to live happily. Everything from their productivity to how well they handle difficult situations is impacted by their general health. Good health can only result from good nutrition. We are aware that if we are to pursue sustainable development, realistic goals of good health and well-being are required.

Achieving Good Health and Well-being

The achievement of this goal can be measured by the decline in infant mortality among children under the age of five due to:

1. The inclusion of universal health coverage in the development plan.
2. Promoting education and awareness of sexual and reproductive health.
3. Educating the workforce in the health sector.

From 2010 to 2015, the Syrian health sector made remarkable progress. This includes an increase in life expectancy at birth and a decrease in infant mortality brought about by better nutritional conditions, more focus on pregnant women and reproductive health, and vaccinations. In addition to other elements like the growth of education, the development of the environmental awareness index, and the management of infectious diseases.

What are some ideal health and well-being indicators?

There are four indicators:

1. Lowering the maternal mortality rate worldwide.
2. Lowering the infant mortality rate and the mortality of kids under five.
3. Ending pandemics like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
4. Reducing the number of early non-communicable illness fatalities.

Syria was deemed malaria-free and had attained a significant portion of the indices of good health and well-being. This was all done before the crisis and its consequences took place. But because medical supervision and health care were lacking in many places that were desperately in need, this resulted in a deterioration in those accomplishments. [1]

Is Syria’s healthcare system capable of achieving that goal?

Syria’s healthcare system is currently making every effort to carry on with its operations. This is true despite the significant loss of infrastructure, including medical facilities like hospitals, as well as the emigration or loss of specialists. This is in an effort to provide free healthcare services based on need, with the assistance of organizations and associations. This goal is achieved and supported in part by primary health services, health, and service education services, and psychological support services, all of which the Child Welfare Association continues to offer in the Lattakia governorate. [2]

Similar goals are shared by the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) in Syria, including expert consultations in many fields, strengthening and improving current healthcare systems, in addition to encouraging people to promote and adopt healthy lifestyles. [3]

Several other parties attempt to offer health support in accordance with their skills. Because of the current conditions, we urgently need to close the health gap brought forth by the conflict and the economic sanctions that are imposing restrictions on the import of medical supplies and equipment that are necessary in order to attain the objective of good health and well-being.

We, in the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, seek to encourage Syrian women to take care of their health at all levels. As well as paying attention to health care instructions that must be educated and adhered to.

Also read:

• Goal 3- Good Health and Well-Being.
• The First and Second Goals in Syria.

References: 

[1] Arab Development Portal

[2] Child Care Association

[3] AKHS

The first sustainable development goal aims at ending poverty in all its forms and erasing hunger, given that the majority of the world’s population suffers from these serious issues. So do we understand the significance of the disaster that is taking the lives of more than half the world’s population, one that is unable to afford its essential needs because of poverty? But do we realize the deterioration of the problems resulting from poverty such as hunger, and its effect on humanity’s development?

“Poverty and Hunger are Increasing. They reverse decades of progress and raise already high levels of inequality within and between countries”
– Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres [1]

The inflation of poverty and hunger problems is reflected directly on developing countries, in particular, and the international community in general. It is also considered a reason for disturbing the  Sustainable Development process and community protection programs. Therefore, local and international efforts hurry to develop their plans to end poverty, erase hunger, and eliminate its effects. 

End Poverty 

This goal aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. As poverty is not only represented by the lack of material income and simple livelihood resources but also appears in hunger and malnutrition. In addition to the denial of educational opportunities and access to basic services. The objectives of Ending Poverty Goal are centered on the following:

• First, eradicate extreme poverty for people wherever they are. In addition to reducing the percentage of people who suffer from poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions by at least half.  Whether they are men, women, or children of all ages. In addition to ensuring that they enjoy the same basic rights and services as all people.
• Second, develop social protection systems and measures and achieve broad health coverage for the poor and vulnerable.
• Third, building the resilience of the poor and vulnerable groups, and reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters.
• Fourth, accelerate investment in measures that eradicate poverty. [2]

“Conflict and civil strife will not last long if the main motivator, which is poverty, is eliminated.”  
– President of the United Nations General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. [1]

Complete Erasure of Hunger

It is the second goal of the Sustainable Development Goals. The manifestations of the problem of hunger and its negative effects vary; Such as malnutrition and low levels of physical and psychological health. This is what prompted us to think about the mechanisms of food development, sharing, and consumption.

The goal of zero hunger includes:

• First, ending hunger and ensuring everyone has access to enough, safe, and nutritious food.
• Second, double the agricultural productivity and income of small food producers.
• Third, Ensure sustainable food production systems. In addition to implementing solid agricultural practices that increase productivity, and enhance resilience to climate change. 
• Fourth, increase investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research, and agricultural extension services through enhanced international cooperation. Investment is increased through technology development and animal and plant gene banks.
• Fifth, preventing trade restrictions and correcting distortions in world agricultural markets. [3]

What is the importance of ending poverty?

More than 700 million people still live in extreme poverty. They also struggle to meet the most basic needs, including but not limited to health, education, and access to water and sanitation. [4]

In addition, poverty extends to include broad dimensions such as unemployment, homelessness, and social exclusion, which leads to weak societal cohesion. Poverty results in physical and psychological health impairment. Also, it stands in the way of achieving justice and providing basic rights for all, causing a current of political tensions and social conflicts due to the lack of participation in decision-making.  Ending poverty will make living in safe countries easier, and help achieve the rest of the Sustainable Development Goals.

What is the importance of eradicating hunger?

Recently, the rate of hungry people has increased to one in nine, according to a World Health Organization report. [5]

The wars and conflicts that the region witnessed during the past period played a role in exacerbating this problem. This is due to the acceleration of displacement movements in search of safety, which led to a wave of scarcity of resources and the difficulty of securing a living.   Agricultural production damage, resulting from climate change, also contributes to the lack of food availability.  This coincided with the rise in food prices and the poor ability of the underprivileged to obtain them well. With regard to the health aspect, the development of policies and procedures for erasing hunger is an effective step. It helps to eliminate the manifestations of malnutrition, obesity, and diseases associated with malnutrition.

How are the above-mentioned objectives achieved?

Organizations and institutions are working on activating strategies to end poverty and eradicate hunger. This is done through its plans, events, and activities that include people with needs and seek to meet them.

Government systems in Syria are currently helping to secure an environment that generates productive employment and creates job opportunities for the poor and the marginalized. It also seeks to develop financial strategies and policies that stimulate growth, in favor of the poor, and reduce the problems arising from poverty.

The youth’s active role in decision-making has an important influence in developing these policies, it encourages creating innovative solutions and the influential youth energies in society. In addition to the role of science and technology in education, training, and experiments in creating job opportunities and enhancing capabilities to address the crises of the agricultural and productive reality. Thus, many of the negatives can be avoided by focusing on ending poverty and erasing hunger as a global priority.

ٍThe social responsibility of every individual in society has the greatest role in achieving the slogan: “So that no one is left behind.” Represented by Syria in its plans for Sustainable Development at the United Nations summit in 2020.

Also read:

• Sustainable Development Goals- Goal 1.
• Sustainable Development- Goal 2.

References: 

[1] UN

[2] UN- Hunger

[3] UN- Poverty

[4] UN- Sustainable Development 

[5] WHO