Gender Inequality in Madagascar

Source: World Bank Statistics 

After reading an article from Madagascar's Tribune.com, "  "Planet 50-50 2030: us cross not for gender equality" What relevance for Malagasy women in 2016?", I learned more about the reasoning behind gender equity and the growing prevalence of Malagasy women from the point of view from a Madagascan citizen. I learned from the article that in primary education, there are more girls than boys; but girls are less numerous in college and in high school (the gender ratio is only 0.71 in higher education). Also, according to the article, women represent only 38% of workers in non-agricultural wage sector, "that is to say that a more or less stable and decent income" of the less fortunate. 

From another article (not a Madagascan newspaper), I learned that domestic violence has risen as income has fallen in the last decade. Often times, husbands beat the wives in front of their children and the children learn that that is typical, normal behavior, causing that violent cycle to  continue.  

The Impact of Changes in Land Use and Agricultural Pollution in Madagascar

The figure below illustrates the emissions of methane (a harmful greenhouse gas that gets admitted into the atmosphere) from rice cultivation  all over the globe. You can see that not only huge countries like the United States and China but Madagascar is one of the countries that has a high amount of emissions- measured in gigagrams (indicated by the dark red color).   Rice is a staple in Madagascar's diet. In order to grow  and cultivate the rice, Madagascans have adopted a "slash-and-burn" technique to agriculture clear land for rice cultivation accounts for 80-95% of deforestation (according to USAID fact sheet).The loss of habitat due to deforestation is a major and dangerous threat to Madagascar's wildlife.

Figure 1. Global map of methane emissions (by country) caused by rice cultivation (Source: FAO)

Comparison between South Africa and Madagascar

One would think that South Africa and Madagascar would have the same economic development indicators and economic histories however each country has their own problems and solutions. Both have been struck by various diseases, have very few hospitals, and have relatively high child mortality rates:
South Africa  33.6%
Madagascar   35.9%
In addition, in South Africa and Madagascar basic healthcare is free, tourism is becoming a key source of revenue, and both rely on agriculture (many subsistence farmers). However, Madagascar grows cassava, sugar, vanilla and palm. While, South Africa relies on corn, wheat, sugar, and various fruit. They both also differ in exports South Africa relies heavily on extractive industries, especially mining of gold and diamond while Madagascar exports coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, fiber, cotton textiles, minerals, and gemstones (though it is believed most gems are smuggled out of the country illegally). Their urbanization growth also differs:

South Africa 64%

Madagascar   35%

Considering their future in sustainable development, both are part of the same continent: AFRICA which is committed to Global Partnership to Sustainable Tourism. Also, Madagascar has several programs that promote sustainable development and conservation (One major program promotes sustainable livelihood volunteer community projects that aim to increase food supply and household incomes in southeast Madagascar). There is a South African National Framework for Sustainable Development which promotes effective stewardship (responsible planning and management) of South Africa’s natural, social and economic resources. Overall, while both regions have similarities and difference and pressures and constraints on sustainable development, both may increase in sustainable development because of their reliance on tourism and natural resources.

Madagascar's Economic Development

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is home to about 23 million people (WDI 2013). Madagascar's unique biota is endemic, meaning many species are only found there, nowhere else in the world. Although Madagascar has very high biodiversity, their economy is not as plentiful. As of 2014, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world; its one of the top 25 poorest countries based on the percentage of population below poverty line (CIA World Factbook). According to the African Development Bank Group's 2014 report, economic growth is estimated to have stagnated in 2015 at 3.2%, falling short of the minimum 5% target set in the National Development Plan to reduce poverty. This poor performance was the result of "political uncertainties, limited progress in terms of governance, low investment in the social sectors and in infrastructure, energy shortages, a 40-day summer strike at Air Madagascar and an overall deterioration of the business environment." Agriculture industry accounts for 80 percent of their economy. However according to the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom, recent years’ "progress on institutional development and economic liberalization" has been inconsistent and frequently disrupted by political volatility.
As a French colony from 1897 to 1960, Madagascar has flourished economically due to French's rule (railways were introduced, roads were improved, new crops were cultivated (including coffee and tobacco). About three-quarters of Madagascar's external trade was with France. However, decades later after WWII and a nationalist movement, Independence followed in 1960, under the new name of the Malagasy republic. As of 2014, the democratic government wanted to reestablish command of the law and eradicate poverty. However, the island remains burdened by decades of  corruption.

Madagascar

When anyone thinks of Madagascar, the first things to come to mind is 1. the animated movie, 2. lemurs, or 3. vanilla. Something that most people didn't know is that Madagascar is one of the poorest countries. In comparison to the U.S, Madagascar's GDP, HDI, life expectancy, educational attainment, and urbanization rate are lower. Madagascar's HDI is 0.4 less than the U.S, meaning that the quality of life may be much less. In general, Madagascar's GDP is very low. Also, Madagascar has a higher infant mortality of almost 36 while U.S is a mere 6.9 which is unfortunate. As seen in the Gapminder graph, Madagascar is one of the countries with the highest number of poverty- stricken people that earn below $2 a day (according to the graph, approx. 90%). Overall, I think Madagascar is impoverished and unprosperous when compared to successful countries like the U.S.

Table 1.  Common Demographic and Economic Development Indicators: Recent Data for Madagascar
	US	US
Indicator:	Value:	Year:	Source:
GDP	9.981 billion	2015	WDI
GDPPC, PPP	35.366 billion	2015	WDI
HDI	0.510	2014	UNDP
Life Expectancy	65.086	2015	WDI
Educational Attainment (mean years of school for women, 25+)	5.2	2012	UNDP
Infant Mortality (infant deaths per 1,000)	35.9	2015	WDI
Crude Death Rate (deaths per 1,000)	6.674	2014	WDI
Fertility Rate (total fertility rate)	4.409	2014	WDI
Urbanization Rate (% urban)	35.105	2015	WDI
Urban Growth (urban population growth)	4.608%	2015	WDI