Searchlight participants who attended “The Future of the Urban Poor” convening in Mumbai in April 2011 offer thoughts on their experience in Asia’s biggest slum in comparison to poor communities in their home regions.

By Tanja Hichert, Hichert & Associates and SA Node of the Millennium Project (South Africa)

Where to even begin in trying to answer the question of what Dharavi signifies about the future of the urban poor? I came away from visiting Dharavi – a most overwhelming experience– with many more questions than answers, and a sense that the complexity governing it cannot be understood, albeit not easily. So suffice to say, I am still thinking and mulling and questioning, and will probably carry on doing so for the time being. » Continue reading “Dharavi Reflection 6″

This story originally appeared in our June 16th, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.

South Africa has legislated disability rights, but there is no consensus on what “disability” means. How can the country promote a more inclusive society?

In March 2010, the South African Parliament introduced the Social Assistance Amendment Bill, meant to build upon the country’s existing legislation on disability rights. Instead, it prompted a barrage of criticism from international legal channels regarding South Africa’s system of treating disability rights as a medical issue and not an inclusive social issue.

The government of South Africa had in the past drafted legislation that directly addresses disability issues, such as the Integrated National Disability Strategy in 1997, the Employment Equity Act in 1998 and the Social Assistance Act in 2004. The country’s Constitution also mandates equality for all persons with disabilities. In 2007, South Africa ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol. But the big question is whether the country’s current set of laws supports the intent of its Constitution and the UN Convention., and whether the country is more inclusive as a result? » Continue reading “The Disability Definition”

This story originally appeared in our April 21, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Mobile money has been heralded as one way to leapfrog traditional banking for those at the bottom of the pyramid. We look at five countries that have wholeheartedly embraced the technology.

1. Kenya

Not only does Vodafone’s Safaricom serve more than 12 million through its M-PESA system, Kenya is also home to three other mobile money providers. Organizations are utilizing this technology to help women plan for pregnancy expenses and help farmers secure crop insurance. At the end of 2010, US$400 million—29% of the country’s GDP—was travelling through the M-PESA system each month. According to the Mobile Money Exchange website, while only 10% of the country could access finance, nearly 60% had access to a cell phone. » Continue reading “Where Mobile Money Matters”