Poverty in Mongolia
The transition to a privatized economy and democracy sounds like a great deal. Farmers owning their own cattle and farms seem like the perfect set up. Mongolia transitioned very quickly from a socialist society to a democratic system in the early nineties. The transition was very hard on the people. They experienced high unemployment, inflation on services and goods, and a cut in social service support. The last thing they needed was a cut in service support. Health care before the transition was open to all citizens and was of a very high quality, now the health care is poor due to health insurance fees and regulations. In the education realm the government no longer funds or support early childhood education and the number of students enrolled in schooling has declined. The children living in poverty often do not attend or have to drop out to help with the economic situation of the family. Some improvements have been made in the reduction of poverty but not enough to cover the gap between the “have and have not” families. As an outsider to the transition between a socialist society and a democracy seems like a bad move. Not knowing all the facts in the situation it is hard to defend my position. From what I read the government made sure that health care and education were funded and regulated. Now there are many families who are homeless and a large population living below the poverty line. Children have a larger responsibility and are having to become adults at a very young age.
Heart Breaking Facts:
Malnutrition has risen
51% of the families do not have access to safe drinking water
The Poor increased over 40,000
Harsh weather conditions reach a negative 30-40 degrees in the winter (the is rough for homeless families with no shelter)
On the Plus Side
Enrollment in schools is on the rise (not in poverty stricken families)
Birth rates have reduced and more children survive
Infant and children under 5 mortality rates fallen
Immunization rates have risen
Acute respiratory and diarrheal illnesses declinedResources:
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI never was able to get in contact with any professional educators internationally. I ended up doing the alternative blog and listened to the pod casts and tried to email the professionals but they never responded. I cannot believe how bad it has gotten in Mongolia. I wonder why the government decided to switch from a socialist society to a democratic system? This wasn't a good move on their part at all They should still be supportive. The increase in poverty, low school attendance and little to no healthy insurance is mind-boggling.
I always think of the collapse of the Soviet Union being a good thing. Your posting paints different story. It sounds like only the Mongolian businesspeople are benefiting from the free market reform. My guess it is the same people who did well under the Russian domination. I'm enjoying reading you post, keep up the good work and thank you.
ReplyDelete