Critique of Development Goals Report of Egypt

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Research Methodology to be pursued for this study

It is seen that the MDG is a global effort aimed at improving human lives on an international level. Thus, the role and responsibilities of the United Nations, (UN), especially the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) are of major importance. Thus, it is necessary that the web-generated reports of the United Nations during the years 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, and the current 2008 reports be made an integral part of this study program.

Also, aspects of World Bank findings and reports need to be incorporated for a factual and objective-oriented study of this kind, and since the WB has been a major funding agency, its role cannot be undermined. It has been seen that the data released by the Statistical Department of the Egyptian Government is also necessary since this paper deals with Egypt’s compliance with MDG.

The above have been considered appropriate for the purpose of this study. Usage of other methods may not suffice, since those would not meet core requirements, and also the authenticity and genuineness of such reports, especially in the Egyptian context may be irrelevant and not compliant for further research studies on the subject of MDG.

Comprehensive and constructive human rights-based critique of MDG in Egypt

Introduction

The main aspect of the MDG is to set forth and achieve certain definite goals and milestones in core areas of human endeavors, eradication of human-related issues, and overall improvement in the core areas of human lives by the year 2015.

The role of the World Bank as a major funding agency for the poorer and underdeveloped economies is quite extremely significant. It could also be argued that unless major international agencies come forward to help poorer nations it would not be possible for them to achieve minimum goals, let alone the MDG threshold on eight significant areas of performance as enunciated by the Millennium Development Goal packages. Again, most countries do not have the necessary infrastructure, technical support skills, or personnel to undertake a massive scale statistical research that is needed to underpin the MDG measures.

This is especially so in the Sub-Saharan African countries where the masses are finding it difficult to stave off hunger, deprivation, abject poverty, and a host of issues relating to poverty, including diseases, death, and high crime rates. Thus, the major international organizations like United Nations Development Programs, Aid Africa, Red Cross, and various human rights organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are playing crucial roles in trying to provide even the basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing to the poorest of the poor countries in Africa, Somalia, certain belts in Asia and other war-ravaged countries and countries affected by natural calamities in the world.

This essay aims at providing an insight into how Egypt has been faring in its commitment towards the achievement of MDG. This North African country with a rich cultural heritage has been on the list of marginally developing countries according to World Bank and other institutional agencies. Here, agricultural activities are major resource gainers, but it is also seen that Egypt has to be alive to the need to nurture industrialization to address future issues so that they will not be left behind in the global growth map.

Politically, Egypt has been blessed with strong and committed governments that believe in the welfare of the people and trying to build a strong and viable economy for future generations. The legacy left by President Nasser has been carried on reasonably well by successive governments and the incumbent, Hosni Mubarak enjoys good popular support, being re-elected for the sixth time. However, even despite a relatively strong government and peace and stability, many factors may stand in the way of Egypt’s progress and meeting UNDP’s Millennium goal targets.

Burgeoning population growth, without concomitant economic advancement, lack of cultivable land, large-scale dependence on the River Nile, soil erosion, and environmental and health concerns are major issues that daunt the Egyptian economy. “The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt’s growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. “ (Africa: Egypt, 2009).

Besides this, it is also seen that more emphasis needs to be placed on the emancipation of womenfolk and allow them to play responsible roles in governance and nation-building. It could also be seen in terms of the fact that only if population growth is controlled and the potential of Egypt’s resources channelized for the common good of masses future benefits can accrue. For the time being, it would be necessary for Egypt to take assistance from global agencies to try and fulfill its commitments in terms of MDG. It is now proposed to consider a comprehensive and constructive account of year-wise progress recorded as far as MDG is concerned, that would augur well for the Egyptian country and its people.

Eight Point program Thrust areas

The main thrust envisages implementation of an Eight Point program on key focus areas:

• Eradicating indigence and hunger in a global context (people living on $1 a day)
• Provide 100% primary education
• Gender equality and authority to womenfolk
• Bring down instances of child deaths
• Improve the health of expectant women and mothers
• Step up efforts to counter scourges of malaria, HIV/AIDS, etc
• Sustainability of environment and its protection
• Enter worldwide programs for development programs. (Millennium development goals, 2009).

First Report (the year 2002) on Egypt’s progress in meeting MDG goals

In the context of Egypt, it could be said that it is one of the 188 countries that have pledged to adopt the MDG and make a dramatic improvement in all areas of accountability, as laid down by MDG by the year 2015. It is seen that, by and large, the report presented by the United Nations in the first series of reports on MDG in the case of Egypt is well on course, except for environmental issues and creating a global partnership for development. (Through the eyes of a child: How children see the MDGs, 2008).

It is considered necessary to first take up the First Report (the year 2002) on Egypt’s progress in meeting MDG goals as follows:

Fact base of 2002 report

When considering the 2002 MDG report, it is seen that the following facts emerge; as far as Egypt is concerned:

1. Fast and sustained growth is witnessed in areas of child care, control of maternity linked deaths and diseases, water resources, and sanitation
2. Good progress is seen in areas of health, primary educational facilities, water supply, sanitation, improving earning opportunities, etc.
3. Acceptable status is seen in education and poverty eradication programs
4. However, areas like environment, empowerment of women, and areas related to women’s welfare need to be further improved through mass education, enlightenment of weaker sections, especially in areas containing Bedouins, etc. Cultural aspects also play an important part and sudden changes may be risk bound.

It is seen that year 2002 could be perceived as the beginning years of MDG, in so far as Egypt is concerned. Thus, the essential roadmap, on which subsequent development programs were to be based, on a country–specific basis was just being chalked out. Egypt, however, places a large emphasis on education, health care, control over poverty levels, water resources, and sanitation, and this is evident in their MDG compliance report. However, compliances in certain grey areas, like women empowerment, control over HIV/AID, population control was to be met. With more experience in handling MDG reporting, it is expectantly believed that these areas would also be covered well in subsequent MDG reports.

Thus, it could be said that about the first report, it is necessary that major investments need to be made to maintain current rates of progress of poverty eradication programs and to combat major issues that need to be further improved and sustained.

It is now necessary to consider the Second United Nations Report published in 2004. The area of focus may have shifted since the earlier report on MDG published in 2002. In the report, the fact is that Egypt needs to maintain a consistent GDP growth rate of 7% if they hold unemployment levels and bring it down to manageable figures.

This could only be achieved through strong controls and other fiscal measures designed to increase efficiency on all fronts. Another factor in the context of Egypt is that of population growth which may assume alarming proportions, if not controlled on time. During the year 2003, Egypt had a population of 67.3 million, was ranked 17^th in the world, with a 2% growth rate per annum. (Millennium development goals second country report, 2004).

During 2015, it is believed that population figures would touch 83M, which may be unsustainable for a country of its characteristics, registering a 23% increase in just over a decade. This problem has assumed significance since the food yields along the fertile lands surrounding the Nile have reduced in recent years and soil erosion could pose a major threat to food production for its people. (Millennium development goals second country report, 2004).

MDG Report presented in 2004

Again, when considering the MDG for Egypt, for 2004, it is seen that there does not seem to be much improved, as against figures for 2002. The impacts of major scourge diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, etc are still not fully controlled and yet the implementation of policies and procedures, however robust, need to be more forcibly enforced. Again, coming to areas of women empowerment, a lot more needs to be done, in line with MDG compliance plans.

Although education, health, child and women health issues, potable water, and banishment of poverty are the major achievements, Egypt has done little in terms of environmental protection, especially about areas along the Nile River. It is also to be ensured that tourism, although a good revenue earner for the country needs to be streamlined and controlled so that the delicate ecological and environmental balance in the country is not vitally disturbed and endangered. It could be reasonably said that Egypt’s progress over 2002, vis-à-vis 2004, has only been marginal, and perhaps in most areas under MDG, compliance is inadequate.

MDG Report presented in 2005

It has now become necessary to seek the Report presented in 2005. It is seen that the primary aspect in the World Bank report deals with poverty. It is further seen that in Upper Rural belts, poverty is increasing as compared to other zones.

Test results show that Egypt could achieve its MDG on poverty if per capita expenditure increases by 1.5% per annum and income inequality continue to change at the same rate prevailing during the periods 1990-91 to 1999-2000. (El-Saharty, Richardson & Chase, 2005).

The major issues that were taken up in this WB report have been about poverty, lack of proper education for rural poor, and fewer girl children being sent to a school than boys, all this even though 100% target for education, of both genders up to primary levels, is mandatory under MDG program. Although the government is trying its best, it is seen that there is a paucity of teachers, especially in a rural milieu, and the teacher-taught ratio could be overwhelmingly low in certain parts of the country. “In urban areas, the number of teachers per classroom can be up to four times greater than in remote rural areas. “(El-Saharty, Richardson & Chase, 2005, p.39).

The next aspect which impacts MDG reporting is gender parity, in areas like schooling, education, employment, political participation, marriage and motherhood issues, health aspects, etc.

The Report of World Bank, after considering the offshoots of MDG during 2004, has advocated structural reforms in the Egyptian context, in the following areas:

1. Offering greater private sector employment opportunities to women, especially rural women
2. While the private sector may not be able to compete with the public sector in terms of emoluments, growth avenues must be identified
3. Labor laws need to be suitably amended or modified to empower women employment opportunities and career growth prospects
4. Greater access to credit and information empower women to be independent and to be able to manage careers and families simultaneously.
5. Creating avenues by which women’s awareness and participation could usher in better political mileage and bargaining powers and greater visibility and power-sharing could ensure greater and better participation. (El-Saharty, Richardson & Chase, 2005).

Coming to the next aspect, it is seen that child health and mortality is an MDG that needs to be achieved by 2015. The main thrust areas are: Reducing infant and child deaths, improving childbearing health of women, and finally, arresting the trend of communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS/ malaria, etc. In 2001, the infant mortality ratio (IMR) was figured at 33 deaths per 1,000 births, which is an important decline from 73 in 1997 and 76 in 1990. This represents a 6.9 percent decline on yearly basis. Considering all factors and the quality and equality of medical intervention it is believed that the target figures for 2015 in terms of infant mortality and child deaths would be achieved.

It is believed that between 1990 and 2000, the percentages of all births attended by professionally skilled personnel were 37 and 61 during each year. The decline in mortality far outstrips the MDG targets to be achieved by the year 2015. (El-Saharty, Richardson & Chase, 2005).

The next aspect that needs to be considered is that of the spread of virulent diseases, like HIV/AIDS/carrier diseases like malaria and other scourges.

Fortunately, Egypt records a low rate of HIV/AIDS. It is evidenced that there are cases of 1711 individuals with positive HIV/AIDS in a population of 5 million tested between 1990- 2003. These figures are available from the National AIDS Program (NAP). But these low figures for HIV/AIDS are no cause for complacency. It is seen that HIV has the potential to spread very rapidly even increasing 10 times in just 5 years, as has been seen in Sub-Saharan belts.

What comes next is the report’s stand on potable water for the masses of Egypt. The Nile has been the major water source along with annual rainfall. Water pollution, disposal of wastes (15 million tonnes) without proper grounding facilities, shortage of water, and lack of sanitary infrastructure in non-urban locations have all contributed to a situation that cries for direct action. The MDG addresses the commitment to reduce by 50%, the section of the population that does not access safe drinking water by the year 2015. But the main aspects that the Egyptian government needs to address are the quality of water and its impact on the local populace. As far as the performance of Egypt, in the context of MDG is concerned, it is seen that it has fallen behind in women empowerment, gender equality in education, and control of major diseases like HIV/AIDS.

MDG Report for the year 2007

The next aspect that needs to be taken is the report for the year 2007. It is seen that had reached a substantial length of time since the deployment of MDG in 2000, Egypt needed to have fully identified its key deficient areas and taken remedial measures to eradicate them over some time.

However, the MDG report of 2007 voices serious apprehension on environmental issues, especially concerning population explosion and resultant demand and pressures on food needs and environment. Not much breakthrough has been achieved in areas of HIV/AIDS, for which the common cause may be that the reporting of such cases may be less frequent than its occurrences and also, the incidence may have links with expatriate population or floating population for whom statistical data may not be adequately available. Nevertheless, these deadly diseases do pose serious threats to the well-being of Egypt in later years and the Egyptian government needs to respond with alacrity to the present state of communicable diseases in this country.

The Egyptian culture, especially in rural and economically backward milieu, does not advocate large-scale empowerment of womenfolk and this is evident in the MDG report. A lot more needs to be done in this regard in future years to ensure MDG Compliance.

It is necessary to take up the goals individually to make an assessment.

Coming to the first MDG goal, eradicating indigence and hunger in a global context, it is seen that as of 2007, Egypt is well ahead of its plans and programs of eradicating power and starvation and several action plans have been enforced. Moreover, suitable legislation of mass welfare is also envisaged. (An overview, (n.d.)). Further, coming to the second MDG goal, it is seen that 100% of primary school education facilities for all school children, irrespective of gender are targeted.

Next, coming to the third MDG goal, empowering womenfolk, it is seen that while women’s education and health targets are being met, aspects of women’s suffrage and greater participation in the economic and government system are lacking, as also greater participation of womenfolk in employment and technical jobs.

Next, coming to the fourth MDG goal relating to child mortality issues, it is believed that matters are well on course and the targets for 2015 would be met.

As for the fifth MDG goal, relating to women’s maternity health and issues arising thereof, it is believed that things are under control and the targets for 2015 would be met, including paradigms aspects of women’s health improvement packages. (An overview, (n.d.)).

The sixth MDG goal is about combating major diseases- it is seen that the aspect is the lack of statistical data available regarding HIV/AIDS in this country.

Thus, it is believed that Egypt may well be on the course of achieving 2015 targets if it can address specific issues about such diseases and also take necessary steps to prevent, combat, and eradicate such diseases at grass root levels and also ensure control over the spread of such diseases. They could be largely controlled through education, prevention, and, when illness strikes, intervention. (Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals, 1990-2005 summary, 2005).

The seventh MDG goal is about environmental sustenance and respect for the ecological system. This has relevance on matters relating to pollution of the Nile, encroachment on its banks, and inadequate waste management system. Although the provision of clean potable water, “adequate sanitation and adequately, reasonably priced housing for the weaker of Egypt’s population are needed, how well these could be addressed to, are matters of great concerns.

Though progress in some of these areas is encouraging, the outlook does not seem to be very bright in the Egyptian context.

Finally, it is seen that there is a need for greater partnerships between developed countries and developing economies like Egypt, which should address cooperation, trust and economic trade, especially about financial aids and economic concessions. Thus it may be garnered that Egypt needs to make more investments in areas of women empowerment, disease management, and greater awareness for environmental concerns. It is now necessary to consider the valedictory part, the MDG Report for the year 2008,

MDG Report for the year 2008

The Report for 2008 comes in the mid-point transition between the adoption of MDG during 2000, and the target date of 2015. (Egypt Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, 2008). It is thus only in the fitness of things that a review needs to be done midstage to identify and assess Egypt’s achievements, vis-à-vis the targeted performance parameters and also in terms of areas that need improvements.

(Egypt achieving the millennium development goals, 2008, p.25).

(Egypt achieving the millennium development goals, 2008).

Conclusions

From the above deliberations, it is clear that Egypt still needs to go a long way in meeting MDG thresholds, especially in the areas of environmental protection, women empowerment, victory over debilitating diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other communicable diseases. While success has been quite remarkable in health care, education, community service and child and maternity health, its rising population over the years could cause setbacks in the sense that the full benefits of growth may be eroded by high population, while food productivity remains outside the growth zones. The aspect of maternal health is an important aspect since it is linked with postpartum health and child mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to seek a multi-dimensional approach that could align community-based organizations and religious influences on the need for maternal and reproductive health. (Egypt achieving the millennium development goals, 2008).

Thus, all said and done, Egypt needs to first ensure that it creates the right kind of infrastructure and local environment that could positively, constructively, and effectively foster largesse through the fulfillment of the eight-point program envisaged by MDG by 2015. It is also necessary to seek the support of governments, at primary, secondary, tertiary, and local levels and administrators to ensure that major areas of accountability under MDG are undertaken and fulfilled by the target year of 2015. It is seen that Egypt is lagging in the area of forming global partnerships for development and these need to be undertaken to improve the business climate, generate more employment opportunities and increase Egyptian exports. (Egypt achieving the millennium development goals, 2008).

Egypt must align itself more favorably with the world trading community, and with a cautious, circumspect, and judicious use of budget resources that would reduce public debt, and help build strong global partnerships in the future. (Egypt achieving the millennium development goals, 2008).

Again it is also necessary that as a major user of River Nile, it ensures that future revenues generated through this great river are not marginalized due to lack of proper dredging and cleaning systems. Thus the aspects of health, environment, and waste disposal causing detriment to River Nile have to be undertaken.

Egypt has responsibilities as a major beneficiary of the Suez Canal and also “The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt.” (Africa: Egypt, 2009).

References

Africa: Egypt: Background. (2009). Nation Master. Web.

An overview. (n.d). Web.

Egypt’s country profile summary. (n.d.). Web.

Egypt achieving the millennium development goals: A mid point assessment: Poverty gap ratio. (2008). Ministry of Economic Development. 25. Web.

Egypt achieving the millennium development goals: A mid point assessment. (2008). Ministry of Economic Development. Web.

El-Saharty, S., Richardson, G., & Chase, S. (2005). Egypt and the millennium development goals challenges and opportunities. NHP Discussion Paper. Web.

El-Saharty, S., Richardson, G., & Chase, S. (2005). Egypt and the millennium development goals challenges and opportunities: Requisite conditions for achieving education targets. NHP Discussion Paper. Web.

Millennium development goals. (2009). The World Bank. Web.

Millennium development goals second country report: Egypt. (2004). United Nations: Ministry of Planning. Web.

Progress towards the millennium development goals, 1990-2005 summary. (2005). Millennium Development Goals Indicators: The Official United Nations Site for the MDG Indicators. Web.

Through the eyes of a child: How children see the MDGs. (2008). United Nations Development Programme: Egypt. Web.

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