12 Oktober 2024: A Commemoration of the Past and a Look to the Future

Introduction

On 12 October 2024, the world will come together to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This day serves as a reminder of the 1.3 billion people who live in extreme poverty, struggling to meet their basic needs such as food, water, and shelter.

As we reflect on the progress made in the fight against poverty over the past decade, we must also acknowledge the challenges that remain. 2.5 billion people still live on less than \$3.20 a day, and 900 million suffer from chronic hunger.

The Causes of Poverty

Poverty is a complex issue with many contributing factors, including:

• Lack of education and skills: People without access to quality education and training have fewer opportunities to improve their lives.
• Unemployment and underemployment: When people cannot find decent work, they are more likely to fall into poverty.
• Discrimination: Gender, race, and other forms of discrimination can limit people's access to resources and opportunities.
• Conflict and instability: War and violence can destroy livelihoods and infrastructure, leaving people destitute.
• Climate change: Extreme weather events and rising sea levels can displace people from their homes and livelihoods, leading to poverty.

The Impact of Poverty

Poverty has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. It can lead to:

• Poor health: Poor nutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and unsanitary living conditions can lead to a range of health problems.
• Lack of education: Children from poor families are more likely to drop out of school due to financial constraints and other challenges.
• Social exclusion: People living in poverty are often isolated from society and have limited opportunities for participation.
• Violence and crime: Poverty can be a breeding ground for violence and crime as people struggle to meet their basic needs.
• Environmental degradation: Poor people are often forced to live in environmentally hazardous areas, which can lead to further health problems and displacement.

Progress Made in the Fight Against Poverty

Despite the challenges, significant progress has been made in the fight against poverty over the past decade. Extreme poverty has been reduced by more than half since 1990, and child mortality rates have fallen by 45%.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2000, have played a significant role in this progress. The MDGs set eight targets for improving the lives of people around the world, including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

• The number of people living in extreme poverty has been reduced by more than half since 1990.
• The number of people suffering from chronic hunger has fallen by a quarter since 1990.
• The proportion of children underweight has decreased by a third since 1990.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

• The global literacy rate has increased from 76% in 1990 to 86% in 2015.
• The net enrollment rate for primary education has increased from 83% in 1990 to 91% in 2015.
• The gender gap in education has narrowed significantly, with the ratio of girls to boys in primary school now at 0.99.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

• The proportion of women in parliament has increased from 11% in 1995 to 23% in 2015.
• The proportion of women in the labor force has increased from 35% in 1990 to 41% in 2015.
• The maternal mortality ratio has declined by more than half since 1990.

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

• The under-five mortality rate has fallen by 45% since 1990.
• The infant mortality rate has fallen by 43% since 1990.
• The neonatal mortality rate has fallen by 37% since 1990.

Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

• The maternal mortality ratio has declined by more than half since 1990.
• The proportion of women giving birth with a skilled attendant has increased from 56% in 1990 to 79% in 2015.
• The proportion of women using modern contraception has increased from 36% in 1990 to 57% in 2015.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases

• The number of people living with HIV has fallen by 40% since 2000.
• The number of people dying from HIV/AIDS has fallen by 50% since 2000.
• The number of people dying from malaria has fallen by 60% since 2000.

Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability

• The proportion of people with access to improved water sources has increased from 76% in 1990 to 91% in 2015.
• The proportion of people with access to improved sanitation has increased from 54% in 1990 to 68% in 2015.
• The global forest area has decreased by 13% since 1990.

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

• Official development assistance (ODA) has increased by 50% since 2000.
• The number of countries with a poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) has increased from 20 in 2000 to 120 in 2015.
• The number of countries participating in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative has increased from 20 in 2000 to 39 in 2015.

Challenges Remaining

Despite the progress made, significant challenges remain in the fight against poverty.

• Poverty reduction has slowed down: The rate of poverty reduction has slowed down in recent years, and the number of people living in poverty has increased in some regions.
• Inequality is rising: The gap between the rich and the poor is widening, and the poorest people are falling further behind.
• Climate change: Climate change is a major threat to poverty reduction, as it can lead to natural disasters, food shortages, and displacement.
• Conflict and instability: Conflict and instability can destroy livelihoods and infrastructure, leaving people destitute.
• Lack of investment in social protection: Many countries do not have adequate social protection systems in place to help people cope with shocks and emergencies.

Strategies for the Eradication of Poverty

The eradication of poverty requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of poverty and empowers people to improve their lives. Key strategies include:

• Investing in education and skills training: Education and skills training are essential for people to improve their earning potential and escape poverty.
• Creating decent work opportunities: Decent work opportunities provide people with the income and security they need to lift themselves out of poverty.
• Promoting social protection: Social protection systems can help people cope with shocks and emergencies, and prevent them from falling into poverty.
• Addressing inequality: Reducing inequality can help to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared more equitably.
• Combating climate change: Combating climate change is essential for protecting the livelihoods of people living in poverty and preventing them from falling further behind.
• Promoting peace and stability: Peace and stability are essential for poverty reduction, as conflict and instability can destroy livelihoods and infrastructure.
• Advancing gender equality: Gender equality is essential for poverty reduction, as women and girls often face discrimination that limits their opportunities.
• Supporting sustainable development: Sustainable development is essential for poverty reduction, as it can help to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and protect the environment.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in the fight against poverty. You can:

• Donate to charities that work to fight poverty: There are many charities that work to fight poverty around the world. You can donate money, time, or resources to these charities to support their work.
• Volunteer your time: You can volunteer your time to help people in need in your community. This could involve working at a food bank, tutoring children, or helping to build homes.
• Advocate for policies that fight poverty: You can advocate for policies that fight poverty by contacting your elected officials, writing letters to the editor, or organizing protests.
• Educate yourself about poverty: You can educate yourself about poverty by reading books, articles, and watching documentaries. The more you know about poverty, the better equipped you will be to fight it.

Conclusion

The eradication of poverty is a complex challenge, but it is one that we must continue to work towards. By understanding the causes of poverty, the progress that has been made, and the challenges that remain, we can develop more effective strategies to fight poverty and create a more just and equitable world.