17TH OCTOBER IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
All of us would admit that one of the worst forms of pollution or violation of human rights anywhere on earth is poverty. We are born free but due to poverty many do not get the basic rights in their lifetime. Poverty is seen in many parts of the world but more in African and South Asian regions. It entails more than the lack of income and productive resources to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion, as well as the lack of participation in decision-making.
We should know that over 690 million people live in extreme income poverty (under $2.15 per day), and nearly half the world lives below $6.85 per day, leaving many just one shock away from hardship. Around 1.1 billion people face acute multidimensional poverty, experiencing overlapping deprivations in health, education, and living standards; gaps within countries can exceed gaps between countries.
Climate shocks hit the poor hardest: the poorest half of the world contributes a small share of emissions yet bears a large share of income losses from climate-related hazards and more over conflict deepens poverty: the share of people in extreme poverty living in fragile and conflict-affected settings has risen sharply, and large populations are regularly exposed to violence and instability.
The definition may vary from region to region and can be defined across multiple dimensions using various measurements. Globally, living in “extreme poverty” means surviving on less than $3 a day. In a world characterized by an unprecedented level of economic development, technological means and financial resources, that millions of persons are living in extreme poverty is a moral outrage. Poverty is not solely an economic issue, but rather a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses a lack of both income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity. Children experience poverty when they don’t get the nutrition, water, shelter, education or healthcare they need to survive and thrive.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty which is observed on 17 October underscores that ending poverty is about dignity, justice, and belonging, not just income. The observance of the day can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. These convictions are inscribed in a commemorative stone unveiled on this day. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.
Through resolution 47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the UN General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and invited all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution. This year’s theme focuses on ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families, with a clear goal: put the furthest behind first and build institutions that help families stay together, thrive, and shape their own futures. In its resolution 72/233, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027). It also considered that the theme of the Third Decade, to be reviewed at its seventy-third sessions, should be “Accelerating global actions for a world without poverty”, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN in his message said that “ too often, people living in poverty are blamed, stigmatised, and pushed into the shadows. Yet poverty is not a personal failure; it is a systemic failure – a denial of dignity and human rights.” “On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let’s reject stigma and discrimination, let’s stand with people living in poverty, and act with solidarity to end poverty for good”, he further said.
We are aware that Sustainable Development Goals can’t be achieved without eradicating poverty. In a country like India, there are many schemes and programmes undertaken by various governmental agencies to end poverty. Apart from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act there are many other programmes like Urban and Rural Livelihood Missions. Due to maltreatment by the institutions and poor governance we are still seeing poverty in the country. All of us must become more vigilant and take part actively if we want to make poverty a history in our lifetime. Let us all take up the challenge to end poverty and achieve SDGs in our lifetime.
(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be send to bkranjan@gmail.com)
ranjan k baruah
A-10,Behind Namghar,
Nayanpur,
Ganeshguri,Guwahati.