INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on October 17th. On this day, people of all backgrounds and societies show solidarity with the poor by renewing their commitment to help them.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has become a day to acknowledge the struggle of people living in poverty. On this day, those living in poverty have a chance to be heard. The poor are among the first to fight against poverty. That’s because they understand the challenges first-hand. Those who live in poverty often don’t have adequate shelter or enough food to eat. They either make minimal income or none at all. Persons living in poverty also face unequal access to justice and limited health care. Most people living in poverty also struggle with shame, rejection, and humiliation.
The struggles with poverty affect nearly half of the world’s population. More than 3 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 1 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day. This is considered extreme poverty. These statistics include 1 billion children who live in poverty. About 22,000 children a day die as a direct result of living in poverty.
These numbers are staggering. However, there are some effective ways to reduce global poverty. These include:
- Improve the management of water and natural resources
- Invest in and implement agricultural programs
- Encourage countries to engage in trade
- Create and improve access to jobs
- Provide access to technology and innovation
- Provide access to basic social services, such as education, health care, nutrition, and sanitation
According to the Borgen Project, if people and governments worked together to implement these ideas, poverty could be eradicated by 2030.
HOW TO OBSERVE #EradicatePovertyDay
On the International Day of the Eradication of Poverty, the UN encourages all States to organize national activities for the day. Some of these events include concerts, fundraisers for relief organizations, and interfaith prayer gatherings.
To take part in the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:
- Volunteer for an organization in your community that helps the poor
- Organize a ministry in your place of worship that focuses on getting people out of poverty
- Donate your clothes and household items to a local thrift store
- Donate money to a poverty relief organization, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- Offer moral support for those in your neighborhood who are struggling financially
- Spread awareness by sharing #EradicatePovertyDay on social media
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY HISTORY
On October 17, 1987, over a hundred thousand people gathered in Paris where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948. They gathered to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence, and hunger. They stated that poverty was a violation of human rights. During the gathering, they unveiled a commemorative stone on which their convictions were inscribed. The tradition of gathering together on October 17th to raise awareness for the poor continued every year. In 1992, the UN officially declared October 17th as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.