Written by Ananya Chadha, Social Media Marketing Intern
In 1992 the United Nations designated October 17th as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The day remains a stark reminder of the ongoing global challenges of poverty and serves as a crucial opportunity for the world to unite and promote social awareness. Poverty affects millions of people around the world and is more than just not having access to financial resources, but rather includes limited access to basic human rights; such as education, healthcare, and social protection. In 2015, more than 736 million people lived below the international poverty line- 10% of the global population was living in extreme poverty and were not able to meet basic needs; such as healthcare, education, and access to water and sanitation.
Each year, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has a specific theme with the hopes of focusing attention on a certain aspect of poverty. These themes encourage discussions, initiatives, and actions to tackle poverty in a collective manner. For example, themes in recent years have included "Acting Together to Empower Children, their Families, and Communities to End Poverty" and "Answering the Call of October 17 to End Poverty: A path toward peaceful and inclusive societies." This year the 2023 Eradication of Poverty theme is “Decent Work and Social Protection, putting dignity in practice for all.” This year’s theme highlights those who are trapped in poverty after working long hours in dangerous environments and unregulated conditions but still don’t earn enough income to support themselves and their families.
The effects of poverty ripple through generations and are a continuous cycle of deprivation, inequality, ill health, and limited access to education- making it the first Sustainable Goal of the United Nations. The UN aims to end poverty in all forms by 2030, and whilst there is still work to be done there has been significant progress in some regions over the past few decades. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty has been exacerbated forcing many vulnerable communities back into economic hardship- currently leaving almost 700 million people to live in poverty worldwide. Extreme poverty will be the hardest to eradicate in rural areas and according to the World Bank, the first step to mitigating poverty will be through improving people’s wellbeing and access to health, education, and basic infrastructure.
This is where Minds Beyond Measure (MBM) comes in and is helping eradicate poverty through education in the Philippines. The NGO has partnered with Tiwala kids and communities to help provide income to the local families in the Bicol region of the Philippines. Furthermore, MBM has taken the initiative to raise $4,000 to provide a school with access to clean drinking water, supply educational kits to school children, donate bicycles allowing children to get to school, and help build a school. These continuous and various measures of support ensure that children in the Philippines have the opportunity to become educated and have access to basic human needs; such as clean drinking water.
Poverty is a violation of human rights and The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is a beacon of hope and a global reminder for communities to unite together and ensure that these rights are respected and observed globally. As we celebrate this day, let us do our part and make a difference to the ones in need- whether it is donating some food, school supplies, or raising proceeds for an NGO- a little bit will help us move closer to the UN’s goal of eliminating poverty by 2030.
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