Last Updated on 15 October 2024 IST | The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed every year on October 17th, is an important occasion that brings attention to the global issue of poverty and urges action toward eliminating it. This day was officially acknowledged by the United Nations in 1992, following a pivotal event in Paris in 1987, where poverty was identified as a violation of human rights. The theme for 2024 is “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting together for just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.” Also, Sat-Bhakti has the full potential to eradicate any form of poverty.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024: Highlights

• The celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is since October 17, 1987
• “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting together for just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.” is the theme for 2024.’
• Poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon not limited to the economy but with the living with dignity
• It is a moral outrage to have millions of families living in extreme poverty in an advance era
• Sat-Bhakti is a sure shot Spiritual mean to eradicate any form of poverty

International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 Theme

The 2024 theme, “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment,” highlights the importance of addressing the often-overlooked aspects of poverty, including discrimination within social and institutional frameworks. This theme stresses the need for collaborative efforts to tackle poverty and discrimination, ensuring a sustainable future where the needs of all individuals are met without compromising the well-being of future generations.

Why Thinking about Poverty is Critical?

It is merely a moral outrage to have millions of families living in extreme poverty in an era of science and technology, financial abundance, and economic development. Poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that is not limited to being financially needy but lacking the necessary capabilities to live with dignity. Poverty is a broader term that prevents society from enjoying their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including:

• hazardous work environments
• risky sheltering
• absence of nutritious food
• disproportionate access to justice
• scarcity of political will power
• inadequate access to health care

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – History

The celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be discovered 33 years back to October 17, 1987. On that day, to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence, and hunger, many people assembled at the Trocadéro in Paris. In this place, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948. The hundreds of thousands of people proclaimed that poverty is an abuse of human rights and asserted the need to come together to ensure that these rights are recognized.

These convictions are inscribed in a memorial stone unveiled every year on October 17 by people of all backgrounds and beliefs to reinstate their commitment and demonstrate their solidarity with the poor. People of similar thought gather to celebrate the Day around the world, including the United Nations Secretariat in New York organizes the annual commemoration.

The United Nations General assembly, through resolution 47/196 adopted on December 22, 1992, declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. UN member states devote the Day to portraying and advocating as appropriate in their national perspective, tangible actions concerning eradicating poverty. UN resolution calls intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to assist States in shaping national activities for the observation of the Day. The UN Secretary-General takes the measures essential to ensure the success of the Day’s celebration by the United Nations.

Why does the UN observe the Day?

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17 offers an occasion to recognize the efforts and struggle of people living in poverty, an opportunity for them to make their interests heard, and an instant to understand that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty. The poor themselves should participate and be at the center of the Day’s commemoration. The celebration of October 17 also signifies the readiness of people living in poverty to use their proficiency to eradicate poverty.

■ Also Read: International World Food Day: Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together

International Day is an opportunity to educate the public on issues of worry, gather political will and means to resolve the problems worldwide, and applaud and strengthen humanity’s successes. The UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool.

Global Observance and Events

The 32nd commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 1:15 PM to 2:30 PM EDT at the ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York. After the initial ceremony, a special event will take place at the Commemorative Stone for Victims of Extreme Poverty, situated in the North Lawn of the United Nations gardens.

Global Hunger Index 2022 Report

The Global Hunger Index for 2022 is not a good indication for India as it ranks 107 out of 121 countries. India’s score is 29.1 which places it in the ‘serious’ category. India’s rank is much below to Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84), and Pakistan (99). War-torn Afghanistan (109) is the only country in South Asia that performs worse than India on the index.

Poverty Facts and Figures

• The international poverty line marks to an income of US $ 1.90 a day
• 736 million people lived below the international poverty line in 2015
• Almost 8 percent of the world’s workers and their families lived on less than US$1.90 per person per day in 2018
• Most people living below the poverty line belong to Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa regions
• High poverty levels are repeatedly found in small, unstable, and conflict-affected countries
• 55 percent of the world’s inhabitants have no access to at least one social protection cash benefit as per 2018 reports

Implementing 3rd Decade for Eradicating Poverty

Since 2000, developing countries have seen tremendous economic growth. The Gross Domestic Growth (GDP) has increased in developing countries faster than the advanced countries. This growth has positively impacted poverty reduction and improved living standards.

Economic growth across developing countries has been impressive since 2000, with faster growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita than advanced countries. This economic growth has fueled poverty reduction and improvements in living standards. Economic growth has been recorded in many areas such as job creation, agriculture and rural development, education and health care, gender equality, social protection measures, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Strategies for Poverty Eradication

1. Inclusive Policies and Programs: Governments and organizations should implement policies and programs that address the needs of the most vulnerable populations. This includes providing access to healthcare, education, and social protection measures.

2. Community Engagement and Participation: Engaging communities in decision-making is critical for successfully addressing poverty. Empowering individuals and communities to participate in creating and executing policies ensures that their voices are heard and their needs are met.

3. International Cooperation: Global collaboration is necessary to address the root causes of poverty. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must work together to share resources, knowledge, and effective practices.

4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 1 (No Poverty), provide a comprehensive framework for tackling poverty. Incorporating the SDGs into local and national policies can lead to substantial progress in poverty reduction.

5. Innovative Solutions: Leveraging technology and innovation can play a key role in eliminating poverty. Digital financial services, mobile health solutions, and e-learning platforms can extend opportunities to underserved and remote populations.

Case Studies and Success Stories

1. Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs): Programs such as Brazil’s Bolsa Família and Mexico’s Prospera have been successful in reducing poverty by offering financial aid to low-income families, conditioned on their participation in health and education programs.

2. Microfinance Initiatives: Microfinance institutions, like Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank, have empowered millions by providing small loans to start businesses, helping people improve their economic situations and escape poverty.

3. Community-Led Development: Initiatives such as the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India demonstrate the power of community-driven development. SEWA has helped women in the informal economy access financial services, healthcare, and education, significantly improving their quality of life.

4. Public-Private Partnerships: Partnerships between governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations have resulted in successful poverty reduction efforts. For example, the collaboration between the Kenyan government and Safaricom’s M-Pesa mobile money service has enhanced financial inclusion and created economic opportunities for millions of Kenyans.

Key Issues and Challenges to avoid Poverty

1. Poverty as a Human Rights Issue: Poverty is not just an economic problem but also a violation of human rights. It limits access to basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education. Addressing poverty requires an approach that respects human dignity and ensures equality for all.

2. Social and Institutional Discrimination: Discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, and disability worsens poverty. Biased policies and practices within institutions further marginalize vulnerable groups. Efforts to end poverty must include measures to eliminate discrimination and foster social inclusion.

3. Economic Inequality: A significant obstacle to eradicating poverty is economic inequality. The disparity between the affluent and the impoverished keeps growing, with wealth being increasingly concentrated among a small group of individuals. Policies that focus on redistributing wealth and ensuring fair wages are crucial in addressing this imbalance.

4. Access to Education and Employment: Breaking the cycle of poverty heavily relies on access to education and employment. Ensuring that all people, especially marginalized communities, have access to quality education and decent work opportunities is essential for sustainable development.

5. Impact of Climate Change: Climate change disproportionately affects poor communities, worsening their vulnerabilities. Combating poverty must include strategies that address the impacts of climate change, ensuring that environmental sustainability is a core component of poverty eradication efforts.

Spiritual Poverty Eradication can Overcome any other form of Poverty

A person who did not embrace an enlightened saint popularly known as a Satguru presently the only one Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is spiritually impoverished. Human birth is rare and means spiritual poverty eradication that refrains from the vicious cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Kabir Saheb says one cannot attain any knowledge without the help of a True Guru. It is just like a foolish farmer who only wants to get food from straw.

Kabir, Guru bin kaahu na paaya Gyana, jyon thotha bhus chhade moodh kisana.

Kabir Saheb says, the creature who studies the holy scriptures such as Vedas without a Guru’s help remains ignorant and does not understand the essence.

Kabir, Guru bin Ved padhai jo praanee, samajhai na saar rahe agyaanee.

Kabir Saheb says the world is imperfect; none of them is rich. Know the rich who recites Ram’s name, i.e., Satnam bestowed by Satguru.

Kabir, sab jag nirdhana, dhanavanta na koy. dhanavaan vah jaanie, jape raamnaam dhan hoy.

Spiritually Elevated Experience of Saint Garib Das Ji

Saint Garib Das Ji says the person who accompanies the Satguru gets all sins cut off. Such a seeker finds a place in the immortal abode Satlok where there is no sunshine and shadow, which means home free from any trouble filled with duality.

Garib, jai Sataguru kee sangat karate, sakal karm kati jaee. amar puri par aasan hote, jahaan Dhoop na chhaeen.

Saint Garibdas Ji has narrated his experience by meditating on the consciousness (Surat-Nirat), Mind, and Breadth and the essence of the word (Satnam) bestowed by the Supreme God Kabir Sahib, he got liberated and now dwells in a palace in Satlok by catching the eternal word tune.

Surat Nirat Man Pavan paayaana, Shabdai Shabd samaee. Garib Das galataan mahal mein, mile kabir gosaanee.

Follow Enlightened Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj

To follow the right spiritual path to attain salvation, a seeker must go to the refuge of enlightened sant Rampal Ji Maharaj and accept name initiation from him, practice it well, and follow all his instructions. The seeker will achieve all worldly day to day joys and ultimately the permanent dwelling space at the eternal abode. To sharpen the understanding, read his book way of living and listen to his sermons on Satlok Ashram YouTube Channel.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024 Famous Quotes

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”

“Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.”

“Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn’t commit.”

• “History is written by the rich, and so the poor get blamed for everything.” — Jeffrey D. Sachs, economist
• “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth…these are the same fight.” — Ban Ki-moon, Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations
• “Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere.” — Kofi Annan, Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations
• “An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.” — Plutarch, Greek historian
• “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” — Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
• “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” — John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

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