Eradication of Poverty
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was first observed on October 17, 1987.
Poverty 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.
Poverty is an ongoing global issue that has a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of millions of people worldwide. It is important to eradicate poverty not only to improve the quality of life for those living in poverty, but also to create a more stable and prosperous world for everyone.
The Causes of Poverty
There are many factors that contribute to poverty, both in developed and under-developed countries. In developed countries, poverty may be caused by a lack of jobs or low-paying jobs, high levels of debt, or personal circumstances such as illness or disability. In under-developed countries, poverty is often caused by a lack of access to education, healthcare, and other biological needs. Additionally, natural disasters and conflict can exacerbate poverty.
The Effects of Poverty
Poverty has a number of negative effects on individuals, families, and communities. Poor health, hunger, and lack of shelter are just some of the problems that people living in poverty face on a daily basis. Additionally, poverty can lead to crime and violence as people struggle to meet their basic needs. Children growing up in poverty are also at a disadvantage; they are more likely to drop out of school and have difficulty finding good jobs when they reach adulthood.
Eradicating Poverty
Eradicating poverty is essential for achieving sustainable development and creating a more peaceful world. While it will require a concerted effort from governments, businesses, and individuals around the world, it is possible to end poverty. By investing in education, healthcare, and other basic needs, we can give people the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty and build better lives for themselves and their families. Additionally, by working to resolve conflict and prevent natural disasters, we can create a more stable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The War on Poverty
There are a number of reasons why the war on poverty has been largely unsuccessful. First, our approach to fighting poverty has been piecemeal and unfocused. We have dozens of separate programs, each with its own eligibility requirements and benefits. This makes it very difficult for people to get the help they need.
Second, our anti-poverty programs are not well-coordinated. Different agencies administer different programs, and there is little collaboration or coordination between them. As a result, people who are eligible for multiple programs often only receive benefits from one or two of them.
Third, many of our anti-poverty programs actually discourage work and promote dependency. For example, welfare payments are often reduced or eliminated when someone gets a job. This creates a disadvantage to work, which traps people in poverty. Finally, our anti-poverty programs are not designed to meet the needs of today’s families. They were created in an era when most families consisted of a bread-earner and a homemaker; today, nearly 60% of families with children are headed by single parents. These families have very different needs than traditional families, but our current programs do not address them effectively.
Conclusion:
Poverty is a global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is important to eradicate
poverty not only to improve the quality of lifestyle for those living in poverty but also to create a more stable and prosperous world for everyone. This will require a comprehensive and coordinated approach that meets the needs of today’s families and provides incentives for work. Poverty eradication must be mainstreamed into the national policies and actions in accordance with the internationally agreed development goals forming part of the broad United Nations Development Agenda, as put forth at UN conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields. It is not an easy task, but it is essential if we want to build a stronger Pakistan for everyone.
Hashi GoC is committed to the integrated approach to eradicating poverty, which calls for enacting laws aimed at a more fair distribution of wealth and income as well as social security coverage.
