International Poverty Eradication Day 2024, Theme, Programmes

International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 is being celebrated on October 17, 2024, marking another year of global awareness and action in the fight against extreme poverty. This day reminds us 712 million of people worldwide living in extreme poverty and the ongoing efforts required to eradicate it.

Despite such progress, extreme poverty continues to trouble many parts of the world, with predictions showing that the global goal to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 may not be met. Read on to find out about International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 and its relevance.

International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 Overview

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty also known as the 'International Poverty Eradication Day' is celebrated every year on October 17th to raise awareness about poverty on the global level and the urgency of eradicating it. This day focuses on the importance of collective action to address the challenges faced by people living in extreme poverty.

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What is the Eradication of Poverty?

Poverty eradication is not only about providing financial support, it generally involves addressing the underlying social, political, and economic factors that continue to sustain poverty. It is a systematic effort that is carried out to ensure equitable access to basic needs such as education, healthcare, and housing while promoting inclusive economic growth and social protection for all.

International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 Theme

Every Year, International Poverty Eradication Day focuses on a pre-determined specific theme which is chosen to reflect the current challenges, scenarios, and priorities in poverty alleviation. The International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 Theme is ' Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment'. This theme emphasizes the need to address the unfair treatment people face in society and institutions, which makes it harder for them to escape poverty.

Significance of International Poverty Eradication Day 2024

International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 plays an important role in mobilizing governments , organizations , and individuals to take corrective and substantial actions while fighting poverty. Poverty eradication is the core aspect of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , specifically Goal 1 , which generally aims to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.”

This day provides the platform for global leaders to renew their commitment to addressing the structural causes of poverty and promoting policies that boost economic growth, education, health, and job creation. By adopting inclusive and empowering methods, we can create fairer, peaceful, and welcoming communities where everyone has the chance to succeed.

Background of International Poverty Eradication Day

The history of World Poverty Eradication Day dates back to October 17, 1987, when more than 100,000 people gathered in Paris, France , to honour the victims of extreme poverty, hunger, and violence. This key moment conceptualizes the recognition of this day to reaffirm the global commitment to ending poverty.

In December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty through Resolution 47/196. The UN's efforts continued with the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997–2006) , which was launched after the Copenhagen Social Summit in 1995 .

At the Millennium Summit in 2000 , world leaders further committed to splitting the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015 . This all sums up to substantial progress that has been made, but more work remains to be done as we approach International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 .

Global Poverty Trends

Despite significant efforts, poverty remains a widespread issue. According to the latest calculations, nearly 700 million people were living on less than $2.15 a day in 2023 . While the ratio of the world’s workers living in extreme poverty fell from 14.3% in 2010 to 7.1% in 2019 . The COVID-19 pandemic reversed some of the progress that resulted in extreme poverty rates rising for the first time in two decades.

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Projected Challenges for 2030

One of the most alarming concerns in society is that the predictions made, that the global goal of ending extreme poverty by the year 2030 will seem unlikely to be met. Even by the year 2023, it is estimated that approximately 600 million people will still be living in extreme poverty. Additionally, one in six children continues to live in extreme poverty, with progress being further hampered by the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Social Protection Gaps and the Need for Action

The world has recently surpassed a significant milestone; for the first time, more than half of the global population (52.4%) is covered by at least one social protection benefit. This observes substantial progress in global efforts to reduce vulnerability and provide financial security to billions.

However, the fact remains that 47.6% of the population —nearly half—still lacks access to any form of social protection. This gap leaves millions of people without the critical safety nets needed to protect them from falling into extreme poverty, especially during crises like economic downturns, natural disasters, or health emergencies.

Poverty Eradication in India

India has made remarkable progress in poverty eradication , as highlighted in the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Progress Review 2023 . Between 2015-16 and 2019-21 , 13.5 crore people are now free from multidimensional poverty, which has reduced the percentage of multidimensional poor from 24.85% to 14.96% .

This decline in percentage is evident in substantial improvements in providing sanitation , nutrition , cooking fuel , and education , with the help of government initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana . According to the reports, India will achieve SDG Target 1.2 well ahead of 2030, this achievement aligns with the global goals of International Poverty Eradication Day 2024.

National Multidimensional Poverty Index (A Progress Review 2023)

The following table provided below summarizes the key findings from NITI Aayog's "National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023" :

Note: 'pp' stands for percentage points.

This data highlights the substantial progress of India in alleviating poverty, with noteworthy improvements in both rural and urban areas. The reduction in multidimensional poverty is an example of the effectiveness of various government initiatives that aim at enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.

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Poverty Eradication Programmes in India

India has been a focal point in the global fight against poverty, with many initiatives that aim to reduce poverty levels, specifically in rural areas. Some of the major poverty eradication programmes in India include:

1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) : One of India’s largest social welfare programs, MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year for rural households. It has been instrumental in providing livelihood opportunities to millions of people, especially in times of economic crisis.
2. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) : This program seeks to provide affordable housing for all by 2022 , especially focusing on the urban and rural poor. Through this initiative, the government has provided millions of homes to families who were previously without adequate housing.
3. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) : Targeted at women’s empowerment, NRLM works to create self-help groups (SHGs) that facilitate entrepreneurship, encourage savings, and improve rural livelihoods.
4. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) : Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, this program provided financial support and food security to the poor, who were most affected by lockdowns and economic slowdowns.

These programs, along with many others, continue to play a crucial role in India's efforts to reduce poverty. International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 brings attention to the successes and challenges faced by these initiatives, encouraging further innovation and expansion to meet the evolving needs of the population.

The Role of International Cooperation

Poverty is a complicated issue that requires collaborative global efforts. International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 calls for renewed commitment from world leaders, international organizations, and civil society groups to work together in the fight against poverty. Global collaboration through funding, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable development projects is critical to achieving long-term success.

Conclusion

International Poverty Eradication Day 2024 acts as both a reminder and a call to action for the global community. While progress has been made, poverty remains a reality for millions of people, and global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have added new challenges. Through global cooperation, innovative poverty eradication strategies, and a focus on inclusive growth, there is hope that the world can make significant strides toward ending poverty.

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