Every year on October 17th, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed. This day honours and recognises the efforts and hardships that people confront when they are forced to live in poverty. It allows those folks to express their concerns and reminds everyone that they are the ones who will have to battle poverty first. The day also reflects the willingness of those living in poverty to use their skills to help eradicate poverty.
According to a World Bank assessment published by the United Nations, the Covid-19 pandemic forced 88 to 115 million people into poverty, the majority of who were from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This figure is thought to have risen between 143 and 163 million people. These estimates are in addition to the 1.3 billion people who were already poor before the pandemic.
“Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting All People and Our Planet” is this year’s theme. Building forward entails not just ensuring that no one is left behind, but also encouraging individuals to participate actively in decision-making. It implies that all of the discriminatory mechanisms that push people over the edge are eliminated.
Poverty was declared a violation of human rights on October 17th 1987, by people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris to mourn the victims of extreme poverty, hunger, and violence. The attendees also recognised the importance of defending their rights, which were written on a commemorative stone that was unveiled the same day. On December 22, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating October 17th as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.