THEME: “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment, Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies”
Poverty has multiple dimensions, some visible, others hidden, but all interlinked. This year’s theme highlights one of the hidden dimensions of poverty which is the social and institutional maltreatment experienced by people living in poverty.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty serves as a global reminder for a call to action. It sheds light on the millions of families worldwide who live in extreme poverty facing an uphill battle against hardship, inequality and separation. 1
The Causes of Poverty and how it affects Children
One of the main causes of poverty is inequality in access to opportunities, resources and education. Without proper support systems for children, families are forced to make impossible choices.
Poverty in the world is exacerbated by several factors including conflicts, corruption and misappropriation of funds, inadequate social safety nets disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children.2
Poverty and Education: Breaking the Cycle
One critical element in eradicating poverty is ensuring access to quality education. Poverty and education are deeply intertwined- children who don’t receive quality education are more likely to remain trapped in the cycle of poverty throughout their lives. 3 Access to education of poor quality is tantamount to no education at all and arguably even more detrimental. Poor quality education results in children who are illiterate, innumerate, and unable to acquire crucial life skills.
Quality education, which is essential to real learning and human development, is influenced by factors both in and out of the classroom, from the availability of proper learning supplies to the nature of the child’s home environment.4
The right to education is enshrined in Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Children’s education should help in the development of their personalities, talents and abilities. It should teach them to understand their rights, and to respect other people’s rights, cultures and differences. It should help them to live peacefully and protect the environment as stipulated in Article 29 of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child5
Poverty and Children’s Rights
Living in poverty undermines children’s rights. For example, it has a negative impact on the child’s right to survival and development (Article 6 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), to an adequate standard of living ( Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health (Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), to education (Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), to participate in forums and spaces to influence decisions (Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child),to play and enjoy recreational activities and culture (Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child); and to access essential services without discrimination (Article 2 on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)6
The Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1): No Poverty
SDG 1 is to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” by 2030.
This global initiative recognizes that eradicating poverty requires a multifaceted approach, including promoting economic growth, enhancing social protection and ensuring equal access to resources. By prioritizing family-centered policies and interventions, we can contribute significantly to achieving SDG 1. The goal emphasizes the importance of community involvement, international cooperation, which are essential for implementing sustainable solutions to eradicate poverty effectively.7
A call to action can be through the rethink on existing economic structures and norms, advocacy and good governance.
Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting Together for Just, Peaceful and Inclusive Societies
People living in poverty often face negative responses. They are stigmatized, discriminated against, judged for example by their appearance, accent, address – or lack of it, blamed for their situation, and treated with disrespect.8 Social maltreatment creates a setting for institutional maltreatment, with a combination of negative attitudes, like mistrust and disrespect, as well as controlling discriminatory policies and practices, denying people of their fundamental human rights, for example, access to healthcare, education, housing, and the right to legal identity.9
Some ways to eradicate poverty include;
- Support education
- Promote family-based care
- Economic empowerment
- Invest in health care
- Empowerment and engagement in charitable causes
This year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty requires principal actors (government) shaping institutions and systems that put people first. It is a call to action to invest in decent work, learning opportunities, social justice and protection that offers ladders out of poverty.
- https://www.hopeandhomes.org/days/international-day-for-the-eradication-of-poverty/#:~:text=Every%20year%2C%20on%20October%2017th,hardship%2C%20inequality%2C%20and%20separation.
Accessed 14th October, 2024 ↩︎ - https://www.hopeandhomes.org/days/international-day-for-the-eradication-of-poverty/#:~:text=Every%20year%2C%20on%20October%2017th,hardship%2C%20inequality%2C%20and%20separation.
Accessed 14th October, 2024
↩︎ - https://www.hopeandhomes.org/days/international-day-for-the-eradication-of-poverty/#:~:text=Every%20year%2C%20on%20October%2017th,hardship%2C%20inequality%2C%20and%20separation.
Accessed 14th October, 2024 ↩︎ - https://www.unicef.org/rosa/what-we-do/quality-education
Accessed 14th October, 2024 ↩︎ - Ibid ↩︎
- https://childrenslegalcentre.wales/poverty-and-childrens-rights/
Accessed 14th October, 2024
↩︎ - https://www.hopeandhomes.org/days/international-day-for-the-eradication-of-poverty/#:~:text=Every%20year%2C%20on%20October%2017th,hardship%2C%20inequality%2C%20and%20separation.
Accessed 14th October, 2024 ↩︎ - https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-for-eradicating-poverty
Accessed 14th October, 2024 ↩︎ - https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-for-eradicating-poverty
Accessed 14th October, 2024 ↩︎
