International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Background:
Today, the world community is celebrating Poverty Alleviation Day with great pomp. It is customary to celebrate this day on October 17 of each year.

The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.

Theme 2022: “Dignity For All in Practice"

Global Statistics of poverty
According to the World Bank, between 88 and 115 million people are being pushed into poverty as a result of the crisis, with the majority of the new extreme poor being found in South Asian and Sub-Saharan countries where poverty rates are already high”. In 2021, this number is expected to have risen to between 143 and 163 million. These ‘new poor’ will join the ranks of the 1.3 billion people already living in multidimensional and persistent poverty who saw their pre-existing deprivations aggravated during the global pandemic. The measures imposed to limit the spread of the pandemic often further pushed them into poverty – the informal economy which enables many people in poverty to survive was virtually shut down in many countries.

As we embark on the post-COVID recovery and getting back on track with the Sustainable Development Goals, many are talking of “building back better,” but the message is clear from the people living in extreme poverty that they do not want a return to the past nor to build back to what it was before. They do not want a return to the endemic structural disadvantages and inequalities. Instead, people living in poverty propose to build forward.

Poverty in Nepal
The priority of every government and parliament is to eradicate poverty. This eradication of poverty is crucial for peace, stability, and economic development. According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Nepal has decreased from 25.2 percent in 2011 to 21.6 percent by 2015. Increased income through remittances from foreign employment cannot be considered long-term, market and financial management are necessary by highlighting employment and skills in the country.

On the other hand, it is necessary to bring a revolution in agricultural work and make it commercial rather than subsistence farming. Remembering that those ten years of conflict and subsequent turmoil have led to an increase in poverty in Nepal and a lack of livelihood opportunities for the people.

On the other hand, as part of the government's efforts, various income generation programs are being carried out through the Poverty Alleviation Fund in 59 districts of Nepal through 30,000 community organizations. The hidden pit of the rich and the poor is a silent battle around the world, in this economy, everyone has the freedom to move forward based on knowledge and opportunity, right? As this gap between the rich and the poor continues to be filled, it is important to pay attention to society and the vulnerable communities of society.

Democracy without economic development and poverty is lame. Let us all see Nepal and the world eradicated from poverty in this life.

 Let there be a roof over everyone's house, Let there be rice grains in every palate, be it millet or flour
 May life be sweet to all.

 Suyog Dhakal