United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024

Theme: Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

The 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, organized by the United Nations, will focus on the theme “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment”. This year’s observance aims to bring attention to the hidden, yet widespread, injustices experienced by those living in poverty. Social and institutional maltreatment, a largely overlooked facet of poverty, continues to strip millions of individuals of their dignity and fundamental human rights.

The Hidden Aspects of Poverty: Social and Institutional Maltreatment

The theme for 2024-2025 highlights the discriminatory attitudes and harmful practices that people facing poverty endure on a daily basis. These individuals are often unfairly judged based on factors such as their appearance, speech, or even their housing situation, with many being blamed for their economic hardships. Such harmful stereotypes perpetuate dehumanizing views and foster institutional maltreatment, where biased policies and practices deny access to critical services like healthcare, education, and legal identity. This isolation often leaves people feeling powerless and trapped.

For many, this maltreatment is intensified by additional forms of discrimination based on factors like gender, race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. This intersectionality compounds the harm, further entrenching cycles of marginalization and exploitation.

Institutional Shortcomings

Institutions, both public and private, play a key role in shaping the experiences of those living in poverty. Unfortunately, instead of addressing and dismantling discriminatory norms, these institutions frequently reinforce them. Policies are often created without considering the input of those they intend to help, leading to ineffective solutions that fail to meet the basic needs of vulnerable populations.

Even in highly developed nations, poverty persists despite various social welfare programs. The issue lies in policies that perpetuate social injustices rather than addressing the root causes of poverty. Individuals in poverty often encounter institutions that are judgmental, controlling, and exclusionary, hindering their access to the necessary resources to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Voices of the Marginalized

Those living in poverty stress the need for systemic change to address how power imbalances and discrimination intersect. As one participant at the 2024 Forum for Overcoming Poverty stated, “When you live in extreme poverty, you become trapped in a web of power dynamics and domination.” These perspectives underscore the deeply ingrained social inequalities that strip individuals of their dignity and potential, leading to a significant loss of human potential for society as a whole.

Working Together for Fair, Peaceful, and Inclusive Societies

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, the eradication of poverty requires the dismantling of unjust systems. These systems perpetuate both physical and structural violence, keeping people in poverty. The 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty calls for collective efforts to build accountable, inclusive institutions that protect human rights and involve those directly affected by poverty in decision-making processes.

Key steps to achieve this include:

Acknowledging the Expertise of People Experiencing Poverty: Recognize and value the lived experiences of those facing poverty.

Empowering People in Poverty: Create opportunities for individuals to regain confidence and take an active role in shaping their own futures.

Recognizing Contributions from People Living in Poverty: Leverage the knowledge and insights from those in poverty in the design and evaluation of anti-poverty initiatives.

A Global Call for Action

The 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for inclusive dialogue and policy development. Governments, civil society, and individuals must collaborate to build societies where poverty no longer subjects people to violence, and where their voices are integral to the decisions that affect their lives.

Since its inception in 1987, this day has provided a global platform for recognizing the struggles and accomplishments of those living in poverty. It emphasizes the vital role they play in addressing the root causes of poverty. By working together, the global community can strive toward a future free from poverty and social injustice.

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