Islamabad (Web Desk): International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is being observed today (Thursday) across the globe including Pakistan.
This year the theme of the day is "Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies".
According to the United Nations (UN), through resolution 47/196, adopted on December 22,1992, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This resolution invites all Member States to dedicate this day to showcasing and promoting activities aimed at eradicating poverty and destitution within their national contexts.
The observance of this day highlights the multifaceted nature of poverty, which encompasses not only insufficient income but also the absence of fundamental capabilities necessary to live with dignity.
These capabilities include access to safe and secure housing, nutritious food, healthcare, fair working conditions, equitable access to justice, and political empowerment.
As per the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to October 17, 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.
