As we commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, October 17th with the theme of
“Ending the Violence of Extreme Poverty: Promoting Empowerment and Building Peace,” we reflect on how extreme poverty and structural causes of poverty are not solely an economic issue but rather a multidimensional phenomenon that includes not only a lack of income but the basic needs to live in dignity.
According to the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona,
“Extreme poverty is both a cause and a consequence of human rights violations and an enabling condition for other violations. Not only is poverty characterized by multiple reinforcing violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, but women living in poverty generally experience denial of their dignity and equality.”
In the Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Sepúlveda Carmona further states, “Extreme poverty is not inevitable. It is, at least in part, created, enabled and perpetuated by acts and omissions of States and other economic actors. In the past, public policies have often failed to reach persons living in extreme poverty, resulting in the transmission of poverty across generations. Structural and systemic inequalities – social, political, economic and cultural – often remain unaddressed and further entrench poverty.”
For women, living in extreme poverty initiates and perpetuates the cycle of the feminization of poverty. The root causes are not just of gender inequality, but of multiple forms of discrimination. Feminization of poverty has been exacerbated by the recentfinancial and economic crises which when intertwined with crises of food, energy, climate change, gender-based violence, the challenges women face in maintaining livelihoods are compounded and intensified.
“As a “To Do” for International Day for the Eradication of Poverty I invite you to take part in the global conversation on Gender Equality happening at the WorldWeWant2015.org Platform. The Gender Equality global conversation is the first of a series of e-discussions taking place as part of the Global Thematic Consultation on
The discussion on Gender Equality is in its second week, and will run through 24 October 2012. FTF Global Coordinator, Rosa Lizarde, will be co-moderating the e-discussion beginning October 17th until the 24th. We warmly welcome the contributions of Feminist Task Force members, representatives of women’s organizations, GCAP colleagues and the general public.
Other links – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Contribute to Inequalities e-Discussion – Going on Now
The Role of Women in Rural Development, Food Production and Poverty Eradication
Ending the Violence of Extreme Poverty:
UN Observes International Day for Eradication of Poverty, 17 October
Feminist Task Force 