October 17 marks International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a critical reminder of the ongoing struggle to lift millions out of hardship. This day, established by the United Nations, serves as a global call to action to end poverty in all its forms. This year’s theme, “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting Together for Just, Peaceful, and Inclusive Societies,” calls for urgent action against the discrimination and systemic barriers that keep people trapped in poverty.
In announcing this year’s theme, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, noted it is a reminder that those facing poverty are often met with discrimination and systemic barriers. These barriers, such as lack of access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, make it challenging to escape poverty. Defeating poverty requires governments to shape institutions and systems that put people first.
Here are five reasons why we should all join in the mission to defeat poverty:
1. Investing in Decent Work and Economic Empowerment
Investing in decent work and economic empowerment is essential to eradicating poverty, particularly in Africa, where a rapidly expanding youth population confronts staggering unemployment. This generation represents a powerful force for economic growth — if equipped with access to quality jobs, education, and skills training. By harnessing the potential of Africa’s youth, we can unlock unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development and prosperity across the continent.
At the recent Economic Development Assembly held in Abidjan, leaders from across the African continent and beyond gathered to discuss these challenges and forge a path forward for a better future for all. One of the commitments made at the assembly birthed the Music Builds initiative, a collaboration between Global Citizen and the Center for Music Ecosystems to foster economic growth by leveraging Africa’s young population, rich musical heritage, and culture. The Music Builds initiative aims to transform the Global Citizen’s Move Afrika concert series into a premier music and culture for nations with limited entertainment infrastructure. Through this initiative, African artists and their communities will gain access to resources that nurture their talent and provide platforms for cultural expression while creating new job opportunities and economic empowerment.
2. Promoting Access to Quality Education
Education is one of the most powerful tools in the fight to eradicate poverty. It quips individuals, especially those in impoverished circumstances, with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their lives. Beyond learning, education creates pathways to better job opportunities, fostering financial independence and breaking the cycle of poverty. For families living in extreme poverty, quality education can be transformative, breaking the generational cycles of poverty that often seem inescapable. With over 250 Million children out of school, the obstacles to education remain vast. From school fees and poverty to period poverty and the need for children to work, these barriers continue to deny millions the chance at a better future.
Access to quality education doesn’t just transform individual lives – it uplifts communities. Education promotes economic stability, healthier lifestyles, and increased civic participation. When people are empowered e to learn and grow, they can improve their lives and those of their families, driving a more equitable and sustainable society. Education is a fundamental right and essential to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Unfortunately, the battle against poverty extends beyond education; with 1 in 11 people worldwide still facing hunger, addressing food insecurity is paramount. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio da Silva, now leading the G20, has launched the Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty, a bold initiative to transform food systems and tackle structural inequalities that contribute to hunger. You can join the fight by urging leaders to support this Alliance – take action now to help ensure that while children gain access to education, they also have the necessary nutrition to succeed in school and life.
3. Advocating for Social Protection and Access to Quality Healthcare
People living in poverty and in low- and middle-income countries face a number of challenges in accessing quality healthcare and leading healthy lives. Poverty exacerbates these challenges, as we have seen with the global response to COVID-19, where we had to call for equitable distribution of vaccines and urge wealthier nations to share vaccines, reminding everyone that ending the pandemic would require a united effort where no nation is left behind. This interconnectedness of global issues underscores the urgency of addressing poverty in relation to other global challenges.
This is particularly urgent as climate change increasingly impacts health outcomes, especially in vulnerable regions where rising temperatures are projected to cause 250,000 additional deaths annually from issues such as malnutrition and infectious diseases. We recently highlighted these connections during its Health and Climate Financing Sessions, where former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of a global commitment to health and climate justice to ensure equitable access for all.
Even before the pandemic, millions faced significant challenges accessing essential health services. In 2017, at least half of the world’s population lacked basic healthcare access, while healthcare costs push 100 million people into extreme poverty each year. Common barriers such as limited access to vaccines, essential medicines, clean water, and electricity continue to fuel a cycle of poor health and poverty.
At this year’s Global Citizen Festival, the European Commission announced a substantial €260 million commitment to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to improve vaccine access in vulnerable regions. Additionally, €213 million was pledged toward humanitarian aid focused on food security, a critical component of overall health. More recently, at the Economic Development Assembly, new commitments were made to support Gavi in its mission to increase vaccination rates across Africa.
These commitments exemplify the leadership of African nations in addressing healthcare challenges and highlight the importance of global partnerships in defeating poverty. Addressing these barriers is essential to ensuring that everyone has access to the health care they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives regardless of where they live.
4. Pushing for Climate Justice as Part of Economic Justice
Climate change and poverty are deeply connected, with the world’s poorest communities most vulnerable to extreme weather events like floods and droughts. These disasters disrupt livelihoods, intensify food insecurity, and push people further into poverty. For instance, prolonged droughts in Zimbabwe have devastated agriculture, worsening hunger. Rising sea levels and climate-induced displacement, especially in low-income countries, create “climate refugees” who lack the resources to recover. At the Global Citizen Now summit, leaders called for climate financing solutions, such as debt-pause clauses, to help countries rebuild after natural disasters.
The undeniable link between climate change and poverty underscores the urgent need for global action to protect both the planet and its inhabitants. By advocating for the defense of our environment, you not only support vulnerable communities but also promote sustainable solutions that pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone.
5. Breaking Down Social and Racial Inequalities
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made, and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” At this year’s Global Citizen Festival, Doja Cat, draped in a South African flag dress, echoed these powerful words.
“Right now, millions of men, women, and children in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the Congo, and all across the world are suffering,” she told the audience. “In times like this, it is important to remember that we can bring change, love, light, and hope to those who need it most. Please keep using your voice to help those fleeing violence get the food, shelter, and education they need and deserve.”
Despite strides toward equality, systemic racial and gender inequalities continue to trap millions in poverty worldwide. LGBTQ+ individuals, for example, face significant barriers that contribute to poverty.
In the US, 22% of LGBTQ+ adults live in poverty compared to 16% of their straight and cisgender counterparts. In places lacking legal protections, LGBTQ+ communities endure discrimination that limits their economic opportunities, often leading to cycles of poverty. Understanding the need to support marginalized communities in their fight for equal rights, Adobe Foundation took the stage at this year’s festival and committed $500,000 to Outright International to aid their efforts of protecting the LGBTQ+ community against human rights violations.
Gender inequality also plays a pivotal role in perpetuating poverty. Women globally face a gender pay gap, earning, on average, 20% less than men for equivalent work. This disparity is often larger for women of color and those in low-income jobs. Bridging this gap could inject $12 trillion into the global economy. However, as long as it persists, women’s diminished earning power restricts household spending, reduces retirement savings, and drives up poverty rates, particularly among older women. This effect ripples through families and communities, limiting access to essential services such as healthcare, housing, and education for those with lower incomes.
Child marriage affects over 650 million women globally, deepening poverty and gender inequality. It forces girls out of school, limiting their earning potential and leading to larger, costlier families. Ending this practice is both a human rights and economic necessity, with the potential to save billions by improving health and empowering girls.
Eradicating poverty requires addressing social, economic, and environmental factors that trap marginalized groups. By advocating for sustainable solutions and equitable policies, we can break cycles of hardship and create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity.