International Day of Eradication of Poverty

Written By-: Ayeshi Cooray LL.B(Hons) UK & Zahira Faleel B.A(Hons)(SEUSL) ,(LL.B(R),MBA(R)

“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of Charity. It is an Act of Justice”-

Nelson Mandela

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was first recognized on October 17, 1987. It is critical to observe it by considering how we can assist as a community. “Dignity for all” in practice is the main theme of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty for 2022-2023.

This year's Day for the Eradication of Poverty is significant because it will be the first public awareness campaign following the formal adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations General Assembly.

This new development framework considers replacing and carrying forward the aims of the Millennium Development Goals in all countries committed to ending poverty in all of its forms and dimensions.

Poverty is a crisis that affects not only individuals, but millions of people all over the world. It is critical to acknowledge the anguish and misery of those who have suffered as a result of poverty. Being hungry, in pain, and homeless is not an easy situation.

As a community, we should encourage all individuals and countries to actively work to eradicate poverty by pursuing sustainable development.

The ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka has had a negative impact on all sectors of society. Poverty statistics are becoming increasingly alarming. Human Rights Watch said today that Sri Lanka's economic crisis is pushing millions into poverty and jeopardizing their rights to health, education, and a decent standard of living. The Sri Lankan government should collaborate with relevant financial institutions and partners to create a new social protection system and obtain debt relief, as well as implement measures to ensure fair taxation and combat corruption at the highest levels of government.

Living far from a commercial centre, working in agriculture, being born into a poor family, and an inadequate education system are the main causes of poverty in Sri Lanka.

?According to world statistics, more than half of the population in Sri Lanka is living on less than $3.65 per day, which was 13.8 percent in 2016 and is expected to fall to 11.3 percent by 2019.

The Covid-19 Pandemic has caused significant economic losses in Sri Lanka. Poverty increased to 12.7% in 2020, with nearly 300,000 people falling into poverty.

Once the Covid-19 Pandemic broke out, the entire Sri Lankan economic, socialist structures collapsed, and with the baby steps of the Sri Lankan Government economic infrastructure within a small phase, Sri Lanka was hit with the Worst Economic Crisis, which completely tarnished the country's sustainability-rooted infrastructure.

However, with the current government's proper economic agenda implementations, the level of economic crisis is manageable. The aforementioned worst-case scenario caused Sri Lankan poor people to become even poorer, and the harsh reality is that poor people reduce their food consumption.

As a result, articles, debates, and forums on poverty eradication are being published on a daily basis. With this perspective, Sri Lanka, as a member of the United Nations, agrees to implement the sustainable development goals by 2030.

Goals of the SDGs Poverty eradication is the primary (1st goal) goal to be achieved. As an example, the Sri Lankan government is implementing poverty eradication in an innovative manner. The first goal, 'End poverty in all its forms everywhere,' has seven targets and fourteen indicators. According to Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) statistics, the poverty headcount ratio has decreased from 8.9 (2009/10) to 6.7 (2012/13) to 4.1 (2020). (2016). Furthermore, the Gini coefficient of household income in 2016 was 0.45.

The first important goal for Sri Lanka is 'Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere,' which includes seven targets and 14 indicators.

As a result, as a younger generation, we must take steps to achieve sustainable development and work together to eradicate poverty from our mother Lanka.