Today, October 17, 2024 , the world unites to mark the 32nd International Day for the Eradication of Poverty , a day dedicated to drawing attention to the ongoing challenges faced by millions of people living in extreme poverty.

Proclaimed on December 22, 1992, by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/196 , this date aims to give voice to those living in extreme poverty and promote concrete actions to eliminate this social scourge. In 2024 , the theme is " End social and institutional abuse. Act together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies ."

This theme highlights a frequently neglected dimension of poverty: the social and institutional mistreatment suffered by those living in vulnerable situations. By addressing these issues, the aim is to foster dialogue and discuss the urgent need to combat the various forms of violence, discrimination, and exclusion that perpetuate poverty in all its forms.

Poverty is a multidimensional condition that goes far beyond lack of income. It involves multiple interconnected deprivations that affect dignity, access to opportunities, and the ability to live safely.

This year's focus is on the mistreatment suffered by those living in poverty, both socially and institutionally. This mistreatment can include discrimination, humiliation, and stigmatization based on physical appearance, accent, or even lack of a permanent address. These degrading attitudes deprive people of fundamental rights such as access to education, healthcare, housing, and justice.

This form of social violence legitimizes exclusion and reinforces institutional barriers, creating discriminatory policies that prevent the poorest from accessing essential services. As a result, eradicating poverty becomes a Herculean task, perpetuating the cycle of poverty, transforming these barriers into insurmountable obstacles for millions of people.

Children are particularly vulnerable to poverty. It is estimated that they are twice as likely to live in extreme poverty compared to adults. This reality is devastating, as the lack of access to decent living conditions from an early age condemns many children to a life of deprivation and limits their future potential, perpetuating the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

The worsening effects of climate change are also having a very severe impact on the poorest communities, primarily affecting children, who suffer from malnutrition, lack of resources, and insufficient access to quality healthcare and education.

Girls, in particular, face additional risks, such as early marriage and sexual exploitation. However, they are also powerful agents of change. Girls' education is strongly associated with improving their living conditions, reducing poverty, and achieving gender equality.

The formal fight against poverty gained prominence in 1987 , when Father Joseph Wresinski gathered more than 100 people in Paris to unveil a stone in honor of the victims of poverty, hunger, and violence. This symbolic act marked the beginning of the global movement to eradicate poverty, culminating in the creation of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 1992 by the United Nations.

Today, eradicating extreme poverty is a global priority and is central to efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , with particular emphasis on SDG 1 , which aims to eliminate poverty in all its forms by 2030.

However, forecasts indicate that around 7% of the world's population – or approximately 575 million people – could still be living in extreme poverty by 2030 if rapid and effective interventions are not implemented.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls for the reform of global institutions, adapting them to prioritize people's well-being. He highlights the importance of investing in decent work , social protection , and education as fundamental pillars to help people overcome poverty and build a more just and inclusive future.

Poverty is not limited to a lack of financial resources. It is a condition that profoundly affects the lives of millions of people around the world, depriving them of basic human rights such as access to education, health, decent housing, and legal identity.

According to the United Nations, more than 670 million people survive on less than $2,15 a day , revealing the magnitude of this humanitarian crisis. The forms of social and institutional mistreatment discussed this year are often hidden, but have a devastating impact on the dignity and rights of marginalized people.

They face discrimination on multiple fronts, from stigmatization based on their appearance to being denied essential services. This type of social discrimination creates the foundation for the perpetuation of unjust institutional policies that continue to marginalize the poor.

In 2024, the theme of the international campaign to eradicate poverty focuses on the interconnection between social abuse and institutional barriers that exacerbate poverty. The only way to break this cycle of exclusion is through coordinated action that eliminates these injustices and reforms systems that marginalize vulnerable populations.

Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) focuses on promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies . The UN Secretary-General reinforces the importance of implementing the Pact for the Future , which includes measures such as Stimulating the SDGs and reforming the global financial architecture.

These initiatives aim to empower developing countries to invest in their people by creating opportunities for decent work, quality education, and effective social protection systems.

In the PALOP countries, poverty eradication continues to be one of the greatest socioeconomic challenges, as poverty affects millions of people, especially in rural areas.

Despite the progress made in recent decades in sectors such as health and education, many communities continue to face systemic barriers such as unequal access to essential services and a lack of adequate infrastructure.

Poverty in the PALOP countries is multidimensional, disproportionately affecting women and children . Lack of educational opportunities and gender inequality are two of the main factors that perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

To break the cycle of poverty, investment in social protection , education , and basic infrastructure is crucial , especially in the most remote areas. Inclusive policies that support the most vulnerable communities, with a focus on gender equality, are essential to promoting sustainable development.

Eradicating poverty is a global challenge that requires the involvement of all sectors of society. The 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty highlights the need to combat the structural causes that perpetuate exclusion and marginalization.

Ending poverty is not a matter of charity; on the contrary, it is a duty of social justice and respect for human rights . Only through a global commitment, with reforms to financial and social systems that prioritize people, will it be possible to build a future where everyone can live with dignity, free from oppression and exclusion.

Eradicating poverty is one of humanity's greatest challenges, requiring coordinated action from all sectors of society. On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024 , we are called to reflect on how we can create a world where no one is left behind.

The active participation of people affected by poverty in the decisions that shape their lives is essential to ensure inclusive and effective policies. This struggle is not just economic; it is a battle for social justice , human dignity , and fundamental rights.

Only with a continued global commitment will it be possible to ensure that all people, regardless of their origin or economic status, have the same opportunities to live with dignity, security, and hope in an inclusive future.