Poverty Reduction

4/04/2014

Article by Marinella Panayiotou and Hannah Mortaga, Members of the Youth Ambassadors Group on the issue of Poverty Reduction

---------------------------------

Marinella Panayiotou

Hannah Mortaga

By Marinella Panayiotou and Hannah Mortaga

Poverty Reduction

Poverty can be defined in many different ways. A condition characterized by severe lack of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. Poverty occurs in both developing countries and developed countries. Even though poverty is more widespread in developing countries both types of countries should be undertaking poverty reduction measures.

Some measures that can be taken in this respect are the following:

• Extending property rights protection to the poor is a very important poverty reduction strategy a nation can implement. Securing property rights to land, the largest asset for most societies, is vital to their economic freedom. The World Bank concludes that is ‘the key to reducing poverty’ as it can greatly increase poor people’s wealth, in some cases even doubling it.
• Long run economic growth can also be a factor for decreasing global poverty. This can be achieved through the increase in capital (both human and physical as well as technology). UN economists argue that good infrastructure, such as roads and information networks, helps market reforms to work. An example of this is China where the investment in railways, roads, ports and rural telephones in African countries contributed to its economic development. However, it’s important to say that economic growth will not produce jobs and cut poverty unless it’s inclusive and equitable and unless the needs of the poor and marginalized are at the centre of development priorities.
• Addressing gender equality and empowering women are necessary steps in overcoming poverty and furthering development. Disparities in the areas of education, health and other social and economic indicators impose large costs on well being and health of the poor which diminishes productivity and the potential to reduce poverty. The limited opportunities of women in most societies restrict their ability to improve economic conditions and access services to enhance their well-being. By increasing female participation in the labor force, women are able to contribute more effectively to economic growth and income distribution and this plays an important role in addressing poverty experienced by children. 
• Investments in reproductive health. Sexual and reproductive health services and programmes are keys to the limitation of unprotected sex, sexual coercion, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In addition they could protect from unintended early pregnancies and unsafe abortions. HIV is the pandemic that is killing large numbers of people in their most productive years. Preventing AIDS related disabilities and premature deaths translates into a healthier, more productive labor force that can improve a country’s economic prospects. 
• Last but not least, aid in its simplest form, meaning income grant, is also very important for reducing poverty. If each of us shows some care by giving money, food to charities, entering an NGO and working as a volunteer for organizations that actually do something for those in need, can really make a difference. People often forget about poverty because the media glorify wealth. But if we really want to make the world a better place then we should start doing some actions. We should not over consume and throw away food when there are people out there who are dying from hunger.