Agenda 2030/ Eliminating Poverty in the World: A possible mission? 1/14/2024

Every country in the world is positively impacted by the 2030 Agenda and its goals for sustainable development. For the goals to be achieved, efforts are also needed from governments, the private sector and civil society.

The SDGs contain 17 different goals that apply to sustainable development. The intention is that the goals will be achieved by 2030. However, the reality of the assessments is that the goal of eradicating extreme poverty will not be achieved in such a short space of time.

Poverty includes more dimensions than economics and also means, among other things, a lack of freedom, power, influence, health, education and physical security. We can talk about multidimensional poverty.

As a woman, I can't help but talk about "female poverty". We women and "girls" are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as inequality, social exclusion, exclusion from the labor market, low levels of education and a lack of family and government support. Such factors limit our choices and opportunities, leading many of us to a position of economic dependence and submission to partners or family members and consequently leading us to a scenario of domestic violence, psychological abuse and femicide.

The eradication of poverty is a fundamental prerequisite for enforcing human rights. The right to social security, for example, is founded on the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Poverty eradication generally benefits society as a whole, promoting stability, inclusive economic growth and reducing social disparities.

The main challenges to reducing poverty include economic inequality, limited access to quality education, lack of job opportunities, poor health, corruption and the need for effective public policies that address these issues in an integrated manner.

To achieve the goal, it is necessary to implement policies and actions that promote social inclusion, sustainable economic growth, equal access to basic resources such as education and health, and the reduction of economic disparities. In addition, strengthening global partnerships, promoting sustainable practices and ensuring that no one is left behind are key to achieving goal number 1 of the SDGs.

Since eliminating poverty in all its forms within this short timeframe seems an unattainable goal, it requires a comprehensive approach, including investments in education, health, infrastructure and social programs, and commitments not yet made by all those involved who hold power.

When it comes to us, civil society, let's not get discouraged, let's focus on reducing poverty and demanding policies that promote economic inclusion, job creation and support for vulnerable communities.  Let's also investigate and hold private companies to account, since our purchasing choices can influence commercial practices. We can choose products and services from sustainable companies, demanding that they can align their portfolios with the ambitions of the SDGs.

The Sustainable Development Goals represent a global appeal, urging humanity to reflect on a problem that has often been ignored over the years. Although on paper it seems like just a plan, when put into practice, it could become one of the most important plans of all time, saving millions of species, including humanity itself.

Josi Svenningsson