Sustainable Development Goal 1, or SDG 1, stands as a beacon of hope among the 17 global goals set forth by the United Nations in 2015. Its fundamental objective is clear: "Eradicating poverty in all forms everywhere." This goal builds upon the groundwork laid by its predecessor, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which also sought to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger. By the target year of 2015, the MDGs managed to reduce global poverty rates to an average of 14%.
However, the key difference between the MDGs and the SDGs lies in their approach. The MDGs bundled hunger and poverty into one, while the SDGs recognize them as distinct yet interconnected challenges. SDG 1 has a broader scope, aiming to eradicate both poverty and extreme poverty by 2030.
SDG 1 comprises seven of the 169 targets set across all the SDGs, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of poverty eradication:
1. Eradicating extreme poverty by 2030, defined as people living on less than $1.25 per day.
2. Reducing poverty by half, following national definitions, for men, women, and children.
3. Establishing robust social protection systems in all nations to safeguard vulnerable populations.
4. Ensuring equal access for the poor to economic resources, basic services, land ownership, finance, technology, and natural resources.
5. Strengthening the resilience of impoverished communities to economic, social, and climate-related shocks.
6. Mobilizing resources to support developing and slow-developing countries in their poverty eradication efforts.
7. Crafting pro-poor and gender-sensitive policy frameworks at national, regional, and international levels to facilitate investments in poverty reduction.
As of now, approximately 10% of the global population, equating to 700 million individuals, grapples with poverty, with 1 in every 5 children affected. Furthermore, a concerning gender disparity exists, with 122 women living in poverty for every 100 men.
The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a long shadow over poverty eradication efforts, reversing progress and exacerbating the issue.
If the current trends persist, an additional half billion people will fall into poverty, with 575 million experiencing extreme poverty. Only one-third of countries are projected to achieve the goal of halving poverty, leaving 8.5% of children, 23.2% of elderly individuals, and 7.8% of vulnerable populations worldwide without any social protection.
The overall progress toward SDG 1 is a mixed bag. While 70% of the progress is considered fair but in need of acceleration, the remaining 30% remains stagnant or in recession.
In response to these pressing challenges, as part of the Special edition of the SDGs released by the UN has asked the Governments of the UN nations to advance concrete and integrated policies and actions aimed at eradicating poverty. This commitment underscores the urgency and importance of achieving SDG 1, as poverty remains a global concern that requires collective effort and dedication to address comprehensively.
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