15 October - Each year on 17 October, the world comes together to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. First commemorated in 1987 and recognized by the United Nations in 1992, the Day is a call to action: to put the furthest behind first, to amplify the voices of people experiencing poverty, and to renew our shared commitment to end poverty in all its forms everywhere.
The 2025 theme, “Ensuring Respect and Effective Support for Families”, shines a light on the hidden dimensions of poverty, particularly the social and institutional maltreatment endured by families living in deprivation. Poverty is not neglect. Yet too often, families are condemned for difficult choices forced upon them by hardship. Parents may have to leave children unsupervised to earn a living, or in extreme cases, entrust them to institutions. Such circumstances should not be mistaken for neglect, but recognized as the consequences of systemic inequalities and insufficient support.
Accounts from Mauritius, Peru, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other countries illustrate the stigmatization, exclusion, and daily injustices faced by children, parents, and the elderly in poverty. These realities erode dignity and perpetuate cycles of deprivation. Family separation due to financial hardship remains a pressing issue with life-long consequences for children.
This year’s commemoration calls for a transformation of institutions, from systems of surveillance and control into frameworks of trust, respect, and collaboration. Policies must empower families, acknowledge the efforts parents already make, and ensure coherence across health, education, social protection, and child welfare. Families are at the heart of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those on poverty eradication, inclusion, and just institutions.
Despite ongoing crises, 17 October is ultimately a day of hope: a reminder that by working together, listening to those most affected, and ensuring families can stay together and thrive, we can build a more just and equitable future for all.
For more information: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty