Attacking Poverty

Case Study

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Every day, the lives of millions of people are affected by poverty. Most poor people live in developing countries, but poor people live in all countries - even the world's richest countries.

It is important to understand poverty so that we can help end it. It is also important to know that ending poverty will help make a better world for all people. What exactly is poverty? What causes it? What happens when people are poor? What can we do to end poverty?

The United Nations Development Program describes poverty as being unable to obtain good food or other items that are essential to everyday life. The World Bank also describes poverty: 'Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not being able to go to a school, not knowing how to read, not being able to speak properly. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom'.

The causes and consequences of poverty are depressing. So is the fact that 1.3 billion people, nearly a third of the world's population, lives beneath the 'poverty line' of US$1 per day. For a moment, poverty may seem so big and unsolvable that nothing can be done about it. But poverty can be overcome, and many good things are already being done.

Projects to overcome poverty work on the understanding that people have a greater chance of working their way out of poverty if they eat well, are of good health, are educated beyond primary school level, live in a community that has basic services such as clean water, and have a good and stable government.

In most societies, girls and women are more likely to be poor than boys and men because of the large role they play in the lives of their family and community. From an early age, the girls and women perform all jobs in the home, including caring for the young and the old. They often work other jobs, some involving hard work, and often for less pay than boys or men. In many rural areas, they help grow food to feed their families. As a result, they are less likely to go to school, or for as many years as boys and men, and the heavier workload affects their health.

Many overseas aid projects give special help to girls and women. They also encourage boys and men to respect the rights of girls and women. When men and women respect each other and work at their best for their families, communities and countries, there is more chance of overcoming poverty. Healthier and better-educated women will also be better able to look after themselves and their rights, and not be poor. They will be better able to help their families, communities and countries, as well as care for their environment.

Caring for the environment is very important. A healthy environment helps the people who live in it now, and who will live in it in the future. Because all people share the world's water and air, caring for the local environment helps make a better world environment for all people to enjoy.

Australia is working to end poverty in the world's poorest countries, and has assisted in projects that have helped improve the lives of millions of people. For example:

• In developing countries in the past 10 years, food production has increased by more than 20 per cent.

• In developing countries over the past 20 years:
  • the combined primary and secondary school enrolment of girls has increased from 38 per cent to 68 per cent
  • three million children's lives have been saved through immunisation schemes.

• In developing countries over the past 30 years:
  • the infant mortality rate has been more than halved from 149 per thousand live births to 65 per thousand live births
  • the number of people able to use safe water has almost doubled from 36 per cent to 70 per cent.

The Australian government's overseas aid program has many 'good news' stories about health, education, infrastructure (basic services, such as clean water, gas, electricity, public transport), agriculture and good government. Poverty is a huge global problem, but the 'good news' stories prove that it can be overcome - and it is being overcome right now.

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