Hidden Poverty: Working and Poor

History of the Day and Why It Matters

17 October – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

History of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on 17 October. It was first recognized by the United Nations in 1992, but its roots go back earlier — to 17 October 1987, when over 100,000 people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, the site where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948.

They came together to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence, and hunger, and to affirm that poverty is a violation of human rights. A commemorative stone was unveiled that day, engraved with these words:

“Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”

Since then, 17 October has become a global day of reflection and action — a time to listen to the voices of people living in poverty and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to build a world of dignity, equality, and justice for all.

Why This Day Matters

This day is not just symbolic — it’s a reminder that:

• Poverty is not inevitable; it’s the result of social, economic, and political choices.
• Eradicating poverty requires participation — especially from those who experience it first-hand.
• Dignity is central — fighting poverty is about restoring people’s rights, voice, and hope, not just meeting basic needs.

In a world where wealth is more abundant than ever, it challenges us to ask why so many still struggle to survive — and what kind of societies we truly want to build.

Introduction to Our Theme: “The Hidden Poverty: Working and Poor”

While poverty is often associated with unemployment or destitution, a growing number of people today are employed yet still poor. These are the working poor — individuals who work long hours, often in essential or low-wage jobs, but whose income is not enough to meet basic living costs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education.

This “hidden poverty” exists in plain sight: among the cleaners who maintain our offices, the security guards who keep us safe, the teachers, caregivers, and delivery drivers who keep society running. They are not jobless — yet they are trapped in cycles of insecurity, with little room to save, grow, or dream.

This theme invites us to look deeper — to understand:

• Why work no longer guarantees a way out of poverty,
• How rising living costs and stagnant wages widen inequality, and
• What changes are needed — in policies, business practices, and mind-sets — to ensure that every worker earns not just a wage, but a life of dignity.