Social Concerns

Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies

October 17

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) underscores that ending poverty is about dignity, justice, and belonging, not just income. This year's theme focuses on ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families, with a clear goal: put the furthest behind first and build institutions that help families stay together, thrive, and shape their own futures.

Families in poverty often face stigma and punitive practices in places meant to help: schools, clinics, welfare offices, and child protection systems. Single mothers, Indigenous families, and historically discriminated groups report judgment and control that erode trust and agency, sometimes culminating in poverty-driven family separation with lasting emotional and social harm to children and parents.

To change course three shifts are urged. Move from control to care by designing trust-based, person-centered services with fewer punitive conditions and simpler documentation. Move from surveillance to support by investing in income support, quality childcare, adequate housing, mental health care, parenting support, and access to justice. Move from top-down to co-created solutions by involving families living in poverty in all stages from assessment, design, budgeting, delivery, to evaluation.

Supporting families advances multiple SDGs (SDG—1, SDG—2, SDG—3, SDG—4, SDG—5, SDG—8, SDG—10, SDG—16) through coherent, jointly delivered policies across social protection, education, health, housing, and employment. With people-centered development gaining momentum ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha (4–6 November 2025), this agenda translates commitments into concrete, measurable change by respecting, protecting, and supporting families.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-for-eradicating-poverty