Poverty is a situation in which a person does not get access to the basic necessities of life such as healthy and nutritious food, shelter,clothes,medicine or any other necessary thing. Many Indians suffering from poverty cannot afford one meal a day.
“Poverty is the worst form of violence”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Poverty has many causes, a prominent one being inequality and marginalization. Many times just because of race, gender, caste etc people get paid less than ideal. Lack of education in many cases also leads to poverty. Lack of money for books and uniforms and a bias against girl’s education are some of the many barriers faced in making education more accessible for everyone.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world”
-Nelson Mandela
A significant solution to poverty could be providing paid sick days. This benefit not just the employees but also the employers themselves. Paid sick days would encourage workers to take a holiday in the event of sickness, reducing risks of contagion to other workers, making the workplace healthier and more productive. Workers could take rest and obtain proper medical care allowing them to return to ideal health and poverty sooner.
Not all solutions to poverty are related to the workplace or wages, Some could also provide financial help outside the workplace making life much more comfortable. Investing in high quality childcare and early education is one such solution. This would allow for parents to work and help the family break free from the chains of poverty. It also gives the children the learning opportunities they need for a strong start.
Poverty cannot be fixed on an individual level. It is a problem faced by many people and sections of society. It hinders human resource development and hence should be taken care of on a priority basis. We can do our part by donating to charities and giving our old items to the poor instead of throwing them away.
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