Cause For Poverty & How Our Actions Can Help
In a total population of 8 billion , 8% is impoverished. Which means, there is a whopping amount of six hundred and forty million (640000000) people who are facing difficulty to have a meal thrice a day. So, where does the world stand when it comes to hunger rate? Is it really possible to provide a destined conclusion of poverty?
For example, by this year, will we have a zero population suffering from world hunger?
The unfortunate part of any statistics is it cannot provide such definite data.
Then why is this social issue still plaguing us? In order to understand the effect, we have to go back to the root of the cause.
What Causes Poverty
An overall conclusion to poverty is that one cannot fight it, unless they know the reason behind it.
1. Civil Conflicts
Political violence is one of the biggest causes of social issues like poverty. Large scale violence can impact infrastructure and economy, stopping growth in such countries.
The Syrian civil conflict is an appropriate example of such a growth halt. In 2023, it will be the tenth year of the country’s conflict. This is destroying households everyday, and people are carrying nothing but the debris behind their backs.
When there isn’t a permanent roof over their head, the thought of a warm meal suffers. The constant political conflict has turned more than 80% of Syria’s population below the poverty line.
2. Hunger & Malnutrition
Upon drawing a conclusion of poverty, many might consider hunger as the leading effect of poverty. However, the insufferable loop of poverty is much more terrifying.
Hunger is not just an effect, but also a leading cause of poverty.
If employment is hard to find in this day and age, it is even harder to commit to one with a poor physical state.
The lack of energy due to less than minimum nutritional intake can prevent anyone from giving their hundred percent in a job. Especially if it is a very laborious job.
Individuals losing their job because of performance incapability caused by malnutrition is another cause of poverty.
Lack of nutritional meals for pregnant women can lead to stunted birth, and other deformities. This causes a chain reaction of generational poverty.
According to recent data, adults who were stunted as children earn, on average, 22% less than those who weren’t stunted. In Ethiopia, stunting contributes to gdp losses as high as 16%.
3. No Access To Hygiene & Sanitation
Above poverty is not always classified as a means to have a healthy meal, and a roof over one’s head. In conclusion of poverty, the right living condition also plays a major role.
Proper hygiene and sanitation (especially for women to cope with their menstrual cycle) is important to lead a better life.
Plus, getting to the right water body in order to not consume contaminated water becomes a major task. In some dry lands in India like Rajasthan & Gujrat, women travel for hours to bring clean water for their families.
They lose precious time which they could have utilized in other employment, or education.
Drinking contaminated water on the other hand is affected with diseases like typhoid, and cholera. Both are malign diseases if not treated properly. This is keeping earning members of the family bed ridded, and the family vaults empty due to the medical expenditures.
4. Inequality
Poverty is not all about hunger and poor hygiene management. In fact, our societal construction also has a big role in feeding inequality.
Individuals still face gender, caste, and racial inequality where some groups stunts their economic growth.
Some of such prejudice and measures of such inequality are so subtle that it might not be too obvious. Which makes it even more dangerous for such an impoverished lot.
For a population to escape such poverty statistics, all groups must be involved in the decision-making process. Most importantly, when it comes to having a say in the societal, and political matters that determine someone’s place in their society.
Conclusion of poverty, and it’s tiring times will come with giving people the freedom to choose
5. Lack Of Education
Money might help an impoverished family for a temporary time being, but education can break their chain of poverty.
Lack of this element in many lives is one of the leading causes for education. No educated person is living in extreme poverty. Their knowledge is allowing them to break the barriers of unemployment and find something to do.
Plus, proper education offers people the choice of goal which also contributes to the quality of life.
The lack of which is keeping people stuck in the loop of poverty.
In Conclusion Of Poverty
Poverty is a cause with deep roots, and thus eradicating them all at once is impossible. However, as responsible citizens we must always do our part. Here is how you can reduce poverty as a student.
- Start with involving yourself in campaigns which initiate to keep our environment clean. This will help provide a clean living space, air, and water for those less fortunate to you. Overall, helping them lead a comparatively better life.
- Join campaigns that send students to below-poverty areas to teach the children for free. This volunteering work can help you understand the economic and social situation of these impoverished families a bit better. Plus, help educate your peers regarding these volunteering programs as well.
- Charity begins at home, which means your old clothes, blankets, and books are always open to share with the less privileged.
- Sustainability is the key to a good living for all. Ensure that you do not spend too much resources like forest resources, and water. The more careful you are, the more you will be able to help those who need it.
In conclusion of poverty, it is easier to eradicate if we all join hands and work together. After all, empathy and compassion are the key ingredients to start contributing towards their society.
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