What Are Ways to Reduce Poverty in the World?
Governments, organizations and philanthropists have long sought ways to reduce poverty in the world. With each failed initiative comes a learning that propels humanity closer to sustainable solutions. History and research have both shown that poverty reduction must be multifaceted and address areas proven to trap generations in cycles of hardship. One such area that must be addressed is education.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) names education as one the most important factors in combating poverty.1 In its 2015 Incheon Declaration, the organizations gathered declared,
“Inclusion and equity in and through education is the cornerstone of a transformative education agenda, and we therefore commit to addressing all forms of exclusion and marginalization, disparities and inequalities in access, participation and learning outcomes.”2
Worldwide, 773 million youth and adults are illiterate.3 UNESCO writes,
“This results in an exclusion of low-literate and low-skilled youth and adults from full participation in their communities and societies,”
Even with a booming economy, those without basic literacy and math skills cannot find a job that will alleviate the worst of poverty, including malnutrition and in adequate housing. This keeps people from bettering their lives and limits a community’s and country’s ability to grow and keep on growing.
This is why GFA World is committed to education and literacy for as many people as we can reach. GFA understands, too, that women in South Asia in particular face some of the greatest obstacles towards literacy. That is why we have created the Women’s Literacy Program. In developing countries the chance of a girl to grow up healthy and educated become a monumental challenge. If a family is struggling financially, school often will be the first thing to stop. She is then left to a life of manual labor, possible child marriage, or worse.
Your gift to Women’s Literacy through GFA can help generations end cyclical poverty as well as strengthen entire communities. If women, in particular, know how to read, they can read warning labels for safety, help their children with school work, understand prices in the marketplace and secure jobs that pay more to support their families. Literacy is critical to many areas of life for those struggling to survive day to day.
There is also another crucial area of access when literacy is given: they are able to read God’s Word. Hope through work, food and health is wonderful, but hope through Jesus Christ is eternal. GFA World can bring both literacy and the Word of God to people in areas who have never met Him and want to learn more about Him and what He did for them. Give to literacy today and you give them the chance to read about God’s plan for humanity through Jesus Christ.
Learn more about poverty in Asia
1 “Education Transforms Lives.” UNESCO. Accessed February 4, 2022, https://en.unesco.org/themes/education/.
2 “Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All.” p. 6. UNESCO. 2016. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245656.
3 “Literacy.” UNESCO. Accessed February 4, 2022. https://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy.