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Social protection can prevent extreme poverty and counteract inequality
(LWI) - In a statement to the UN Human rights Council, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the World Council of Churches (WCC), and ACT Alliance have called for increased efforts to combat extreme poverty.
Gunnel Axelsson Nycander from Act Church of Sweden presented the statement on behalf of the three organizations on 29 June. The statement points out that studies had shown that social protection could prevent and combat extreme poverty and counteract the dramatic increase in inequality, particularly in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It calls on the Human Rights Council to establish a Global Fund for Social Protection to manage this and future crises.
“Poverty still affects the human rights and dignity of millions of people around the world,” said Isaiah Toroitich, LWF Head of Global Advocacy. “This is why LWF and its member churches engage in programs and advocacy that directly address its root causes.”
In 2017 the Twelfth Assembly of the LWF called on Lutheran churches and faith-based organizations everywhere to stand up and demand for fair redistribution of wealth and social protection, as a matter of justice and human rights for all.
Statement on extreme poverty
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the World Council of Churches (WCC), ACT Alliance and their partners worldwide are deeply concerned by the ongoing increase in extreme poverty, hunger and human suffering and the lack of most basic protection of impoverished communities, especially in low-income countries.
While in high-income countries, an average of $695 per capita could be invested in COVID-19 social protection spending, it was only $4 in low-income countries, with the level of domestic financing being nearly zero.
Studies have shown that social protection can prevent and combat extreme poverty and counteract the dramatic increase in inequality.
We, therefore, call upon the international community:
- To prioritize social protection floor spending nationally and internationally to deliver on the human right to social security at a time when extreme poverty is increasing while global wealth continues to grow.
And we call upon the Human Rights Council to:
- Support the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights to establish a Global Fund for Social Protection to manage this and future crises.
By LWF/A. Weyermüller
The 47th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council takes place from 21 June to 13 July 2021. LWF participates in its sessions through statements, side events, and other activities. This is an integral part of LWF’s advocacy work.
