THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY is a laudable endeavour on which all the political administrations in Barbados have placed emphasis since nationhood five decades ago. Poverty has, however, proven to be an elusive target even though over the years there have been remarkable improvements in the quality of life for an ever increasing number of this country’s people.
In just two generations, Barbados has made giant steps from being a low-income plantation society snarled by widespread poverty to a relatively prosperous developing nation with a corps of educated people in productive sectors, resulting in a rising middle class. But poverty still abounds.
That is why today’s observance of International Day For The Eradication Of Poverty should cause us to take note of how we can surmount this problem within a fixed period.
Global leaders have identified a number of sustainable development goals that they want to achieve within the next 15 years, and ending poverty is the No. 1 priority.
Making this a reality will require more than talk and promises from politicians and technocrats. It also means that much more than one day a year will have to be set aside for raising awareness of this issue, which many across Barbados dismiss as not being their concern.
In the quest to end poverty, this country must return to strong economic growth. But it will also have to do more to increase agricultural productivity, provide good and relevant education for all its people; have a more embracing business environment with greater ease in doing business. Of course, there must be universally affordable quality health care.
But it also means that there must be a greater emphasis on good governance in both the private and public sectors. So from procurement to implementation of projects there must be a higher level of transparency with greater emphasis on accountability than now obtains. We have to eliminate corruption.
Issues impacting access to proper housing, water and sanitation as well as urban and rural renewal will all have to be tackled with some urgency in this fight against poverty.
Barbados has done well over in the last 40 years to embrace and push gender equality, but more must be done, especially in the amelioration of the plight of women, particularly those who work as home helpers. Payment of what can only be termed a subsistence wage is not going to cut it in the fight against poverty. That is why social inclusion and fighting inequality and injustice must all be part of this battle.
Eradicating poverty is an ambitious goal, but it is a very achievable one. It clearly calls for more than just access to money, for it requires greater equality and a society in which tolerance and harmony are a must. Every citizen of this country deserves an opportunity to prosper.
