Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

I don’t know about you, but eradicating poverty sounds like a pretty good idea.  It also sounds a little bit overwhelming.  Correction:  It sounds VERY overwhelming.

There is a very clear connection between poverty and violence.  The fact that we support structures that sustain poverty is a violent act.  This makes the connection of nonviolence and the eradiation of poverty of the utmost importance.

But how exactly do we go about this?  Clearly there is not just one answer. 

I am very supportive of the theme that the UN has designated for this year.  “People Living in Poverty as Agents of Change: 20th Anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.”  Empowering people living in poverty is a wonderful place to start.

But what does this mean for me, someone who is not living in poverty?  This question can be transformed to, “How can I support the eradication of poverty as an ally?”

For me, it begins with a focus.  Eradicating poverty as a whole is so daunting that I can hardly respond.  Yet when I look at the relationship between women and poverty, I am overwhelmed. Of the 37 million people living below the poverty line in the US, 21 million are women, according to US Census Bureau figures from 2006.  There are many aspects of this statistic that blow me away.  It demonstrated a need for someone to address the issue of women in poverty.  And why can’t that person be me?

What is your way of eradicating poverty?

Check it out:www.womenfightpoverty.org/