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Dimensions of poverty:
Planning commission (1979, 1993), Government of India equates poverty with the tangible dimensions of deprivation, i,e., lack of access to food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, water and basic education, and uses “ Food deprivation” in particular to identify the poor from the non poor. However, The Human Development Report, 1997, brought out by the UNDP, questions such a narrow equation of poverty with material deprivation. It argues the need for broadening the definition of poverty to include deprivation in terms of creativity, freedom, dignity, self- esteem and the respect of others (UNDP, 1997). Others, like Chambers (1998), draw attention to few additional intangible dimensions of deprivation: vulnerability, powerlessness and isolation. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 41.6% of the total Indian population falls below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25 a day.
Social and Economic Dimensions:
Economic and social development is necessary for achieving poverty reduction. Sustained high rates of economic growth are a prerequisite to this end. The creation of an institutional environment that is conducive to economic and social development is an indispensable part of any strategy for poverty alleviation. This requires a framework in tune with economic and social
realities and needs whilst flexible enough to change and adapt to new circumstances. Crucial elements are sound macroeconomic policies; an institutional and legal framework that meets the needs and interests of all segments of the economy and society; and transparent governance with effective safeguards against corruption. Ensuring secure property rights, not least for the poor, and removing barriers to graduation from the informal to the formal sectors of the economy deserve particular attention.
Increase in employment and labour productivity provides the main link between economic growth and poverty reduction. In order to reduce poverty, it is essential both to enhance the capacity of the economy to generate productive employment and decent working conditions, and to strengthen the ability of the poor to access these opportunities.
A propoor growth in rural areas necessitates a mutually supportive development of agriculture and nonfarm activities. The existence of small and medium scale enterprises as well as equitable access to appropriate technologies, markets, extension services and credits plays a key role in this regard.
Education and health are central to a meaningful life. They are also part of the
social and economic rights that should be guaranteed to all people.
The poor also suffer from a lack of access to markets and information and from
an inability to enforce their rights and organise themselves.
Corruption is not only highly detrimental to economic development; it also have a disproportionately greater effect on the poor. A high degree of transparency, straightforward rules of accountability and strong deterrents to corruption are essential to enhance the opportunities of the poor.
There is a need to elaborate options for social security that are not exclusively tied to family relations and that foster cohesion, redistribution and gender equality. Addressing the social dimensions of poverty reduction requires a good understanding of social relations and institutions, as well as promotion of democracy and human rights.
Cultural specificity is an important factor in poverty reduction, both in the broad sense (in terms of how people’ s lives are understood and organised by themselves) and in a more narrow sense (how their understanding and views are expressed).
The recognition of pluralism is an essential element in the creation of conditions for improved and sustainable living conditions.
Social inequalities regardless of if their basis is found along gender, ethnicity, disability, age or other lines – hinder the achievement of a pluralistic society. Gender based inequalities deprive women of their basic rights (including sexual and reproductive rights), disempower them and constrain their access to resources, opportunities and security. It also impairs overall development. Constraints on women’ s productive potential reduce individual and household incomes as well as economic growth at national levels. Investments in female education and health care pay particularly high dividends in terms of sustainable poverty alleviation for present and future generations.
Political Dimensions:
The determination and capacity of the state to guarantee human rights and freedoms for all inhabitants is of central importance. These include political and civil rights, such as freedom of thought and speech; right to a fair trial, to liberty and security; and protection against cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. They also include economic and social rights, such as those to food, housing, health and education. The right to social security and protection against exploitation and abuse is essential for children. The ability to exercise such rights requires democratic space.
Environmental Dimensions:
Poor people are particularly – and directly – dependent on natural resources for their survival (e.g. because of their limited assets and greater dependence on commonly held resources for their livelihoods). Good quality soils, productive forests and aquatic systems, and clean water and air are necessary assets for ensuring food security, energy, shelter and good health. Sustainable use of natural resources and protection of the environment is therefore a prerequisite for effective poverty reduction. Overuse of natural resources and environmental degradation not only reinforce today's poverty, but also put the sustainable livelihoods of future generations in peril.
Environment related stress – such as drought, soil erosion and floods, which cause famine and create refugees – contributes to impeding the mental and physical health of poor people, not least children. HIV/AIDS exacerbates existing development problems such as food insecurity. Poverty, health and the environment often interact in a vicious circle: poor people are less capable of coping with stress of various kinds and they lack the means to reduce stress,
for instance the cash and labour power needed to prevent soil erosion. Vulnerability increases: diminished agricultural output results in decreasing incomes, poor nutrition and growing health risks; disease and malnutrition make people less able to work.
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Participants