AGE Platform: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Start acting on the Europe 2020 poverty target!
While the United Nations is celebrating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and the global community has set itself the goal of ‘ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including by eradicating extreme poverty by 2030’ in the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Union faces major challenges in meeting its own target to reduce poverty by 20 million between 2008 and 2020. For one in five Europeans over 50 living at risk of poverty, decisive action is needed.
“The lack of EU action on reducing poverty of older persons is a denial of their right to live independently and in dignity, enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights”, said Anne-Sophie Parent, AGE Secretary-General. “Poverty affects 33 million persons over 55 in the EU. Even if the overall share of older people living in poverty has slightly diminished since 2008, pension reforms put at a serious risk specific groups such as women, people with disabilities and with disrupted careers. The EU should take action to guarantee adequate minimum incomes for people of all ages.”
