Reducing Poverty

Prospect of reducing poverty through rights-based approach

Introduction Poverty is a complex social problem, difficult to define and harder to evaluate and address as it is a global phenomenon; it exists not only in the South but also in the affluent nations in the North (Lister, 2004: 1). Poverty is described as unmet human needs that limit the living standard in the society (Hartley, 2010: 52) and in 1960 it was one of the top agendas of the World Bank, yet still today it is one of the dire issues. So, how can poverty be tackled? A potential solution could be rights-based approach although it has some shortcomings to it.

This essay analyses various perspectives in regards to the poverty reduction from a rights-based approach. First, it

Poverty is considered as a humanitarian approach (focuses on redistribution of resources that perpetuates inequality) and is also seen as a human rights violation; to get freedom from poverty is the core of human interest (Pogg, 2007: 43). Poverty in other words described by Townsend, T.H Marshall is not only seen as a deprivation of resources to live a better life but it is also a constrain on the full realization and utilization of civil, political and social rights. Hence, the international law that takes poverty as human rights violation protects the poor and marginalized people and gives them right to development and self-determination (Williams, 2006: 44-6). In parallel, to efficiently comprehend the rights and have resources, the rights-based approach synergizes the “top-bottom” and “bottom-top” approaches, which not only gives importance to the right holders but also to the duty bearers (UNESCO, 2008). Furthermore, these approaches unify first and second generation rights with an interdependence of human rights, ensures that people are able to articulate their rights and concurrently inform the formal institutions to capacitate or address their needs (UNESCO, 2008).

The major obligation lies with the modern state while implementing the rights-based approach programmes as they are the recipients of aid. As participation is one of the fundamental principles of the rights-based approach, the state needs to make sure that the people who are underrepresented are involved and benefitted (Uvin, 2010). Since the state is held responsible for the well-being and welfare of its people it has an obligation in disbursing the funds followed by monitoring process in order to track if the human rights aspects are incorporated in the projects (Andrea, 2004). Also, if the rights-based approach needs to be taken seriously, then governments, national and international aid actors need to apply the rights-based approach to alleviate poverty more effectively in all of their actions and in the political economy of equality (Uvin, 2010). But this raise a question on which policies for poverty reductions are to be funded as there is still a debate on its definition. Moreover, the capacity and the capability of the state to implement the rights-based approach is also questionable as it demands participation, realization, and fulfillment of rights to its