What Needs To Change To Reduce Inequality In Today’s Age? What Steps Must Be Taken To Achieve SDG 10
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Global inequalities are very important and represent one of the main obstacles to sustainable development and poverty eradication. In recent years, inequalities have increased in many countries around the globe. They prevent certain social groups from fully participating in, and making a useful contribution to, social, cultural, political and economic debates.
In fact, COVID-19 is exacerbating existing inequalities and hitting the poorest and most vulnerable communities harder. The pandemic has highlighted economic inequality and the fragility of social safety nets that leave vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of the crisis. But social, political and economic inequalities have also, in turn, amplified the effects of the pandemic. On the economic front, for instance, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in global unemployment and has drastically reduced workers ' incomes in developed countries. With the spread of COVID-19, even the limited progress on gender equality and women's rights made in recent decades is likely to be ignored. In all spheres, be it health, economy, security or social protection, the devastation caused by COVID-19 is even more severe for women, for the only reason that they are women. As mandated by the United Nations, this period of crisis should be used to invest in policies and institutions that can reduce inequalities. As social policies and norms are being undermined, there is a need to capitalize on this crisis and take bold steps to address the inequalities that this crisis has highlighted to steer the world towards sustainable goals.
This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 10 also known as SDG 10 or Goal 10 that aims to reduce inequalities within and across countries. In concrete terms, it aims to sustainably increase the incomes of the poorest people around the world, develop their empowerment and promote their social, economic and political integration by the year 2030. Equal opportunities should be promoted through the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The SDG 10 calls for orderly and safe migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of a responsible migration policy. It calls for a better representation of all countries in international economic and financial institutions by promoting their voices in decision-making processes.
In Norway for example, it will be important to ensure, by the year 2030, through progressive improvements, that the incomes of the poorest 40% of the population increase faster than the national average income, in a sustainable manner. In the same vein, it will be imperative to empower all people and promote their social, economic and political integration, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, finance or any other status. It will also be necessary to ensure equal opportunities and reduce inequality in terms of outcomes, including eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting the adoption of appropriate laws, policies and measures in this regard. It will be important to adopt policies, including fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and gradually achieve greater equality. In addition, there is a need to consider improving the regulation and supervision of global financial institutions and markets and strengthening the enforcement of the rules.
On one hand, there is a need to ensure that humanitarian marginalized countries are more represented and heard in decision-making circles so that they are more credible, transparent and legitimate. An emphasis should therefore be placed on the implementation of fair business treatment between partner countries in business per the agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It will also be necessary to stimulate official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to those States that need it under their national plans and development programs.
The coronavirus Crisis also affected strong economies; we have seen how the US job market had suffered during the pandemic when many businesses had to close. In European countries like Italy, many citizens could not have access to medical aid due to the limitation of the resources proposed by the government. The situation is even worse in regions affected by violent conflicts where the populations are suffering the double effect of war and health crisis.
The fight against inequalities falls within a plurality of policy areas: this is what makes it difficult. But, while it is probably impossible to eradicate all the inequalities, it is possible to reduce their intensity and, above all, to manage to bring out those whom the blows of fate have precipitated into it. Everyone can go through difficult times, but it is important to get out of it, as quickly as possible and without long-term negative consequences. Reducing extreme inequality is a goal within our reach. All stakeholders should get involved more actively to make our Earth a better place.
Sources : www.globalgoals.org - www.fao.org – www.worldbank.org