A few years ago the idea that extreme poverty was harmful was on the fringes of the economic and political debate. But having made the case we are now seeing an emerging consensus among business leaders, economic leaders, political leaders and even faith leaders.

Winnie Byanyima

Categorized in : Ideas Years Leader

Climate change is the biggest threat to our chances of winning the fight against hunger.

Winnie Byanyima

climate fighting winning

By empowering a woman, we empower a child. By educating a girl child, we make it possible for her to grow up to become an empowered woman.

Winnie Byanyima

growing-up girl children

It is staggering that in the 21st century, half of the world's population - that's three and a half billion people - own no more than a tiny elite whose numbers could all fit comfortably on a double-decker bus.

Winnie Byanyima

half numbers people

In the US a child born into a poor family will become a poor adult. The american dream is just that - it is not true, because of the level of extreme inequality.

Winnie Byanyima

dream inspiring children

We need a race to the top so that we have policies and regulations that protect human rights, the environment and that reduce poverty.

Winnie Byanyima

race rights needs

Another world is possible, without the 1 percent.

Winnie Byanyima

another-world world

What is concerning is that work in the informal sector is characterised by vulnerability, low wages and no rights. So it is not the way that we lift people out of poverty in Africa.

Winnie Byanyima

wages rights people

Giving a minimum wage reduces inequality significantly.

Winnie Byanyima

minimum-wage inspiring giving

The scale of global inequality is quite simply staggering.

Winnie Byanyima

staggering scales inequality

Cuba needs to engage in the global economy and the embargo cuts them out, we are going to be calling for a lifting of that embargo and normalizing relations sooner rather than later.

Winnie Byanyima

world

We can't keep doing what we always did when their problems multiply.

Winnie Byanyima

world

Investing in vital infrastructure will help to build more sustainable, equitable economies.

Winnie Byanyima

build help more will

Wealth is used to entrench inequality, not to trickle down and solve it.

Winnie Byanyima

down inequality wealth used

Development cooperation between nations is very important because it is one of the building blocks of shared peace, prosperity, and human rights for all. It is one of the antidotes to the poison of xenophobia.

Winnie Byanyima

building development important peace

Protecting space for civil society and citizenry is particularly critical in a world marked by rising political and economic inequality.

Winnie Byanyima

society political space world

Instead of presiding over an economic system that panders to big business and a wealthy elite, a more human economy must be established which meets the needs of African women and young people.

Winnie Byanyima

big women business people

When men and women, boys and girls, are denied the right to education, the right to own land, the access to basic services like healthcare and clean water, a fair price for the crops they grow, a fair wage for the work they do, or the right to be part of making decisions that affect them, the result is poverty.

Winnie Byanyima

women education work men

Governments, the investor and business community, and civil society organizations and public representatives need to work together to ensure the necessary foundations are in place to align private finance to guarantee sustainable and equitable development and poverty reduction.

Winnie Byanyima

finance business together work

Governments should end the extreme concentration of wealth in order to end poverty. This means tackling tax dodging but also increasing taxes on wealth and high incomes to ensure a more level playing field and generate the billions of dollars needed to invest in healthcare, education, and job creation.

Winnie Byanyima

end job poverty education

Our economic system has enabled companies and individuals to use their power and influence to capture and retain an ever-increasing share of the benefits of economic growth while the benefits for the poorest in society have shrunk.

Winnie Byanyima

influence growth society power