Veel families hebben moeite om rond te komen. Sterfgevallen als gevolg van armoede, waaronder zelfdoding, komen regelmatig voor. Oxford Poverty and Human Development Index geeft de volgende definitie aan armoede: Een gebrek aan inkomsten voor duurzaam levensonderhoud, honger, ondervoeding, beperkte toegang tot onderwijs en faciliteiten, en sociale en economische discriminatie.
 

Facts

Poverty is one of the harsh realities of life in India.

• According to a CNN survey, only 5% of India’s population made enough to pay taxes, 2.5% owned a vehicle, and less than 10%had a salaried job.
• Illiteracy is extremely common in rural areas. Only 3.5% of students in India graduate and about 35.7% of the population doesn’t know how to write or read.
• In 2012, there were 270 million — or one in every five — impoverished Indians; 80% of poor Indians lived in rural areas.
• Many of the poor Indians have no access to basic amenities: 21% of poor Indians have restrooms, 61% have electricity and only 6% have tap water.
• A heartbreaking 38 out of every 1,000 babies born in India die before their first birthday.
• The rapid population growth in India outpaces the country's income growth, leading to a need for more low-wage labour and exacerbating poverty.
• India's extreme climate, including scorching heat and natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones, hampers work productivity, damages agriculture, and affects people living in poverty.
• “Your Article Library” explains that low levels of investment create low income and perpetuate the cycle of poverty
• India has the largest population living below the poverty line, with 30% surviving on less than $1.90 a day, according to Business Today.
• Approximately 56% of Indians, around 680 million people, struggle to meet their basic needs, according to The Huffington Post. Even those above the poverty line, around 413 million people, remain vulnerable to harsh conditions.

Impact

The impact of poverty on people’s lives is profound:

• Een laag inkomen geeft veel stress aan bijvoorbeeld ouders, die worstelen om voor het gezin te kunnen zorgen
• Lack of education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as parents cannot afford to provide higher education, leading to school dropouts and child labour.
• Finding employment can be difficult due to a lack of education, as companies and organizations prefer hiring individuals with qualifications.
• The stress of poverty can lead to family breakdowns.
• Crime rates increase as individuals resort to illegal activities to fulfil their basic needs.
• Poverty-induced mental pressure and depression contribute to a significant number of suicides.
• Discrimination against the poor is prevalent, as people create social barriers and standards to avoid engaging with them.
• Lack of access to medical care and the high cost of critical treatments lead to preventable deaths.
• Abuse, particularly towards women, is pervasive within households.

Create opportunities

Purple’s answer to poverty revolves around empowering women and girls. We believe in providing opportunities for women and girls to reach their full potential and break free from poverty. As Purple, we invest in their skills, and support them in starting their own businesses. Our goals align with ending poverty in all its forms, promoting inclusive and equitable quality education, achieving gender equality, and fostering sustainable economic growth. By reducing inequality, we aim to create a brighter future for women and girls, and their communities in India. The path to eradicating poverty starts with collective effort and a commitment to change.