Empowering the world's poorest women and girls is the central moral challenge of our time. But what can we actually do about it? That's the focus of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be observed on October 17 in Atlanta and around the world.
CARE, the Atlanta-based global poverty-fighting organization, will host a "Take a Stand Against Poverty" event that Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to promote awareness and unite Atlantans in the fight against global poverty. The event, MC'd by CNN's Fredricka Whitfield, will feature two of the world's most prominent health and development experts – CARE President Dr. Helene Gayle and CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden – and performances by The Burundi Drummers and a surprise Grammy®-nominated, multi-platinum-selling band. A microfinance marketplace will showcase goods handmade by women from around the world and an award will be presented to two Atlanta-area girls who raised $50,000 to support international poverty-fighting programs. The event will take place at the American Cancer Society Center theater at 250 Williams Street in downtown Atlanta. General admission tickets for this exclusive one-night event are $50. For more information, visit www.care.org/action.
"This is an opportunity for Atlantans to get involved in a social movement to address the global challenges of our time," says Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. "On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I urge Atlantans to join this calling. Together, we can make real progress toward ending extreme poverty and empowering women and girls in the world's poorest countries."
On Oct. 17, millions of people around the world will unite to renew their commitment and show their solidarity for decisive action to end extreme poverty and gender inequality. Since 1987, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October. 17. Last year, 116 million people in 131 countries participated in this global call to action, helping ensure access to the resources and skills the world's poor need to change their lives in positive ways.
"As we face global economic challenges, it's all too easy to forget about the world's poor whose lives too often already hang by a thread," says Dr. Gayle. "We must not lose sight of the ever-present goal of defeating poverty and empowering women and girls."
