Reduced Inequalities

By Anna Levy

Background

Income inequality as well as inequalities on the basis of factors such as sex, race, disability, and religion are a major concern within and among nations. Thus, it is no wonder that

reducing inequalities is number 10 in the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and critical to their overall achievement. Much of the inequality that we observe today is a result of centuries of unattended disadvantage and unequal levels of opportunity for certain groups of people. This unequal opportunity leads to unequal outcomes, creating a cycle of disadvantage for marginalized cultural groups and developing nations while others continue to grow and thrive. Despite the cyclical nature of inequality and the large differences in inequality between nations, it is never too late to combat inaction and reduce inequalities on a global scale; in fact, increased social protection and more effective resource mobilization in the past five years has significantly decreased the number of tariffs and health expenditures in developing countries. It is our hope that the actions our society takes today to provide equal opportunity and lifestyles for those in need will establish a more equal and just world for our future generations.

Income Inequality

Between the years of 2011 and 2016, the bottom 40% of nations experienced

considerable growth in reducing income inequality and distributing wealth to less-developed areas through more effective trade policies. However, unequal distribution of wealth to the top 1% is still a major issue in most nations, and developing countries still receive only 40% of voting rights in economic global conferences despite making up around 70% of their membership. In America, the income gap between the top 10% and the rest of the population has been growing exponentially for the past 30 years, with the top .01% of Americans averaging over 196 times as much income as the bottom 90% as of 2018. On the contrary, the poverty rate in America has merely fluctuated around its average over the past several decades. Gender and race also play a role in annual income, as women and people of color make up less than one-third of the top 1% due to discrimination in the workplace and differences in opportunity levels.

The Coronavirus and Inequality

The coronavirus has played an integral role in highlighting existing inequalities and particularly vulnerable communities, as economic, social, and political inequalities only

heightened the effects of the pandemic. The United Nations emphasizes their “no one left

behind” philosophy in their efforts to combat the pandemic, stating that now more than ever is the time to lend a helping hand to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations. Within these nations, existing inequalities relating to wealth, opportunity, and demographic continue to increase as the coronavirus leaves many unemployed and seeking access to social and health services. The UN also continues to increase international and political support for these vulnerable groups through the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, but it will take more than funding to eliminate the inequalities that created this disproportionate burden. Across the globe, poverty and economic inequality have resulted in higher mortality and transmission rates for those affected, as the availability of health care and preventative measures is greater for the wealthy and educated. As we work together to spread resources and combat the coronavirus, it is essential to keep in mind the disproportionate burden that low income and impoverished families face in disasters such as this.

It Takes a Village

While many of us are eager to get into the world and promote positive change, reducing

inequalities on a global scale requires the effort of a society, not just an individual. However, this is not to say that individuals cannot take steps to reduce inequalities in their own lives. As members of a larger community, every person must fight to eliminate discriminatory laws and practices and establish inclusive economic and social policies so that at-risk groups have the same opportunities as the wealthy and privileged. Important groups to include when considering these policies are racial minorities, the LGBTQ community, and disabled persons, as these groups face the greatest rate of inequality on a global scale.

Prejudice is not always obvious, and is often so deeply ingrained into our societal norms that it remains unaddressed and unattended. With the recent instances of police brutality and protesting, inequalities related to race are surfacing on a monumental level, and people all over the world are rallying to spread awareness and support for their black brothers and sisters. As a global community, we must use this newfound awareness as a launching pad for addressing inequalities on a larger scale, whether they be related to racial injustice or income inequality. We have gotten a taste of what can be accomplished when we join forces and rally together for change, but reducing inequalities is a never ending battle, and the sooner we begin, the sooner we can make strides towards change.

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