*Abolish Patriarchal Customs ! * *Call for Gender Equality to End Poverty* **
*Could I ask you all please to Stand Up Against Poverty of Women * * * *On the occasion of, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us show our commitment to the fight against extreme poverty and inequality.* * * *Let us stand because we refuse to accept more excuses in a world where 50,000 people die every day as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider. And the deprivation and discrimination women face from the State and the communities to which they belong.* * * *Let us stand because we want our leaders to honour their promises to meet the Millennium Development Goals – and we ask them to exceed these goals.* * * *Let us join in solidarity with people from over 100 countries to say: * * * *To the leaders of the wealthy countries – * *We urge you to keep your promises on poverty – debt relief, more and better aid, trade justice and gender equality.* * * *To the leaders of poorer countries – make it your first responsibility to save the lives of your poorest citizens. We ask you to tackle inequality, to be accountable to your people, to govern fairly and justly, to fight corruption and to fulfill human rights.* * * *Today, and every day, we will stand up and speak out against poverty. We will continue the fight against poverty and inequality and to hold our leaders to their promises. * * * *We are asking not for charity but for justice. We are millions of voices standing in solidarity to say, no more excuse - end poverty now. End gender based discrimination now.* * * *We demand cultural identities of the communities given due dignity, and along with that abolishing of all customs which promote gender inequality and forms of violence against women. * ** ** *Gender, Livelihoods and Resources Forum (GLRF)* *Jharkhand (**India**)*
