Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind
are integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
‘Now is the time to stand by our commitment to leave no-one behind’ urges the United Nations Secretary-General.
However, the global pandemic has delayed progress and even increased inequality of opportunities for women, children and the most vulnerable in society. Economic challenges, reduced wages and increased unemployment have hit the poorest and most vulnerable groups and individuals hard. Opportunities for education, already fragile, have become unattainable for many children already disadvantaged by poverty. Adequate health provision is only available to a relative few. Discrimination on the basis of religion, gender and ethnicity is on the increase.
Refugees and migrants, as well as indigenous peoples, older persons, people with disabilities and children are particularly at risk of being left behind.
Read
Matthew 15:21-28 ‘It’s not fair!’
Pray
God of love, who created all people in your image,
we confess that we sometimes fail to treat others as human beings,
equal in value to ourselves.
Some people suffer as if they were less than human,
unable to realise their potential
because of where they live, or the colour of their skin, their gender or race.
We all have our favourites.
We even tolerate injustice and discrimination
pretending it does not affect us.
As Jesus gave loving attention to those who were marginalised and rejected
help us to speak and act on behalf of those who are vulnerable
so that no-one is left behind. Amen
Respond
- Notice who is disadvantaged in your society and advocate for justice on their behalf.
- Urge your government to change laws that discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity or religion.
- Ensure your church avoids discriminatory practices.
- Do what you can to enable everyone to access the vaccination against COVID-19.
To find out more about Goal 10 and other Sustainable Development Goals visit: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment
The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
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