Inequalities and Poverty

IDS works with global partners to generate new knowledge and evidence to identify the underlying causes of inequalities and poverty in all their dimensions and the progressive policies and practices that can help bring about transformative change.

Eradicating extreme poverty remains one of the world’s most pressing challenges, and addressing it requires the rising economic, social and political inequalities that harm people in rich and poor countries alike to be tackled.

IDS has also played a prominent part in promoting an approach that puts power at the heart of development analysis and contributed to strengthening understanding of the relationship between power, gender, sexual rights and poverty.

We continue to provide new analysis on inequalities and poverty trends, particularly in relation to the expansion of digital technologies and their impact on the lives of the poorest and most marginalised, and the growth of global cities and what this means for both urban and rural livelihoods, social relations and sustainability. Moreover, we work with governments, civil society, businesses and many others to help ensure this analysis shapes policies and programmes such as social protection and cash transfers to reduce poverty and vulnerability and strengthen livelihoods including agriculture.

People

Deepta Chopra

Professorial Research Fellow

Keetie Roelen

IDS Honorary Associate

Jerker Edström

Research Fellow

Melissa Leach

Emeritus Fellow

John Gaventa

Research Fellow and Director, Action for Empowerment and Accountability (A4EA) programme

Danny Burns

Professorial Research Fellow

Sohela Nazneen

Research Fellow

Patricia Justino

Professorial Fellow

Programmes and centres

Projects

Recent work

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Showing 13–24 of 15276 results

Book

Food Fight: From Plunder and Profit to People and Planet

Stuart Gillespie - a veteran of four decades at the frontline of global food policy - exposes how malnutrition is enmeshed with other crises and what we can all do to turn things around. Food is life but our food system is killing us. Designed in a different century for a different purpose...

24 April 2025

Opinion

Deadly childbirths: the need to invest in maternal healthcare in Afghanistan

One woman dies in Afghanistan every two hours while trying to give birth and 167 children die in Afghanistan from preventable causes every day. In this bleak context, IDS alumna Tanjila Mazumder Drishti shares more about the dire state of care for pregnant women in Afghanistan and why it is...

Tanjila Mazumder Drishti, Regional Lead - Asia at Global Resource Mobilization and Partnerships, BRAC International

24 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Türkiye

Countering Rollback Country Brief

Anti-feminist discourse has long been present among groups across the political spectrum in Türkiye. Erdoğan has explicitly stated that he is against gender equality, that abortion is murder, and that using contraception undermines the nation. This rhetoric influenced the official stance on...

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: South Africa

Countering Rollback Country Brief

South Africa’s Constitution offers protection, and formal recognition as equal citizens, to women and to LGBTQI+ people. It also positions South Africa as an important regional place of refuge for LGBTQI+ Africans, despite the country’s high rates of gender-based violence and xenophobia.

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Philippines

Countering Rollback Country Brief

Feminist and LGBT+ movements in the Philippines face mounting challenges that are deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and political dynamics. Machismo culture continues to reinforce strict gender roles and perpetuate male dominance, leaving little room for gender equality.

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Pakistan

Countering Rollback Country Brief

Ongoing political and economic turmoil has deepened existing gendered inequities and compounded rollback in Pakistan. Increasing political polarisation has led to greater restrictions on civil and political rights and a crackdown on dissent.

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Nigeria

Countering Rollback Country Brief

Nigeria’s socio-political and economic environment presents significant challenges for women’s rights and for LGBTQI+ rights. Women also face discriminatory practices, such as in the northern Kano state, where civil service rules penalise women for pregnancy-related training interruptions.

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Mexico

Countering Rollback Country Brief

In Mexico, significant progress has been made in promoting gender equality but, despite these advances, organisations operate in an environment that remains adverse for women and LGBTQI+ people.

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Kenya

Countering Rollback Country Brief

Kenya’s socio-political environment presents significant challenges for women’s and LGBTQI+ rights. Conservative social attitudes – deeply influenced by religious beliefs, political leaders, and traditional norms – exacerbate these challenges.

16 April 2025

Brief

Rapid Scoping Review 2025: Kazakhstan

Countering Rollback Country Brief

In Kazakhstan, social tensions between the Soviet legacy and the country’s identity as an independent nation perpetuate deep-seated homophobia. Despite the decriminalisation of consensual same-sex conduct in 1998, individuals who are LGBT+ continue to face fear and abuse, leading them to...

16 April 2025

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In an extraordinary time of challenge and change, we use more than 50 years of expertise to transform development approaches that create more equitable and sustainable futures. The work you do with us will help make progressive change towards universal development; to build and connect solidarities for collective action, locally and globally. The University of Sussex has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies for the past five years (QS World University Rankings by Subject).

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