Activists and students gather during a ‘Dark Valentine’ themed mini-concert and vigil to commemorate the lives of young women killed in incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) at the University of Nairobi grounds in capital Nairobi on February 14, 2024. An alarming surge in the number of murders of young women in incidents of GBV in recent years has sparked uproar and calls for greater protection from government from female-rights groups.
Photo credit: Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images 

World Day of Social Justice

The World Day of Social Justice, observed on February 20th each year, serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need to address issues of social justice globally. This year, the theme – Global Coalition for Social Justice: Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances highlights the importance of fostering dialogue on actions needed to achieve social justice by strengthening the social contract fractured by rising inequalities, conflicts and weakened institutions meant to uphold and protect the rights of all.

Understanding social justice
Social justice embodies creating a society based on equality and solidarity, where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from social and economic progress. It is about ensuring all of us, regardless of our background or circumstances, have access to basic rights and resources such as education, healthcare, employment and human rights.

The term “social justice” was coined in the 19th century, by an Italian Jesuit priest and philosopher Luigi Taparelli, and later popularised by the Catholic Church. It emerged in response to the social and economic upheavals brought about by industrialisation and the rise of capitalism, which led to widespread poverty, exploitation and social unrest.

The relevance of social justice today
The need for social justice is more pressing than ever. Despite significant progress in areas such as poverty reduction and access to education and healthcare, challenges remain. Rising inequalities, conflicts and weakened institutions continue to undermine efforts to create a more just and equitable society.

The impact of social injustice
The lack of social justice has profound consequences for communities and societies. Other than increasing poverty, inequality and social unrest, it hampers development by limiting access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities, particularly for marginalised groups such as women, children and minorities.

Promoting social justice in organisations
Your organisation can play a crucial role in promoting social justice by adopting policies and practices that promote equality, diversity and inclusion. This includes ensuring fair wages, providing opportunities for advancement, and creating a safe and respectful work environment.

In addition, you can advance social justice by documenting and publishing your engagement with the communities you serve on how they support initiatives that address social and economic inequalities. Such an initiative allows you to track and evaluate these activities, demonstrate their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Publishing of internal  newsletters for example, further allows your organisation to learn from past experiences and successes to improve its programmes and impact value strategies over time.

Celebrating World Day of Social Justice each year serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing need to address social injustices and work towards creating fairer and more equitable societies for all. It highlights the importance of promoting social justice through advocacy, awareness and action, and encourages individuals and organisations to contribute to positive change in their communities and beyond.