Every year since 2009, on February 20th, the United Nations and people across the world recognise the World Day of Social Justice. 

First approved in 2007, the World Day of Social Justice came about due to a need to acknowledge the importance of social justice as the world became more globalised and technology sectors grew, all the while crises of finance, famine, and poverty continued to affect people across the globe.   

The day was proposed as a means to two key goals.  The first is to re-invigorate and galvanise both governments and individuals to fulfil commitments to social justice and devise fresh approaches to tackle crises around the world.  The second is to remind both governments and individuals of the interconnectedness of peace, prosperity, and security with social justice and human rights, for the indisputable fact is that one cannot exist without the other. 

We recognize the World Day of Social Justice by reflecting upon and learning about the concept of social justice, and recognising the work that we have done, as well as the work that we must continue.  Social Justice is an ongoing fight, and one that we must commit wholeheartedly to in order to create a world that welcomes and supports all, no matter who we are or how we move through the world.  

For this year’s article, the CPHS would like to highlight two items which are inextricably linked with this occasion and social justice as a whole.  These are the basic frameworks for social justice, and the importance of intersectionality in matters of human rights.   

 

The Basic Frameworks for Social Justice 

The first definition of a ‘basic framework for social justice’ was proposed at the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen.  At its core, the framework declared that the fundamental values of all nations, and our society as a whole, are those of social justice, harmony, solidarity, equality, and equity.  The Copenhagen Summit also recognised ‘three pillars,’ designed to guide national and global policy:; social integration, poverty eradication, and full employment. 

The United Nations expanded upon this framework during a panel discussion held to commemorate the launch of the World Day of Social Justice, defining multiple categories as follows: 

Social integration, or the responsibility of society to be inclusive of all.  Social justice is interconnected with the need to create a world where people are able to live equally, without prejudice, exclusion, or fear.  Crucially, this means including as many perspectives as possible in the process of making decisions, and working tirelessly to improve equitable access to opportunities in life.  

Poverty eradication, which is focused on addressing the root causes as well as overt manifestations of poverty, crucially including systemic inequalities in all areas of society.  In pursuit of social justice, governments are obligated to ensure the basic needs of their citizens, from food, water, and shelter to education and employment.  

Decent work denotes the importance of worker’s rights.  This category is very large, but some of the key goals are ensuring safety, social protection, and fair pay for workers, tackling gender inequality, guaranteeing the ability to work for yourself, protecting the many people who work in ‘informal labour,’ and assuring equal access to employment.  Decent work also critically tackles the massive problem of modern-day slavery.  An excellent example of decent work is the ideals of the Fair Trade movement, ensuring that food and other goods do not come to the consumer at the expense of human suffering. 

Global Financial Architecture zeroes in on restructuring the global economy to allow marginalised peoples full access to economic and social systems both locally and internationally.  Policy making across the globe must also be directed to recognize essential human rights for all.  Supporting developing countries as they integrate into a more ‘fair and responsive’ international financial framework is also of deep importance.   

Participation and awareness raising, wherein movements across the spectrum of human rights might join forces to collectively progress towards their shared goals.  Civil organisations are crucial in creating change, and this must be supported and encouraged at all levels of government.  Raising awareness of the concept of social justice and the many crises it faces around the world is a key responsibility of any government, done according to the principles of equity, democracy, participation, transparency, accountability, and inclusion. 

Finally, legal recognition, which focuses primarily on preventing the exploitation of the people by those in positions of power.  This includes ensuring the rights to justice and access to a court, proof and recognition of legal identity, right to own property, protection for workers, and spreading awareness about the fundamental rights inalienable from every person.   

The Importance of Intersectionalism 

The World Day of Social Justice, and the basic framework, remind us of the importance of intersectionality in any struggle for human rights.  Intersectionality can be defined as the fact that no person, and no crisis, can be understood through a single lens.  In the struggle for gender, sexuality, and relationship diverse (GSRD) rights, for example, it is crucial that we understand that sexism, racism, ableism, and many other prejudices are inextricably entwined with the movement.  Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two of the foremost leaders of the Pride movement of the US in the 1960s, were both trans women of colour, and their experiences as people of colour cannot, and must not, be seen as separate from their identities. 

Intersectionality means embracing the perspectives of those with different lived experiences from you, acknowledging that even if you face discrimination, you may still be privileged in other areas, and showing up to fight for the rights of all—not just those you identify with.  It is recognising that no movement is an island, and that we must work together to secure a bright future for us all.   

World Day of Social Justice reminds us of this fact, and calls upon us to reflect on what we currently are, and could be, doing.  The fight for social justice for us all is a battle that has been waged for centuries, but we must never take that to mean it is a pointless struggle.  In the last few years alone, we have seen such massive positive impact from individuals and organisations across the world who took it upon themselves to be forces for change, and that makes it all the more necessary that we continue the momentum, and keep the hope for an equitable, bright future held closely in our hearts. 

Written by: Holly Mitchell