The Indispensable Role of Social Justice - World Day of Social Justice
20 February - Celebrating the World Day of Social Justice
By Prishika Adhira Bhoyroo / GICJ
In our rapidly growing global economy and a world that is increasingly vulnerable to social injustice and inequality, it is particularly relevant to designate a day honouring and promoting equality across the globe. In this light, every year on 20 February, the United Nations (UN) celebrates this day.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) would like to participate in the celebration of the World Day of Social Justice by highlighting the need to establish fairer societies, to promote decent work, and to reduce social exclusion and poverty [1].
World Day of Social Justice in Context:
This international day represents an unequivocal reminder to stakeholders around the world that justice must prevail and cannot be a mere ideal. However, despite their benefits, increasing globalisation and digitalisation have unfortunately put individuals at risk for inequalities, precarious work, and social exclusion. This has reinforced the need for the promotion of sustainable environments, equality of rights and opportunity, as well as the conception of safe technologies for consumption.
Whilst not providing a single definition, the UN states that: “social justice derives from equality of rights for all peoples and the possibility for all human beings, without discrimination, to benefit from the economic and social progress disseminated and secured through international cooperation” [2]. Moreover, the UN affirms that social justice is synonymous with: “international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion” [2].
20 February acts as a significant tool to not only evaluate the progress made by Member States but equally to reinforce efforts for the promotion of decent work and employment, poverty eradication, and access to justice for all [3]. These efforts are in line with the aims and objectives of the World Summit for Social Development, namely: to achieve a society for all by promoting social justice, harmony, and solidarity at national, regional, and international levels; to ensure that economic growth is not to the detriment of access to resources through equity; to ensure equitable distribution of income [3].
A Brief Historical Overview of the World Day of Social Justice
The World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) held in March 1995 in Copenhagen, Denmark, is undeniably one of the most historic and significant conferences hosted by the UN. Member States present approved of a Declaration and Programme of Action which commits to the cultivation of international peace and security, the optimisation of development in Africa and less economically developed countries, and the generation of resources to promote social progress [4]. As such, it can be deduced that the WSSD was critical for securing the importance of social justice and defining global efforts for the prevalence of social justice.
Following almost a decade of social progress, on 26 November 2006 the UN General Assembly reaffirmed the importance of social development and social justice “Social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations and that, in turn, social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security, or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms”[5]. Thus, the UN General Assembly established the World Day of Social Justice which was later launched during the 47th session of the Commission for Social Development on 10 February 2009 at the UN Headquarters in New York [2][6].
World Day of Social Justice 2025
Every year a specific theme is allocated to the World Day of Social Justice. The theme for 2025 is titled: “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice”, specifically focusing on the value of inclusive policies, social protections to tackle systemic inequality, and lifelong learning [7]. This year the International Labour Organisation (ILO) will celebrate the World Day of Social Justice by hosting a series of five events in major cities globally, centred on the following discussions:
1. Achieving universal social health protection for social justice in Asia and the Pacific
2. Social justice in the digital era: AI's impact on the labour market
3. Decent work in Africa: A key component of Social Justice
4. Social justice in the field of work: A new social contract for Latin America
5. Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future [8].
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) endorses the continuous efforts of the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation in promoting social justice by advancing work opportunities, engaging in joint efforts to eradicate poverty, and developing more inclusive societies with equal opportunities. GICJ affirms that social justice is a vital constituent for peace and security to thrive. Thus, stakeholders across the globe should be in a position to cooperate to provide equality of rights for all peoples without discrimination and to establish sustainable environments.
#WorldDayofSocialJustice #InternationalDay #HumanRights #EqualityOfOpportunity #PovertyEradication #Geneva #GICJ #Geneva4Justice #GenevaInternationalCentreforJustice
[1] https://live.ilo.org/group/world-day-social-justice-2025-2025-02
[2] https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/ifsd/SocialJustice.pdf
[3] https://social.desa.un.org/issues/poverty-eradication/events/world-day-of-social-justice-20-february
[4] https://social.desa.un.org/world-summit-for-social-development-1995
[5] https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day
[6]https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntlJustice/launch10Feb09/highlights_panel.pdf
[7] https://sdgresources.relx.com/events/world-day-social-justice-2025
[8] https://live.ilo.org/group/world-day-social-justice-2025-2025-02
