Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. On 26 November 2007, the UN General Assembly declared that, starting from the 63rd session of the Assembly, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice.

Social Justice Day is celebrated to recognize the need to promote social justice to tackle various social issues related to gender inequality, access to education, poverty, exclusion, unemployment, different kinds of discrimination, human rights and more. Plans for greater social justice are made by organizations to guarantee fair outcomes of endeavours.

How to make the best of social justice day?

Often situations of crisis bring to surface social injustices that may otherwise go unnoticed. The pandemic for instance brought to light inequalities and struggles that needed addressing. This made many of us more conscious and aware of the happenings around us. Continued efforts in this direction can affect global consciousness in a positive way. Some simple steps we can take at an individual level are:

Introspect: 

Examine our beliefs and our habits- especially the ones that we grew up with. This has a lot to do with how we interact with society. Ongoing self-reflection and being open to growth and change wherever necessary helps us become a strong ally in social justice movements. 

Keed educating ourselves:

There is so much going on in the world that it can get confusing how and where to begin when we want to be actively involved with social causes. The easiest way to begin is to keep ourselves updated on the latest happenings. Something is sure to spark a light within us and urge us to participate.

Get involved locally:

One of the most active ways to ensure visible change is to get involved with local organizations, NGOs, and activist groups. There is so much to learn by volunteering at grass root levels. We get to see the challenges, the journeys, and the successes combined. We become invested and strive hard to work for the greater good.

Take positive action close to home, help and guide:

Many times we get to see people in our vicinity facing injustices and struggling as a result of them. Often people are unaware about their rights and it limits their choices, and curbs their freedom. Listen to their story. We can guide and help them if we have the knowledge or offer our support. As we learn more about social issues and our rights and duties, it becomes easier to find solutions for ourselves and others. Knowledge is power during crises.

Harness your talent and resources:

We have the power of social media, the power of creativity and personal voice. This will never go out of style. We can talk about our experiences, the knowledge we gained and inspire people locally and across oceans simply by sharing stories. A lot of what we learn comes from online resources. 

You could be a source of hope for someone by taking positive action towards inclusion. This year we've been talking about a variety of causes that encapuslate what social justice is all about. Join us in becoming an advocate of inclusivity.

And finally, read point one again! Introspection is key to every journey becoming a success.

“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion."

[The Minotaur]”