World Day of Social Justice

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Feb 3, 2023, 18:10

World Day of Social Justice is celebrated on 20 February to highlight the injustices that people face in the world like discrimination, poverty, human rights violation, etc. This day is about promoting the idea of taking collective efforts to make this world a better and just place. World Day of Social Justice was established by the United Nations General Assembly in November 2007.

Social justice is a cause that can help eliminate discrimination and bring the world closer to equality. Celebrating World Day of Social Justice can help people realize the importance of the cause and make them contribute towards it.

World Day of Social Justice 2023

Every year, 20 February is celebrated as the World Day of Social Justice around the globe. The day is internationally commemorated as a special day recognizing the requirement to promote social justice. World Social Justice Day is recognized by the United Nations to promote social protection and human rights globally.

Social justice includes eradicating poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment while making the world more inclusive and bereft of gender biases. Here is more information about World Day of Social Justice.

Event

World Day of Social Justice

Observed On

20 February (every year)

Established By

United Nations General Assembly

Established On

November 2007

Aim

To promote social justice and to encourage people to work towards it.

World Day of Social Justice 2023 Theme

The theme for World Day of Social Justice is yet to be announced. Every year, a new theme is announced for the day and the celebrations take place around the same specific theme. The theme for World Day for Social Justice 2022 was "Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment."

According to the United Nations, equality and non-discrimination informal employment are stepping stones to social justice, which is why it was heralded as the World Day of Social Justice theme 2022. Educational institutions of varied reputations across the globe participate in World Social Justice Day by adopting the theme and hosting various talks, debates, quizzes, etc., around the topic to initiate a discussion on social justice.

Previous Year’s World Day of Social Justice Themes

  • For 2021, the theme was "A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy”.
  • For 2020, the World Social Justice Day theme was “Closing the Inequalities Gap to Achieve Social Justice”.
  • For 2019, the theme was “If you want Peace and Development, Work for Social Justice”.

World Social Justice Day - History

In one of its conferences on November 26, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly announced the celebration of World Day of Social Justice every year on 20 February. This proposition of the UN was approved by the International Labour Organization on 10 June 2008, to promote fair globalization and development.

World Social Justice Day is celebrated every year around a particular theme pre-decided by the United Nations. The theme is celebrated mainly at institutions and organizations across the globe to acquaint people with the social indifference in society and the urgent need to uphold the principles of social justice.

What is Social Justice?

While celebrating World Day of Social Justice, it is important to know the definition of social justice first. Over the years, the definition of social justice has undergone numerous changes. In today’s times, the notion has been classified into the following components:

  • The dignity of human beings.
  • The dignity and rights of labourers and workers.
  • Reciprocal rights and responsibilities.
  • Fundamental Rights for the poor and vulnerable people of the society.

Significance of World Day of Social Justice

The major purpose of World Social Justice Day is to bring the world's various communities together and make the world bereft of discrimination, poverty, racism, illiteracy, biases, etc. The purpose of this day is to unite people to create a more inclusive world, free of social prejudices.

Although we are living in the 21st century, there are still people who are excluded from society. World Day of Social Justice is a reminder to all such people that they deserve equal treatment and dignity in society.

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FAQs on World Day of Social Justice

Q.1) When is the World Day of Social Justice celebrated?

The World Day of Social Justice is celebrated every year on 20 February. The day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations, which the International Labour Organization later approved. World Day of Social Justice encourages people to promote equality.

Q.2) What is the theme for World Day of Social Justice 2023?

The theme for World Day of Social Justice 2023 has not been announced yet. However, it will likely be announced soon. Every year, a new theme is decided for World Day of Social Justice so that the celebrations can take place around the same specific theme every year.

Q.3) Why is World Day of Social Justice celebrated?

World Day of Social Justice is celebrated every year to make the world more inclusive and bereft of social prejudices of any kind. It is a day on which people are encouraged to look beyond personal biases and be more inclusive towards others. World Social Justice Day is also about pledging to fight against inequality in the world.

Q4. What were the themes for World Day of Social Justice 2022 and 2021?

We have shared the previous year’s themes for World Day of Social Justice here:

  • The theme for World Day of Social Justice 2022 was "Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment".
  • The theme in 2021 was "A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy".

Q5. Who established World Day of Social Justice and why?

World Day of Social Justice was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. It was a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of social justice in world development. World Day of Social Justice is about promoting equality for everyone at all levels. This day was first celebrated in 2009.