Towards achieving equality and social justice for all

February 20th is the day associated with Social Justice, termed by the United Nations as the World Day of Social Justice or Social Justice Equality Day, a day in which we should all recognize the need to urgently promote social justice and actually do something about it. These include different efforts put in place to tackle issues and circumstances such as gender inequality, social exclusion, denial of human rights, poverty and unemployment. On this day (and thereafter), individuals, governments and non-governmental organizations are to support the efforts of the international community  to search for and implement solutions that achieve the sustainable development and fulfil the aspirations set by the UN report on Our Common Agenda, which include poverty eradication, universal social protection, promotion of full employment and decent work as well as gender equality and social justice for all. 

There are some universally accepted principles of social justice which include equity, access, diversity, participation and human rights. These include the promotion of human dignity and development. At ACLAD, we strive to leave no-one behind as we promote human dignity and aspects of social justice through our community safety nets project which targets and funds vulnerable households to help them manage their daily needs. Through social accountability, children, adolescents, families and the communities are empowered to be more active in demanding and creating safe spaces through community dialogue sessions that bring together the community to improve communication, synergy and service provision.

Lady Justice is blindfolded for the reason that the scales of justice in her hands are not meant to be skewed to favour the rich and well-to-do in our society, but the sad reality is that that is how they are skewed due to corrupt practices that mar our society. To bring back the balance to those scales and for social justice to prevail in our societies, corruption needs to be seriously dealt with in order to eliminate poverty, bring an end to discrimination based on physique, gender, race and religion, as well as both physical and gender-based violence. In a perfect world, societies can become pure by dealing with the aforementioned vices, then a divergent global culture where everyone is equal,  has equal opportunities and is accepted as they are can emerge. Each and every one of us can, in their own way, perform a self-analysis, exploring personal, psychological and social aspects, analysing their personal attitudes, perceptions and behaviour, making self-discoveries, discerning the existing options and enabling them to practice ways of change for desirable results of inclusion, non-discrimination, equal participation and overall social justice. In our small or big way, each of us can make the world a better place for the other.

Catherine Muteithia

ACLAD Research and Communications Assistant