World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice History

World Day of Social Justice highlights the fundamental principles of fairness and equal opportunities within societies and in relationships between countries. It’s attuned to promoting efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, and unemployment. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes that social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations, endorsing the need to create more socially inclusive societies.

World Day of Social Justice was officially marked on the UN’s calendar in 2007, and has been observed annually ever since. In relation to South Africa, this observance takes on heightened significance. South Africa’s history is marked by apartheid—an era of racial segregation and economic disparity. The legacy of this era continues to influence social justice issues in South Africa, making the observance of World Day of Social Justice particularly tailored to acknowledging these past inequities, while emphasizing the need to forge towards a more equal and just society.

World Day of Social Justice is observed in South Africa through a multitude of activities, including educational events and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about social justice issues. These may range from conferences and public discussions to cultural and artistic events, focusing on themes such as equality and social solidarity. It’s observed by diverse groups spanning from non-governmental organizations, youth, civil society, and various government agencies. The day is commemorated globally, including South Africa, on the 20th of February, culminating in a diverse range of activities aimed towards promoting a more peaceful and inclusive society.

Facts about World Day of Social Justice

• The theme for World Day of Social Justice in 2025 was Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice. The theme for World Day of Social Justice in 2024 was Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances. In 2023 the theme was Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice.
• The roots of social justice can be traced back to ancient societies, including those in Greece and Rome, where philosophers discussed ideas of equality and fairness.
• Social justice is not limited to one field of study. It ties in with sociology, philosophy, law, human rights, political science, and much more.
• Land reform in South Africa has been a key policy to address the vast inequalities in land ownership resulting from apartheid. Land redistribution, restitution, and tenure reform have been implemented in an effort to provide historically disadvantaged individuals with access to land and promote economic development.
• South Africa established the TRC in 1995 to deal with the human rights violations perpetrated during the apartheid era. The commission aimed to promote social justice, national unity, and reconciliation through the recovery of lost histories, restoration of human dignity, and the granting of amnesty to those who confessed to crimes committed during the apartheid era.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for World Day of Social Justice

Top things to do in South Africa for World Day of Social Justice

• Read a book to learn more about Social Justice in South Africa:
  Long Walk to Freedom - by Nelson Mandela
  Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South Africa - by Antjie Krog
• Visit Liliesleaf Farm: Once a secret meeting place for anti-apartheid activists, it's now a museum dedicated to South Africa's struggle for freedom.