The United Nations (UN)’s World Day of Social Justice is annually observed across the globe on 20 February to raise awareness about the need for social justice, particularly in areas such as poverty eradication, employment, gender equality, and access to education, healthcare, and social services.
- The Day also aims to promote social security, equality, human rights, and fundamental freedoms worldwide.
The theme of World Day of Social Justice 2024 is “Global Coalition for Social Justice: Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances”.
- The theme urges a collective effort to restore the fractured social contract by fostering dialogue and taking action to achieve social justice.
Background:
i.On 26 November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at its 62nd session adopted the resolution A/RES/62/10 and proclaimed the 20 February of every year, starting from the 63rd session of the UNGA, as World Day of Social Justice.
- The 63rd session of UNGA ran from 16 September 2008 to 14 September 2009.
ii.The first World Day of Social Justice was observed on 20th February 2009.
Significance of 2024 observance:
i.The 2024 commemoration aims to intensify collective efforts and focus on urgently addressing social justice deficits.
ii.It accelerates the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Decent Work Agenda.
iii.It emphasises the prioritisation of social justice at key intergovernmental milestones of the UN in 2024, which include:
- The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States;
- The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, etc.
What is Social Justice?
i.It means fair and equal treatment for everyone, including equal access to opportunities, equal rights, and the equal sharing of the benefits of growth.
ii.It is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations.
- The pursuit of social justice for all is the global mission of the UN to promote development and human dignity.
Efforts of ILO towards Social Justice:
i.The International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization on June 10, 2008.
- This is the 3rd major statement of principles and policies adopted by the International Labour Conference since the Constitution of ILO in 1919.
ii.This builds on the principles outlined in the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944; and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998.
iii.The 2008 Declaration reaffirms the core values of the ILO, encapsulating the essence of its mandate in the context of globalisation.
Key Facts:
i.According to the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook Trends: 2024 (WESO Trends):
- The global unemployment rate in 2023 was 5.1%, a modest improvement in 2022.
- In 2024 an extra 2 million workers are expected to be looking for jobs, raising the global unemployment rate from 5.1% in 2023 to 5.2%
Note: WESO Trends provides a comprehensive assessment of the latest labour market trends, including unemployment, job creation, labour force participation, and hours worked.
2024 Event:
On 20 February 2024, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN and the ILO convened the commemorative meeting of the 2024 World Day of Social Justice in New York, United States of America (USA).
- The conference was held in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
About International Labor Organization (ILO):
Director-General- Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo (Togo)
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Established in- 1919
Member States- 187 member States
