SOCIAL justice is a vital foundation for a fair and balanced society. It involves recognizing and addressing inequalities in treatment, access, and opportunities among different groups of society. These disparities often arise from factors such as gender, age, race, wealth, social status, religion, and more. The core aim of social justice is to dismantle barriers that lead to discrimination and unequal access to resources.
Emerging in the 19th century, the concept of social justice encompasses five key components: resource availability, balance or equity, opportunities for participation, diversity, and human rights. Today, institutions like the United Nations have expanded on these principles, emphasizing the need to respect diverse societal needs, ensure equitable access to resources, encourage active participation in all aspects of life, protect the rights of individuals, and value diversity in nationality, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all people are entitled to economic, political, and social rights without discrimination. However, in practice, various forms of injustice – particularly gender and racial discrimination – continue to persist. These injustices are often closely linked to poverty and limited access to education and employment. Victims of such discrimination frequently struggle to break free from cycles of disadvantage.
The World Bank’s 2023 report on women’s economic and legal rights reviewed 190 countries and regions throughout the world. It found that only a few – such as Belgium, Canada, France, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands – have succeeded in offering equal legal rights to both men and women. However, no nation has fully realized the United Nations’ vision of complete gender equality.
When social justice is absent, both individuals and societies suffer. Without equal opportunities, people are denied the chance to meet their basic needs and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Importantly, social justice does not imply treating everyone the same; rather, it means ensuring fair opportunities for all and acknowledging individual differences and societal contexts.
To achieve a more equitable world, it is essential for everyone – governments, organizations, and individuals – to uphold the principles of social justice. Doing so helps promote universal values such as justice, liberty, and equality, and paves the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society. Only when individuals of relevant countries formulate social justice will the entire world be peaceful, prosperous and progressive. If so, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be effective for all, and the universal truths will make the lives of individuals from different societies better.
