What is Social Justice?

 

Social justice is reflected in the aspiration that “all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity”.1 It is premised on the intrinsic value of human dignity, as expressed in the ILO’s founding principle that “labour is not a commodity”. Social justice may mean different things to different people. But while we each might attach different meanings and expectations to the phrase, at its most basic, social justice is about fairness, equality and having a voice and the agency to shape one’s own life in circumstances of dignity. Some may argue that social justice focuses on ensuring that some of us do not go without access to the basic necessities of life while others live in unimaginable splendour. Others will focus on ensuring equal opportunity to education and employment, so that each person can live a productive life of his or her choosing. Others may focus on access to social protection that can ensure dignity when encountering unemployment, parenthood, ill health, old age or other major life changes. Certainly, social justice requires that the same freedoms and rights apply to all and that we can all rely on the rule of law to ensure access to justice and remedies when our rights and freedoms are denied. Beyond being a moral imperative, social justice enables societies and economies to function more cohesively and effectively. By setting social and economic rules that apply to all, social justice builds trust, enhances the legitimacy of both public and private institutions, and unlocks the productive potential of countries and people, paving the way for sustained inclusive growth, peace and stability.