World Day of Social Justice observed

20 February:  World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice was observed on 20 February 2016 with the theme A Just Transition - environmentally sustainable economies and societies.

To mark the occasion, various activities were organised across the world to stress importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which laid special emphasis on achieving social justice.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 in order to support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

Further, the creation of the day was in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development (1995) and the 24th session of the General Assembly (1973).

Need for ensuring social justice

Due to the advancements in information and communication technologies the world is experiencing prosperity on a scale never before seen. However, the growth is not equitable as it is confined to only few people and nations.

As per Oxfam’s report just 62 individuals had the same wealth as 3.6 billion people, the bottom half of humanity, in 2015.

The report, which was released in January 2016, further stated that since the turn of the century the poorest half of the world’s population has received just 1 percent of the total increase in global wealth, while half of that increase has gone to the top 1 percent.

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