19 February 2015

20 February is World Day of Social Justice

Young person in Mexico living and working in terrible conditions


Examples of social injustice:
  • The gap between rich and poor within and among nations continues to grow and promote conflict.
  • 1.5 million children under the age of 5 die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • 1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water.
  • Over 50 countries currently recruit children under the age of 18 into their armed forces.
  • 82 million girls now aged 10 to 17 will be married before their 18th birthday.
  • One hundred million more women would be alive today had they had equal access to nutrition and health care.
  • Of the 2.3 million refugees forced to flee Syria, 1.1 million are children.
  • 168 million children are forced to work (85 million in hazardous work).
  • 21 million people are victims of forced labour.

Social justice will be achieved when:
  • poverty is eradicated;
  • there is full employment;
  • there is gender equity;
  • age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, disability or gender are not a barrier to social well-being;
  • there is justice for all.

Peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations cannot be achieved without social justice.

If the needs of all the people are not met, is our common future not compromised?