Women & SDG

How Politicians Can Successfully Fight Social Injustice

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By Goodnews Buekor

Horeisi and his team of political scholars defined social injustice “as different forms of intimidation, exploitation, and discrimination that are rooted in societal norms and behaviours reinforced by-laws relieves and social beliefs.”

Imagine a community in which all members feel physically, emotionally, and mentally protected. Imagine if resources are shared, jobs are available for all who need them, and everyone is entitled to the same fundamental rights and privileges. This dream describes a society with true social justice and fairness. Sadly, the culture of justice does not exist in the majority of African communities; instead, injustice is the order of the day. The only way communities and nations can thrive without prejudice and enjoy peaceful co-existence is by providing everyone with equal rights in society. Fortunately, some leaders are on a mission to try and change these inequalities and injustices whilst simultaneously illuminating the good in our communities.

Areas of Equity and Equality

According to the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and International Covenants of Human Rights, there are three significant domains as it concerns equality and equity.

Equality to rights suggests eradicating all kinds of discrimination and regard for every individual’s fundamental freedom, civil and political rights. As declared in article 1 of the Universal Declaration, “Everyone is qualified to all the rights and freedoms highlighted in the Universal Declaration, without discrimination of any form such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or another opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or another status.”

Equality of Opportunities implies reliable social, economic, cultural, and political conditions. All individuals willingly follow their aspirations and develop and utilize their talents within the moral and legal limits to contribute to society. Everyone should have equal opportunities for health, education, and housing.

Although it is impossible to attain fair distribution of wealth and income, there should be a reasonable extent of inequalities in income, wealth, and other aspects of life in society. With such distribution, it is possible to attain equity in living conditions for everyone.

What Can Politicians Do?

Eradication of hunger and poverty

Research has shown that more than 800 million people, or 11 percent of the world’s population, suffer from severe hunger.

People who are experiencing poverty are limited to several fundamental rights. Those who are victims of internal conflict and wars are also deprived of their fundamental rights. Hunger is only an aspect of poverty; discrimination, poor health services, defenselessness, insecurity, and absence of personal and professional development are other difficulties the poor encounter. The increase in poverty, together with the rise in the number of refugees, displaced persons, and victims of abuse, exemplifies the rising injustice in the world.

A multi-faceted proposition will help eliminate hunger alongside executing projects collaborating with several food security agencies. Ameliorating poverty will strengthen a nation’s economy and provide citizens with better options and greater control over their future.

Promote gender equality

A recent report showed that one in three women worldwide had experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Women and girls worldwide should have equal rights and privileges and be allowed to live violence and discrimination-free life.

Highlighting the stories of the most unprotected women, we can empower the next generation of female leaders to stand up for these vulnerable women.

Championing campaigns, advocating, and creating awareness on social media can be far-reaching. Financial support and donations to appropriate organizations for women and girls in need can also be helpful.

Provide job opportunities

In 2014, about 300 million workers were suffering from chronic poverty, living on less than US$1.90 each day. Good treatment of employees is essential for any business to thrive. Providing unlimited access to understandable, honest information about employees’ rights is essential in any fair workplace. Studies have shown that equal sharing of wealth is enhanced through providing equal employment opportunities.

Providing good jobs and making them available to all who are eligible can help eradicate poverty. Supporting employees and their families is also very impactful.

Formulating Programs/Policy implementation

More programs such as United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) that handle problems such as refugees, environment, and human rights, should be formulated and well funded to meet the needs of society.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its introduction states that ” the highest dreams of common people is the inception of a world where everyone shall enjoy the freedom of speech and belief, and freedom from fear and want, recognition of the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, with freedom, fairness, and peace in the world.”

Like any other human factor and activity, all action and change take time, but with the guidance and effort of politicians and leaders, we can fight social injustice. Every promise made is hope in the eyes of the population. We can turn each promise into reality under their guidance as a collective. Soon our dream and the imaginary world can be closer to reality than it is at present.

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