World Day of Social Justice

• World Day of Social Justice is observed annually on February 20th by the United Nations.
• It serves as a global call to action against poverty, exclusion, and unemployment.
• It also promotes solidarity, harmony, and equality of opportunity.
• India's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) intensifies efforts to bridge socio-economic gaps with legislative reforms, grassroots empowerment, and global partnerships.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the World Day of Social Justice on November 26, 2007, during its 62nd session.
• The day has been celebrated annually on February 20th since 2009, following the 63rd session.
• Social justice is considered vital for achieving and maintaining peace and security.
• Social Justice is unattainable without peace, security, respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms.
• The day raises the need for social justice initiatives amid financial crises, insecurity, and inequality
• Creating opportunities through trade, investment, technological advancements, and economic growth is important.
• These opportunities address obstacles that hinder economic participation, especially in developing countries.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) promotes social justice through its Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, adopted in 2008.
• The ILO declaration builds upon previous statements and prioritizes the Decent Work Agenda.
• The UN's broader mission to promote development and human dignity is closely aligned to the World Day of Social Justice.
• The Social Protection Floor, launched in 2009, shows the UN's commitment to basic social guarantees.
• The World Day of Social Justice highlights several key principles and objectives including:
  • Tackling poverty, exclusion, and unemployment
  • Promoting fairness, equality, and respect for diversity
  • Ensuring access to social protection
  • Applying human rights in all spheres of life, including the workplace
• India has observed the World Day of Social Justice since 2009.
• The evolution of social justice and empowerment in India has been gradual, influenced by historical struggles, mandates, and policy.
• Social justice and empowerment are rooted in India's independence movement and the Constitution
• It ensures equality, dignity, and justice for all citizens, especially marginalized communities.

Key Constitutional Provisions on Social Justice and Empowerment

• The Preamble guarantees social, economic, and political justice and equality of status and opportunity.
• The Preamble promotes fraternity, individual dignity, and national unity, establishing a just and inclusive society free from discrimination.
• Article 23 prohibits human trafficking and forced labor, making them punishable by law.
• Article 24 bans child labor in hazardous occupations, protecting children's rights to safety and education.
• Articles 23 and 24 rights safeguard vulnerable groups from exploitation.
• Article 37 states that Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are essential for governance, though not legally enforceable.
• Article 38 directs the State to reduce social and economic inequalities.
• Article 39 ensures equal livelihood, fair wages, and protection from exploitation.
• Article 39A guarantees free legal aid for the disadvantaged.
• Article 46 mandates special educational and economic promotion for SCs, STs, and weaker sections to prevent discrimination.
• In 1985-86, the Ministry of Welfare was bifurcated into the Department of Women & Child Development and the Department of Welfare.
• Those departments incorporated divisions from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Law.
• The Ministry of Welfare was renamed the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in May 1998.
• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment envisions an inclusive society with productive, safe, and dignified lives for marginalized groups.
• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment strives to empower marginalized groups through educational, economic, and social programs, and rehabilitation initiatives.
• The Union Budget 2025-26 allocates Rs 13,611 crores to the MoSJE.
• The allocation is a 6 percent increase from 2024-25, for welfare scheme saturation coverage.
• The department focuses on uplifting socially, educationally, and economically marginalized communities.
• These communities include Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Senior Citizens.
• Furthermore, Victims of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Transgender Persons (under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019), are also included.
• Individuals engaged in begging, Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) are too.
• Through policies and interventions, the MoSJE aims to foster equity and inclusion.

Key Initiatives by the Government of India

• The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) was launched in 2021-22.
• PM-AJAY merges three schemes to uplift SC communities through skill development, income generation, and infrastructure in Schedule Caste dominated villages.
• PM-AJAY has three components: Adarsh Gram development, Grants-in-Aid for socio-economic projects, and hostel construction in higher education institutions.
• As of January 1, 2024, 5,051 villages have been declared Adarsh Gram, with 1,655 projects benefiting 3,05,842 people.
• ₹26.31 crore has been allocated for 38 hostels.
• The SHRESHTA scheme aims to bridge service gaps in Schedule Caste dominant areas.
• It supports grant-in-aid institutions and high-quality residential schools.
• SHRESHTA provides financial assistance to top CBSE/State Board-affiliated private schools for SC students in classes 9 and 11, enabling education till class 12.
• The scheme funds NGOs/VOs to run residential and non-residential schools and hostels with adequate infrastructure.
• It fosters socio-economic upliftment of SC communities by promoting academic standards.
• Purple Fests (Festival of Inclusion) have been organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, since 2023.
• In 2024, the event welcomed over 10,000 Divyangjan and their escorts. Fests fosters solidarity and mutual respect.
• The Purple Fest movement promotes accessibility, dignity, and equal opportunity for all.
• The event in 2024 included the launch of significant initiatives, including :
  • The India Neurodiversity Platform, in collaboration with the TATA POWER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST, aimed at early intervention and home care support.
  • A handbook on attitudinal barriers and disability-sensitive language to promote inclusive communication.
  • A series of 25 nationwide job fairs by the American Indian Foundation and DEPwD.
• The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) launched in FY 2023-24.
• NAMASTE is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• NAMASTE aims to ensure the safety, dignity, and sustainable livelihood of sanitation workers in urban India.
• NAMASTE integrates components of the former Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
• The scheme has expanded its converge from FY 2024-25 to include waste pickers as a target group from FY 2024-25.
• The Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme rehabilitiates transgender individuals and persons engaged in begging.
• SMILE's primary objective is to create a 'Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat' (Begging-free India) by reintegrating beggars into society
• The SMILE scheme focuses on area-specific surveys, awareness campaigns, mobilization, rescue operations, shelter, basic services, skills training, alternative livelihood options, and SHG formation.
• The SMILE scheme is active in 81 cities and towns, including pilgrimage, historical, and tourist locations,
• Expansion to 50 more cities is planned.
• As of November 15, 2024, 7,660 individuals engaged in begging have been identified, and 970 been successfully rehabilitated.
• The SMILE scheme works to provide shelter, vocational training, and employment opportunities to all.
• The PM-DAKSH Yojana launched on August 7th, 2021.
• The PM-DAKSH Yojana aims to enhance the skill levels of marginalized communities, including SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, and Safai Karamcharis.
• The Yojana is designed for economic empowerment through free skill training.
• PM-DAKSH has a budget of ₹450.25 crore (2021-26).
• The PM-DAKSH scheme provides short-term and long-term training to facilitate wage and self-employment, with at least 70% placement.
• Training is conducted through government and private training institutes, aligned with NSQF and Common Norms.
• NSQF is targeted at individuals 18-45 years of age through the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) started on August 15th 2020.
• The NMBA aims to make India drug-free by targeting 272 high-risk districts, identified through a national survey and NCB inputs.
• NMBA has a three-pronged approach: curbing supply (Narcotics Control Bureau), awareness and demand reduction (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), and treatment (Health Department).
• Since its inception, NMBA has reached 13.57 crore people, including 4.42 crore youth and 2.71 crore women, with participation from 3.85 lakh educational institutions.
• The world continues to grapple with economic challenges, the World Day of Social Justice renews commitments to equity and inclusion, reminding us that injustice affects humanity.
• India embraces a vision through legislative reforms, grassroots programs, and welfare initiatives.
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) plays a role in uplifting marginalized communities, aligning its efforts with global frameworks.
• MoSJE aligns with the Decent Work Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to uphold justice and equality.
• Through initiatives like PM-AJAY, NAMASTE, SMILE, PM-DAKSH Yojana, and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the MoSJE has empowered disadvantaged groups with education, skills, and economic opportunities.
• Increased budget allocations, inclusive platforms like Purple Fests, and expanded social protection measures highlight the government's commitment to fostering justice and inclusion.
• As India observes the World Day of Social Justice, efforts reaffirm its dedication to bridging socio-economic gaps and ensuring dignity and opportunity for all.

Explore the core principles of social justice. Understand the UN's focus and the ILO's contributions. Delve into global challenges and economic participation highlighted by this day.