The problem of Social Injustice or Antisocial behavior has been around for a very long time. It has been around even before recorded history. The reason it is important to study social justice is because it is the root cause of wars and other violent activities. For those that have been in the streets fighting for social justice have lost their lives fighting for what they believe in; some would say for what they need too.
We live in a world where people are being treated unequally just because they do not have the same skin color, the same religious beliefs, or the same economic status as someone else. People are being harassed, threatened, and even killed simply because they are different from a “more powerful” group of people. There has to be a line drawn where people are considered equal according to their natural rights. There have to be laws and institutions created to uphold social justice, fairness, and equality.
We have to start by understanding what social justice is not, then we can move on to define it. It should not be confused with social fairness or economic policies that promote equal access to opportunity. These are concepts that only benefit one group at the expense of another. What we are discussing here is the concept of social justice and its relevance in today’s world.
Everyone should stand up against all forms of violence irrespective of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else. Everyone should be outraged over the thousands of acts of violence perpetrated against women every single day in the name of religion, nationality, culture, race, or any other category. There are many debates going on right now concerning issues of gender, religion, cultural practices, or equal rights. These debates need to be addressed to bring about genuine social justice.
The fact is that people who suffer from the effects of social injustice, especially those suffering from gender-based abuses, are denied their rights to seek the remedies that are owed to them through the law. They are not even given the opportunity to defend their rights. Those who experience sexual abuse at the hands of members of the opposite sex are also not given a chance to seek justice because those who are the victims of such abuse are considered to be guilty due to the mere fact that they were sexually abused. Social workers are tasked to protect the rights of all human beings regardless of gender, religion, race, or ethnicity.
There is still much work to be done to eliminate social justice issues and bring about true social justice. As long as the social justice issues are not resolved, the cycle of violence will continue. This is why social workers are being called upon to take part in the prevention of crime, abuse, and exploitation. By working with people, social workers are able to educate them, empower them, provide for their needs, and decrease the risks of exposing them to violence and abuse.
Another way in which social workers can help fight social justice issues is by disseminating accurate, unbiased information to the general public on these matters. For example, social workers can publish information and facts on domestic violence to give people the facts on what they are up against. By informing the public on such things, social workers empower them to stand up against social injustices. Through such advocacy, social workers help pave the way towards full social justice for all. Through their education and advocacy, they help in eliminating social injustices and exposing those who are affected by them and thereby providing them with the proper resources and information on how to fight against such injustices.
The work of social workers goes far beyond addressing just the immediate needs of those who are victims of social injustices. They also go to provide the resources needed by the community to fight against them. The empowerment provided by social work also extends to the community as a whole, providing a venue for a healthy social order. The promotion of equal rights and opportunity for all human beings is also one of the most fundamental principles of social justice, which is breached when one group gains an unfair advantage over another because of social injustice. The work of social workers helps to correct this imbalance and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to excel and become a true social worker.
