February 20th, 2023

About the World Day of Social Justice

The World Day of Social Justice is an international event that is observed every year on February 20. The goal of the World Day of Social Justice is to:

  • Promote an awareness of the existence of social inequality
  • Promote action to break down barriers based on:
    • Age
    • Colour
    • Disabilities
    • Gender
    • Religion
    • Tradition

The United Nations (UN) leads the worldwide commemoration of the World Day of Social Justice by engaging the international community in efforts to achieve:

  • Sustainable development
  • Poverty eradication
  • The promotion of full employment and decent work
  • Universal social protection
  • Gender equality
  • Social justice for all

The World Day of Social Justice is a worldwide commemoration that has been in place since 2009. The buildup started in 1995 at Copenhagen, Denmark where more than one hundred political leaders gathered for a World Summit on Social Development to address poverty and high unemployment. They issued the Declaration of Copenhagen and Programme of Action for Global Development. Eventually on November 26, 2007, the UN General Assembly designated February 20 as the World Day of Social Justice.

Theme for 2023

The UN theme for this year’s observance of the World Day of Social Justice is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”. This year, we are invited to focus on the actions needed to strengthen the social contract that has been fractured by rising inequalities, conflicts and weakened institutions that are meant to protect the rights of workers.