Rita Mu, Author at ChildFund Australia

In a country like Australia, most of us have access to safe communities, education and employment. However, for many families around the world, these opportunities are not as widespread.

With World Day of Social Justice 2022 just around the corner, it’s time to put the spotlight on developing countries and efforts to help them overcome inequality and uphold the human rights of every individual.

When is World Day of Social Justice?

World Day of Social Justice 2022 is on Sunday, February 20.

What is Social Justice?

So what exactly does social justice mean? The United Nations defines social justice as the underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations.

Essentially, social justice is the view that all people (despite age, race, gender, religion, culture and sexual orientation) have access to economic, political and social rights and opportunities.

Why is World Day of Social Justice celebrated?

In 2007, the United Nations declared that 20 February would be recognised as World Day of Social Justice, with the goal of promoting human rights and shining a spotlight on pervasive global problems, such as gender inequality, unemployment, and poverty.

The General Assembly of the United Nations acknowledges that social justice and social development are indispensable to both achieve and maintain peace and security around the world.

The aim of the day is to promote and generate greater awareness of social justice issues. In addition, the day brings together communities and organisations around the globe in the fight to reduce social injustices in our societies.

What is the World Day of Social Justice 2022 theme?

This year’s theme is “Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the vulnerability of workers involved in informal employment, with more than 60 percent of the world’s employed population earning their livelihoods in the informal economy.

World Day of Social Justice 2022 recognises that the formalisation of employment is a prerequisite for reducing poverty and inequality worldwide.

A call for social justice in the employment economy is focused on seeking solutions to overcome the divide caused by informal employment; ensuring that people have access to work opportunities that protect labour and human rights in the era of COVID-19.

What is the World Day of Social Justice 2022 hashtag?

Whether you’re hosting a morning tea or doing a walk-a-thon to raise awareness, be sure to hashtag #WorldDayofSocialJustice to let your friends know it’s World Day of Social Justice.

How can you celebrate World Day of Social Justice this year?

There are many ways you can celebrate World Day of Social Justice 2022. Here are a few ideas:

Host a morning tea

Whether fundraising at school, the office or over zoom, you can take the time to share some sweet treats and discuss social justice issues you’d like to help tackle. You could suggest a gold coin donation and donate it to a ChildFund appeal.

Create a Facebook fundraiser

Did you know that you can fundraise on Facebook for ChildFund Australia? Set up your fundraiser and invite family and friends to donate and help fight inequality. Set up your fundraiser now, and help work towards achieving social justice on a smaller scale.

Sponsor a child

This World Day of Social Justice, why not help change the life of a child with ChildFund?

You can sponsor a child to ensure they have access to opportunities that will help them to break the cycle of poverty while upholding their human rights.

Together we can help fight injustice, no matter how small the step is.

After a tough year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a gym in Victoria is giving back to children and their families in Zambia in the lead up to Christmas.

Despite facing challenges from the ongoing lockdowns, members of Be Strong Fitness Geelong have come together to raise money for a school in Zambia.

The primary school, a run-down concrete classroom in a remote community east of the capital, Lusaka, is close to Be Strong Fitness Geelong co-director Joanne’s heart.

For two years the mother-of-four has been sponsoring, through ChildFund Australia, seven-year-old Flavian, who attends the school.

Through Facebook and emails, Joanne asked gym members to contribute to a group donation. Together, Be Strong Fitness Geelong members raised $550, which will be used to repair and upgrade Flavian’s primary school as well as provide students and teachers with blackboards.

Joanne says the decision to reach out to members and organise a community fundraiser for Flavian and his community was easy. It was a simple way to make a difference in the lives of many children.

“Be Strong Fitness Geelong is a strong family-valued community,” she says. “Flavian and his community have become part of our family community here, and being able to contribute to Flavian and his community is a very rewarding feeling.”

“I was so proud of every member of our gym for the contribution they were able to put forward, especially with the current climate affecting a lot of people financially,” Joanne says.

The funds raised by Be Strong Fitness Geelong, in Victoria, will be used to upgrade seven-year-old Flavian’s primary school in Zambia.

The Be Strong Fitness Geelong community has long supported children’s charities and causes in Australia and overseas, says Joanne. “We do a few pop-up fundraisers though the fitness industry and help out where we can with local families or community events.

“We have stayed away from the more traditional style gyms and have targeted inclusion and family groups. We reach out to kids and teens to give them a safe, healthy and inviting place to hang out with friends.”

Joanne’s right-hand and the gym’s community fundraiser co-ordinator, Katherine, says she was surprised to see images of Flavian’s school.

“It looked quite run-down,” Katherine says. “It just shows how lucky we are to have what we have here, and made me feel good that we could support Flavian and his community.

“Fundraising has always been a big part of the Be Strong community. We’ve had fundraisers for different charities. I think it’s important. We try to be a very community-based gym and give back and do lots of things locally.

“We’re very lucky, especially this time of the year.”

The Be Strong Fitness gym community. Gym co-director Joanne says: “Everyone working for one cause to help bring some joy to another person and their community builds camaraderie.”

With the success of the recent online fundraiser, Be Strong Fitness Geelong are hoping to run more fundraising events in the new year. Some ideas on the table include movie and raffle nights.

“I am hoping with less restrictions, we can run an event to help raise funds and make it a little more interactive,” Joanne says.

“Our gym works hard to support everyone in their goals and in life. Everyone working for one cause to help bring some joy to another person and their community builds camaraderie.

“Seeing how the funds can help Flavian’s community has been very overwhelming. Our members are very proud to have the opportunity to help.”

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