Blog of Berthe De Vos Neven, SI Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
Soroptimist International’s recent membership in the Global Coalition for Social Justice, launched by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is a significant development in the global fight for social justice. This means that Soroptimist International will now be part of another important platform aimed at advancing human rights, reducing inequalities, and improving the social and economic well-being of people worldwide, particularly in the context of labour and employment.
The ILO defines social justice as the belief that every human being—regardless of race, sex, or creed—has the right to pursue their well-being and spiritual development in conditions of freedom, dignity, and economic security. The Global Coalition for Social Justice, which is backed by the ILO, is designed to address pressing global challenges like rising inequalities, climate change, and the impacts of transformative technologies.
Commitment to Social Justice
By joining this coalition, Soroptimist International commits to working alongside governments, businesses, labour organisations, and other civil society groups to achieve concrete outcomes in the areas of social justice and sustainable development. The initiative aims to address various interconnected challenges, including:
Inequality and Exclusion: tackling systemic discrimination, especially gender inequality, and ensuring equal opportunities for all people.
Labour Rights: advocating for the recognition of labour rights as fundamental human rights, and working to ensure dignified working conditions for all.
Expanding Employment Opportunities: promoting decent work, fair wages, and sustainable employment opportunities (e.g. care and un- or underpaid work).
Building Resilience: strengthening social protection for vulnerable populations and helping them recover from global crises (e.g. pandemics, conflicts, or climate change).
Supporting Just Transitions: ensuring that shifts toward sustainable development, trade, and investment are inclusive and equitable for all.
Strengthening Social Dialogue: fostering conversations between workers, employers, and governments to find joint solutions and drive social change.
Priorities and Opportunities
The coalition’s approach is one of broad cooperation across various sectors, recognising that social justice is a complex issue that requires multi-stakeholder collaboration. The priorities also align closely with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks to reduce poverty, eliminate inequalities, and promote peace and prosperity.
For Soroptimist International, this partnership offers a valuable opportunity to amplify its impact and work with other organisations and governments to advocate for policies that promote equality and human rights. The coalition’s platform will help to elevate issues related to gender justice, labour rights, and decent work on the global stage, ensuring that these critical issues are part of the broader dialogue on sustainable development.
Achievements So Far
The Inaugural Forum, held in June 2024, marked a historic moment in the ILO’s efforts to foster greater collaboration between civil society and other global stakeholders in the pursuit of social justice. The forum highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships in tackling global challenges, and Soroptimist International’s role in the coalition will allow it to contribute to these discussions and actions going forward.
After different webinars and the results of the Forum, the Coalition aims to create a collaborative space for partners to enhance their efforts and take meaningful action. Six thematic priority areas have been identified, with 16 key interventions to focus collective efforts. These initiatives are designed to drive transformative, multi-stakeholder action on the ground. Some are new, while others build on existing activities, which can be expanded through additional countries, partners, and policy approaches. They span a range of critical areas, from promoting inclusive labor markets and ensuring the protection of workers’ rights to advancing education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. The interventions will be co-led by international or regional organisations with shared goals. These activities will be part of the Coalition’s program, to be finalised by the end of the year, with implementation starting in 2025.
The United Nations General Assembly has established the World Day of Social Justice on 20 February. This day provides an opportunity for global reflection and action, allowing stakeholders to come together to advocate for meaningful change and raise awareness about the importance of social justice in creating peaceful, inclusive societies.
Soroptimist International encourage all members to engage in the preparations for the World Day of Social Justice, through activities such as community events, policy dialogues, and digital campaigns. By uniting our voices and efforts, we can shine a spotlight on the urgency of addressing social and economic inequalities, protecting human rights, and creating a more just and sustainable future for all.
The success of the Coalition relies on the commitment of its members, and through collective action, we can create lasting impact. Together, we can ensure that the principles of social justice, dignity, and equality are not just ideals, but are realised in the lives of women and girls and communities across the globe.