Everyone has the right to live in a just society where the ruler ensures the citizens’ well-being. The process of creating society through sharing of power, authority, resources, and opportunities among all the citizens is known as social justice. Regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, age, or gender, everyone should be equal in society. Inclusion, cooperation, equal access and opportunity are among the ideals that underpin this term. The absence of social justice can and will inevitably lead to conflict and unrest which can further lead to such a society’s downfall.
In Nepal, social justice practice is still lacking. In the face of persistent economic issues, people are struggling to make ends meet. This is because most of the people here do not have access to social security, adequate education, or healthcare. On top of that, with a lack of action from political decision-makers, a lack of help from ministries, and stakeholders advocating it, this problem will get even worse.
But, to develop the idea of social justice in Nepal, here are six elements one should understand and practise:
1. Self-love and knowledge
For social justice to flourish, one first needs a sense of pride in their culture, background, ethnicity, race, religion, skin tone, and gender. This should stem from the concept of self-love and knowledge. This includes accepting their own racial identity or ethnicity as well as some of their historical past. People should be educated and made aware of many parts of their identity as well as the history that is linked with them
Citizens should understand more about their history so that they can recognise, analyse, and avoid internalising damaging misconceptions about their identities. This is more important in Nepal as it is a country of diverse communities and cultures.
2. Respect for others
People in a state or country should respect one another regardless of whether they come from a different background. Everyone wants to be treated equally and they deserve to be treated equally as well. One can provide the groundwork for identifying shared battles against oppression by establishing cross-cultural empathy based on past knowledge and the strengths of varied groups rather than being distracted by cross-cultural conflict.
In a community with social justice, rather than only speaking with or respecting one’s group, mingling with or learning more about others should be prioritised. This way, all can learn more about how one person or culture is different from theirs. People should venture beyond their comfort zones more often, and they should appreciate and assist one another as a community.
3. Addressing social injustice
Social injustice demonstrates how variety has been utilised as a symbol of oppression, which has affected diverse groups of people differently. As a result, individuals should study the legacy of discrimination, sexism, class discrimination, homophobia, and religious intolerance, as well as how these types of oppression have influenced people’s lives today.
People who understand how oppression works at the individual and institutional levels are better positioned not just to comprehend their own lived experiences, but also to create strong solutions based on historical origins rather than idealised or missionary ideals of social transformation.
4. Social movements and social change
Citizens from all origins and races should work together to effect social justice. There will be no advancements if there is no movement or raising of the voice. To accomplish so, individuals should encourage one another and work together to alter the way society is. If there is an injustice, it is necessary to make adjustments. Social movements also should be created to increase awareness and achieve a lasting change in society to ensure that this never happens again to anyone.
5. Awareness-raising
It is hard to stay silent and not spread knowledge when you know something about the realities of the world that others who are ignorant do not. Many classic and new media tasks may be turned into public awareness efforts. With these tools at one’s disposal, one can simply promote societal awareness.
This particular element is essential in Nepal as a majority of residents in rural Nepal is uneducated or inadequately educated.
6. Social action
To instil a social justice system, citizens must act accordingly on topics that are important to both them and their community. People should all work together to solve a problem, help others, and enhance the community. People can donate their time and other resources for the greater good in a variety of ways, ranging from volunteering to community-owned services, peer networks to organising communities.
One’s acts must extend beyond themselves to benefit and serve others. Raising awareness of environmental concerns such as changing climate, writing to your local leader about a change that is needed in your town, or visiting elderly people in care facilities are all examples of social activities that help promote social justice in Nepal.
