World Social Workers Day is an occasion to celebrate the valuable work done by Social Workers this day recognizes the importance of social work in promoting social justice, empowering individuals, and communities, and creating positive change.
The 17th of March is marked Social Workers Day, this coincides with Human Rights Month. As we commemorate Human Rights Day and Month, let us also observe, recognize ,and celebrate those who work tirelessly and professionally to protect the vulnerable Social work and human rights are closely intertwined, as Social Workers are often involved in advocating for the rights of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Social workers strive to promote social justice and equality by working with individuals, families, and communities to overcome social and economic barriers that prevent them from achieving their full potential.
Social Workers inspire hope, particularly for the vulnerable. The profession has continued to breed change in our society through various interventions and programmes. Becoming a social worker often begins with an interested notion of helping others in a meaningful and lasting way. One can refer to the profession as the modern-day Messiah to vulnerable groups.
Social workers are agents of change who believe that equality can heal wounds caused by abuse, racism, homophobia, heterosexism, patriarchy, classism, and poverty. The profession seeks to end any form of injustice to human beings and promotes equality and social change in our communities.
Social Workers are conscious of the battles they must fight, the forces that they can and cannot control, the political powers, bureaucracy that seeks to diminish their spirits and that of their clients and yet they continue to march on.
Often than not people have a limited view of what a Social Worker is and what a social worker does.
Many people believe social workers to be nonprofit case managers who work only with families and children, to be the entities that divide families than unite them, eg when a child is removed from a family environment into a safer space, this if usually done in the best interest of a child. In some instances, social workers are viewed as an instrument that brings order to broken families.
The profession brings about change in our lives directly or indirectly. Social ills have become a norm in families and society at large. Social Workers are often in the front line. Be it teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, issues of violence against women and children or taking of the vulnerable such as people with disability, children, elderly to name a few. Despite all the red tape and bureaucracy, the profession must ensure that the end user is protected.
At the core of keeping the profession alive and effective, psychosocial support for social workers also needed to improve because practitioners are often confronted with traumatic situations on the field. Effective social work practice cannot take place unless social workers were healed from their own scars and receive emotional and trauma counselling.
As we applaud social development in our society, let us not forget those who are behind making it happen, those that bring plans, strategies to life by delivering the most needed social services for the betterment of the vulnerable.
On World Social Workers Day, we should take a moment to express or gratitude and appreciation for the hard work, dedication, and commitment of Social Workers across South Africa. The discipline continues to play a crucial role in transforming our society for the better and their contribution deserves recognition.
Our Social Workers are a voice of the marginalized in our communities and the advocacy role they play is important for social justice and contributes ultimately to transformation.