ARCHIVES
VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2024)
Addressing human rights issues in the perspective of Gandhian philosophy of social work
Authors
Jolly K James, Shanimol P S
Abstract
The concept of human rights emerged from the Doctrine of Natural Rights
wherein individuals have right to life, liberty and property. Human rights are
intended for the existence as well as the development of human personality. Though,
human rights are formed internationally, they are executed locally; social work
also is a worldwide profession, which is made specific in its local
application. As Social Work is a practice-based profession, working for
protection of the rights of the people belonging to any sector, especially the
vulnerable and the unjust society encountering varied human rights issues. The
core value of social work is under-pinned with human rights which are focused
on the individual worth and dignity. Social workers work with their clients on
various levels: the micro level of individual and family, the mezzo level of
community and the macro level of society-national and international. The
concern for human rights must always be manifested by social workers at all
levels and under Rights based approach of social work in the Code of Ethics.
IFSW clearly states in its Code of Ethics (1976) about the role of professional
social workers who are dedicated to the service for the welfare and
self-fulfillment of human being, and to the achievement of social justice. To
question the injustices or to respond to the domination and oppression,
violence is not the only way of action, the better alternative to this is the
non-violent action of Ahimsa promulgated by Mahatma Gandhi. His idea of
“Sarvodaya’, is very much connected with the modern human rights and humanity.
To him non-violence is the force of active love and truth which seeks justice
and peace for every human being. The social worker relying on the Gandhian
ideology is appealing to the opponent’s moral force by non-violent resistance
and actions through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, economic or
political non-cooperation, satyagraha, or other methods to gain over social
injustice of human rights violations. Though this may bring results in a slow
manner, but the result will have an enduring effect of gaining the worth and
dignity of the individual.
Download
Pages:51-56
How to cite this article:
Jolly K James, Shanimol P S "Addressing human rights issues in the perspective of Gandhian philosophy of social work". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2024, Pages 51-56
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.