Advancing Social Justice And Human Rights Through Education & Leadership
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to reflect on South Africa’s past, celebrate its progress and renew its culture committed to deepening social justice and human rights. This year, theme “Deepening the culture of social justice and human rights” The call for action is clear: we must strengthen institutions and frameworks that uphold dignity, equality and justice for all. At the heart of this mission is education, transformative leadership and strategic partnerships, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduce Inequality) and 17 (Partnership of Goals).
Education: The Foundations of Human Rights
Education is the basic right of mankind and the foundation of sustainable development. It has the ability to break the cycle of poverty, bridge the social divide, and empower individuals to have their own rights. However, South Africa is still struggling to cope with deep educational inequality, especially in underresourced public schools (one in five), where historical gaps persist. Progress in the 2021 International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report shows that 81% of South African 4th grade learners have difficulty reading, a shocking statistic that emphasizes the urgency of transformative interventions.
To truly deepen the culture of human rights, we must prioritize quality education for all. This means investing in early childhood development, improving leadership development, and fostering an inclusive learning environment that meets all needs. When learners possess knowledge and critical thinking skills, they become active participants in democracy, advocate social justice, and challenge injustice in their communities.
Solving inequality requires transformative leadership – leaders are not only managers of systems, but changers who challenge the status quo. In the field of education, school principals play a crucial role in shaping learning environments that promote equity and inclusiveness.
The Leader Education (LFE) program implemented by the Citizen Leaders Laboratory illustrates how leadership development drives systemic change in public schools. By pairing school principals with experienced business leaders, the program can enhance leadership, promote resilience, and empower educators with strategic problem-solving skills. This range of influence goes beyond individual leaders – exerting leadership skills translates into competent principals, better teacher morale, and ultimately a thriving educational ecosystem.
As we reflect on Human Rights Day, we must realize that educational leadership is more than just about administration. It’s about advocating, transforming, and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to a quality education.
Building sustainable change through partnerships
Achieve a more just and equitable society requires cross-sectoral cooperation. SDG 17 highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges, where multistakeholder collaboration is key to promoting human rights through education.
Education program leaders are a classic example of how partnerships between government, the private sector and civil society can drive meaningful impacts. By leveraging company expertise to support school leaders, the program promotes cross-sectoral learning and mobilizes resources for sustainable education reform. Such partnerships must be expanded and replicated to ensure that every school, especially those serving marginalized communities, benefits from strategic investment and leadership support.
Shaping the future of social justice and human rights
Our democracy is only as powerful as our commitment to justice, equality, and inclusion. Education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment, and transformative leadership is crucial to driving systemic change. By aligning us with the efforts of SDG 4, 10 and 17 and strengthening partnerships advocated by those in the Citizen Leadership Lab, we can build a South Africa where every child can thrive and human rights are not only ideal, but real reality.
In commemorating the day, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to deepen the culture of social justice and human rights – a classroom, a leader and a partnership.
About the Author
Dorcas Dube-Londt serves as the National Marketing and Communications Manager for Citizen Leader Lab and is a member of the Board of Directors of Casey Foundation Africa. With her extensive research and academic experience, she has received great respect for her dedication to social justice, education and leadership, and has received a lot of praise and recognition over the years. Dorcas is also a PhD candidate.
