Message by the Hon. Colin E. Jordan, M.P.
Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector
World Day of Social Justice, 2025
On this World Day of Social Justice, we come together to reaffirm our commitment to fairness, equality, respect and upholding the dignity of all human beings.
The theme for this year is “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice.” This theme acknowledges that we are not where we aspire to be, and it speaks to being intentional about inclusion and doing all in our power to ensure that no one is left out or left behind. It reminds us that we can each do something to reach the goal of creating a society where all persons can fully participate and lead fulfilled lives in the process. Social Justice is not just an ideal, it is a responsibility we all share. It is essential for maintaining harmony, productivity, cohesion and sustainable development within and among nation states.
Around the world, millions of people still face barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and other basic human rights. These gaps in access and opportunity fuel cycles of poverty, discrimination and marginalization, and hinder individual, community and national development.
In our country, Social Justice is rooted in both the Charter of Barbados, part of the preamble to which states, “Embracing our diversity while acknowledging we are one people bound by love, respect and a duty of care for one another and our kinship as Barbadians,” and the vision of the Declaration of Mission Barbados part of which states, “To transform Barbados into a sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and resilient society.” Social Justice is also cemented in the Sustainable Development Goals.
As a Government, we are working diligently to strengthen human rights and we continue to make strides in addressing various barriers.
Our commitment is reflected in what we do. On January 15, 2025, we passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act which affords certain rights to people living with disabilities, including the promotion, protection and equal enjoyment of rights. This initiative built on the work of the National Insurance and Social Security Service, which in the year 2024, expanded the categories of persons living with disabilities who are eligible for the Special Needs Grant and Non-contributory Pension to include persons with Multiple Sclerosis, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Autism.
The Job Start Plus Initiative, which is also a programme in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, is providing training and support for young people with disabilities in preparation for the world of work. It will place them with partnering organisations in the private and third sectors in order to gain work experience and position them to pursue meaningful careers.
Social Justice means inclusion! It means amplifying the voices of the unheard, creating spaces for equal participation, and ensuring that no one is ignored. It requires the dismantling of systemic inequalities and building societies where diversity is celebrated, and people are treated with respect and dignity. The social dialogue practiced in Barbados, and which underpins our pursuit of social justice, is one of the strongest in this hemisphere. We will continue to work collectively to strengthen it to ensure that everyone has a voice.
May this World Day of Social Justice inspire us to work towards a future where justice is not just an ideal, but a lived reality! Let us come together and renew our efforts to create a world where opportunity is not a privilege for a few but a right for all. Together, let us bridge the gaps for Social Justice.
