On March 15, 2016, many social workers across the globe celebrated World Social Work Day with the theme of ‘Societies thrives when the Dignity and Rights of all People are respected’ which is the second goal of the Global Agenda 2012 to 2016 set by the International Federation of Social Workers, International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Council on Social Welfare. The Social Work day acknowledges the work around the world performed by the social workers in course of working towards human rights, social justice and other important social agendas. The theme for this year’s social work not only apply for the social workers but for all the institutions working for the rights of people as be it a social workers, development practitioner, academicians all around the globe they all are working with individuals, families, communities, societies, governments and whole of society to reach at a state where there is socially just and environmentally sustainable world where people’s rights are respected and they live with dignity.
A scenario very common to us, where the service providers delivers services in the community without or with less consultation of the receiver (beneficiaries). In response to the question of the beneficiaries for their involvement the only answer given is ‘beggars are not choosers’ and this someway quiets the beneficiaries. Now, here arises the question of dignity and rights of people if are respected in such cases? Of course not! The above mentioned scenario is just amongst the many other cases, happening in the name of helping people. Even the involvement of social workers in such process, doesn’t differ the situation at least in regard to the present context of Nepal. The prime motto of social work practitioners is to assure that they ‘help people to help themselves’, so the concern is how far we (social workers) are committed with the motto. There are so many binding principle that social workers need to adopt while working for/with people.
This year’s theme rightly advocates the need of deconstructing how social work is being done, how development works are practiced and how the rights of people are respected making them feel dignified. We (social work graduates and students), really need to advocate for the concern and change the commercial business done in the name of helping people. So far, the people are treated like subjects and often considered as means of many social experiments. Therefore, it is necessary to take a step to modify the existing way of helping and working with people.
So the question arises in regard to assuring the dignity and rights of people? The answer we see is the strong realization on impact of respecting people’s right and dignity would automatically solve the problem. However, having said that, again this is not an overnight process and it needs strong schooling which will make the upcoming social workers prepared. Similarly, need of academically trained social worker in various field is seen however, the appointment of social worker is not seen widely. Very few NGOs have appointed social worker defining their role as social worker. The cooperative intervention mechanism, participatory approach after capacitating primary stakeholders, working in creating enabling environment, mediating resources with needy one, working to enhance resiliency are some of the approaches which will definitely create a scenario where Societies thrives when the Dignity and Rights of all People are respected.
While saying so, still there is lack of recognition of social workers in Nepal by various institutions which includes government too. I would not say this is other’s fault that social workers are not recognized, it is to large extent the limitations from social work graduates in lobbying and making it heard in mainstream. Likewise, the institutes who are providing social work education should try to link themselves with other international social work institutes and councils who are constantly working to recognize social work profession.
Saugat Gautam 