PURSUING EQUITY: UNPACKING SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICAN SOCIETIES

Abstract

This study examined the thesis that justice is the foundation of human rights and that much of the conflict, crisis, and instability experienced globally can be traced to injustice, which negatively impacts the realization of human rights. Relying on existing literature, the study explored the dimensions of human rights in Africa. It moved beyond the rhetoric of contemporary human rights discourse, which often tends toward unnecessary abstraction, and observed that such provisions have not significantly improved the situation on the continent. To consolidate human rights as a foundation for human well-being, the paper proposed a perspective that anchors human rights on access to education, work, and shelter. This dimension is particularly fundamental in Africa, as these rights provide the basic conditions necessary for human survival and dignity. The study concluded that although human rights are fundamental and natural, a strong legal framework is required for their protection and realization. Ultimately, the observance of human rights—as a reflection of core human values and dignity—is key to achieving sustainable development, peace, and stability