THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION: AN ANALYSIS OF CHALLENGES, INTERVENTIONS, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACTS

Abstract

Human rights are fundamental rights inherent to every individual simply by virtue of being human; they are inextricably linked to life, dignity, liberty, equality, and security. In any democratic society, the protection of human rights is considered essential for establishing social justice, inclusion, and human dignity. Although the Indian Constitution, legal frameworks, and various national and international institutions are committed to protecting human rights, many individuals and communities still face exploitation, discrimination, violence, oppression, and the deprivation of rights in practice. In this context, the role of social workers becomes crucial. Social workers not only raise awareness among victimized, deprived, and marginalized groups but also provide them with legal, social, and psychological support. They strengthen human rights protection through community organization, counseling, public campaigns, rehabilitation, advocacy, and policy-level interventions. This research paper analyzes the role of social workers in human rights protection, the major challenges they face, various intervention strategies, and the social justice impact of their work. The study reveals that social workers play a pivotal role in social change, the protection of rights, and the establishment of a just society; however, their work is hindered by resource constraints, institutional barriers, political pressure, and security concerns. Therefore, to make human rights protection more effective, it is essential to provide social workers with training, institutional support, legal protection, and social recognition.