Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Social Workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights such as freedom, safety, privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, and education. Social workers understand the global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations, and are knowledgeable about theories of human need and social justice and strategies to promote social and economic justice and human rights. Social workers understand strategies designed to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure that social goods, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil, political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected. Social workers:
3.1 apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels; and
3.2 engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.
Reflection
The meaning of this competence is to consistently work towards dispelling unequal rights and social injustices. As a social work professional, I believe it is my job to not only uplift my clients sense of value and self worth, but to advocate on their behalf both within and outside of an agency setting. Protecting a client’s privacy, is an important part of upholding integrity in my work. My commitment is to challenge myself to continually seek a better understanding of the many injustices, and how I can engage with advocation tools.
Competency 3: Evidence of Practice
While attending Southern Adventist University and studying my BSW, I engaged in a variety of activities that helped me to develop and master this competency.
School Work:
For this assignment I was instructed to review and analyze a social issue, then identify a corresponding policy. I chose the prevalence of child abuse in America, and identified the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) as a policy in place to combat this issue. This assignment helped me too critically think about how this particular policy effects services to at-risk groups. Furthermore, it was especially helpful to take time to educate myself on an issue I often see in my practicum setting. I chose this evidence because it shows my dedication to learning about a social issue that shapes many client’s diverse experience.
Policy Analysis Paper (Part 1)
Field:
The document: MAR Child Abuse Prevention Poster is an example of a flyer I created to put up at my agency and in departments at Southern Adventist University. In April, for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month, I collaborated with Mending Arrow Ranch and Southern Adventist University to spread awareness on behalf of child abuse victims. My agency ordered blue Pinwheels for Prevention to be put up in front of our Mending Arrow Ranch sign. I believe this will be helpful for my future, as it helped me to practice my advocation skills. I chose this evidence because it shows my ability to Identify social issues and injustices, collaborate with organizations, and advocate for human rights.
Outside Evidence:
Last year I attended and volunteered at a women’s rally where I was able to experience empowerment and advocation in action. The mission of the event was to harness the political power of the diverse women of Chattanooga for transformative and inclusive change. This was my first time attending a rally, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see the example of many strong women from different backgrounds taking part in recognizing women’s rights.
