Every year, social workers celebrate the resilience of the profession and generations of professionals who have withstood the test of time.

The International Social Work Day, observed on March 19, holds immense significance as it offers a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the tireless efforts of social workers worldwide in combating social injustices, fostering equality and championing the rights and well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Moreover, it serves as a catalyst for raising awareness about the pivotal role of social work in issues like poverty, discrimination, mental health and equitable access to resources and services.

Society is transforming at a rapid pace, engendering new and complex challenges affecting humanity. As such, social workers find themselves having to adapt to these changing times to provide the best context-specific services to their users across the globe.

This is a caring profession whose services span generations, from children to older persons. It seeks to enhance the well-being for all humanity from the cradle to the grave.

Despite significant challenges within the social welfare sector, including inadequate funding, poor working conditions, high staff turnover, low salaries, heavy workloads and staff burnout, social workers steadfastly deliver services across a spectrum of interventions.

Their approach is characterised by humility and dedication, as they fulfil their responsibilities with the utmost care for society’s most marginalised and oppressed. In doing so, they make invaluable contributions to the overall welfare and development of society.

Tasked with addressing a multitude of pressing issues, including violence, poverty, substance abuse and inequality, they serve as beacons of hope in SA and many other countries’ quest for a better tomorrow.

Interestingly, these efforts dovetail with key priorities outlined in the University of the Free State’s Vision 130. This visionary framework underscores the imperative of tackling economic disparities, food insecurity, climate change, political instability, unemployment and poverty – critical issues not only in SA but also on a global scale.

Equipped with suitable training, social workers endeavour to confront these challenges head-on. The tradition of the social work profession has long upheld the dignity of individuals and their surroundings.

This year’s theme promotes and advocates for attaining a state of balance and harmony. Furthermore, the theme alludes to the need for social workers to invest in groundbreaking, community-led approaches that are rooted in indigenous wisdom.

Social workers need to continue striving to do nothing for the people without the people but rather with the people to establish social harmony. The quest for such a state of equilibrium in society is persistently and significantly disturbed by geopolitical, economic and climate related challenges.

This disruption leads to a systemic imbalance, evident in conflicts such as those in Palestine, Ukraine and the DRC, as well as the impacts of climate change observed in various regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Unless the welfare of individuals is prioritised in every decision and action, these challenges will persist and escalate, leading to displacement of people, mass migration, xenophobia, Afrophobia, racism and further civil and regional conflicts, among other issues.

On this day of celebration, we honour the unwavering commitment of social workers. We recognise the hardships endured by those serving in conflict-ridden regions and areas devastated by natural disasters.

Despite obstacles like unemployment, overwhelming caseloads, limited supervision and inadequate wages, social workers continue to serve with dedication. Furthermore, they urge institutions of higher education to provide optimal support to social work students, preparing them to effectively serve vulnerable communities. It is imperative that no one is left behind.

■ Ravhuhali is a social worker in the department of student counselling and development in collaboration with the department of social work at the University of the Free State.