Human Rights Day 2021: Theme, Significance and How Important it is for Farmers

Every year Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10^th December all around the world. On this day the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, a text that describes the fundamental rights of all human beings that must be respected universally which is the first global enunciation of human rights and also one of the major achievements of United Nations. 

The day is observed via high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues to enhance public awareness of people's social, cultural, and physical rights, as well as to ensure everyone's well-being. Traditionally, on 10^th December the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations which are active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organizations. 

The theme of Human Rights Day 2021 

This year’s Human Rights Day theme is – “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”  

The theme for 2021 relates to ‘EQUALITY’ and Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” 

Significance 

At the heart of human rights lay the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Aligned with ‘2030 Agenda’ and the UN approach set out in the document ‘Shared Framework on Leaving No one Behind: Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Heart of Sustainable Development, the theme also includes addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in societies, including women and girls, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, LGBTI people, migrants and people with disabilities, among others.   

On this day, the United Nations calls on countries to create equal opportunity for all people and to address issues of inequality, exclusion, and discrimination. 

UN says that Human Rights should be at the center of the post-COVID-19 world. The pandemic wreaked havoc on everyone, and the resulting crises fueled poverty, inequity, and discrimination. According to the UN Human Rights Council, we must take steps to close these gaps in order to rebuild a world that is better, more resilient, and more sustainable. 

Farmers - Where do they stand? 

Farmers, despite having their specific rights, should also be aware of their rights as humans too. They should be aware of these rights they can claim as humans. They sustain in the deprivation of their rights and are played by large corporate firms, who are simply after making profits. Nowadays, farmers –who are the most important element of our food supply chain, are often ignored as living beings and are seen as food generation machinery. They are not machines, they too get tired, feel hungry or hurt. It’s because of their consistent efforts that we get food on our plates. Farmers, by definition, are humans who work in the fields. Growing food is what they do, but apart from that they also have a life with their family and they too have their own well-being.  

This Human Rights Day let us all give praise to all the farmers for their centuries of ongoing contribution to providing us food to eat.