Social Advocacy — Definition and 18 Examples

If you’re considering a career in the humanitarian field, it’s essential to understand what social advocacy involves. This blog post breaks it all down, explores the different types of social advocacy, and provides examples — some of which you may already be familiar with.

Social advocacy involves supporting or championing a cause, action or challenge that seeks to improve the well-being of a specific community or population by addressing a particular problem or issue.

Social advocacy has been around for centuries, with early American forms dating back to movements such as the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

There are several different types of social advocacy, some of which may overlap. The most common include:

Community advocacy is often localized and involves a strategic approach to taking action and effecting change on behalf of a neighborhood, community or through local initiatives.
National and global advocacy can begin with a small organization (such as the campaign to ban land mines or end slavery) that builds public awareness and support to affect national and global policies.

Legislative advocacy involves lobbying for law and policy changes on either local, state or federal levels.
Corporate advocacy refers to companies or businesses that promote and support particular social causes, issues or initiatives.

The goals of social advocacy are often specific to a particular cause or issue, but in general, the objective is to raise awareness and build community support. In most cases, some type of action is the desired outcome, whether that’s influencing public policy, enacting legislation changes or mobilizing resources for direct humanitarian assistance.

A social advocacy organization is one that devotes itself to a specific cause or challenge. This could be an overarching issue, such as human rights, or a more specific focus, such as advocating for affordable housing in underserved communities or promoting mental health awareness among teens.

Social advocacy groups can be found worldwide, each addressing unique causes and challenges. The following is a diverse selection, some of which are focused on advocacy while others combine advocacy with operational programs.

Amnesty International: Self-described as a “global movement of more than 10 million people committed to creating a future where human rights are enjoyed by everyone,” Amnesty International operates as a democratic organization governed by its individual members. With a mission to combat human rights abuses worldwide, Amnesty International addresses issues such as discrimination, drug policy reform, gun violence, freedom of expression, and the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, among many others.
Doctors Without Borders: This organization of frontline workers provides medical aid and humanitarian assistance to people around the world who are affected by conflict, man-made or natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
Environmental Health Coalition: Focused on environmental justice, the Environmental Health Coalition works to reduce pollution and improve the health and well-being of underserved communities. It operates primarily in the San Diego–Tijuana region and throughout California.
Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect: GCR2P is dedicated to preventing genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. By advancing the international norm known as the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), the organization works with policymakers, civil society groups and international institutions to promote early action and civilian protection in situations of mass atrocity risk.
Greenpeace International: Dedicated to addressing issues related to climate and energy, biodiversity and social and economic justice, Greenpeace strives to create a sustainable and peaceful future through activism and advocacy.
Human Rights Campaign: The Human Rights Campaign focuses on advocating for equal rights for members of the LGBTQ+ community, including those who are trans, people of color and individuals living with HIV. As the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States, the campaign organizes both local and national events and provides resources for individuals to take action against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Human Rights Watch: This organization — made up of experts, lawyers, journalists and more — investigates and reports on global cases of abuse. With a team of researchers in more than 100 countries, Human Rights Watch shares these stories and engages with governments, corporations and others to advocate for policy and law reforms, ensuring that justice is served.
Innocence Project: The Innocence Project works to free innocent people by using DNA and other advanced scientific tools to prove wrongful convictions. The organization has helped free more than 250 people from prison since it was created in 1992.
International Justice Mission: IJM is a global human rights organization that works to protect people living in poverty from violence and exploitation. Through partnerships with local authorities, IJM focuses on issues such as human trafficking, forced labor, sexual violence and land theft, while also strengthening justice systems to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): Dedicated to promoting civil rights and eliminating racial discrimination, the NAACP tackles issues ranging from racial injustice and voting rights to criminal justice reform, racial disparities in education and equality in healthcare.
Women for Women International: This organization supports women survivors of war and conflict by providing them with practical skills, education and resources to rebuild their lives. Working in countries affected by violence and instability, Women for Women combines economic empowerment, social support and advocacy to help women gain financial independence, strengthen their communities and influence long-term change.
The Trevor Project: With a mission of ending suicide among young LGBTQ+ people, The Trevor Project provides crisis services, public education, advocacy, peer support and more.

The previous section explored social advocacy groups. This section highlights specific stories and actions that demonstrate how social advocacy works in practice.

Greta Thunberg and “Fridays for Future”: Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist renowned for her efforts to address climate change. She gained global recognition by initiating “Fridays for Future” — skipping school to protest outside the Swedish parliament — a movement that inspired hundreds of thousands worldwide. Thunberg has since continued her advocacy by raising awareness and addressing influential bodies such as the United Nations, the European Union and other global organizations.
The campaign to end single-use plastics: There are many organizations and campaigns dedicated to ending single-use plastic, including End Plastic Pollution and Beyond Plastics. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Interior is phasing out single-use plastics on its managed lands by 2032, aligning with federal sustainability goals to reduce pollution and protect ecosystems.
Malala Yousafzai and the Malala Fund: Yousafzaiis an activist and human rights advocate dedicated to promoting education for children and women, particularly in regions affected by poverty, conflict or gender inequality. She founded the Malala Fund to champion girls’ education worldwide.
March for Our Lives: This grassroots, student-led movement campaigns against gun violence by organizing protests, advocating for gun reform legislation and raising awareness through various initiatives.
ShareTheMeal: This crowdfunding campaign, launched in 2015 by the World Food Programme, uses an app to make it easy for users to donate directly to the fight against global hunger. Supporters can also use #ShareTheMeal on social media to raise awareness and show their support.
Access to clean water: Many organizations, such as Pure Water for the World, Water for People and Water.org, are dedicated to improving access to and the quality of clean water in underserved communities worldwide.

Social advocacy does not come without its challenges, especially within the humanitarian sector. Here are some of the most common issues:

Resource constraints and limitations: Humanitarian organizations often operate on limited budgets with small staffs, relying heavily on volunteers. Resources may include financial support, personnel, food, water, medical supplies and infrastructure (like access to transportation). Contracts on these resources can impact the ability to deliver timely and adequate assistance, making it challenging to address crises effectively.
Securing funding for specific social advocacy campaigns: While securing funding is often a challenge for humanitarian organizations in general, raising additional funds for specific social advocacy campaigns can be particularly difficult. These campaigns may require targeted efforts to engage donors and raise awareness, all of which can take significant time and resources.
Overcoming public apathy: Unfortunately, there is no shortage of global crises and challenges, which means people may become numb to such headlines, especially if they aren’t directly affected. Social advocacy plays a crucial role in overcoming this apathy by engaging the public emotionally and intellectually, using compelling stories and relatable experiences to highlight the human side of each issue.
Operating in politically sensitive environments: Humanitarian organizations often work in regions experiencing political unrest, which can create dangerous conditions for both workers and those they aim to help. This political volatility makes it even more challenging to implement effective solutions and achieve positive change.
Navigating cultural and social barriers: Navigating cultural and social barriers refers to the challenges that arise from differences in beliefs, values and practices between individuals or groups from different areas or backgrounds. These barriers can affect communication, understanding and collaboration, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts.
Overcoming misinformation and propaganda: As with any campaign, inaccurate or exaggerated information may arise, distorting the public’s perception.
Gaining media attention: In a world with a fast-paced news cycle, it can be challenging to make your voice heard and give a cause or issue the sustained attention it deserves.

If you’re interested in furthering your social advocacy knowledge with a comprehensive humanitarian education, consider the Master of Science in Humanitarian Action from the University of San Diego.

Looking for more information on the benefits of an advanced education? Read USD’s eBook — 6 Ways a Master’s Degree Can Benefit Your Humanitarian Action Career — to learn how additional education can help you take the next step in your career.