Structural Social Work in Action

Abstract

In a world of growing inequality and oppression, there is a need for a social work practice that works for social justice and societal transformation, while simultaneously addressing people's immediate needs. Structural social work is one such theory of practice, but many claim it to be idealistic and difficult to practice. This article offers an example from India that operationalizes structural social work and illustrates its viability. It describes the work of an agency over a period of 25 years that has successfully brought about personal, cultural, socio-economic and political transformation in the lives of Dalits in over 200 rural areas of India. Implications for current social work practice and the necessity for a holistic approach that returns social work to its historic commitment of social justice and social change are discussed.