As unlikely as it sounds, cloud-based software solutions that help governments to be more efficient can actually be considered a major contributor to the furthering of human rights.
And since it's the time of year that we celebrate Human Rights Day, we thought we’d take a closer look at this idea.
Boxfusion has been building software solutions using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform for many years now. Our aim has always been to build solutions that can be easily deployed inside government departments, and which make everything that those departments do easier, faster, and more transparent than ever.
In this, we have been succeeding, having deployed many solutions into a large number of government departments over the past almost two decades. We’ve helped those departments do everything from managing their staff leave more effectively, to improving and speeding up the application process to schools in Gauteng. We’ve introduced solutions that make assembling committees and documenting their activities easier, and we’ve helped government to tighten up their procurement and payments processes in various departments. And lately, we’ve branched out into the healthcare sector as well, putting medical information and services into the hands of more South Africans than ever.
In short, we’ve deployed many digital solutions on behalf of the South African government that have sped up processes that have, in turn, made the lives of South African citizens better.
And this is important, because having access to government services - while not itself a universal human right - forms part of the greater Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This Declaration recognises the right to social security, which includes access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) goes slightly further, by recognising the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes access to essential services and facilities.
Therefore, while having access to government services may not be explicitly stated as a universal human right, access to basic public services is generally recognised as a fundamental aspect of human rights. Governments have a responsibility to provide these services to their citizens, and individuals have a right to demand and receive them.
Any product or solution that makes accessing these services easier, cheaper, or more convenient for the average citizen can therefore be considered to be contributing to the realisation of human rights.
This Human Rights Day, we hope you’ll join us in reflecting on just how far we have come as a country. We have our share of challenges, of course, but in a country with as many people as we have, including a large number of historically disadvantaged people, we’re proud to say that more citizens than ever can access the services provided by the South African government, thanks in part to the cloud solutions developed, delivered, and deployed by Boxfusion South Africa.
And as a result, the human rights of all South Africans are enhanced.
We are proud of our contributions so far, and we are committed to building an even more equitable, just, and free society going forward, with proven, powerful, and advanced technology at the foundation.
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