Zero Discrimination Day is annually observed across the globe on 1st March to highlight the needs to take actions to end the inequalities based on income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender identity race, class, ethnicity and religion.
The UN celebrated the first Zero Discrimination Day on 1st March 2014.
Objective:
- To eliminate mental boundaries related to sex, gender, race, age, income class, ethnicity and religion.
- To ensure that all inequalities related to social norms are countered.
Background:
i.The Zero Discrimination Campaign was launched by the UNAIDS – United Nations Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) on 1st December 2013, World AIDS Day.
ii.Following the launch of this campaign, Michel Sidibé Executive Director of UNAIDS, launched the Zero Discrimination Day on 27th February 2014 with a major event in Beijing China
iii.UNAIDS declared the 1st March of every year as ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ starting from 2014.
Symbol:
“A butterfly” which is recognised as the sign of transformation is the symbol of Zero Discrimination.
Significance:
i.Discrimination is closely related to inequalities, which can lead to stigma and discrimination.
ii.Social or structural discrimination lead to inequalities in income, educational outcomes, health and employment.
iii.UNAIDS states that inequality is increasing for more than 70% of the global population, aggravating the risk of division and hampering economics and social development.
Efforts to eradicate discrimination:
i.As a part of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), All the member nations of the UN have pledged to reduce the inequalities within and between the countries.
ii.To achieve these SDGs related to the discrimination and achieve dignity for all, political, economic and social policies need to protect the rights of everyone and pay attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized communities.
Events:
i.The UN has organised various campaigns and activities across the globe to mark the Zero Discrimination Day.
ii.The events of the UN celebrates the individual’s right to live with dignity and honour irrespective of their difference in sex, race, age, caste, religion, etc.,
About United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS):
Executive Director– Winnie Byanyima
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
