Rights & Discriminations of Trans & Intersex Persons  

Equinet welcomes the European Commission’s new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, which further recognises the rights and equality of LGBTIQ people, including trans and intersex persons. While the Strategy suggests further legislation for equality bodies to more effectively protect LGBTIQ people from discrimination, many national equality bodies have already been exploring how to better protect trans and intersex persons. Read our discussion paper to find out how equality bodies are working on the rights and discriminations faced by trans and intersex persons.  

What next for the future of Equality Legislation in Europe? 

On 14 October, Equinet co hosted an online roundtable with MEP Alice Bah Kuhnke to discuss how to advance the EU’s legal framework for equality. Participants addressed the urgent need to implement the Horizontal Directive, its relevance for the protection of intersectional grounds, and the importance of enabling citizens to better understand equality legislation. Read our synthesis report for a short summary, or listen to guest MEPs, the European Commission and equality bodies in the video. 

Tackling Structural & Systemic Discrimination in 2021 

Adopted by our General Assembly on 16 October, Equinet has a new workplan to guide its work in 2021. We will be addressing the major challenges that came with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and identifying how to tackle structural and systemic discrimination  on a horizontal level. Read about equality mainstreaming,  positive action, and more here!  

Equality Bodies at work  

Interested in learning more about how to tackle pregnancy and parenthood related discrimination on the labour market? On 4 December, follow the Parents@Work webinar, organised by the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men in Belgium. Register here by 25 November.

It can be difficult to know what sort of support to offer an employee who experiences domestic abuse. Ahead of the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, read the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)’s  “Guidance on Managing and Supporting Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse - a Guide for Employers”.  

We all have a sense that our rights have been affected through the Covid-19 pandemic. The EHRC’s report “How coronavirus has affected equality and human rights” explains its effects, especially on people who already face discrimination and disadvantage in their daily life. The report exposes major shortcomings in Great Britain’s care system and the deeply rooted racial inequality in society.