Stories
In a changing world, equality law is being challenged by new developments which call into question established norms and approaches. At the same time, the potential of equality laws as a tool to address these challenges is not being exploited. We have identified three major global equality challenges – artificial intelligence; climate change; and poverty – which demand critical reflection and new legal responses. We believe that the law has the capacity to adapt and evolve in response to new developments, and that it must do so if it is to remain relevant and effective.
There is growing recognition that even the most comprehensive equality laws are often not effective in practice. Between 2021 and 2023, we undertook comparative research to assess the effectiveness of equality laws in the area of work and employment. We spoke with more than 100 experts, who confirmed that lack of awareness, confidence and resources prevent victims from seeking justice, while ineffective procedures and inadequate sanctions undermine enforcement.
Equality activists in dozens of countries, ranging from the Bahamas to Japan, are working to develop and advocate for comprehensive equality laws. In many other countries, where political or societal barriers limit the space for reform, activists are working to build consensus on the need for such laws.
Last month, the Equal Rights Trust completed its final factfinding mission as part of its work promoting the implementation of three UN conventions and seven core International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions in nine countries around the world.
Today, the Equal Rights Trust in partnership with Mizan for Law publish Shouting Through the Walls: Discriminatory Torture and Ill-Treatment, Case Studies from Jordan, a report which seeks to fill a vital gap in the under-explored relationship between discrimination and torture and ill-treatment and exposes shocking findings on the treatment of two marginalised groups in Jordan.
Since 2010, the Equal Rights Trust has supported the Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) Network, the only platform of its kind that provides an essential means for journalists to report safely and effectively on hate speech, discrimination and violations of freedom of expression in Sudan and South Sudan. During this time, the Trust has helped the network to develop from an informal group of a few like-minded journ
The Equal Rights Trust provides those at the start of their career in human rights the opportunity to gain essential experience in paid internship and fellowship positions. By doing so we are helping to level the playing field, so that those who are not able to support themselves financially are able to break into the sector and advance equality worldwide. In December 2015 we spoke to Abi Ogunmwonyi our former Legal Research Intern to ask her how she found her experience and what she thinks about the Trust’s internship scheme.
The Equal Rights Trust provides those at the start of their career in human rights the opportunity to gain essential experience in paid internship and fellowship positions. Through these placements, we are helping to level the playing field so those not able to support themselves financially can break into the sector and advance equality worldwide. In December 2015 we spoke to our former Advocacy and Litigation Intern, Shaza Alalmoni on her experience and thoughts on the scheme.
The Equal Rights Trust provides those at the start of their career in human rights the opportunity to gain essential experience in paid internship and fellowship positions. Through these placements, we are helping to level the playing field so those not able to support themselves financially can break into the sector and help us advance equality worldwide. In December 2015 we spoke to our our Legal Research Intern, Sam Barnes on his experience and thoughts on the scheme.
