In 2014, Pakistan was the second lowest performing country in terms of gender equality in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. Despite the passing of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 and the establishment of a Federal Ombudsman to handle complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual harassment remains prevalent.
Stories
In 2015, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published the findings from a call for evidence on religion or belief in the workplace and service industry. Amongst other things, it explored the direct and personal experiences of employees and found that for many, discrimination on grounds of religion or belief still impacts on their employment.
Women in Kenya are subject to discrimination and disadvantage in all areas of their lives. Levels of gender-based violence and culturally harmful practices are egregiously high, women experience inequality of opportunity and outcomes in relation to education, and women are at greater risk of poverty and landlessness. The Equal Rights Trust works with the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA - Kenya) helping to provide legal assistance to women through local organisations such as Kibera Justice Centre. In May 2014 we spoke with a client of the Centre, Jane Mulanda.
As part of its project in Belarus, the Equal Rights Trust discovered widespread discrimination against political opponents of the Belarusian regime, and in particular that as a result of their political opinions, political and social activists are exposed to disadvantages when participating in employment and education. In January 2014 we spoke with Andrey Leonidovich Zawadski whose views are, in one way or the other, not in line with those of the Belarusian regime.
As part of its project in Belarus, the Equal Rights Trust discovered widespread discrimination against political opponents of the Belarusian regime, and in particular that as a result of their political opinions, political and social activists are exposed to disadvantages when participating in employment and education. In January 2014 we spoke with Tatsiana Shaputska whose views are, in one way or the other, not in line with those of the Belarusian regime.
As part of our focus in Russia the Equal Rights Trust works with the Russian LGBT Network - an organisation which provides legal and psychological support to lesbian gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. From 2014 - 2015 the Network supported Alexander Yermoshkin, an LGTB activist who now lives in New York. In his interview below he describes how his experience led him to leave Russia. What made you decide to leave Russia?
Women in Kenya are subject to discrimination and disadvantage in all areas of their lives. Levels of gender-based violence and culturally harmful practices are egregiously high. Women experience inequality of opportunity and outcomes in relation to education and are at greater risk of poverty and landlessness. The Equal Rights Trust works with the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA - Kenya) helping to provide legal assistance to women through local organisations such as Kibera Justice Centre.
As part of its project in Guyana, the Equal Rights Trust uncovered widespread evidence of direct and indirect discrimination against people with disabilities, in both law and policy, as well as a multitude of practical barriers to their equal participation in society.
As part of our work in Russia, the Equal Rights Trust works with the LGBT Network to support Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons. This sees that a number of support centres and local organisations are assisted throughout Russia. In 2014 we spoke to Goula a representative of the organisation Rainbow World – which works to raise awareness on LGBT rights. Could you explain how Rainbow World was established?
People with psycho-social and learning disabilities are among the least visible victims of discrimination. They suffer, often systematically, violations of a broad range of human rights. In July 2008, our researches visited Nigeria to study discriminatory law enforcement practices that led to deaths in custody.
