On 1 March, people around the world join together to celebrate Zero Discrimination Day. The UN first celebrated Zero Discrimination Day on March 1, 2014, after UNAIDS, a UN program on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), launched its Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013.
No one should ever be discriminated against because of their age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, language, health (including HIV) status, geographical location, economic status or migrant status, or for any other reason. Unfortunately, however, discrimination continues to undermine efforts to achieve a more just and equitable world and causes pain for many. Discrimination has many forms, from racial or religious discrimination to discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or age, and to bullying at school or at work.
Zero Discrimination Day aims to celebrate individuality, inclusion and human rights while promoting tolerance, compassion and peace. Discrimination refers to the selective practice of unfairly treating a person or a group of people differently than others due multiple factors such as religion, gender, race, sexuality, age and disability amongst others. Despite laws and education, discrimination continues to be a wide-spread problem throughout the world.
Zero Discrimination Day Facts & Quotes
The theme for Zero Discrimination Day 2016 was Stand Out.
According to UNAIDS, globally, there are about 80 countries that still have laws that discriminate against same-sex relations.
According to UNAIDS, approximately 38 countries worldwide impose travel restrictions on people with HIV/AIDS.
Muslims comprise the second largest religious population in the world. Between 2006 and 2010, Muslims were discriminated against in 121 countries around the world.
Stigma and discrimination damage people and fragment societies. People should never have to suffer in fear and darkness. — Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS
Zero Discrimination Day Top Events and Things to Do