Equality and Diversity Essay example

Submitted By christina1968
Words: 4173
Pages: 17

P1) define the following words/concepts, using the correct terminology. Connect each with an appropriate legislation, charter or rights, giving brief explanation of how it protects individuals and society.
Promotion of equality
The Human And Equality Rights Commission says that “The act that suits this legislation the most is the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act was introduced in October of the year 2010. The act provides a modern, single legal framework with clear, streamlined law to more effectively tackle disadvantage and discrimination. The act simplifies, strengthens and harmonies the current legislation to provide Britain with a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.” (See Annex one) - http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/equality-act/

Benefits of diversity
The benefits of diversity are that there are many acts out there to help. The Equality Act 2010 has extended the protection from the 6 equality stands to 9 protected characteristics (See annex 2 for the 9 Characteristics). Because of this Act the public are not allowed to discriminate in any kind of way or harass another person they have any of the characteristics in Annex 2. The Equality Act 2010 includes a new public sector which states that the public bodies must:
-eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
-advance equality of opportunity
-foster good relations between different groups

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/equalities/equality-act-publications/equality-act-guidance/equality-duty?view=Binary

Individual rights

The Human Rights Act came into force in the UK in October 2000. The Equality And Human Rights Commission say “It is composed of a series of sections that have the effect of codifying the protections in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.” http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/what-are-human-rights/the-human-rights-act/ All public bodies (such as courts, police, local governments, hospitals, publicly funded schools, and others) and other bodies that are carrying out some public functions have to obey with the Convention rights. Because of this, this means that people can take human rights cases to courts, and no longer have to go to Strasbourg to argue their case with the European Court Of Human Rights. (see annex 3 for the fundemental rights and freedoms that individuals in the UK have access to).

Discrimination
The explanation of discrimination is by treating a person or a group less favourably than another person or group. There are three types of discrimination which are direct, indirect and victimisation.
Direct- when a person is treated less well, in comparison with someone else, because of his/her view on a subject such as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Indirect discrimination – this is when a person discriminates against another. For example, Indirect discrimination against pregnant women and women on maternity leave are dealt with as indirect sex discrimination.

Discriminatory Act 2005 - A lot more people with HIV, multiple sclerosis and cancer now find it easier to get fair treatment from the moment that they know they are ill. These include people who:
• run public transport services, such as buses and trains. are in public bodies, such as local councils, schools and hospitals
• rent houses or flats to disabled people
• run clubs where there are 25 or more members
• are in charge of qualifications like GCSEs and A-Levels.
•The Government made new laws start in December 2005 so that:
People with mental illnesses now find it easier to show they are disabled and be treated fairly.
• It will be easier in future to change the law which says who counts as a disabled person if the law is not helping them.
• Local councils have to make sure that local councillors who are disabled are