'Significant progress' towards equality

Monday 10 December 2018

There are encouraging signs that Guernsey is getting closer to being a truly equal society, according to a group which has that as its aim.

On the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Equality Working Group (EWG) has said it is "encouraged that finally Guernsey is making significant progress towards promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of all islanders."

The group said it was now supporting the Employment & Social Security Committee's aim to have an Equality Rights Organisation set up in Guernsey by the Autumn of 2019. It wants Equality Legislation approved by the States in early 2020. 

While Guernsey may be years behind other places in some ways, the EWG is working quickly on fulfilling its aims. It was set up in 2016 from a 'shared interest in “accelerating the equality agenda” in the Bailiwick of Guernsey' with plans to:

• Ensure that Equality Legislation is at the top of the States agenda
• Provide input into the development of an equality rights organisation; assist the States of Guernsey to establish its mandate and prioritise its responsibilities
• Promote equality in the Islands raising awareness of gaps in the equality agenda that the public may not be aware of
• Provide opportunities for members of the community to offer their services and expertise to drive forward equality in Guernsey 

The EWG said it is getting close to meeting some of those aims and was pleased to see the States give "overwhelming support to establishing equality laws and a commitment to return draft legislation to the States by the end of this political term," during 2018.

Pictured: Staff at Edward T Wheadon House have been working on the policy letter. 

The Committee for Employment and Social Security (ESS) is also expected to submit a Policy Letter during 2019 to "gain support for creating an Equality Rights Organisation." The EWG said it has also "been encouraging to hear the Chief Minister giving his public support to the above."

As well as that, the EWG said it has seen "progress in areas of the Disability and Inclusion Strategy, although we have yet to see if there are tangible outcomes for service users."

With benefits for the economy of motivating and employing an inclusive workforce, the EWG said it was pleased to see the recent CIPD conference "promoting positively the moral and economic case for increased diversity in the workforce. The Accessible Town initiative, was excellent in raising awareness of disability with retailers and the wider community."

There will be continued efforts to target schools during 2019, following the launch of the UNESCO Rights Respecting Schools award which the EWG said "is another very positive initiative in promoting human rights and this has the potential for great impact."

The Chair of the EWG said it is critical to build on this momentum, "to ensure support in the States, and public engagement in 2019’s equality legislation consultation."

Alan Brown said; “it is clear that the plans for 2019 are essential in ensuring that the fundamental human rights of all people living in Guernsey are properly protected and supported. This is of particular significance to the more vulnerable members of our community. The EWG will continue to work with ESS and other States committees to promote and progress the Equality agenda and hope to be actively involved in future awareness raising campaigns.” 

Pictured top: Equality is the aim for 2019.