Equality ACTion: The Review of the Equality Acts
IHREC and FLAC Joint Project launches on Friday, November 5th
In June 2021, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth announced a review of the Equality Acts. In July 2021, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched a public consultation in respect of the review with Monday, 29 November 2021, the deadline for submissions. The review, which is the first of its kind, was welcomed by both the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres).
The information published in respect of the review suggests that it will entail a comprehensive review of the State’s equality legislation, including the Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts.
Civil Society has always played a key role in shaping Ireland’s equality framework and Ireland has previously acted as European leader in terms of progressive and transformative equality legislation. The review represents a significant opportunity for all groups who are concerned with promoting equality and combating discrimination. Civil Society engagement is vital to the success of the review. However, some challenges do arise in this regard, including the broad scope of the review and the complexity of the legislation it is concerned with.
In this context, IHREC and FLAC are launching Equality ACTion, a joint project that aims to strengthen the engagement of civil society with the review of the equality legislation. The project, which is aimed at representatives of interested groups and NGOs will begin with an event at 11:30 am on Friday, 5 November 2021 (via Zoom) where speakers will provide accessible information about the review process and the legislation which is subject to the review, and highlight key areas of potential reform. Speakers will include leading academics and experts in the field of equality.
In the weeks following the event, Equality ACTion will provide focussed information and events around key thematic issues and continue to engage with Civil Society around the review and consultation process. For updates please follow us on social with the hashtag #EqaulityAction
Speakers at the launch event this Friday include:
Registration
Please register for the Conference by emailing events@ihrec.ie by Thursday 04 November 2021 with ‘Equality ACTion: The Review of the Equality Acts’ in the headline.
Special Requirements
When registering please feel free to let us know if you have any special requirements, for example, accessibility, ISL interpretation. This will help us in our preparations for the event.
#equalityaction