1st March 2022: Zero Discrimination Day

Lahore, 1 March 2022—On Zero Discrimination Day, which is commemorated every year on 1 March, Talita Koomi is calling for an end to discrimination against women and girls and for equal rights, opportunities and treatment.

Despite progress in some areas, coercive practices, discriminatory legislation and gender-based violence are just some of the human rights violations that are continuing to have a disproportionate impact on the lives of women and girls around the world. Talitha Koomi is highlighting areas where change is urgently needed: equal participation in political life; human rights and laws that empower; economic justice—equal pay for equal work; ending gender-based violence; provide health care without stigma or barriers; equal and free access to primary and secondary education; and climate justice.

“Feminism, human rights and zero discrimination are values shared across the world.

In Pakistan, at least one in three women and girls have experienced violence in their lives, with adolescent girls experiencing higher rates of violence than adult women overall. This figure hides deep disparities, with more than 50% of women in some countries reporting violence just in the past 12 months.

Inequalities, discrimination and violence continue to be enabled within the very structures of society. Laws that discriminate against women and girls remain in force—in areas of work, property, criminal law and sexual and reproductive health and rights, among others.

Talitha Koomi reiterate need to transform our societies so that no one is second class. We must end gender-based violence, inequality and insecurity, and ensure that women and girls have equal access to education, health, public life and employment.”

Ensuring that women’s rights are protected, ending discrimination against women and girls and removing discriminatory laws will be central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuing equity and equality for all.