Zero Discrimination Day 2023: Theme, significance, and history

• Zero Discrimination Day is observed annually to promote inclusion.
• It is a global solidarity movement to end all forms of discrimination.
•  UNAIDS reports that transgender individuals are criminalized in 20 nations.

Every year on March 1, Zero Discrimination Day is observed to promote inclusion, equality, peace, and to raise awareness of people’s rights to live a peaceful life, discrimination, and its effects on communities, individuals, and societies.

The ultimate goal of this day is to start a global solidarity movement to end all forms of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, and other characteristics.
On Zero Discrimination Day each year, worldwide events, workshops, seminars, and educational programs are held to educate people about the negative effects of discrimination.

Origin:

After UNAIDS, a joint United Nations program on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), launched its Zero Discrimination Campaign on “World AIDS Day” in December 2013, the day was first observed on March 1, 2014. In 2014, Michel Sidibé, the then-Executive Director of UNAIDS, held a major event in Beijing to kick off the day.

Significance:

Zero Discrimination Day is observed worldwide to foster tolerance, inclusion, and equality. Any form of discrimination has a profound impact on an individual. In addition, it violates human rights and hinders access to opportunities for employment, healthcare, and education, which ultimately perpetuates poverty and inequality.
“Criminalization drives discrimination and structural inequalities,” according to UNAIDS. It holds back the end of AIDS and denies people the chance at healthy, fulfilling lives. To save lives, we must end criminalization.”

Theme:
Zero Discrimination Day is observed annually with a specific theme. This year’s Zero Discrimination Day has as its theme “Save lives: “Decriminalise,” highlighting how the decriminalization of key populations and HIV-positive individuals helps bring an end to the AIDS pandemic and saves lives.

UNAIDS reports that HIV exposure, non-disclosure, and transmission are explicitly criminalized or prosecuted in 134 countries; Twenty nations prosecute or criminalize transgender individuals; At least one aspect of sex work is illegal in 153 countries, and consensual same-sex sexual activity is now illegal in 67 countries.