Equality Commission conference highlights key inequalities

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Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, challenges major decision makers in Northern Ireland to apply fundamental equality principles to tackle the key inequalities in our society.

Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, is challenged major decision makers in Northern Ireland to apply fundamental equality principles to tackle the key inequalities in our society at the Equality Commission’s Annual Conference on October 24.

Mr Collins set out six areas where key inequalities must be addressed:

  • educational under-achievement,
  • access and availability of health and social care,
  • housing and communities,
  • employment,
  • participation in public life, and
  • the impact of prejudice.

Key statistics on Inequality

Some of the most shocking statistics on inequality include:

  • 97% of those studying ‘Home Economics’ are female compared to only 35% those studying ‘Economics'
  • 92% of the Traveller community have no GCSEs or equivalent (compared with 5% of all NI school leavers)
  • Almost two in five (39%) female employees work part-time compared with 6% of males.
  • The employment rate for those without disabilities (79%) is over twice that of people with disabilities (32%).
  • Some 70% of social housing tenants live in communities that are at least 90% Catholic or Protestant.
  • Only 17% of Northern Ireland’s MLAs (18 out of 108) are women, compared with 33% in the Scottish Parliament and 47% in the Welsh Assembly.
  • Although almost one in five persons (18%) of working-age are disabled in NI, in 2006 only 3% of appointees to government public appointments were disabled
  • The 2005 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT) found that 25% of respondents felt they were either very prejudiced or a little prejudiced compared to 11% when surveyed in 1994.

Equality as a key issue

Speaking at the Equality Commission’s Annual Conference Mr Collins said:

"Equality should be a key issue for everyone in today’s Northern Ireland. For too many, it is inequality which is an inescapable daily reality.

"For example, disabled people continue to be confronted by very real obstacles to participation in society, women face inequality in pay and income and bear an unequal share of caring responsibilities including childcare, people with mental health difficulties are particularly vulnerable and can face isolation that erodes opportunity; older people too, risk isolation and a perception that they have a limited potential to be part of society.

"Throughout our society, too many children are born into a life which will struggle to give them an equal opportunity to play a full role in society and develop their talents to the full."

Calling on all those in positions of influence to consider the key inequalities set out and prioritise these areas for action, he said:

"Any such progress must be grounded on fundamental principles of equality and mutual respect. These should guide the actions of government, business communities and individuals."

Fundamental equality principles

  1. All human beings are entitled to equal respect
  2. Equality of opportunity is an entitlement that derives from our inherent humanity
  3. Nobody is just an economic unit whose dignity, value or rights are determined or measured solely in terms of contributions to the economy
  4. The real value of a successful economy is in the opportunity for growth and development it offers individuals
  5. The test of our response to a successful economy is the extent to which we use its bounty to give people equal opportunities to share in it
  6. Difference is a source of richness not the basis for unfair treatment
  7. Treating everybody as if we were all identical is neither the meaning nor the measure of equality
  8. The persistence of inequalities diminishes us all.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland | Ciaran Bradley | 23 Oct 2007
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