Equalities in Blaenau Gwent

Equality and Diversity and the Equality Act 2010

We recognise that people might suffer discrimination and be disadvantaged for many reasons. We also have both a moral and statutory obligation to reflect the needs of a diverse community through our service provision and as an employer.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity across all of our services and ensuring that they are accessible to all. The Act puts fairness at the heart of society, harmonises discrimination law, strengthens the law to support progress on Equalities and devolves the responsibility for discrimination to Wales.
               
The Act consolidated the previous 116 different pieces of equality legislation and gives everyone the right not to be treated less favourably by public authorities. The protected characteristics (strands) to which the General public sector equality duty apply are:                      

  1. Age
  2. Disability
  3. Gender reassignment 
  4. Pregnancy and maternity
  5. Race
  6. Religion and belief
  7. Sex 
  8. Sexual orientation
  9. Marriage and Civil Partnership

 
The Welsh Language is not part of the Equality Act as it is covered by its own specific piece of legislation – The Welsh Language Measure (Wales) 2011 – but is no less important.  

There is the need to have due regard to:  

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
  • Advance Equality of opportunity
  • Foster good relations
  • Cover employment and the provision of goods and services (covers both staff and the public who access services)

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