Zero Discrimination Day is observed every year on March 1, it is celebrated to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of United Nations. It is celebrated every year by UN and other international organisations.

The day highlights the need to take action against inequalities in income, sex, age, health status, race, colour, sexual orientation, religion, occupation and ethnicity. 

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History behind the day:

In December 2013, the Zero Discrimination day was launched by then UNAIDS director Michel Sidibe and was first celebrated on March 1, 2014. Since then, the UN celebrates the day with campaigns and activities that promotes to live life with dignity regardless of their status, age, sex, religion, caste, colour, nationality and profession.

Significance of the day: 

Inequality has been growing in more than 70% of the total world population, with COVID-19 hitting the vulnerable people the most. UNAIDS added that the world has got lost from its goal to end AIDS by 2030 because of structural inequalities.

The main objective behind the day is that everyone achieves dignity by protecting the rights of people through better economic and social policies. In addition to this, there is an urgent need to look at the needs of disadvantaged sections of the society.

Theme for 2021: 

Zero Discrimination day 2021’s theme will be to take action against the inequalities that continue around the modern world. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made everyone’s life more difficult than it was and even though a lot of countries have got effective vaccines, its distribution to economically weaker sections of the society remains uncertain.

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You could throw some light on inequalities that you see by addressing them on internet platforms. You can also share UNAIDS infographics and videos from their website to make awareness within your family and friends about the significance of Zero Discrimination Day.