Our vision
A society built on fairness and respect. People confident in all aspects of their diversity.
Our mission
The independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain, the Equality and Human Rights Commission aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
The Commission challenges prejudice and disadvantage, and promotes the importance of human rights.
The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act.
In order to bring about effective change, the Commission uses influence and authority to ensure that equality and human rights remain at the top of agendas for government and employers, media and society. We will campaign for social change and justice.
Acting directly and by fostering partnerships at local, regional and national levels, the Commission stimulates debate on equality and human rights.
The Commission gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and also to individuals.
Developing an evidence-based understanding of the causes and effects of inequality for people across Britain, the Commission will be an authoritative voice for reform.
Our priorities
To analyse, define and target key equality and human rights challenges – The Equality and Human Rights Commission will analyse and measure inequality at all stages of people’s lives to build up a sound base of knowledge and evidence to inform our policy work and enforce the law.
To change policy and organisational practice to provide better public services alongside an efficient and dynamic economy – The Commission will seek to transform the policies and practices of government departments, public institutions and private sector organisations through our role as an enabler, persuader and enforcer. We will show how promoting equality and diversity helps to create better public services, thriving businesses and an efficient and productive economy.
The Commission will also negotiate memorandums of understanding will all major public service inspectorates, encouraging a strategic approach to promoting equality and diversity with public services.
To engage, involve and empower the public, especially people from disadvantaged communities and areas – The Commission wants to give individuals the chance to participate fully in our local and national democracy, as well as in local communities.
To anticipate social change, develop new narratives, and reach new audiences in ways that strengthen equality and human rights – The Commission will commission research to help them fully understand the forces that create inequality in Britain. The Commission will use its work to put forward a compelling case for the need to put human rights at the heart of British culture and to show how human rights reflect essential values of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy. The Commission will also work with the grain of social change to embed a commitment of fairness and diversity throughout Britain.