Zero Discrimination Day – 1st March

Zero Discrimination Day (शून्य भेदभाव दिवस) is a day to celebrate diversity and reject discrimination against on the basis of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, religious belief, educational, ethnic and economic status. Such discrimination is reinforced by convictions in antiquated beliefs, practices, or simple unfamiliarity and the dislike for change at any level of society. The day also protects the women’s right and provide equality for all.

The day calls to promote the right of individuals to full lives with dignity, regardless of their appearance, where they live, or whom they love. The symbol for the day is the butterfly, which represents transformation. Around the world, this movement has garnered the support of many celebrities and prominent figures who want a world free of stigma and discrimination.

Discrimination does not have to be intentional. It can also take place in more subtle ways. Sometimes rules, standards, policies, or requirements can also have an adverse effect on people who live with mental health or addiction disabilities. For example, government policies or spending decisions may appear neutral but have a direct negative impact on the individuals who need service, often impeding their access to care.

The theme of Zero Discrimination Day 2023 was “Save lives: Decriminalise”. The theme for 2022, was “Remove laws that harm, create laws that empower” and for 2021 was “Zero Discrimination against Women and Girls.”

UNAIDS has called on organizations and individuals around the globe to support their efforts. They encourage people to download a butterfly from their website, take a picture of yourself holding it and post it on their Facebook wall or other social media.

History

The day was launched on 1st March by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in the year 2014. The Zero Discrimination Day is not just for people living with HIV, but for all people who endure discrimination. Despite progress made in the global response to HIV, stigma continues to be a major factor hindering HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support and affecting the overall health and well-being of people living with HIV. Stigma and discrimination are stumbling blocks to ensuring access to essential services. Openness, acceptance, and accessible sexual and reproductive health and HIV services are the keys to its reduction.

Zero Discrimination Day provides an opportunity to demonstrate how everyone can be a part of an equitable and just society, which will bring about a bright and inclusive future for all people. On this Zero Discrimination Day 2021, here are some quotes that you can share with others.

ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY 2024: INSPIRING QUOTES

There should be no discrimination against languages people speak, skin color, or religion. – Malala Yousafzai
I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now and will do so until the end of my days. – Nelson Mandela
My idea of society is that while we are born equal, meaning that we have a right to equal opportunity, all have not the same capacity. – Mahatma Gandhi
Discrimination is a disease. – Roger Staubach
Discrimination has a lot of layers that make it tough for minorities to get a leg up. – Bill Gates
All religions and all communities have the same rights, and it is my responsibility to ensure their complete and total protection. My government will not tolerate or accept any discrimination based on caste, creed, and religion. – Narendra Modi
We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender, and other discrimination. – Nelson Mandela
We’ve come a long way, but there is still a lot of discrimination. We’ve come a long way, but there is still a lot of discrimination. – Aretha Franklin
Defeating racism, tribalism, intolerance and all forms of discrimination will liberate us all, victim and perpetrator alike. – Ban Ki-moon
Discrimination must always be drawn out, like venom from the wound. – Sharon Needles
No change can come if those who are impacted the most by discrimination are not willing to stand up for themselves. – Zainab Salbi
What are we having this liberty for? We are having this liberty in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination, and other things, which conflict with our fundamental rights. – B. R. Ambedkar
This is the whole point of intersectionality – that it cannot only be a single-issue analysis of race and gender, and instead must consider the cumulative impact of various and simultaneous identities that compound the effects of discrimination. – Meena Harris
I think preaching equality among unequal is the worst form of discrimination. – P. Chidambaram
We are starting in the days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens, and equal citizens, of one State. – Muhammad Ali Jinnah
We need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation. The fact is, in too many parts of this country, a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color. Some of this is the result of the legacy of racial discrimination in this country. – Barack Obama
I believe in a world where everyone can flower and blossom – Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Laureate