This is the second column discussing the Equal Opportunity Commission’s (EOC) strategic vision of becoming the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of TT. On April 17, we spoke about what are NHRIs. Today we will explain how NHRIs are recognised in the United Nations (UN) system. Contrary to other national institutions, NHRIs are accredited with an internationally accepted quality label, based on their compliance with the UN’s Paris Principles.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2023/nhri-part-ii-the-paris-principles-and-the-eoc/

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) has set as one of its strategic objectives, to promote the transformation of the EOC to become the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of TT. This is the first of four columns on this topic. Today, we ask the question: Why a NHRI for TT?

To read more visit:  https://newsday.co.tt/towards-a-national-human-rights-institution/

It is important to take proper steps to prevent discrimination within the workplace. The general workplace atmosphere and culture could be adversely affected. The employees may feel uncomfortable and demotivated. Additionally, failure to do so may lead to the organisation breaching the Equal Opportunity Act if a complaint is lodged against it.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/eoc-offers-free-inclusion-policymaking-services/  

Does carnival have the power to unify us as a nation? Are we already experiencing unity during the carnival season? What is the genesis of this unity? The Equal Opportunity Commission brought together a panel of speakers from the carnival industry to discuss just this on its television programme, “The Hard Conversations: Let’s Talk Equality.”

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) joined the Down syndrome community to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. The theme proclaimed for 2023 is With Us Not For Us. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the incidence of Down syndrome is one in 1,000 to one in 1,100 live births worldwide.

To read more visit:  https://newsday.co.tt/2023/03/20/world-down-syndrome-day-2023/

When you think of a disability, what do you tend to think?

In a bid to spread the awareness and celebration of Zero Discrimination Day, the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC/Commission) is advocating for the day to be a staple observation in the country and across the region. The institution is leading the charge and championing the cause, and is calling on the nation as a whole to support that mandate.

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) joins all other United Nations members to observe Zero Discrimination Day on March 1. UNAIDS (the United Nations agency for treating with issues relating to HIV and AIDS) first observed Zero Discrimination Day in 2014 and initially focused on combating discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV and AIDS, but in recent time it has been expanded to include wider issues of inequality.

To read more visit:  https://newsday.co.tt/2023/02/27/partners-in-equality/

Venue-packed events, cultural competitions and revelry in the streets all culminate today and tomorrow as Trinidadians and foreigners alike celebrate the height of an action-packed Carnival season.

We are deep in the Carnival season. We know it as the greatest show on earth or the mother of all carnivals! We have been witnessing the spectacular shows, energetic fetes and in one week, the parade of the bands. What we are also witnessing is the unifying power of Carnival in our nation.

To read more visit:  https://newsday.co.tt/2023/02/13/the-unifying-power-of-carnival/

As the leading state advocate on discrimination, the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC/commission) conducts inclusivity training sessions with small, medium and large organisations or businesses in the private and public sectors. The EOC once again welcomes all public and private sector organisations/businesses to request one of our 2023 inclusivity training sessions.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2023/01/16/free-eoc-inclusivity-training/

The Equal Opportunity Commission’s (EOC) nationwide caravan found early success with its first stop in Tobago. Scores of Tobagonians visited the EOC’s blue tent outside of Roxborough Administrative Complex on Thursday 17th November and Port Mall in Scarborough on Friday 18th November.

It is the time of year when we decide on our new year resolutions and engage our best efforts to keep them. Some of these resolutions include kicking an old and damaging habit, working towards a better career, or small and simple changes that will have a significant impact. We want to add a resolution for all of TT to consider.

In this new year, let us work towards tolerance and, further, respect and dignity for all. Perhaps it is an ideal that some think is unattainable but as a nation we are further along than we give ourselves credit for and, therefore, we are closer to this ideal than further away from it.

To read more visit:  https://newsday.co.tt/2023/01/02/towards-hope-and-growth-in-2023/

On October 17, we examined some of the vital provisions in the Equal Opportunity Act Chap 22:03 that govern how the commission handles complaints

The UDHR was the precursor to many United Nations conventions on specific areas of human rights. In our column published on October 24, we noted that TT has signed and ratified six of these conventions, three of which are the conventions on the rights of people with disabilities, on eliminating all forms of racial discrimination, and on eliminating discrimination against women. These three are of relevance to the work of the Equal Opportunity Commission as we are empowered by legislation to receive, investigate and, as far as possible, conciliate complaints by people who have suffered discrimination on the ground of their race, their ethnicity, their sex or their disability, as well as on three other grounds (their religion, their marital status and their origin).