March 1 is Zero Discrimination Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Curi9ZRRDXo

People who discriminate narrow the world of others as well as their own.I believe in a world where everyone can flower and blossom

— Daw aung San Suu Kyi,
nobel Peace Prize laureate

MARCH 1 IS ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY
Zero Discrimination Day is the opportunity to celebrate everyone’s
right to live a full and productive life with dignity—no matter what
they look like, where they come from or whom they love.
By joining hearts and voices, individuals, communities and
societies can transform the world every day and everywhere. Zero
Discrimination Day is a moment to highlight how everyone can
become informed and promote tolerance, compassion and peace.
WHAT DISCRIMINATION LOOKS LIKE IN 2014
Discrimination is a violation of human rights. It is illegal, immoral,
hurtful and dehumanizing. Too many people around the world
face unequal treatment because of their race, religion, nationality,
sexual orientation or identity, disability, gender or age.
Discrimination can happen anywhere: at work, at school, at home
and in the community. Discrimination doesn’t just hurt individuals
or groups of people—it hurts everyone.
There are many things which can be done to counter
discrimination and encourage acceptance; speaking up when
something is wrong; raising awareness; supporting people who
have been discriminated against; and promoting the benefits of
diversity.

ZERO DISCRIMINATION CAMPAIGN

UNAIDS has a vision of zero new HIV infections, zero
discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. Without achieving
zero discrimination it will be impossible to realize zero new HIV
infections or zero AIDS-related deaths.
This is why, working with Nobel Peace Prize winner and UNAIDS
Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi, UNAIDS launched the “#zerodiscrimination” campaign in
December 2013.
The campaign calls for transformation to achieve zero
discrimination and adopts the butterfly as the transformative
symbol for zero discrimination.
The next phase of the campaign is the lead up to the very
first Zero Discrimination Day which will be celebrated annually
on 1 March. Everyone can show their commitment to zero
discrimination––by mobilizing social media networks and
encouraging others to participate in the campaign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iverlIH__h8

Titica's Story

I have been beaten and stoned for who I am. I have suffered so
much humiliation but I am ready to lead by example and help
overcome stigma and discrimination in my country and beyond.
Titica is a bold, talented and unique pop star. Her first album,
“Ground,” was a hit not only in her home country of Angola but
globally, attracting fans in countries such as Brazil, Germany,
Mozambique, South Africa, and Spain. Titica has performed
on tour around the world and was officially named a “diva” at
Angola’s largest annual gala, attended by President José Eduardo
dos Santos himself. But her success didn’t come easily.
As a transgender woman, Titica has had to overcome stigma,
discrimination and abuse. Today, as a UNAIDS Goodwill
Ambassador, she hopes she can turn her experience into a
positive message to change attitudes in Angola and the world.

WHAT WE CAN DO:

Like the zero discrimination day page on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/zerodiscrimination

On March 1 use the Butterfly as your proifle picture on your social media platforms in honour of zero discrimination day

Snap a photo with a butterfly and post to facebook/tumblr,if you don't have a camera or no butterfly around I figure that photoshopping and other creative expressions will do just as well) facebook link, tumblr link

Join the conversation on twitter using hashtag #zerodiscrimination

FACTS:

In only four out of ten countries worldwide do equal numbers of girls and boys attend secondary school (UNESCO. Teaching and learning: achieving quality for all. EFA Global Monitoring Report  2013/14, Jan. 2014)

Nearly 80 countries have laws that criminalize same sex sexual relations (nop, not just Uganda) ( UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. A/HRC/19/41, 17 Nov. 2011)

In Malawi, Namibia and Botswana, almost one-fifth of men who have sex with men report they are afraid to seek health care services (Baral S et al. HIV prevalence, risks for HIV infection, and human rights among men who have sex with men in Malawi, Namibia and Botswana. PLoS One 2009, 4.)

In Bolivia, 13% of adult women cannot read or write, compared with 5% of adult men (Global Campaign for Education. Gender discrimination in education: The violation of rights of women and girls. Feb. 2012.)

Disabled people are four times more likely to report being badly compared to non-disabled people (World Health Organization: 10 facts on disability, September 2013)