Policies to reduce inequality in the capability to enjoy individual, family and social life, to express yourself and to have self-respect

Policies in Domain 7 address factors related to policy, legal and institutional frameworks that recognise diversity and promote and protect equality, individuals’ autonomy, self-determination and family life. Policies also address discrimination, marginalisation and intolerance related to harmful social and cultural norms. Not everyone enjoys independence, choice and equality in primary relationships and candidate policies address these aspects of inequality, including those driven by harmful norms and beliefs in relation to women and sexuality. Policies also address aspects of community cohesion and social trust which can be aided by support for community groups, community events and activities. As unequal access to affordable cultural and leisure events is an important aspect of well-being in this domain, policies should address these inequalities.

Explore the candidate policies by main driver categories in Domain 7.

Policies by main driver categories

To find a selection of candidate policies, click on the main driver categories below.

7.1 Lack of policy and institutional frameworks that recognise diversity and promote equality, dignity and respect

• Policies that create contextual and institutional standards of inclusion, equality, respect and recognition of diversity.
• Monitoring and availability of discrimination statistics (along gender, racial, disability, LGBTI status lines), official recognition and accountability for historical patterns of oppression, discrimination and marginalisation.
• Policies that promote critical diversity training in all public institutions.

7.2 Lack of equal legal protection against all forms of discrimination and harassment (bullying) based on identity

• Policies that ensure full recognition of International Human Rights treaties and standards in domestic law and provide for their proper implementation.
• Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws providing for equal treatment for all and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, ethnicity, religious views, disability, sexual orientation in relation to: education, employment (during recruitment and in the workplace), consumer transactions and political participation.
• Mechanisms for complaints and bodies equipped to investigate, conciliate and prosecute breaches of anti-discrimination laws with appropriate funding available for complainants.

7.3 lack of institutional and legal framework protecting individuals’ autonomy, self-determination and family life

• Enhance legal and institutional frameworks protecting individuals' relational autonomy and self-determination.
• Policies that provide access to legal protection of one's intimate relationships, and especially legal recognition of homosexual partnerships.
• Adaptive, inclusive and equitable family law codes and protections.
• Policies that enhance access to adolescent (and individual) medical decision-making relating to abortion, sexual health and contraception.
• Implementing a minimum legal age of marriage.
• Policies that promoting access to equitable divorce.
• Policies that strengthen rights to family reunion in the context of displacement and migration: expanding the criteria for who legally qualifies as a 'family member' for the purpose of refugee and migrant family gathering; providing legal aid to migrant and refugees to support family reunion cases.
• Policies that provide psychological and mental health support to migrants and refugees at risk of social isolation due to family separation.
• Policies that facilite and enhance access to caring arrangements that are equitable gender-wise.

7.4 Harmful social and cultural norms which result in the marginalisation and discrimination of certain groups (e.g. gender and sexual minorities, women, ethnic minorities, elderly, disabled, etc.)

• National action plans to combat racial and religious discrimination, including equipping specialized bodies to analyse legislation, monitor compliance and undertake activities to promote equality; educational programmes and public campaigns to promote greater awareness of the prohibition of discrimination, and to promote tolerance and respect for diversity while also enhancing accountability for past histories of social oppression.
• Policies that, where relevant, enhance learning about colonial history and accountability for historical patterns of racial oppression.
• Implementing educational programmes aimed at tackling sexism and gender based stereotypes.
• Policies that provide face-to-face community outreach programmes designed to tackle prejudices against ethnic and religious groups, women and gender/sexual minorities.
• Provide that provide local support to marginalised groups to increase their access to social support and general acceptance in society (example: gender and sexual minorities, ethnic minorities, migrant and refugees populations, the elderly, etc.).
• Policies that encourage and support civil society organisations and advocacy groups aimed at providing social support and safe spaces to marginalised groups at various intersections.
• Policies that encourage the creation of targeted community centres, cultural and research centres aimed at addressing the history and culture of marginalised groups.
• Policies that challenge cultural hegemony by tackling underrepresentation and misrepresentation of marginalised groups in the media and cultural production: enforcing industry standards that promote diversity while encouraging and supporting alternative media, social and cultural platforms aimed at representing marginalised groups (makings funds and resources available for instance).
• Policies that support organisations who arrange and promote inclusive and accessible community and cultural events and social clubs.
• Policies that provide adequate structures for the social support of the elderly: encouraging the implementations of targeted social and cultural activities for those at risk of social isolation.

7.5 Lack of social cohesion and social trust

• Policies that encourage and fund community capacity building and participatory social initiatives such as community rehabilitation programmes.
• Policies that, where relevant, help set up and fund public programmes to foster reconciliation, and peace-building in conflict or post-conflict contexts, providing public psychological support to overcome trauma.

7.6 Lack of access to affordable cultural and leisure activities

• Policies that provide investment in culture, media and sports activities and infrastructures that promote social cohesion and self-development which are accessible to all.
• Policies that promote cultural and social activities in schools and other education institutions.