Human Rights

Across the globe every child has rights, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) sets out these rights. They range from rights in education, your rights in care to protection from exploitation and harm.

Take our ‘Equal Opportunities’ quiz

Everyone has the right to be treated equally, regardless of gender, age, disability, sexuality and race.

Equal opportunities is different to equality.

Test your knowledge – are these statements true or false?

A stereotype is a reliable description of someone.

False. A stereotype is a widely held, fixed and over simplified idea of a particular type of person or thing. For example all teenagers are lazy and make trouble.

Prejudice is an opinion, not based on actual experience.

True. Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. For example prejudice against or hostility toward people of another race or colour or culture.

Discrimination is when people are treated fairly.

False. Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

The following are the legal protected characteristics, under The Equality Act 2010:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

Discrimination on the grounds of any of these characteristics is illegal. Discrimination can take many forms including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation.

Diversity holds us back.

False. Diversity is recognising, respecting and celebrating each other’s differences. A diverse environment is one with a wide range of backgrounds and mindsets, leading to more creativity and better ideas.

Inclusion means everyone is included.

True. Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. An inclusive environment can only be created once we are more aware of our unconscious biases, and have learned how to manage them.

Equality of opportunity means we help those who are less advantaged reach their potential.

True. Equality also means equality of opportunity: we must also ensure that those who may be disadvantaged can get the tools they need to access the same, fair opportunities as their peers.