Public Bodies and the Equality Duties

The ‘6 strands’ of equality
The ‘6 strands’ of equality are the main areas of discrimination that are covered by legislation. These are race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.

These groups tend to face disadvantage and are protected from discrimination in employment and training. Race, gender and disability are also protected from discrimination in the provision of goods and services and in education.

What are the equality duties?
The Race, Disability, and Gender Equality Duties contain requirements to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote equality for these three groups.

There are duties on organisations as employers and also as service providers.

There are two parts to the Duties;
The General Duty applicable to all public bodies
And the Specific Duty applicable to some public bodies