Today March 1 is Zero Discrimination Day. It is a day that promotes dignity and diversity. Zero Discrimination Day is celebrated globally and annually. This year's theme is "Stand Out". Standing out here means daring to encourage and support everyone to become a better person and achieve a fair and just society for all.
Standing out means everyone counts, no matter who they are in the society. In your society, do you count?
You count when you have the right to live a full and happy life with dignity regardless of who you are. You count when you can realize your full potentials regardless of your age, beliefs, birth, color, education, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexuality, or even health.
You count in your society when people respect the choices you make.
But in many societies today including Nigeria, millions of people don't count because of who they are, where they come from, or what they stand for.
This is the time to stand out against discrimination in your society.
This is the time to stand out against discrimination of the Nigerian girl-child. Yesterday, it was under-age marriage of 13-year-old girls to men who sexually abuse our girls in the name of some culture or religion. Today, it is Ese the 15-year-old Bayelsan girl abducted by a northern muslim who wants to marry her. Tomorrow, it can be anyone's girl-child. Now is the time to stand out to be counted. Because the Nigerian child is the future of our country, we must stand out for zero discrimination for the girl-child.
This is the time to stand out against discrimination of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and other health conditions. PLWHA need our love, care, and support, not stigmatization. Stigma kills, care gives hope. PLWHA are same as you and me- they have life; they have dreams; and they have hope. Stand out to give them more reasons to live a full and happy life, not a life of stigma—fearful, tearful, lonely, and short life.
This is the time to stand out against marginalization of any vulnerable ethnic group in Nigeria. We must say no to any human-rights violations. We must stand out for the rule of law, ensuring that every person is treated equally before the law. Our fundamental human rights are sacred. It is the only way individual liberty can be guaranteed. Abusing the human rights of others discriminates against people's rights to live meaningful lives.
Are you compassionate and tolerant towards others?
Discriminating people based on their religious belief is also widespread. We must learn to find strength in our diversity. In our differences, we can create harmony. With tolerance, we can live in peace. We must be tolerant and compassionate.
In our society today, many factors challenge human tolerance and compassion, weakening what binds us together. For instance, how do you respond to People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in your society? What do you think about how people with same-sex orientation are treated in your society? When Ebola killed hundreds of people in some African countries (including Nigeria) in 2015, how much compassion did you show towards victims of the virus? How do you treat old people around you who sometimes suffer from dementia and need care and support? How do you treat the underprivileged and disabled people around you? Do they count to you? And does your society have any laws that protect discrimination against people?
The inadequacies of legal protection against discrimination of persons in Nigeria
In Nigeria, section 42(1) guarantees your right as a citizen against discrimination. It provides that a Nigerian citizen of any community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion, or political opinion must not be subjected to 3 discriminatory conditions. First, you must not be treated differently under the same law, executive or administrative action, disabilities, or restrictions that do not apply to other citizens as well. Second, you must not enjoy any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to other citizens from communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions, or public opinions different from yours. Third, you must not suffer any disabilities or deprivation merely because of the circumstances of your birth.
Despite the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the HIV and AIDS (Anti-Discrimination) Act 2014, there is still high-level, widespread discrimination in Nigeria. Take university admission for instance. Nigerian universities, both state and federal, apply discriminatory cut-off marks to candidates based on their place of origin. In the labour sector, HIV/AIDS-positive applicants are usually disqualified from working in both public and private organizations. Where have we thrown everyone's right to work?
We have a long way to go. But we need to start from somewhere. To get started, we must stand out for zero discrimination. And the best way to start is with oneself. Yes, you.
Have you stopped discriminating?
People who discriminate narrow other people's world. Consequently, they narrow theirs too. When you are narrow-minded, you don't see the big picture. To see the big picture, you need to believe in people and their right to flower and blossom.
Start with yourself today by standing out to be counted against discrimination.
5 dos and don'ts if you are a victim of discrimination
(a) Don't ignore it.
If you’re being discriminated against, never pretend it isn't happening to you. Ignoring discrimination doesn't make it go away.
(b) Ask for help.
Talk to people you trust for help. Through the right people, you can acquire knowledge, experience, and advice on how to focus.
(c) Face it.
Confront the discrimination you suffer immediately. Be firm, direct, and clear, but consider your if it would be safe to face it.
(d) Get every detail.
Keep any messages you received electronically or manually. Record the date, time, place, and names of the person discriminating against you. If there are accomplices, record that too. You should also note your own responses, particularly when you protested against the discriminatory act.
(e) Never revenge.
Behave calmly. Control your emotions. Never get back at any person who discriminates you. Simply register your protest. And follow a, b, c, and d above. Revenge is violent. It could jeopadize your discriminatory claims.
Conclusion
Butterfly is the symbol for Zero Discrimination Day. Butterfly symbolizes transformation. This transformation implies an evolution of you. Evolving involves spreading your wings to fly to the height you dream to attain without letting the society stop you.
So don't discriminate against yourself and don't let others discriminate against you. There is a butterfly inside you. Let the butterfly inside you transform. Then you can fly, transforming yourself, families, communities, and our world.
Happy Zero Discrimination Day!
