This biased behaviour known as ‘Discrimination’, which is an action that denies social participation or human rights, has in the recent times caused a severe harm or succeeded in placing millions of lives across the globe in a state of jeopardy or agony. Indeed, it has made several mindsets to be preoccupied with skepticism when it calls for one seeking for what he/she deserves, especially when the bearer of the said mindset considers him/herself as a less-privileged.
Discrimination, which is widely recognized by the civil society as an
inhuman behaviour/act, could be as a result of various reasons or factors such
as gender, language/ethnicity, race, deformity, health condition, age, marital
status, religion, retaliation/revenge, educational background, social status or
class, among others.
For instance, in a political terrain especially in a less-civilized country like Nigeria, someone might be discriminated by others simply because the person is a woman or belongs to the women folk. On the other hand, someone may be denied of a job or employment opportunity because he/she is too young or old for the job, or due to his/her ethnic or religious affiliation.
In the same vein, a person or group stands the chances of missing a certain opportunity as a result of their marital status, class or racial heritage. More so, discrimination might be experienced by someone or a group of persons owing to their educational background even if they are mentally and intellectually qualified to fit in the cycle, or simply in order to punish them for what their predecessors or parents as the case may be, did to the potential benefactor sometime ago; this aspect which is known as retaliation is not just unreasonable but childish.
Recently, the most devastating form of discrimination experienced by
people or some members of the public is in the case where the applicant or
seeker is physically challenged or suffering from a certain illness such as HIV/AIDS,
hypertension, diabetes, or even tuberculosis that is curable. This aspect of
discrimination, which is globally addressed as ‘Stigmatization’, has called for
the concern of various international societies including the United Nations.
Take for instance, in a situation where a person is deprived of an admission space because he/she is a sufferer of any of the aforementioned diseases, or that the person is suffering from one form of deformity or the other. Most times, it doesn’t even has to do with when the carrier or the affected person is seeking for a favour, contract or job as the case may be; in some quarters, he may not be allowed to enroll for his membership in any social group he is meant to belong. Such intimidating or humiliating act is liable of causing the death of the person in question, or it could even make him/her to become violent or a monster in the society he or she belongs.
To be realistic; the only reasonable or acceptable way someone could be
discriminated or denied of his or her right, privilege or opportunity in any
society, is in a situation where the person is affiliated to a certain vice or
illicit social activity, to include robbery, cultism, rape, drug/human
trafficking, prostitution, admission racketeering, examination malpractices,
and what have you. Other than these or any other related act, anyone in any
given society or country has the right or privilege to be treated equally like
others, since he/she is a bona-fide citizen of the said country or society.
In this regard, there is an urgent need for every right thinking
individual across the globe to ensure that his or her quota as regards fighting
this scourge is immensely contributed. On this note, I call on all concerned
bodies or authorities to intensify their awareness crusade regarding the
elimination of this societal menace.
Today Sunday 1st of
March, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Day of Zero
Discrimination. The Zero Discrimination Day is an annual worldwide event that
promotes diversity and recognizes that everyone counts. The first commemoration
of the Day took place on March 1, 2014 by the effort as well as the mandate of
the United Nations (UN); the celebration came in consequence to the launch of
Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013 by the UNAIDS –
the UN arm on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS).
As the global community marks the annual World Day of Zero
Discrimination, I enjoin the entire members of the Nigeria’s legislative arm to
enact a strict and formidable law that would put a final stop to any form of
discrimination taking place in the country at large. The teeming members of the
public are also expected to assist in the proper implementation of the proposed
law by ensuring that anyone around them that indulges in the uncalled and
disgusting act is brought to book.
Above all, we ought to note that it is our civic responsibility to
endeavour to ensure that, this aberration is totally and thoroughly restored in
our respective communities or societies. Think about it!
COMR FRED
NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)__________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
