Campaign groups coming together the catalyst for change

The States’ unanimous approval of anti-discrimination proposals was a landmark decision and campaigners on the Royal Court steps was one of the defining images of 2020.

In a lookback on last year, Karen Blanchford, pictured right, the partnership director for the Guernsey Disability Alliance, said it was an amazing change.

‘It’s a very lonely place when you’re campaigning for human rights and anti-discrimination, and what happened in 2020 was we had Black Lives Matter, we had Guerns Against Discrimination, we formed some great new relationships, so the GDA wasn’t the only voice, there was a whole new network.’

Carol Le Page, the social policy director for the GDA, also reflected on the power that was unleashed when so many people came together.

‘Younger people as well, which was great, there were lots of new people coming forward and saying that we live in a global community and we need to protect our planet and the people who are the most vulnerable and can be victimised and discriminated against, so that was great to hear their voices.

‘Older people like us have trudged through the tar and lived through glass ceilings and discrimination, so it’s great to get the new voices and the new campaigners in.

‘When the Covid lockdown was released and we were able to do what we wanted, what many people wanted to do was demonstrate that they support Black Lives Matter and that was absolutely phenomenal to see.’

Other highlights for the GDA last year were the passing of the Nice drugs, the ratifying of the UN Convention for Rights of the Child, work to keep people connected during the pandemic, election lobbying, including a speed hustings, and the promotion of Purple Tuesday, which is a programme that encourages organisations to make changes to improve the customer experience for disabled people.

One low point was that States plans for an equality rights organisation appear to have languished.

Mrs Blanchford said this body would provide advice and guidance for those whose fundamental entitlement to a safe, meaningful and fulfilling life had been challenged

‘The idea of an ERO is fairly similar to the work we do, but with the government owning it.

‘It’s about promoting rights and working with the businesses in the community to understand human rights, discrimination, and access.

‘During the year that particular body got watered down, the budget got dropped and it got turned into something else called the EEOS, the Employment Equal Opportunities Service.’