Zero Discrimination Day, MARCH 1, 2023

 Zero Discrimination Day 2023

Zero Discrimination Day is an annual day celebrated on 1 March each year by the United Nations and other international organisations. The day aims to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of the UN.

Zero Discrimination Day started with a focus on HIV to highlight how people can become informed about and promote the rights of people living with and affected by HIV. In recent years it has expanded to focus on ending all forms of discrimination that impact on quality of life, health and well-being.

Who started Zero Discrimination Day?

According to UNAIDS, “Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.” Zero Discrimination Day began in 2013 with the then Executive Director for UNAIDS Michel Sidibé, who launched the day with a huge event in Beijing.

On Zero Discrimination Day, 1 March, we celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change.

Symbol for Zero Discrimination Day is a butterfly.

This year, the theme for Zero Discrimination Day is “Save lives: Decriminalise”. The theme highlights how the decriminalisation of key populations and people living with HIV saves lives and helps advance the end of the AIDS pandemic.