Advancing Equality: How Constitutional Rights Can Make a Difference Worldwide

Abstract

In a world where attacks on the basic human rights and equal worth of all people are escalating, Advancing Equality reminds us of the critical role of constitutions in protecting equal rights. Analyzing the constitutions of all 193 United Nations countries, this book traces fifty years of change in constitution drafting and examines how stronger protections against discrimination, alongside core social and economic rights, can transform lives. Looking across gender, race and ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, social class, and migration status, the authors reveal whose rights are increasingly guaranteed in constitutions, identify which nations and groups lag behind, and share inspiring stories of activism and powerful court cases from around the globe. Advancing Equality serves as a comprehensive call to action for anyone who cares about their country’s future. “Advancing Equality shows how far we have come around the world in protecting human rights, but also how far we still have to go. Working together and taking action, we can make sure everyone’s rights, particularly the most discriminated against and marginalized, are protected in every constitution and enforced by law and societal change to realize true equality and a better world.” ANTONIA KIRKLAND, Global Lead, Legal Equality and Access to Justice, at Equality Now JODY HEYMANN is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, Director of the WORLD Policy Analysis Center, and Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. ALETA SPRAGUE is Senior Legal Analyst at the WORLD Policy Analysis Center and an attorney whose career has focused on advancing public policies and laws that address inequality. AMY RAUB is Principal Research Analyst at the WORLD Policy Analysis Center and an economist with over a decade of experience working on discrimination and inequality.

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