Equality and Human Rights Commission

Wednesday 15/10/2008

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is today challenging people to 'think again' before putting negative labels on people based purely on their appearances, backgrounds or lifestyles.

This call coincides with the Commission publishing findings of the first ever major survey into attitudes towards discrimination, equality and living together in Wales. The survey reveals that while the people of Wales have broadly positive attitudes, areas of significant prejudice persist.

The Commission believes that getting people to question their own perceptions is a crucial part of tackling this discrimination and creating a fairer Wales. The Commission’s Who do you see? adverts can be seen across Wales. A mobile billboard will be winding its way around the Welsh roads challenging people to think beyond their first impressions and see the real person. The campaign also sees a flash animation spanning over 15metres being projected onto the Commission’s office in Cardiff.

This campaign arises from the findings of the survey, entitled Who do you see? – living together in Wales. This survey looks at people’s attitudes towards age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, transgender, disability and human rights.

Some of the key findings include:

•  93% of adults support UK laws protecting human rights
• 97% say it is never acceptable to bully or hit a partner

Not everyone is being treated with fairness and respect: 

• Almost 5 in 10 people believe that someone who experiences depression from time to time is unsuitable for the role of a primary school teacher
• 38% would be unhappy if a close relative married or formed a long-term relationship with a Gypsy Traveller. 
• Three quarters of all the young people surveyed feel they are not listened to

The world of work:

• 94% think people should be allowed to work beyond retirement age
• 90% of adults say fathers should be just as able to take time off to care for sick children as mothers
• 49% think that unfair treatment of women in the workplace persists

Two key findings that point the way ahead for the Commission in tackling inequality are:

• Discriminatory attitudes are least likely to be held by those with the widest social networks
• Those who stay on in school and continue within education are significantly more accepting and inclusive towards others.

Kate Bennett, National Director for Wales, said:

'We are calling on people to look beyond the easy labels that we so often attach to each other. Our campaign shows people have interests and personalities that you would never guess just by looking at them. By gaining a better understanding of the people we live with, the barriers to a fairer Wales will be broken down. 

'The research paints a very interesting picture of Wales. It is one where the people of Wales are largely comfortable with people from all backgrounds. But not everyone in this picture is being treated with fairness and respect.

'These findings will prove an invaluable mine of information as we set our priorities for the future. We will now be working with our partners to build on the positive attitudes we have found and to challenge the negative attitudes that blight all our lives. We believe that by working together we can achieve a Wales with respect and fairness at its heart.'

Neil Wooding, Commissioner for Wales, said:

'Whilst broadly positive, there is clearly prejudice amongst a significant minority of the people of Wales. The Commission will be working hard to ensure that our work around good relations between people is firmly based within communities.  We will seek to work with community organisations and individuals to achieve this.'

How the survey was carried out:

International polling experts GfK NOP undertook the survey between February and March 2008, conducting interviews with 1,589 people aged 16 and over across Wales. Interviews were conducted over the phone and each lasted about 20 minutes. Respondents were offered interviews in Welsh and English as well as in other languages. The process ensured that those with hearing and other impairments could be included within the sample.

The data was weighted by gender within working status ,age, ethnicity and electoral region to give a representative sample. The survey included an ethnic minority booster sample.

For more information on the research is available here.