Tackling Institutional Racism. Realising the Potential of Equality Bodies

Tackling Institutional Racism. Realising the Potential of Equality Bodies is an Equinet perspective which looks at the definitions of institutional racism, the ways in which equality bodies can work to tackle this, and what challenges or enablers they may experience along the way.

In order to tackle institutional racism, equality bodies can use tools linked to their functions to promote equality, prevent discrimination, support, litigate, and make decisions to tackle institutional racism. They need to build on the enablers that create space and underpin their ambition and work on institutional racism, such as statutory equality duties, and the trusting relationships needed for effective stakeholder engagement. 

Barriers to tackling this issue include lack of recognition for the issue among those holding positions of responsibility, limitations in equal treatment legislation, and the lack of necessary conditions created for equality bodies to be effective. Broader challenges include the hidden and evolving nature of the issue, the intersectional dimensions, and the complexities of pursuing necessary cultural change. 

Through this perspective, Equinet seeks to underline the potential of equality bodies and enable them to effectively contribute to the significant challenges posed by institutional racism, as well as addressing its resultant inequalities. A number of recommendations are made in this regard, both to equality bodies as well as national and European level authorities.

This Perspective was prepared by Niall Crowley on behalf of the Equinet Working Group on Policy Formation.

An accessible Word version of this Perspective can be read here.