The Lithuanian Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson addressing discrimination based on age

Illustration by Maqué Studio

Equality Bodies that have a mandate to cover the ground of age can ensure a fair and just society that embraces all life experiences from that of children to the youth and the elderly.

The Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson of the Republic of Lithuania received a complaint about a local restaurant that restricted children under the age of 10 from entering after 5 PM. This posed a challenge for families with young ones, denying them the opportunity to enjoy the restaurant services.

In adherence to Lithuanian equality laws, age-based prohibitions are permissible only when supported by parliamentary legislation. As no such legal foundation existed for the restaurant’s policy, the Ombudsperson conducted a thorough investigation that established discrimination on the ground of age and on the basis of family status, as the prohibitions impacted not just the children but also their parents.

Despite the restaurant owners’ choice not to alter their practices, still believing that families with children could simply opt for take-out, the outcome of the Ombudsperson’s investigation sparked a broad public debate on what services can be legitimately age-restricted.

Are you interested in knowing more about how Equinet and Equality Bodies address discrimination based on age?

• Equinet published a handbook “Stepping Up our Engagement with Youth” , which provides guidance to Equality Bodies on engaging with youth, offering tools and strategies to foster youth participation and ensure their perspectives are included in anti-discrimination efforts. It emphasizes the importance of building youth-friendly services to tackle age-based discrimination effectively.
• In 2022 Equinet published “Equality Bodies and Reasonable Accomodation beyond the Ground of Disability”, a publication which explores how Equality Bodies can promote reasonable accommodation measures not only for persons with disabilities but also for other groups facing discrimination. It provides insights into legal frameworks, best practices, and practical examples, highlighting the role of Equality Bodies in advocating for more inclusive societies.
• In 2022 Equinet held a webinar titled “The potential of Equality Bodies getting involved in the United Nations work on Ageing”, which discussed how Equality Bodies can contribute to the United Nations’ initiatives on ageing, focusing on their role in promoting the rights of older persons. It covered opportunities for engagement, advocacy strategies, and the importance of aligning with international frameworks to combat age discrimination.
• In 2023 Equinet held a workshop titled “How can Equality Bodies support de-institutionalisation from a multi-ground perspective?”, which explored the role of Equality Bodies in promoting de-institutionalization, with a focus on addressing the needs of diverse groups facing discrimination. It highlighted the importance of adopting an intersectional approach to support individuals transitioning from institutional care to community-based living.
• In 2024 Equinet held a webinar titled “A living conditions affair: accessibility, infrastructure and habitat”, which addressed the role of Equality Bodies in advocating for better living conditions through improved accessibility and infrastructure. It focused on how Equality Bodies can work to ensure equal access to housing and public spaces, emphasizing the impact of these issues on marginalized communities.
• Upcoming: 2025 Equinet Seminar: Addressing challenges and opportunities posed by AI for persons with disabilities and older persons (as presented in the 2025 Equinet Work Plan). Stay tuned!