Antidiscrimination is a compound word that consists of "anti-" and "discrimination". The first part "anti-" means "against" or "opposed to". The second part "discrimination" means "the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people". The word is spelled /ˌæn.ti.dɪs.krɪ.məˈneɪ.ʃən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The stress falls on the third syllable, and the first syllable is pronounced with the vowel /æ/. The second syllable has the vowel /ɪ/ while the fourth syllable has the vowel /eɪ/.
Antidiscrimination refers to the act or process of preventing and eliminating unfair or prejudiced treatment or practices based on characteristics such as race, gender, nationality, age, disability, religion, or any other protected attribute. It is a term commonly associated with social justice and human rights movements, aimed at creating equal opportunities and fostering inclusivity in various aspects of life, including employment, education, housing, public services, and more.
As an essential principle, antidiscrimination seeks to challenge discriminatory behaviors, beliefs, policies, and systems that perpetuate inequality and restrict equal access to opportunities. It promotes the idea that all individuals should be treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. Antidiscrimination laws and regulations are often established at both national and international levels to ensure legal protection from discrimination.
Efforts towards antidiscrimination encompass activities such as raising awareness, promoting diversity and inclusion, enforcing equal opportunity policies, implementing fair hiring and promotion practices, and providing redress for instances of discrimination. These endeavors aim to dismantle systemic barriers and prejudices that hinder equal treatment and create a society where all individuals are valued and provided with equal opportunities to thrive.
Antidiscrimination is a crucial concept in building harmonious and equitable societies, fostering unity, and promoting a sense of belonging for all individuals, irrespective of their differences.
The word "antidiscrimination" is a compound word composed of the prefix "anti-" and the noun "discrimination".
The prefix "anti-" is of Greek origin, meaning "against" or "opposing". It is often used to denote opposition or resistance to a particular thing or concept.
The noun "discrimination" originates from the Latin word "discriminatio", which means "distinguishing" or "differentiation". It can be traced back to the Latin verb "discriminare", meaning "to separate" or "to distinguish".
Thus, when combined, "anti-" and "discrimination" form the word "antidiscrimination", referring to actions or policies that oppose or work against discrimination - the unjust and prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics or attributes, such as race, gender, religion, or age, among others.