Our Insights

Top DEI Achievements in 2022

In recent years, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become increasingly crucial in our society and workplaces. These efforts aim to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone. In 2022, it has been more important than ever to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of society. In 2022, we have seen several significant victories and achievements in the DEI space that give us hope for a more inclusive future. From corporate initiatives to grassroots movements, people are coming together to address discrimination and inequality rooted in our society.  

In this blog, we will take a closer look at some of the most notable DEI achievements of 2022 and what they mean for the ongoing fight for justice and equality. 

January

Canada banned conversion therapy, making it illegal to provide or promote services designed to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender expression. 

February

• Federal employees in Belgium were granted “the right to disconnect,” meaning they have the right to ignore calls or emails from their bosses outside of working hours.
• The US passed a landmark #MeToo bill that prevents companies from forcing sexual harassment and sexual assault claims into arbitration.  

March

• The Constitutional Court of Colombia — the country’s highest court— voted to decriminalize abortion. 
• The US passed a bill that bans race-based hair discrimination at work. 

April

• Ketanji Brown became the first Black woman confirmed to the US Supreme Court.
• Indonesia passed a landmark bill tackling sexual violence. The long-awaited bill provides a legal framework for survivors to pursue justice in a country where SA is often considered a private matter. 

May

• Canada announced $3.5 million in funding to expand access to abortion services.
• The US Soccer Federation announced a settlement to pay the men and women’s soccer teams equally.
• The Supreme Court of India passed an order affirming that sex workers enjoy constitutional and human rights, and that police “should not abuse them, subject them to violence or [coerce] them into any sexual activity.”

June

•  Pope Francis visited Canada, delivering a formal apology for the abuse that occurred at the hands of Catholic clergymen in the Indian Residential School System.
• The world’s largest four-day workweek trial began in the UK.
• Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex civil partnerships, allowing same-sex couples to legally register their partnership. While civil partnerships aren’t the same as marriage, same-sex couples will now be able to own joint property, adopt children, and pass on inheritances.  

July

• The Netherlands introduced legislation to make working from home a legal right.
• Andorra became the 33rd country to legalize same-sex marriage.

August

• Scotland became the first country to provide menstrual products, including tampons and sanitary pads, free of charge.
• Spain passed an ‘only yes means yes’ bill, making consent a key determinant in SA cases.

September

•  Canada invested $100 million in a five-year plan to support 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians.
• The world rallied around the women of Iran as they protested legislation that mandates hijab. The protests were sparked by the killing of 22-year-old Masha Amini at the hands of the country’s ‘morality police,’ who allegedly arrested Amini for wearing her headscarf improperly. 

October

• The Supreme Court of India ruled that all women, regardless of marital status, are entitled to safe and legal abortions up to 24 weeks into their pregnancies. Previously, married women were untitled to abortions up to 24 weeks into their pregnancies, while unmarried women were limited to 20 weeks.
• Same-sex marriage was legalized in the last of Mexico’s 32 states. While Mexico declared state laws that prohibit same-sex marriage unconstitutional in 2015, states have been slow to adopt laws conforming with the ruling. 

November

World leaders met in Egypt for COP 27, where they reached a landmark agreement to provide ‘loss and damage’ funding for countries hard-hit by the effects of climate change.    

• • COP 27 is the United Nations’ 27th annual Convention on Climate Change.  

December

• 100 UK companies adopted a four-day workweek —permanently— with no loss of pay.
• World leaders met in Canada for COP 15, adopting a new framework to guide global action on biodiversity throigh to 2030. 
  • COP 15 is the United Nations’ 15th annual Conference on Biodiversity.