Equality and Diversity Policy

Equality and Diversity Policy
Last updated	14  Februvary  2025
Last updated by	Rohoney Dayanand

 

Aims

The Malayalee Association of the UK (hereafter referred to as “M.A.U.K.”) recognises that power is not equally distributed in society, and that various groups and individuals continue to face discrimination on many grounds, including but not limited to race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, class, religion, marital status, and geographic location.
M.A.U.K. also recognises that direct or indirect discrimination within the organisation, or towards its members, is both morally and legally unacceptable.
The purpose of this Equality and Diversity Policy is to clearly outline the positive actions M.A.U.K. intends to take to combat discrimination—both direct and indirect—within the organisation, the services it provides, and in its relationships with other bodies.
By adopting this policy, M.A.U.K. is making a firm commitment to its implementation, with a clear aim of ensuring that equal opportunities are realised in practice, for all members, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

M.A.U.K. is committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and included, regardless of their personal characteristics. This commitment goes beyond compliance with the law and reflects our core values. M.A.U.K. will actively promote diversity and inclusion in the following ways:

1. Encourage participation from individuals with diverse backgrounds.
2. Ensure that the culture of M.A.U.K. supports inclusion and recognises the contributions of all members.
3. Promote equal opportunities for all members, ensuring no one is disadvantaged or excluded due to their background or identity.
4. Challenge and address systemic barriers that may exist, both within the organisation and in the wider community, that prevent full participation by all members.

Code of Practice

M.A.U.K. provides activities for men and women over the age of 60 and will ensure that group activities and events are open, welcoming, and accessible to all individuals entitled to become members.
We aim to make our meetings and events accessible to people with disabilities by:

1. Providing transport when necessary.
2. Ensuring that venues are accessible.
3. Offering sign language interpreters, where required.
4. Producing information in accessible formats, including large print, audio, and digital formats.

M.A.U.K. will ensure language and communication is accessible to all by offering interpreters in Malayalam at all activities and meetings. This will help guarantee that everyone can participate fully, regardless of their first language.

We strive to continually improve our understanding of diversity through:

1. Using local training opportunities to help committee members and participants better understand discrimination and how to prevent it.
2. Hosting awareness campaigns and educational events focused on diversity and inclusion.

M.A.U.K.’s Women’s Forum will continue to organise women-only meetings and activities to ensure that women have the opportunity to play a full and equal role in the group, with additional focus on tackling gender-based inequality.

All members of M.A.U.K. will be informed about the Equality and Diversity Policy and will be required to adhere to it.

Code of Conduct

At M.A.U.K., all individuals will be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. This includes everyone—regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, or any other characteristic.
We will not tolerate any language, humour, or conduct that individuals find offensive. This includes sexist, racist, or ableist jokes, slurs, or derogatory terms.
No one will be harassed, bullied, or intimidated on any grounds, including race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age. We take all incidents of harassment seriously and will investigate thoroughly.

Dealing with Complaints

M.A.U.K. encourages members and service users to raise concerns if they feel they have been subject to discrimination or harassment. The Senior Management will ensure that complaints are dealt with quickly, fairly, and transparently. The procedure for dealing with complaints is as follows:

1. Complaints should be made in writing to the coordinator or directly to Senior Management.
2. The Senior Management will investigate the complaint in an impartial and thorough manner, ensuring confidentiality for all parties involved.
3. The person making the complaint will be given the opportunity to explain their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
4. If the complaint involves a specific individual, that individual will also be given the opportunity to present their side of the story.
5. All actions will be taken with the intention of ensuring the continued inclusion, safety, and dignity of all members.
6. Any decision made will consider restorative measures to support the individual affected, as well as ensure that the actions do not negatively affect the overall inclusivity of the group.

Potential Outcomes of Complaints:

1. Support and Resolution: Where possible, M.A.U.K. will offer mediation or support services to resolve conflicts.
2. Disciplinary Actions:  If the complaint involves a serious breach of the code of conduct, appropriate actions such as warnings or membership suspension may be taken.
3. Termination of Membership: If necessary, membership may be terminated in line with the procedures outlined in the constitution. All actions will be taken to ensure fairness and transparency.

Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed every two years to ensure its effectiveness and relevance to the needs of M.A.U.K. and its members. The review will include:

1. Assessing whether the policy has been effective in eliminating discrimination and promoting diversity.
2. Gathering feedback from members to evaluate how well the policy is being implemented.
3. Reviewing complaints, incidents, and actions taken to ensure the policy’s effectiveness.
4. Making necessary revisions to address any emerging issues, gaps, or changes in legislation.

M.A.U.K. is committed to ongoing improvement and will ensure that any amendments to this policy are communicated to all members.

Signed:                Sreejith Sreedharan

Chairperson

Date:                 14 February 2025