Equality

PILCH seeks to address systemic discrimination and inequality in the community through pro bono case work, legal education and law reform and policy work. 

In carrying out this mission, PILCH seeks to:

• increase the provision of pro bono legal assistance in matters concerning systemic discrimination and inequality;
• lobby for the elimination of discrimination enshrined in law, through policy and law reform work;
• develop the capacity of the legal profession and community advocates to address discrimination and inequality, through legal education; and,
• strengthen the networks between lawyers and equality advocates, with a view to facilitating legal and policy strategies that strengthen the human rights of marginalised and disadvantaged groups.

PILCH seeks to facilitate pro bono legal assistance for individuals and organisations that require legal help but have been unable to secure assistance, for example, from Legal Aid or a community legal centre.  In 2008-2009, PILCH assisted a number of individuals and community organisations to obtain pro bono legal assistance related to discrimination and inequality. For example, PILCH helped an organisation that provides housing to at-risk women to obtain free legal advice about how to address assault, property damage and theft in its rooming house. 

During this time, PILCH also made a number of policy and law reform submissions, including in relation to discrimination on the ground of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and criminal histories.  

In 2008-2009, PILCH hosted a number of seminars and workshops on equality issues.  Over the coming months, PILCH will be hosting a seminar series on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and how this instrument can be used to better protect and promote women's rights, both domestically and internationally. These seminars are scheduled to take place in Melbourne and select regional areas and will be open to the legal profession, the community sector and women's rights advocates. 

In the last year, PILCH has sought to contribute to debate around equality issues, through the publication of a number of articles. 

For further information about PILCH’s work on non-discrimination and equality, contact Simone Cusack at simone.cusack@pilch.org.au.