World Afro Day (WAD) is a global day of celebration and liberation for afro hair and identity established by individuals working to overcome negative experiences of afro hair and inspire the next generation to feel pride and acceptance. WAD is now taking its campaign to parliament with the intention to make afro hair a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

The goal is to make the UK the first Western nation to introduce a law to specifically protect against afro hair discrimination. It comes as research by WAD and De Montfort University found that 95% of people with afro hair want the UK law updated to specifically prohibit afro hair discrimination. WAD is calling on the government to make changes to the Equality Act to stop hair discrimination. With the backing of Labour MP Paulette Hamilton, the group will host a drop-in session at parliament to talk about its work.

An open letter to the government calls for afro hair to be made a protected characteristic under the Equality Act