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.

Alongside the campaign, an open letter signed by 100 influential supporters details why the change to the Equality Act is so vital. Signatories include singers Mel B and Fleur East, TV medic Dr Zoe Williams and broadcasters Marverine Cole and Zeze Millz – alongside lawyers, hairstylists, organisations and more. Mel B said she was “proud” to support the campaign while Fleur East stated: “I strongly believe that everybody should be treated equally, irrespective of how their hair grows out of their head. It’s ridiculous that anyone should be treated differently or unfairly due to their hair type.”

Speaking of the campaign, Michelle De Leon, founder of WAD, said: “Eight years of talking, listening, researching, creating events and resources for schools, workplaces and the public has led me to the conclusion that the scale of transformation needed can only be achieved through legal change. Laws are actually there to tell people what is right and what is wrong and to protect minority groups from oppression, discrimination and injustice. We simply do not have the right laws in the UK to stop generations of afro hair discrimination from continuing. I hope that Britain can lead the world in doing what is right so that people of African descent can live as free as anyone else.”

Images: Getty