Discrimination Act's requirement of active measures

Diskrimineringslag

The Discrimination Act has the purpose to combat discrimination and promote equal rights and opportunities regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or age. The main institution involved in its implementation is the Government of Sweden, with oversight by the Discrimination Ombudsman. Key stakeholders include employers, educational institutions, and organizations involved in public services. This law applies across Sweden, and it is cross-sectorial, covering sectors such as employment, education, and public services. It targets all individuals, with specific measures for older persons and those undergoing gender reassignment surgery. Some of the main features of the law include anti-discrimination measures (it prohibits discrimination in employment, education, and public services), several active measure (as it requires employers and educational institutions to take proactive steps to prevent discrimination), support for older people (it allows for justified age-based differentiation if it serves a legitimate purpose and is necessary) and some implementation specifics (it includes mandatory documentation and evaluation of anti-discrimination efforts by employers and educational institutions). The law was initially adopted on January 1, 2009, with subsequent amendments, including significant updates in 2014 and 2024.