On 10 January 2023, the National Assembly of Ecuador passed the Organic Law to Promote the Violet Economy, aiming to achieve equal treatment and rights between men and women and to prevent and eradicate gender-based violence.
It came into effect on 20 January after its publication in the Official Register.
On 17 April 2023, UK Government published “Positive action in the workplace: guidance for employers,” explaining how employers can help people who share a particular protected characteristic to overcome specific barriers with positive actions without unfairly disadvantaging other groups as this could amount to an unlawful ‘positive discrimination.’
It covers all protected characteristics, including sex, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity.
It is a part of the ongoing government’s inclusive strategy to support employers in creating opportunities for underrepresented groups within their workforce.
On 30 October 2022, the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China adopted the revised Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests.
Initially passed in 1992, the updated legislation came into force on 1 January 2023.
On 13 January 2023, Beijing Human Resources and Social Security Administration implemented the revised Law regulating the administrative punishments from human resources and social security departments in the new "Punishment Benchmark Table."
It has significantly increased the punishment for employers' gender discrimination compared to 2022.
On 11 January 2023, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria ("NICN") repealed a discriminatory law, thus demonstrating the attention and commitment to achieving gender equity.
In the case Omolola Olajide v. The Nigerian Police Force & 2 others (unreported Suit No: NICN/AK/14/2021), the Court stated the unlawfulness of a dismissal of an unmarried pregnant woman because it was based on a law that the Court annulled as discriminatory.
On 12 January 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled on equal treatment in employment and occupation concerning sexual orientation.
It stated that a refusal, based on the sexual orientation of the person concerned, to conclude or renew a contract with that person for the provision of certain services by that person in the context of a self-employed activity is contrary to the Employment Equality Directive (2000/78/EC).
On 28 November 2022 was published the long-awaited decree of the Minister of Labour, in agreement with the Ministers for Equal Opportunities and for the Economy and Finance, which defines the criteria and modalities for the use of the contribution exemption for private employers who obtain gender equality certification.
The exemption applies only to private companies that have achieved gender equality certification, while public administrations are expressly excluded.