Editorial

In this issue Laura Gow and Sam Middlemiss discuss the continuing gender pay gap in the UK, despite over 40 years of equal pay legislation. The issue is discussed in the context of recent changes in the Equality Act 2010. The effectiveness of the past and current law is reviewed and necessary adjustments to legal rules are considered, including the opportunity for representative actions. The authors analyse the wider labour market context of occupational segregation and part-time work, as well as the challenges facing complainants, and consider the ways in which the gap might be reduced.

Ebenezer Durojaye reviews the implications of routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for HIV-related discrimination and stigma, with reference to parts of Africa. He highlights the low take-up of voluntary testing in some areas and highlights the advantages and problems of its replacement by routine testing. Although consent would still be required, routine testing would increase testing rates and access to medical treatment where necessary. Awareness, in many cases, may inhibit transmission and reduce the stigma associated with testing. Durojaye considers the human rights implications and the potential impact, specifically for women, of routine testing.

Katayoun Alidadi examines the relationship between religion and equality through a discussion of two recent texts by Hepple and by Macey and Carling. She considers the issue in the context of attitudes towards religion and religious groups in Europe and assesses the impact of equality law on religious discrimination with reference to the protection of religion and belief in the Equality Directive and the UK Equality Act. Alidadi also discusses the conflict between free speech and freedom of religion and whether entrenched attitudes and behaviour can be changed by equality law.