Minding Equality Bodies

Abstract Equality bodies are well located as part of the institutional architecture for equality in the EU Member States and beyond. Equality bodies are diverse. They differ in the range of grounds covered, with some going beyond the six grounds established by the EU and valuably including the ground of socio-economic status. They differ in the mandate held, with multi-mandate bodies challenged to integrate human rights, ombudsman office, and equality mandates and ensure visibility for the equality mandate. Equality bodies hold a potential to advance substantive equality and to contribute to positive change for individuals, institutions and society.