The PDA BAME Network enables all Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic pharmacists to realise their potential and raise their profile by being educationally, socially and politically active. The network works to tackle issues around race discrimination in order to achieve equality in the workplace.
In order to reach this goal, since the BAME Network launched in April 2020, they have hosted a number of events such as an event to overcome Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and an event for Black History Month. The Network also launched a Race and Ethnicity Terminology factsheet to help all PDA members, and others, educate themselves on the terminology used when discussing issues and topics around race and ethnicity.
The work of the BAME Network provides a community space where members can openly share their experiences and proactively address and campaign around race equality, tackling racism and it’s causes.
This ties into this year’s theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is “VOICES FOR ACTION AGAINST RACISM”. This year’s theme recognises the work that both individuals and organisations can do to fight against racial discrimination.
The theme also focuses on the importance of respecting freedom of expression, strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination.
These points aim to encourage people to use their voices to speak up about the injustices and racial discrimination that people face on a regular basis, whilst helping to create a safe environment for those who choose to use their right to freedom of expression.
Dorothy Egede, Honorary Secretary of the PDA BAME Network, said “To echo the simple message of the United Nations since its inception, this is a call to remind the world of the deep history around the theme of this day. In these recent times, I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to take up actions against any condition that continues to perpetuate racial discrimination in both public and private spaces of our society. It is paramount that we are intentional about doubling down on our efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. I enjoin you to lend your voice to the struggles of fighting racism and stand up against it in whatever capacity you can. And I leave you with some words from Kofi Annan, to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with generosity. Racism, can, will, and must be defeated.”
If you would like to find out more about the BAME Network, please click here.
Background and history
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorates the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people during a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.
To act against racism and racial discrimination, the UN General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to take place in the second half of the decade in 1979. This led to the General Assembly making the decision to have a week of solidarity for those facing racism and racial discrimination be organised every year beginning March 21.
In the early 90s, the South African Apartheid system was demolished, and racist laws and practices have since been dismantled in many countries. For more information about the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, click here.
Get involved
- BAME Network
- Join the BAME Network
- Follow BAME Network activities on social media using the hashtag #PDAbame
Related links
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- BAME Pharmacists’ Network launches Race and Ethnicity Terminology Factsheet
- BAME Network Committee champions equality and diversity at recent Covid-19 vaccine event
- BAME Pharmacists’ Network – October 2021
- Celebrating Black History Month 2021
- BAME Pharmacists’ Network celebrates Black History Month with an online event
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.