Diversity & inclusion - why does it matter?

Lots of diversity & inclusion news this week from sport, to equal pay, to healthcare and even the game of chess!

Sweden gets first trans minister in female-majority Cabinet

Sweden appointed the first minister who has gone through a gender transition, as Magdalena Andersson announced her new Social Democrat government on Tuesday. Read or listen to the story here.

QPR backs #HerGameToo anti-sexism initiative

QPR join a number of clubs from the EFL and beyond to commit to the cause, creating further awareness to the problems faced in football by females. Read the story here.

#HerGameToo was founded by passionate female football fans who are committed to growing the campaign with the aim of fostering an ethos in football in which women are welcomed and respected equally. See more about the campaign here.

Sheffield's racist street names 'will not change', council says

Street names and public art in Sheffield that "perpetuate racist, outdated and uncomfortable messages" will not be changed, a council said. Find out more about Sheffield's "stark lack of diversity" here.

Then Barbara Met Alan: the BBC’s powerful new 90s drama tells the true story of the fight for disability rights

A powerful new drama from the BBC, Then Barbara Met Alan, will explore the true story of the battle for disabled civil rights in Britain in the 1990s. There’s no official release date for the show yet but you can read more about it here.

We needed Vaughan to talk about racism years ago, not when he is in the crosshairs

Every day of silence on Azeem Rafiq’s experience was a missed chance to tackle a problem that has blighted English cricket., says Jonathan Liew. Read his blog post here.

Are perceptions around race holding back mental health services?

Campaigners have highlighted the lack of counsellors and therapists from ethnic minority backgrounds as well as the mental impact of dealing with racism in day-to-day life. Read some real-life experiences here.

‘It is not biology’: Women’s chess hindered by low numbers and sexism

The governing body is pushing to make the game more welcoming for women – but is change happening fast enough? Read the full story here. 

There is still work to be done this equal pay day

The Director of Communications for the Young Womens Trust explains why there is still work to do, to build a fairer working future for young women this Equal Pay day here.

Virgil Abloh – a life in pictures

The celebrated designer has died at the age of 41. The Guardian takes a look at his creativity for the catwalk and beyond here.

Omicron 'blaming' shows persistence of racism in healthcare

The persistence of racism is evident once again with the "blaming and shaming" of African nations for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, health advocate Dr. Joia Crear-Perry said on Wednesday. Read more about what Crear-Perry said at the Reuters Next panel on racial disparities in Black maternal healthcare here.

Pregnant women in UK fear losing jobs over Covid safety worries, survey finds

Maternity Action urges ministers to overhaul ‘not fit for purpose’ workplace health and safety rules. Read more here.

Canadian MPs vote to ban LGBT 'conversion therapy'

In international news, Canada's House of Commons has voted unanimously to ban so-called LGBT conversion therapy. The legislation would make it illegal to have a child undergo the practice or have anyone unwillingly undergo it. Find out more here.

In the UK, read about the Government's consultation on 10th December on banning conversion therapy here.