PRESENTATION Youth: Multiple Discrimination & Rights 10 December 2015 Helsinki, Finland George-Konstantinos Charonis Policy Officer, Youth Rights, European Youth
Youth & discrimination Age just one identity aspect Compartmentalised, single grounds-based approach to (anti-)discrimination Interplay of various aspects and forms of discrimination – multiple discrimination
Multiple discrimination 2014 survey on youth & multiple discrimination Key areas of discrimination: Education Employment Access to goods and services
Multiple discrimination Education 53.8% Searching for remunerated job 50.5% In the workplace 42.4% Looking for accommodation 29.2% Healthcare 26.6% Recognition of qualifications 26% Restaurants, cafes, pubs 24.9% Getting bank services 24.7%
Multiple discrimination: education Gender (15%) Sexual orientation (10.1%) Religion or belief, social origin (10.4%) Physical appearance (8.4%) Ethnic origin (7.8%) Language / political/other opinion (7.5%)
Multiple discrimination: job hunting Young age 18% Gender 16% Ethnic origin 7.2% Language 7.8% Discrimination against young peers Roma ethnic origin 72% Refugee/asylum seeker 71.5% Social status 69.5%
Multiple discrimination Mental health issues neglected by education & employment systems Perception of depression as taboo: problematic given link between long-term unemployment and depression – vicious cycle
Multiple discrimination: beyond labour market On the grounds of… Ethnic origin (Roma) Social origin Being years old Gender Sexual orientation Physical appearance (including obesity)
Awareness of legislation Half of respondents EU law bans multiple discrimination Not sure about position of EU law 50.6% Awareness of equality bodies 45.7%
Constraints Representativeness Sample size BUT… (multiple) discrimination barrier to accessing rights
Recommendations Embrace concept of and address multiple discrimination Involve youth – reach out to youth organisations Identify where youth are most discriminated and where they have least access to rights
Recommendations Go beyond awareness raising – make it relevant to young people – genuine involvement Accessible mechanisms for youth
PRESENTATION Thank you for your attention!