🎙️"Episode 2" – Stop-Discrimination: Examples, Laws and defence Instruments

🎧 Listen to article read by Nicoletta:

The discrimination is a phenomenon that still affects many people and social groups. Understand what it is, how it manifests itself and what tools the law provides is critical to to promote a society that is more equitable and inclusive.

What is discrimination

Discrimination is a treatment unfair and disadvantageous reserved to a person or group of persons cause a personal characteristic, how to:

  • Disability
  • Ethnic origin
  • Religion
  • Genre
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age

It is a behavior prohibited by the law, which can manifest itself in a variety of contexts:

  • work,
  • school
  • access to services
  • daily life.

Types of discrimination

1. Direct discrimination

  • It happens when a person is treated so less favourable compared to other due to reasons related to protected characteristics from law.
  • Example: an employer who refuses to hire a person because he has a disability.

2. Indirect discrimination

  • Occurs when a rule or practice apparently neutral has obvious disadvantages for a specific group.
  • Example: a company that requires a minimum height for all workers, penalizing women.

3. Harassment or sexual harassment

  • Offensive behaviour or threatening that create a hostile environment for some people.
  • Example: offensive comments or advances, unwanted at the place of work.

Examples of discrimination in different contexts

ContextTypeConcrete example
WorkDirectThe refusal to hire a person with a disability.
WorkIndirectLanguage requirements that are not needed, excluding foreign candidates.
WorkHarassmentOffensive comments on the gender or sexual orientation.
SchoolDirectA student with a disability without support adequate educational.
SchoolIndirectSchool hours are incompatible with the needs of the family or religious.
SchoolHarassmentBullying based on disability, ethnicity or religion.
ServicesDirectThe hotel that refuses reservations to same-sex couples.
ServicesIndirectHealth services available only at times difficult.
Social lifeDirectRefusal to rent a house in the persons of foreign origin.
Social LifeIndirectPublic events with requirements that exclude certain categories.
Social LifeHarassmentComments or verbal attacks on the grounds of race or religion.

Reference standard

In Italy and in Europe, discrimination is prohibited by law:

  • The Italian constitution (art. 3)guarantees equality before the law and prohibits any form of discrimination.
  • The Civil code and the Penal provides sanctions for discrimination and harassment.
  • Law no. 67/2006: protection against discrimination on the grounds of racial, ethnic, religious or national.
  • Law no. 162/1998: protection of persons with disabilities.
  • EU directives (e.g. Directive 2000/78/EC): contrast discrimination at work, and access to the services.

How to counter discrimination

Discrimination can be addressed through different tools:

1. Legal actions: complaints, appeals and mediations.

2. Awareness programs: public campaigns and education on the topic of inclusion.

3. Education: promotion of values of respect and equality in schools and in society.

4. Activism and advocacy: initiatives of associations and civil rights groups.

Call to Action:

  • Do not stay silent: defend your rights and those of others!
  • If you suffer or witness discriminationinformed, alert and act.
  • Every small gesture counts to build a more equal and inclusive society.
  • Useful links for deepen

Diversity is richness, the discrimination is poverty