More information
Description
Although the anti-discrimination law has been in force for more than 16 years, it has still not made its way into everyday practice. The reasons for this is insufficient readiness of courts to adjudicate anti-discrimination disputes, long-standing deficits on the part of the responsible institutions, insufficient education of current and future professions, and poor public awareness.
The project seeks to alleviate these deficits by educating key actors and the general public, by providing consultations to professionals, as well as by awareness-raising and information activities in order to improve the situation of discrimination of different individuals and groups, to establish anti-discrimination, gender-sensitive and overall human rights know-how in key institutions, to inform and empower the public to recognise and respond appropriately to discrimination, and to increase the supply and availability of quality, up-to-date and comprehensible information on (non)discrimination and gender equality.
Activities:
- 10 trainings on anti-discrimination law and gender equality for selected courts in the Slovak Republic, employees of the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights, teachers and students
- 2 webinars on non-discrimination and gender equality - 1 for professionals, 1 for the general public
- strategic expert advice for the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights
As part of the project''s information and awareness-raising activities, podcasts on various topics of discrimination and gender equality will be prepared and broadcast. These podcasts will also be made available, together with other information and other materials for the general and professional public, via the dedicated portal www.diskriminacia.sk, which is administered by the applicant.
160 professionals and 120 students will be involved in educational activities of the project.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address challenges related to the implementation of antidiscrimination laws, which, despite being effective for almost two decades, faced obstacles in translating into everyday practice. Issues included the insufficient preparedness of courts, long-term deficits in responsible institutions, inadequate education for current and future professions, and limited public awareness. The project sought to mitigate these challenges by strengthening key actors in the field of equality and nondiscrimination, contributing to systemic changes in institutional settings, and providing education and awareness initiatives for various stakeholders, including the judiciary, legal faculties, the Legal Aid Center, and the general public.
The project implemented a variety of activities aimed at addressing challenges related to discrimination and promoting equality. These activities encompassed educational initiatives, consultations, workshops, and communication efforts. The key actions undertaken include:
The project conducted specialized training events for the judiciary, focusing on antidiscrimination law and gender equality. These events targeted specific courts, including the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and the Regional Court in Prešov.
The project promoter actively conducted educational and consultative initiatives to enhance the understanding and management of discrimination issues. They organized workshops for law and other university faculties, aiming to improve the teaching of nondiscrimination topics and create a discrimination-free university environment. The project provided essential education and consultations to the Legal Aid Center, aiming to strengthen their capacity in addressing discrimination issues. Workshops targeted both legal professionals and university students, covering various discrimination aspects to raise awareness among diverse groups.
Furthermore, the project actively developed professional materials addressing nondiscrimination topics, likely used for educational purposes and supporting the comprehension of relevant legal principles. To maximize outreach, an active communication strategy was implemented, generating over 300 media outputs, including podcasts, to disseminate information on discrimination and gender equality. The project actively organized a webinar, engaging and educating the broader public on discrimination-related issues, thereby significantly extending its reach and impact.
The project generated outcomes across various dimensions. It notably enhanced the implementation of antidiscrimination laws, resulting in legal professionals gaining improved awareness, heightened judicial preparedness, and increased knowledge among current and future legal practitioners regarding discrimination issues. The project realized systemic changes in institutional settings, strengthening capacities and responsibilities in key institutions such as the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and the Legal Aid Center. Additionally, the project''s educational initiatives for university faculties positively impacted the teaching of discrimination-related topics and fostered a more supportive environment for the right to nondiscrimination within academic institutions. The robust communication strategy and media activities, including over 300 media outputs and a webinar for the general public, significantly increased awareness and understanding of discrimination and gender equality, reaching a broad audience. Lastly, the project directly trained almost 200 individuals from various professions and nearly 150 university students, empowering them quantitatively and qualitatively to address discrimination issues effectively.
A diverse spectrum of beneficiaries experienced the positive impacts of these outcomes. Legal professionals, including judges and lawyers, directly benefited from improved practices in the application of antidiscrimination laws. Key institutions involved in the project, such as the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and the Legal Aid Center, experienced enhanced capacities and a heightened focus on their responsibilities in the field of nondiscrimination. University students and faculty members, particularly those in law and related fields, benefited from enriched educational environments and increased awareness of discrimination issues. The broader public, encompassing individuals from various professional backgrounds and lay audiences, gained valuable insights into discrimination-related topics through accessible media outputs and the webinar. Moreover, professionals in education, public administration, the judicial system, civil organizations, and university students directly benefited from the project''s training activities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to contribute actively to a more inclusive and nondiscriminatory society.