Description
The project deals with combating intersectional discrimination related to gender and low educational and economic status through research and advocacy activities. Under the project, we will survey the problem of discrimination of women with basic vocational education who work or look for job. Opportunities in basic vocational education are much better for men than for women. In 2011, 28% of men and 16% of women had this type of education, while salary gap between men and women in this group exceeds 30% and is much higher than the average. Based on the survey, recommendations for the government will be prepared concerning systemic solutions in the fields of opportunities for the surveyed group in education and employment, and the salary gap. Advocacy activities will be directed mainly to the Ministries of Education and of Labour, as well as to the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment and MPs. The project is addressed to decision-makers, civil society, and general public.
Summary of project results
"Women with basic vocational education suffer multiple discrimination on the Polish market for gender, relatively low education level, and economic reasons. Such discrimination takes on forms of lower remuneration offered to women than to men, of occupation-related gender stereotypes, and of limited female access to male-dominated professions. The offer of attractive vocational schools for girls is scarce. The magnitude of the problem has been proven in CEDAW Committee recommendations for the Polish government: to introduce career counselling for women and girls concerning the choice of education in non-traditional professions and vocational schools, and to implement the equal pay for equal labour principle. The project purpose was to initiate system changes targeting equal labour market opportunities for women and men with basic vocational training by eradicating gender-related social stereotypes concerning occupational choices. Main project accomplishments included public debate expansion to include topics of horizontal gender segregation in vocational schools and of negative consequences of the phenomenon for women on the labour market; system change initiation in education and employment policies; and co-operation between various social actors important to education and the labour market. Focus studies were carried out alongside analyses of statistics concerning the circumstances of women with basic vocational education. Two reports on girls in the vocational education and women with basic vocational education on the labour market were published. Expert opinions and recommendations were drafted and distributed to decision-makers. The project closed with a conference. Information concerning the project and the problem of multiple discrimination against women with basic vocational education reached around 500 persons directly. Related information reached a further several thousand individuals via traditional and social media."
Summary of bilateral results