With a survey conducted from 2019 to 2021, the German Center for Integration and Migration Research DeZIM e.V., on behalf of the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality (SMJusDEG), addressed the question of what experiences people in Saxony have had with discrimination. The study looks at a wide variety of forms of discrimination – for example, in connection with ascribed gender, ascribed sexuality, ascribed disability, age, and so on. Under the title “Experienced Discrimination?! – Discrimination Experiences in Saxony”, the results of the study were presented on 20.02.2023 on more than 400 pages.
The numbers are frightening, although unfortunately unsurprising. More than half of the approximately 3,700 respondents stated that they had experienced discrimination in the last two years. Of those respondents who have points of contact with the field of education, 49% have been discriminated against. These are, for example, students aged 16 and over and vocational students. Of the respondents who have already had experiences with the justice system, 29%, i.e. more than every fourth person, stated that they had experienced discrimination.
Especially for homosexual people as well as for trans, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid or people who reject gender assignment, there is a high risk of discrimination, according to the study. The same is true for people with disabilities and people affected by racism.
According to SMJusDEG, the results of the study are to be incorporated into the update of the “State Diversity Action Plan”.
We conclude from this study that our society has a discrimination problem. The study also shows that this problem must be viewed intersectionally. This is because numerous people are affected by multiple discrimination. In this context, feel free to check out our focus for CSD 2023.
We demand that the topic of anti-discrimination work is consistently addressed by the state government. All people must be able to live safely and without discrimination in the Free State of Saxony!
You can find the complete study here: https://www.gleichstellung.sachsen.de/download/Diskriminierung_erlebt_Nomos_Verlag.pdf (German version)
A summary of the central results can be found under the following link: https://www.gleichstellung.sachsen.de/download/Kurzpaper_Studie_Diskriminierung_Factsheet.pdf (German version)