Whether because of origin, gender or a disability – discrimination occurs in many areas of life. Those affected have a contact point in Saxony-Anhalt that can help.
Magdeburg/Halle (dpa/sa) – Last year, 116 cases of discrimination in various forms were reported to the anti-discrimination agency in Saxony-Anhalt. “Discrimination happens in all areas of life, in health care, in offices and authorities, on public transport, when looking for accommodation or in leisure time,” said project manager Janine Weidanz. “The cases that are reported to us, however, relate most frequently to the areas of working life, i.e. at work or access to the labor market (24 cases) and education, i.e. in school, training or university (17 cases).” In 2021, 128 reports of discrimination were received.
In the cases in working life, the anti-discrimination agency was reported, for example, about discrimination in the application process and about sexual harassment at work. Worse working conditions and discriminatory statements by colleagues, dismissals for discriminatory reasons or after a discrimination complaint were also discussed.
Cases of insults or verbal abuse or worse treatment due to a discrimination characteristic were often reported in education. “The people who turn to us for advice most frequently report discrimination based on ethnic origin or racial attribution (52), gender (18) or disability (17),” says Weidanz. In twelve cases it was a case of discrimination in which several characteristics played a role.
Almost half of the cases reached the anti-discrimination agency in the two cities of Halle and Magdeburg, where the counseling offices are also based. “The remaining cases took place in rural areas.” The aim is to extend the advisory work to rural areas, said Weidanz. Funding applications have been made for additional locations in Naumburg and Stendal. “On the one hand, more cases were reported to us from the districts of Stendal/Altmarkkreis Salzwedel and from the Burgenlandkreis last year,” says the project manager. Local cooperation partners have also signaled a need. Personal discussions are important in anti-discrimination counseling.
The employees help those seeking advice by listening. “We discuss various options for action with them, depending on the respective situation. Whether and what exactly is to be done is always decided by those affected – we don’t do anything without the consent of those seeking advice,” emphasized Weidanz. It is possible, for example, to write letters of complaint, to request statements or to accompany them to mediation talks. “If necessary, we can help you get legal advice, our advice itself is pre-legal,” said Weidanz.
The anti-discrimination agency has been in existence since the end of 2018 with offices in Halle and Magdeburg. In addition to individual case advice, further education, training courses and workshops are also offered.
