Project website: https://www.fsd.uni-lj.si/raziskovalno_in_razvojno_delo/projekti/aktualni_projekti/2025011009510678/

Project type: CRP

Code: V5-24036

Beginning: 01.10.2024

End: 30.09.2026

Funding: Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency

Co-funding:

Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Collaborating organisations:

Faculty of Social Work, University of Ljubljana; School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana

Coordinator: Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana

Leader: izr. prof. dr. Liljana Rihter (na FSD)

Associates:

na FSD: izr. prof. dr. Liljana Rihter, izr. prof. dr. Petra Videmšek; as. Mojca Suhovršnik

Keywords:

disability, violence, women, discrimination, labour market

Summary:

The project aims at comprehensive addressing of the issues of discrimination and violence against disabled women, particularly in the context of the labour market and private life in the national and international, EU level. Despite historically acquired civilizational norms and the development of anti-discrimination policies and equal opportunity policies, which have emerged in modern democracies in response to pressures from various discriminated, marginalized, and even invisible social groups, and increasing socio-political sensitivity to these issues, discrimination based on gender and violence against women remains a significant social and political challenge both in terms of shaping political solutions and in terms of shaping an appropriate normative framework. Disabled women still face multiple discrimination and various forms of violence in everyday life, leading to multidimensional consequences affecting their psycho-social development, economic poverty, marginalization, and exclusion from various spheres of socio-political life. Disclosing, identifying, and addressing the existence of structural inequality or institutionalized practices of exclusion and violence against women, specifically against disabled women in the domestic environment and in the labour market, is therefore a necessity for individual dignity and a responsible society, a necessity that the proposed project with its multidisciplinary approach and exploration of a broader international context undoubtedly pursues. The Indicated general objective of the proposed project is pursued through specific objectives formulated in 5 working/thematic packages (WP) that conceptually and methodologically unfold the complexity of the issue. The conceptual (theoretical) WP opens a conceptual discussion related to the intersections between discrimination - gender - disability - violence, combined with identifying the current state of discrimination against disabled women in the workplace and private sphere in two segments - in existing political documents, normative framework in national and EU contexts. In the second phase (second WP), a legal analysis follows, based on the fundamental principle of equality and prevention of discrimination as defined and implemented in the broader EU and national normative framework. In the third and fourth phases (WP three and four), the first two WP will be complemented by acquiring qualitative data, including the perspective of disabled women and relevant experts, primarily aiming to identify specific needs of disabled women (as well as of their professional support) facing various life circumstances. Quantitative analysis will measure additional elements for identifying the position of persons with disabilities intersecting with gender at the EU and national level. In the final, fifth WP, based on previous findings and results, proposals and recommendations will be formulated for legislative changes, policy formulation, measures, and guidelines. The objectives and expected outcomes of the proposed project are directed toward uncovering and preventing discriminatory practices, consequently improving the position of disabled women in economic and broader social terms. The proposed project pursues these goals through scientific-theoretical problematization of the relevant issues and, following basic analysis, by formulating of practical solutions, recommendations, and identification of good practices for the preparation of political programs and strategies as well as legislative proposals. Undoubtedly, the proposed project addresses both the specificity of the issue and its broader political and social context, where, through its interdisciplinary approach, it enables the space for developing the economic and social potential of disabled women, their equal treatment, and 'normal' inclusion in all spheres of social life.