On Wednesday 17th April 2024 the #Addthe10th alliance including representatives from EAPN Ireland, CLM, CAN, ILMI and Community Activist Andrew and the ATD Ireland team met with Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’ Gorman to discuss the urgent need to implement socio- economic status as a ground of discrimination in the equality legislation.
Throughout the meeting we discussed the impact of socio- economic discrimination on communities who continue to experience stigma and blame for systemic societal issues. It was discussed how the issue of socio- economic discrimination intersects with other inequalities and how ultimately the recognition of socio- economic status could prove to be an antidote to the increasing levels of division we are seeing in society today. Recognising socio- economic discrimination would be a way to build on the leadership the government showed when the the equality legislation was first introduced. The introduction of socio- economic status will not be an automatic cure to all poverty and discrimination which exists. However, providing this access to recourse is an important and necessary first step which will need to be implemented alongside more pro- active measures to reduce socio- economic disadvantage and discrimination.
We discussed the hurdles which currently exist to implementing the ground of socio- economic status and how the alliance and the minister’s office can co- operate to ensure that this happens.
Andrew bravely and crucially spoke about the lived experience of socio- economic discrimination. See below for his full presentation.
“Socio- economic discrimination continues to be a constant experience for people living in poverty, effecting many aspects of our lives- with real and tangible impacts.
The Stigma and Shame of Living in Poverty Actually hurts me when I’m walking down the street. And because of me appearance, because I can’t go in and buy new clothes when I feel like it and that you know. Like I actually feel people looking at me. It’s not looking at me, it’s, it’s actually looking at me appearance.
It’s just not nice you know. I don’t think it’s fair, you know. The effects it has on me anyway is physical and mental. The judgement hurts, the shame. It is all to me embarrassment.
“A single parent can be struggling day in day out on very little income. This can arrive on a Thursday, by Monday it’s gone. Gone on Gas, Baby products, food, washing and household stuff, leap card, clothes etc. the basics not luxury items. Monday the parent might need to turn to a private loan (provident for example) these loans can add up and you end up paying 30 percent interest. This goes around and around every week slipping more into dept. The stress builds up. The consequence can be very damaging, leading to low confidence, lack of self-worth, depression, poor health, stigma, guilt. This can have a negative effect on the child, that child could be open to bullying at school and feel less important than others. It takes so much strength for that parent to not breakdown. This is the cycle of poverty.” – Gavin
We have many more examples like this in our report “Breaking Barriers: A Participatory approach to defining socio- economic discrimination”. This report aims to break down the experience of SED into understandable terms and outline how it impacts people in real life.
Can you imagine a father from a disadvantaged area goes for multiple jobs interviews, he has all the qualifications but doesn’t get the job because he is from this certain area, can you imagine the mental torture that he is going through. All that he wants to do is provide for his young family but he’s not been given the chance. This all leads to stress, lack of sleep and basically you’re in a mental prison because he’s not been given a chance. Now in today’s society men feel they need to provide for their family and they put this mask on that everything is alright when it actually isn’t.
This is just one side that when the 10th ground gets added in that it will help so much.
Now note the way that I have said when Ireland does add the 10th, it’s because even though my life and everything around me seems to be going wrong; no. 1 my house getting flooded no. 2 my mental health is at an all time low right now as we are speaking. Even though all of this is going on I still show up to this meeting because I believe this is going to happen, but it’s only going to happen with your support Roderic so I plead with you make this happen, make what I am going through worth something.
I hope there’s an end to discrimination, I hope my kids are never discriminated against the way I was. The lack of equal opportunities and discrimination must end so that they won’t suffer the hardship in life that I did.
I feel when Ireland does add socio-economic discrimination as a 10th ground we could be a lighthouse for all of Europe. So, for anyone that doesn’t know a lighthouse is a beacon of hope for sailors to make sure they get safe to shore. So, I hope as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. I feel when this does happen we would save so many lives”.
Thank you to #addthe10th alliance as important partners in this cause. Thank you to Minister for Roderic O’Gorman for taking the time to meet with us and for his co operation. Thank you to Andrew and each of the community activists for their admirable tenacity and strength as we continue to advocate against socio- economic discrimination. Click here to read the “Breaking Barriers” report and here to read more about the #addthe10th campaign.
