A person’s place of residence remains a crucial factor of impact on social functionality and of contextual differentiation.
Rural area residents in Poland suffer of structural exclusion: of limited access to public goods and services and of limited social life options, for reasons related to their place of residence only. Moreover, rural area residents may be exposed to prejudice and worse treatment for the same reason – yet the issue is that peasant origin is not recognised as a sufficient discrimination premise, even among anti-discrimination trainers. Stereotypes and prejudice related to rural area origin and residence are deeply rooted and omnipresent.
The project purpose was to sensitise anti-discrimination educators to discrimination based on the place of residence, and to stereotypes used against rural area residents.
As a result, the premise of rural area origin and residence has gained recognition as a basis for discrimination, also in the context of cross-discrimination (for reasons of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, social and economic status, and others).
Four mover and shaker periodicals and web forums and 2 websites were monitored for the presence of prejudiced narration concerning rural areas and their residents, and for hostility and hate speech against persons of rural origin.
All data collected was published in a report (circulation: 500 copies), also containing 6 biographical interviews with women – rural area residents. Knowledge concerning project-related problems was discussed during 3 educational meetings and a 16-hour workshop for anti-discrimination educators. Furthermore, educational materials for potential use in schools were drafted as part of the project.
Project beneficiaries included 100 participants in project events.