Surveys show that discrimination based on characteristics such as sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation persists across the European Union (EU). The concept of multiple discrimination recognises that, in their daily lives, people may experience discrimination on more than one of these grounds. It encompasses cases where each type of discrimination can be proven and addressed distinctly (cumulative discrimination) and cases where two or more grounds interact to create a unique form of discrimination that cannot be understood by considering each ground in isolation (intersectional discrimination). Recognising and addressing these forms of multiple discrimination is an important aspect of combating discrimination through legal and policy tools, since victims face exacerbated disadvantages but are afforded uneven protection due to gaps in current legislation. Current national legislation and/or case law on multiple discrimination provides varying degrees of recognition and protection to victims. Most Member States recognise multiple discrimination implicitly, but few have introduced specific provisions. Only two have so far given full recognition in law to intersectional discrimination as distinct from cumulative discrimination. While the Treaties give the EU competence to introduce legislation to combat discrimination, the protection afforded by current EU equality directives remains incomplete. A proposed 'horizontal anti-discrimination directive' that could define the concept of discrimination on multiple grounds has stalled. However, progress has been made with the adoption of the Directive on Pay Transparency, which recognises intersectional discrimination explicitly in relation to sex discrimination in employment. Implementation of this directive will provide a useful testing ground. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP Read more