Scotland programme: Children's rights
In Scotland we want an end to the discrimination faced by Gypsy/Travellers (and other marginalised groups).
Gypsy/Travellers are one of the most marginalised and socially excluded groups in Scottish society. Young Gypsy/Travellers face all kinds of discrimination. Racism is not always overt, it often goes unnoticed in daily life and therefore is rarely reported. The impact on their childhood, including their educational experiences, can be severe.
- 92 per cent of Gypsy/Traveller children and young people in Scotland have been bullied, picked on, or called names because of their ethnic identity
- young Gypsy travellers often have to hide their identity to be accepted
Influencing policy
We influence how local authorities, health boards, the police and the Scottish Parliament work with this particular community.
An example of this is young Gypsy/Travellers contributing to a Scottish Executive Working Group focusing on recommendations made by the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee.
Work with partners
- we support young Gypsy/Travellers to deliver awareness raising sessions on discrimination
- the Time Travellers website was created by young people from across Scotland as to promote understanding and awareness of Gypsy/Traveller culture and to challenge the discrimination and exclusion they face on a daily basis
- as a result of awareness raising sessions with public bodies we were involved in developing Hand Held Medical Records to improve Gypsy/Travellers access to primary healthcare services
