Inclusion and education

FIGURE 2.3: 
Vulnerability is predominantly associated with disability in national documents
Number of education systems identifying various characteristics as associated with vulnerability in their laws and plans
Sexual orientation,
gender identity/expression
Gender
Language
Gift/talent
Violence/abuse
Social/behavioural problems
Ethnicity
Remoteness/rurality
No appropriate parental care
Roma
Migration/displacement
Low socio-economic status
Disability/special education needs
Education systems
Yes
No
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Source: 
Data collected for the regional report on inclusion and education in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
38
GLOBAL EDUCATION MONITORING REPORT 2021

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Among the 30 education systems reviewed,
27 have some 
form of gender equality law in place. Others refer to the 
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against 
Women, or to non-discrimination, in other legislation. 
References to discrimination on the basis of sexual 
orientation, gender identity and gender expression, a 
controversial issue in the region, are less common. In fact, 
some countries have experienced a backlash against the 
basic right to non-discrimination with respect to these 
characteristics (Leez and Janta, 2020) (
Box 2.3
).
BOX 2.3: 
Acceptance of diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity and expression remains a challenge
Globally, 42% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex 
(LGBTI) youth reported having been ‘ridiculed, teased, insulted or 
threatened at school’ (Richard and MAG Jeunes LGBT, 2018, p. 11) 
because of their sexual orientation and gender identity status, 
primarily by their peers. Legislation can reinforce discriminatory 
behaviour or make it impossible to address issues related to 
gender identity and sexual orientation in education. Turkmenistan 
and Uzbekistan criminalize consensual same-sex sexual acts 
(Mendos, 2019).
In 2016, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly called on 
member countries to promote respect and inclusion in this area 
and disseminate objective information (Council of Europe, 2016). 
As of 2018, 14 of 23 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and 
the Caucasus had an anti-discrimination law addressing at least 
one of three characteristics: sexual orientation, gender identity 
and expression, and variations in sex characteristics. But just 7 of 
the 23 countries had policies or action plans explicitly addressing 
and prohibiting school bullying based on at least one of these 
characteristics (IGLYO, 2018) (