Being an older woman is disadvantageous and being additionally a minority, even more so", says Naina Patel in this Equal Voices. The theme of this edition of FRA's magazine deals with the fact that women's experiences of racism and discrimination often differ from those of men because they suffer from multiple discrimination due to their gender as well as on the basis of ethnic origin or race, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Racism and discrimination can have a disproportionate impact on women and girls - whether in education, employment, health or in political life. This is the message given by international organisations, NGOs and experts who write in this Equal Voices. Discussing a variety of challenges facing migrant and minority women, the authors also indicate what policies are needed to correct such grievances. "Applying a ‘gender lens' is vital to understanding the full picture of complex and intersecting forms and experiences of discrimination", postulates UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour in her interview for this Equal Voices.