Amidst heightened concerns over racism, a survey conducted by the Italian chapter of the health development NGO Amref, in collaboration with Ipsos, sheds light on prevailing attitudes towards Africans in Italy. The ‘Africa and Health: The Opinion of Italians’ survey unveils startling insights into the perception of racism and integration challenges within Italian society.
According to the findings of the survey, a staggering seven out of ten Italians believe that individuals of African descent in Italy are either frequently (22% of respondents) or quite often (48%) subjected to racism and discrimination. Carried out in October 2023 on a sample of 800 individuals, the survey’s results were presented by Amref Italia on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, underscoring the urgency of addressing systemic inequalities.
Despite the significant African diaspora in Italy, with an estimated population of 1.2 million, the survey reveals a stark discrepancy in public perception regarding the scale of African presence in the country. Alarmingly, only one in ten Italians accurately gauged the number of Africans residing in Italy, with a majority underestimating their presence. Furthermore, concerns over integration persist, with over half of the respondents expressing skepticism about the level of integration and harmony between African immigrants and Italians.
The survey highlighted key barriers to integration, including perceived discrimination in the labor market, reluctance to adopt Italian customs and traditions, and inadequate integration programs. Moreover, a notable proportion of respondents identified racism as a significant obstacle to integration, reflecting deep-seated societal biases.
Commenting on the survey findings, Roberta Rughetti, deputy director of Amref-Italia, emphasized the need to dismantle systemic racism and promote social justice initiatives. She underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to remove barriers impeding the inclusion of marginalized communities, particularly individuals of African descent.
Amref advocates for a revised citizenship law that enhances social justice and inclusivity. While the current legislation grants Italian citizenship under specific conditions, including lengthy residency requirements, most respondents favor granting citizenship to children of foreign immigrants born or raised in Italy, emphasizing the imperative of inclusive policies.
As Italy grapples with deep-rooted discrimination and integration challenges, calls for substantive reforms gain momentum, emphasizing the imperative of fostering an inclusive society where all individuals are afforded equal rights and opportunities.