Introduction

Abstract

The set of papers presented and introduced here reflects the dialogue established between three closely related concepts (vulnerability, care and rights) at the workshop of the same title held online in 2020. Starting from an understanding of vulnerability as a cross-cutting and universal phenomenon, several of the papers reflect on the very nature of the concept and from the point of view of the role of the state and the law in addressing the negative effects of vulnerability. Along with vulnerability, the other axis of the papers is that of care, both in its ethical and political dimensions and from a gender perspective. All of this from an Iberian perspective (related to the constitutional treatment and some legal aspects in Spain and Portugal), but which also encompasses the European perspective, and, in a broader sense, that related to human rights.

Keywords

• vulnerability
• care
• equality
• rights