In a few months, members of the SYNERGY Network will meet in Bulgaria to learn more on integrating Roma and minority women’s perspectives into efforts to address gender-based and domestic violence.
The conference, to be held 15 and 16 June, builds on knowledge gained from the study visit on relevant Council of Europe standards, mechanisms and findings concerning Roma women, with a focus on their access to justice, organized by Council of Europe’s Roma and Traveller Team in November 2022 in Strasbourg (see picture).
Read more about the conference in Strasbourg: Violence in Sámi communities: From too frightened to touch, to openness
Roma women face intersectional challenges
Women in general often meet obstacles when seeking access to justice when subject to gender-based and domestic violence, and women facing intersectional discrimination can meet even more obstacles. Roma women and girls are among the most vulnerable groups within and across European states. They face multi-dimensional discrimination and intersectional challenges, are often socially marginalised and frequently economically disadvantaged.
The situation of Roma women requires specific and equitable measures to ensure their access to justice when subject to gender-based and domestic violence.
Read more about Roma women and girls in this article: How can we protect displaced women and girls from abuse and violence?
The event will present challenges and identify best practices in the following 4 areas:
- Participation of Roma women and relevant NGO representatives in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects.
- Prevention of violence against women within Roma communities.
- Protection of Roma women victims of domestic violence from further violence, and support of Roma women to overcome the multiple consequences of such violence, allowing them to rebuild their lives.
- Prosecution of perpetrators of violence against Roma women.