Roma Women’s Leadership & the Fight Against Multiple and Intersectional Discrimination
Date: 10 April 2025
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Venue: European Parliament ROOM PHS 1C51
Organisers: ERGO Network
Registration here
Background
Data show that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and that achieving gender parity in political life is far off. This is particularly the case for those coming from marginalized backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities.
Romani people entered Europe in the 13th century and have since been present on the continent. There are currently Roma populations in almost all European countries, with the strongest presence in Central and Eastern Europe. Indeed, Roma comprise about 10 percent of the population in some EU countries, including Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia.
Roma face discrimination in all areas of public life. Romani women face multiple forms of discrimination. Overall, Roma have been very underrepresented in formal politics across Europe, particularly Romani women. Romani women who want to enter politics face additional barriers due to several factors: the stigma attached to Romani ethnicity, belonging to a group with less access to quality education, lack of opportunities, and being part of patriarchal societies. This has resulted in an extremely low representation of Romani women in politics.
Those who can enter occupy spaces in which Roma have generally not been welcomed, and their mere presence in such spaces challenges long-held social stereotypes. Furthermore, we are currently observing what appears to be a downward trend in the representation of Roma politicians.
A stark example is the last elections to the European Parliament held in June 2024. The previous European Parliament included four members (out of 705 members) of Roma origin from Spain, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia—about 0.5% of the total. However, the new Parliament, with 720 members, does not include any Roma MEP. Roma have not faced such a strong lack of political representation since 1985, nearly 40 years ago.
The objectives of the event will be to provide space to:
- Increase understanding of the experience of Romani women in politics
- Analyse and exchange the factors that have enabled Romani women in politicians to overcome barriers and enter politics
Draft Agenda
11:00 – 11:30 | Opening remarks
- MEP Markéta Gregorová, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Czechia
- Marcela Adamova, Team Leader, Anti-racism and Roma Coordination Unit, DG Justice, European Commission
- Mila Paspalanova, Anti-Racial Discrimination Advisor, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Regional Office for Europe
11:30 – 12:45 | Panel: Roma Women’s Leadership & the Fight Against Multiple and Intersectional Discrimination
Moderator: Nourhene Mahmoudi, Policy and Advocacy Officer, European Network Against Racism
- Alba Hernández Sánchez, Romnja Feminist Library
- Gabriela Hrabaňová, Director, European Roma Grassroots Organizations Network
- Simona Torotcoi, ERGO Network, Global Forum of Communities Discriminated based of Work and Decent
- Nyanchama Okemwa, Hand in Hand, Belgium
- Saska Jovanovic, Director, Romni Onlus, Italy
12:45 – 13:00 | Closing Remarks
- MEP Benedetta Scuderi, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Italy
Accreditation and Access to the European Parliament for Roma Week Events
For those who registered or requested an entry badge, please note that under the new European Parliament rules, accreditation is granted via an automated self-service machine (similar to airport customs machines), located in Station Europe (see photo below), in front of the Altiero Spinelli Building (entrance from Place Luxembourg).
You may collect your access badge on the day of your event from the self-service machine in Station Europe. Please follow the specific event guidelines to ensure that a Parliament assistant, accompanied by ERGO staff holding a Roma Week poster pick-you up before the designated time set by the event organizers, allowing for a smooth and timely entry into the European Parliament.
For those requiring assistance with the self-service machine, ERGO colleagues will be at Station Europe approximately one hour before the event start time (holding a Roma Week poster) to help with the process.
Regular Entry to the European Parliament
If you already possess a valid access badge, please proceed directly to the event location and arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure a timely start.
