Current Issues in Europe Regarding the Social and Political Inclusion of Romani Women- Policy Paper

This paper attempts to provide an input for the forthcoming “EU Framework and National strategy on Roma inclusion” regarding the social, economic and political integration of Romani women. It presents the situation of Romani women by discussing and analyzing the relevant accessible research data for a more responsive and inclusive policy making. The analysis of the social position of Romani women as a group will be based upon the interaction of ethnicity, gender and class (at least). Meanwhile, the analysis also reflects on the heterogeneity of the Roma populations living in Europe, taking into account the different situations of the various Roma communities, but also the similarities of the phenomena affecting the social integration of Roma in different European countries.

Our paper aims to address the shortcomings of existing policy studies, which often dismiss the specific situation of Romani women. Data on the situation of Romani women is particularly scarce. However most of the studies, which are disaggregated by ethnicity and gender, show that Romani women experience greater social exclusion than Roma men, on the one hand, and
the women of the majority community, on the other. Based on the available data Romani women face intersectional/ or multiple discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender and class. They face particularly serious exclusion in the field of employment, education, healthcare, housing services; moreover they have a very limited access to the long term care system, to social benefits, to financial services and in addition to public and political participation.