Roma Women - Empowered Women!

Young Roma women face challenges every single day. Apart from sharing their communities' struggles, young Roma women systematically face double discrimination simply by virtue of being female and Roma. This includes not only discrimination from non-Roma but also within Roma the communities. Understanding that investing in young Roma women’s leadership is essential for social changes, for the development of Roma communities and ensuring the rights of Roma women, FERYP aims to develop this Study Session with, for and by young Roma women and men and in collaboration with the Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation of the Council of Europe. This activity aims to bring into discussion the issues faced by the (young) Roma women in Roma communities and in society in general. It aims to provide the space for the participants to develop a strategy on empowerment of young Roma women at national and international level, planning a concrete action plan implemented by FERYP and its members/partners. The study session will have as well a follow-up activity in participants’ communities based on the priorities of the Roma Youth Action Plan and the FERYP Strategy 2012-2015, with the purpose to emphasize the empowerment of young Roma women in Europe. This activity will have very important role in FERYP's long-term programme as it will provide for defining strategies for inclusion of Young Roma women and mainstreaming Gender issues, which could be used both at policy making level as well as for planning of concrete activities which could be implemented by FERYP as well as suggested to other organisations and institutions. Aim and Objectives The aim of the study session is to enhance the capacities and to empower the young Roma women, promoting equality and their equal participation in Roma communities and organizations. • To reflect on and analyse the obstacles, needs, and current challenges young Roma women face today in their communities • To address gender-based discrimination in Roma communities. • To foster young Roma women’s capacities and leadership to be equally involved in public life and decision making processes. • To explore the practices, approaches and opportunities existing in the Council of Europe (Human Rights Education, Gender based violence resources, No Hate Speech Movement, Roma youth Action Plan) to work with Roma youth on gender issues. • To define the strategies in mainstreaming Roma gender equality within Roma communities and civil society. • To enable and support participants to develop follow up plans, initiatives, actions, activities and programmes empowering young Roma women’s full and meaningful participation in their communities and beyond. Profile of Participants • Roma and non-Roma young people who are actively working/volunteering in organizations on Roma issues; • Young gender activists (both female and male), working or interested to work on the problems of young Roma women across Europe; • Motivated and willing to initiate follow-up activities in their home/local communities and organizations; • Aged between 18 and 30 years old; • Able to attend the session for its full duration; • Able to work in one of the working languages of the session; Young men are also strongly encouraged to apply!!