JILEHA

Project facts

Project promoter:
Občanské sdružení Slovo 21
Project Number:
CZ12-0054
Target groups
Children ,
Non governmental organisation
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€45,557
Final project cost:
€59,944
From Norway Grants:
€ 30,695
The project is carried out in:
Czech Republic

Description

The Roma women's group Manushe has been working since 2000 to strengthen the position of Roma women in society and the community. Now the group will expand its capacity and know-how to the local level. Within 11 months of the project, 160 meetings under the program “Education, Self-confidence, Emancipation” will be organised in 8 cities (Chomutov, Mimoň, Prague 14, Bruntál Turnov, Náchod, Krupka and Ostrava). Meetings will be led by long-time members of Manushe with methodological support provided by the Prague office. At the end of the project, 80 Roma women will have enhanced self-esteem, and will be activated and committed to making changes in the community. They will prepare awareness-raising events on gender equality, increasing awareness in Roma communities on this topic. Interesting human stories and best practices will be presented at the final conference and in the electronic book available at the end of the project at http://www.slovo21.cz.

Summary of project results

Women can be agents of change in Roma communities; however, they encounter multiple discrimination that hinders their full participation in society. The JILEHA project has enabled 90 Roma women to initiate positive changes in their lives and helped to activate them for work in the community in general. Nine Roma women's groups have been established within the project in different regions of the Czech Republic. They operate on the peer-to-peer principle and contribute to promoting gender equality in the Roma community. More than 184 meetings of groups have taken place. We also organised a conference where different groups presented their activities and results. The conference covered five topics that were identified as crucial by the target group: education, employment, foster care, tradition vs. emancipation, and domestic violence. We have published electronic materials mapping the first eight months of existence of the groups and presenting stories of selected female members whom the project is helping. The material has been printed as well. The groups continue their activities and at the moment we are considering a strategy together to ensure its operation into the future. Women's groups are helping in their cities and contributing to the life of their communities. New strong female personalities have emerged in these localities.

Summary of bilateral results