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Description
The identity of Roma women includes traits stemming from the crossing of several discrimination patterns in their capacity as women in a patriarchal system and members of an ethnically stigmatized group. Violence against women is regarded as a common phenomenon. The situation is aggravated due to the deeply ingrained mistrust of the Roma towards institutions. The project aims at carrying an in-depth research of the issues through a series of studies, observations and analyses and building a bridge between the institutions and the Roma communities at local level and help build trust between them and influence local politics by developing modus operandi of the local institutions in the municipalities of Rhodope, Kuklen, Perushtitsa, taking into account local circumstances, to respond to instances of violence in the Roma communities. The project will contribute to achieving specific objective No 1, i.e. “carrying out research into the causes and possible approaches to prevent violence” through the planned studies, publications and analyses to inform the community, risk groups and decision-makers about violence and inequality. Outcomes: building trust between the institutions and Roma communities and decline in the instances of violence by setting up a mechanism to work with gender-based violence. Target groups: local public institutions, authorized to work on the issues of violence against women. The direct users are the Roma, Roma women and girls, in particular, victims of gender-based violence.
Summary of project results
It is well known that the identity of Roma women is shaped by multiple intersecting forms of discrimination—both as women within a patriarchal system and as members of an ethnically stigmatized group.
Violence against women is largely perceived as a normalized phenomenon, further compounded by the deep-rooted distrust of Roma communities toward institutions.
Through the project "Research and Prevention of Violence Against Roma Women in the Municipalities of Kuklen, Perushtitsa, and Rodopi," the Indi-Roma 97 Social Foundation brought this critical issue to the forefront. By conducting a series of studies, observations, and analyses, the project successfully built trust between institutions and Roma communities at the local level and contributed to the development of policies by implementing an effective institutional engagement model.
A total of 60 Roma women and girls from the three municipalities participated in training sessions on observing and analyzing community issues firsthand, contributing to the initiation of an informal debate on the problem.
Based on the collected and analyzed data, Recommendations were developed for a local mechanism to enhance cooperation among various organizations and institutions. Additionally, 200 copies of a Handbook on Handling Cases of Domestic Violence Against Roma Women were published.
These 60 volunteers from the three municipalities became the foundation for expanding the organization''s volunteer network, creating the conditions for long-term actions and ensuring the sustainability of the project''s results.
The project activities have had a significant impact on the Roma communities in the three target municipalities. A total of 60 Roma women and girls who received training have initiated an informal debate, ensuring that the issues raised remain in the spotlight within the Roma community. These 60 volunteers have also formed the foundation for expanding our volunteer network, creating a prerequisite for long-term action and the sustainability of the campaigns.
The second pillar of sustainability for this project is the set of Recommendations outlining a local mechanism for cooperation among various organizations. As a result, the beneficiary organization has strengthened its ties with institutions in the region.
The third pillar is the Handbook for Addressing Cases of Violence Against Roma Women, compiled and printed in 200 copies. It is being distributed to stakeholders and organizations, with materials specifically designed to have a lasting impact.