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Description
The project ''Access to the rights of Roma Women and promotion of the rights of Roma children'' aims to support Roma women residing in Nea Zoi settlement of Sofades-Karditsa and safeguard their and their children’s rights by facilitating access to health, education and the labor market. In order to achieve this goal, information sessions, counseling and events will be held, and an Employability office -located in the settlement- will launch its operation. The info-sessions and counseling will facilitate school enrolments and vaccinations of 50 children who reside in the area. Through individual and group sessions by specialized employability counselors, the Project Promoter will support and encourage Roma women to be employed, either as farm workers, or by developing business activity through the creation of Social Enterprises. Lastly, in close collaboration with local authorities, 25 civil/public servants are expected to reinforce their Capacity on Human Rights issues and actively support the awareness raising events that will take place within the framework of the project. The aforementioned activities will be combined with training for capacity building of 15 members of the team, including cultural mediators and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle the social exclusion and discrimination faced by Roma women and children in Sofades, Karditsa. These challenges included violence against women, early marriages, racism, lack of access to education and healthcare, and limited job opportunities for Roma women. The flooding caused by Hurricane Daniel in September 2023 further worsened the situation, delaying the project''s start as immediate survival needs had to be prioritized.
The project set up a Counselling and Employment Office in the Roma settlement of Nea Zoi, Sofades. This office offered counseling services, addressing 85 cases related to family and employment issues. The project also produced printed and digital information materials and organized five awareness-raising and training events for Roma women and students. Additionally, all Roma children in the two settlements were enrolled in school, and 67 children joined the Center for Creative Employment of Children (KDAP).
The project supported 85 Roma women and families, helping them access education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. As a direct outcome, all Roma children in the settlements were enrolled in compulsory education, and many participated in after-school programs at the KDAP center. The final conference, held on World Roma Day, raised awareness and built stronger ties with local authorities and organizations that support the Roma community in Sofades.