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Description
Roma constitute the most vulnerable population group of Greece. Compared to the general population, the life expectancy of the Roma people is shorter by 1 decade and they are increasingly impacted by transmittable and chronic diseases as well as high prevalence risk factors of chronic disease (i.e. obesity, smoking). The National Action Plan for their integration emphasizes vaccinations, leaving a noticeable gap in health promotion policies. In terms of health, Roma women are more vulnerable compared to the general population as they are at an increasingly high risk of domestic violence and limited educational opportunities. Even though many NGOs and organizations are active in the empowerment of Roma populations, social isolation, especially among Roma women, remains. This project aims to empower both Roma women and organizations (NGOs, universities, etc.) that work with Roma populations on issues related to health literacy, especially preventative medicine, and the human rights of Roma women. Specifically, the organisation will: a) research (qualitatively and quantitatively) and illustrate the educational needs of Roma women on topics concerning physical and mental health and human rights (nutrition, smoking, vaccinations, gynecological diseases, domestic violence), b) develop educational tools and special methodology for tackling the health literacy of Roma women, c) implement the attained methods in 5 regions (Volos, Thiva, Chalkida, Zefiri, Agia Varvara), initially on educators and then on the wider Roma population, d) assess the most effective tools, methodology, and type of educators (possibly with randomization) (Roma women </>25 years old, non-Roma women), and e) present and make available the developed tools to organisations working with Roma populations. The project will be implemented by Prolepsis in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Summary of project results
Roma people comprise one of the most vulnerable populations in Greece. Compared to the general population, the life expectancy for Roma people is shorter by a decade, there is an increased incidence of communicable and chronic diseases, as well as a high prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases (e.g. obesity, smoking). Based on the international literature, Roma women are more vulnerable regarding health issues, are at increased risk of domestic violence, and have limited access to education. The living conditions of Roma women in Greece differ from those in the rest of Europe and there are large intra-ethnic disparities, meaning it is difficult to generalize findings to areas other than those directly studied. Based on this information, the first aim of the project was to obtain a more complete and accurate understanding of the needs of the project’s target group in the project’s target areas.
This was achieved through a literature review of the specificities of the population, as well as the mapping of the actors involved in the empowerment and support of Roma populations, in order for them to be informed and benefit from the results of the project. Once this was completed, quantitative and qualitative research was carried out in the five areas of project implementation to better understand the needs of the target group, in collaboration with the project partners, the Centre for Intercultural Education of the University of Athens. Participants in the research were Roma women from Volos, Agia Varvara, Zefyri, Thiva, and Chalkida, representing a diverse sample from different areas of Greece. Questions centered on the project’s main thematic areas; health, prevention, and human rights. The directory of relevant stakeholders produced, together with the literature review and the research results comprised the first tools and deliverables of the project, all with the aim of being tools for future use.
Subsequently, the research teams of the Prolepsis Institute and the University of Athens developed the educational tools used in the project, suitable for meeting the needs of Roma women on the topics of health (smoking, eating habits, prevention of gynecological issues, and vaccinations), and human rights (domestic violence, human rights, mental health, and social exclusion) respectively. The training tools, which are also deliverables of the project, included (a) training modules for use by the project’s trainers as well as for future use by relevant stakeholders, (b) educational tools and materials for training Roma women educators, and (c) materials for informing Roma women in the community. In cooperation with the Association of Greek Roma Mediators and Associates, a two-phase implementation of training was carried out.
Initially, 67 women across the 5 project implementation areas attended 12 hours of training sessions on the project topics (health - prevention, human rights) in order to become educators themselves within their communities. Next, 40 informational sessions were held, which were attended by over 150 young Roma women in the 5 project areas. Half of these sessions were conducted by a non-Roma educator who was a specialist in the respective topic of the session, while the other half were conducted by Roma women who had been trained as one of the 67 educators in the first educational phase of the project. At the same time, questionnaires were administered to beneficiaries and educators to assess the acquisition of knowledge and satisfaction with the training sessions themselves, as well as the most suitable type of trainer, in order to use this information in subsequent initiatives concerning the education and empowerment of Roma women in Greece. The findings of this survey showed that 77% of women educated were satisfied with the training sessions and their content. The increase in knowledge on educational issues after the training sessions was higher when the trainer belonged to the Roma community, without, however, a statistically significant difference. A high percentage of participants also expressed intention to adopt healthy habits in their daily life regarding the topics on which they were trained.
Following the educational phase of the project, honorary events were held in each implementation area for the Roma women, who were rewarded for their participation in the project. A total of 247 women in the 5 regions were rewarded for their participation in the project, while the events were attended by members of the local government and stakeholders involved in the project, which contributed to further promotion and dissemination of the project and its results, and constituted an important opportunity for the advocacy of their and their communities’ needs to an audience of stakeholders and relevant parties. At the end of the project, an Informational event was held, where the project results were presented and two discussion panels were held on the topics of a) human rights and social exclusion, and b) health and prevention. The information day was attended by officials from relevant ministry departments and public administration, Roma mediators and educators, representatives of Roma organisations and members of Roma communities from various regions of Greece, members of civil society organizations, representatives of NGOs, Community Centers, and journalists. Based on the constructive dialogue that took place in both discussion panels, an action plan and policy was drafted and presented to relevant governmental and non-governmental bodies as an opportunity for advocacy on health and human rights issues of Roma women in our country.