On the occasion of the completion of the second phase of the project "For active inclusion and rights of Roma women in the Western Balkans" supported by the Austrian Development Agency through the CARE International Balkans, we participated on a press conference in Sarajevo.

During this project, 2691 events, seminars, workshops were organized in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and more than 28000 people participated.

- We focused on Roma women and girls for them to have access to education and health care system, to address the issue of gender-based violence, access to public and political life, the suppression of early marriages - said the regional director of CARE International Balkans Sumka Bučan.

The idea behind this project was to provide assistance to Roma women in B&H, Serbia and Montenegro to improve the quality of their life and socio-economic situation, as well as their position in society.

President of the Roma women Association "Bolja buducnost“from Tuzla, Indira Bajramovic spoke about the project which was, in fact, direct help to Roma women where this organization conducted a series of successful actions.

- Prejudices about Roma community and Roma women are reduced. We solved many cases and problems that this population is facing from education, health care, etc. – said Bajramovic.

As part of this project, thousands of women and girls are empowered to achieve their rights to health, education and life without violence.

On this occasion, it is presented the movie "My whole life is a struggle" which speaks of six Roma women from the three countries that have managed to overcome prejudices and stereotypes imposed and become inspiring examples of successful women.

- The film "My whole life is a struggle" is about women who have made changes in their communities. I had the opportunity to show myself and how I changed my life, I was strengthened as a person. Today I consider myself a strong woman and I can help the Roma community - said Snjezana Mirkovic the president of Association „Romska djevojka-Romani cej“ from Prnjavor. .

In these three states more than 5000 people, mostly women and girls, but also boys from the Roma community, received support, advice and service of medical assistance, through writing the claims for identity documents and filling out applications for scholarships and employment or social assistance.

Among other things, nine Roma and Roman women are employed who worked as mediators for two years connecting the Roma community with local government institutions as well as government institutions with the Roma community.