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"Roma women have rights, but not equal opportunities; we need the support of society because we can change things for the better and improve our local communities." Murisa Halilović, Roma Youth Initiative "Be My Friend" Visoko. The message we are sending during online campaign supported by OSCE mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of month of Roma women activism 2020.
Workshop held in cooperation with the Public School "Lukavac grad"
Written by Novosti
As part of the regional project "For Active Inclusion and the Rights of Roma Women in the Western Balkans III" supported by Austrian Development Cooperation through the Representative office CARE Deutschland e.V. in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a community grant holder, our organization held a workshop on March 09, 2020 in primary school in Lukavac. On this workshop we talked about human rights, the situation of Roma, but also the special importance of education of Roma children. One of the topic was the attitudes of the non-Roma population towards the Roma national minority.
Street Action of Roma women association "Bolja buducnost" : What is the position of women in B&H today?
Written by Novosti
To draw attention to the position of women is the goal of a street action held in the center of Tuzla on International Women's Day. Association of Roma Women "Bolja buducnost " in cooperation with the Roma Women's Network in B&H for the ninth year in several cities of B&H organizes this action as part of campaign month of Roma women's activism. By 8 April, a series of activities will be carried out to highlight the status of women in B&H society, with a particular focus on Roma women.
Roma women are in an unenviable position, and very often we say that they are doubly discriminated against by being women and by belonging to a ethnic minority. Through its activities, the Roma Women Association "Bolja buducnost" seeks to improve their socio-economic status on a daily basis.
What is better than 20 or more years ago, not only for Roma women but also for other women in B&H, is that women in the family have more freedom and make independent decisions in many things. "The woman is a guide through life and in politics and in private life, in all, the woman is the one who runs like a machine," says one of our fellow citizen.
Only by dedicated work women can change the situation for the better. Through various trainings, seminars and other activities, we strive to encourage Roma women to become more visible in their community.
Association of Roma Women "Bolja buducnost " Tuzla and Roma Women's Network "Uspjeh" of Bosnia and Herzegovina announces a campaign month of Roma women's activism "It is my RIGHT nota a PRIVILEGE". In the world, women continue to be discriminated when it comes to employment, they do not participate sufficiently in political decision-making and governance. Data from relevant institutions show that every other woman has experienced some form of violence.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a large part of these statistics, and when it comes to marginalized groups of women, Roma women are significantly disadvantaged compared to others. Roma women are exposed to multiple discrimination on the basis of their ethnic minority background, gender and social background or status.
For this reason, the Roma women's network of Bosnia and Herzegovina has launched a campaign month of Roma women activism.
The campaign was created with the aim of pointing out the position of women with special focus on position of Roma women in B&H and the importance of their inclusion in the public and political life of our country. From March 8, International Women's Day to April 8, World Roma Day 2020, Network members organize a series of activities that include street actions, meetings with representatives of institutions at all levels, and community events.
The messages we want to send this year's campaign are that Roma women have the right to make decisions on their own behalf, to participate in decision-making places, to have their place in society, and to have the right to political participation.
- A regional meeting of women's organizations held in Budva 27-29. February 2020
Written by Novosti
Representatives of the Roma Women 's Association "Bolja budućnost" Tuzla and the representatives of Roma Women's Network attended a regional gathering of women' s organizations under the symbolic name "UNITED". Gathering was held in Budva from 27-29. February 2020. This regional meeting discussed the narrowing of space for women's rights and the consequences in the context of the Western Balkans. There were also thematic sessions on whether NGOs and the professionalisation of women's organizations affect the movement, how to overcome it through women's solidarity.
The gathering presents strategy to support and build the women's movement and present the plans and OAK and TRAG Foundation.
5th Biannual Roma Inclusion Seminar held in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Written by Novosti
“You are not alone – this is the clear message from a packed room today in the BiH Parliament – however, our challenge is to keep working together for the sake of all Roma persons,” stressed Marta Garcia Fidalgo, adviser on Roma policy at the Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations at the 5thbiannual Roma Inclusion Seminar held today in Sarajevo. The Seminar was jointly organized by the EU Office in BiH and the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, gathering representatives of local institutions, civil society organizations and international organizations who work actively on promoting Roma inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Taking stock of the results achieved since the last seminar, the panelists noted that some progress has been achieved in key areas of Roma integration, most notably regarding housing, since hundreds of housing units have been provided. However, much remains to be done in the fields of education, employment, healthcare and social inclusion, as emphasised by the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Khaldoun Sinno, who reiterated the EU’s readiness to support concrete measures to improve the social inclusion of Roma in BiH. “Combating discrimination and promoting integration are key priorities inside the EU as well as in those countries that wish to become members. The protection of Roma in BiH remains a concern for us. We need to see proactive engagement on the protection of minorities and promotion of human rights of all citizens of BiH,” said Sinno.
Considering that two of 14 key priorities of the Commission’s Opinion on BiH’s application to join the European Union directly relate to the Roma integration process, the panelists emphasised that attention to progress in this sector will increase, and that joint effort and contributions are needed as regards the new enlargement methodology.
“Roma integration is part of the fundamentals of the EU enlargement process and one of our key priorities. We are not only interested in the paperwork but in the process of reintegration of people on the ground; that children have access to schools, that people find employment, that their homes have water and electricity, and they have access to medical support,” highlighted Garcia Fidalgo.
Chairperson of the Roma Committee within the BiH Council of Ministers underlined Dervo Sejdić said that Roma inclusion in the Western Balkans is a precondition of EU membership for this region.
“This issue is no longer just a matter of social or economic policy, it is now a political issue and we need to take responsibility to realise the goals, take responsibility for what was not achieved and provide Roma citizens with more representation in education, employment, housing and health care,” said Sejdić.
Since 2007, the EU has provided over € 7.5 million to Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the socio-economic inclusion and integration of Roma in BiH, including through support to housing. As part of her visit to BiH, Garcia Fidalgo will visit Roma families who are benefiting from EU assistance in Zenica and Kakanj.
Roma Women Association "Bolja buducnost " Tuzla held Assembly
Written by Novosti
Since 2001, when the Association of Roma Women "Bolja buducnost" Tuzla was founded, we accomplished improvement especially in the areas of Roma women's health, employment and information on their rights. The goals of the Association from the beginning were: the fight against discrimination, the inclusion of Roma women in public and political life, the protection of Roma children and education. We are constantly working on the education of Roma women about their rights.
We actively involve our user group in all our programs and projects and together we realize all our activities. Each year we present our activities and achievements to our members and to the members of the Management Board. In this regard, at the beginning of 2020, we held a regular reporting assembly of the Association, which adopted the narrative annual and financial reports and the work plan for 2020.
Roma Women's Network "Uspjeh " developed Strategy for period of 2020-2023
Written by Novosti
In the period from 05-08.02.2020, with support of Roma women association "Bolja buducnost" Tuzla and with the financial support of the OAK Foundation, the Roma Women's Network in BiH developed and adopted its strategic lines of action for the period 202-2023.The strategic and operational activities of the network are based on recommendations and measures from the Platform for the improvement of rights and status of Roma Women in BiH, which have been embraced into 19 strategic goals and 50 activities under this Strategy.
All activities are planned for the period 2020-2023, and are divided into the following areas: institutional capacity, combating discrimination and anti-Gypsyism, improving access to health and social care, social housing, employment, education and special forms of care, which should include adequate support services. .
Representatives of the institutions and community representatives held a joint planning meeting
Written by Novosti
As part of the regional project "For Active Inclusion and Rights of Roma Women in the Western Balkans III", supported by Austrian Development Cooperation through CARE INTERNATIONAL, Balkans, our association organized and facilitate a community planning meeting between representatives of institutions and the community, using a method "Community score card" .
In the previous period, separate meetings were held with representatives of the community and institutions where participants had the opportunity to identify priorities, but also difficulties in the implementation and resolution of certain status issues between service providers and those receiving and using those services. At this joint meeting, a plan for joint action in addressing specifically identified needs of the Roma community in the field of health and social care was agreed.
Roma women network starts with preparatory activities for upcoming month of Roma women activism.
Written by Novosti
Roma Women 's Association "Bolja buducnost" Tuzla has organized a joint meeting of the Roma Women's Network to begin preparations for the campaign for a month of women' s activism in 2020. The meeting was held from 26-28. January 2020 with support from the OAK Foundation.The members of the Roma Women's Network have agreed on joint promotional materials and joint activities that will be implemented in the period from 08 March to 08 April 2020 under the slogan "It is my RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE!".
Network members agreed that with this year's campaign wants to point out that Roma women have the right to make decisions on their own behalf, to participate in decision-making process, to have a place in society, and to have the right to political participation.
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Indira Bajramović is the director of the Association of Roma people “Better Future” from the city Tuzla, who advocates for the better position of Roma children, women and little girls as well as other vulnerable categories of society. Association of Roma women “Better Future” is one of the members of the Initiative “Women Citizens for Constitutional Reform”. We discussed with Indira Bajramović on the constitutional reforms and recommendations for improvement of the position of women and girls in BH society with the special emphasize on the national and other minority groups.
How do you see political situation in BiH in relation to women and girls, what is their position and is there any improvement or aggravation?
“I think that women in BiH are insufficiently represented in politics and there are none of them in the decision making positions. Women are faced with mobbing and they are still working the same amount of time as men but are underpaid. In addition, I believe that women are discriminated in BiH in various ways and suffer torture not only by their families but also by employers and society. When it comes to women the laws are not enough respected including convention and all other documents that protect women. They are often discouraged to achieve their professional goals by the hand of men.
When it comes to girls I think they have bad role models (coming from different realities) on TV and are often not protected from the boys in school and on the street. Some of them get married very early (or are more often in civil partnership) under pressure of parents, do not finish school which at the end reflects in their later life because they face with violence, insulting and they are especially not concurrent at the labor market and are not economically independent.
Thanks to the work of NGOs we can say that there is some improvement but we are not certainly satisfied because it can be better. Institutions should work on protection of women, girls and little girls and to use available mechanisms. Law on Gender Equality of BiH, Election Law and all other documents and conventions in relation to little girls (children) should be implemented. I believe that international organizations and NGOs in cooperation with institutions can contribute for this position of women and girls to be changed. There are some changes, but we all have a lot to do to achieve for the women to be equal and equally participate in all spheres of our society”.
What do you think on constitutional reforms in BiH having in mind national minorities and/or other minorities? Can you provide us with short review on how this reflects on women and especially Roma women?
“I think that the Constitution of BiH is discriminatory in relation to not only national minorities but also to others who do not affiliate as one of the constituent peoples in BiH. In the Constitution of BiH it states the category Others – who and what are the Others? In BiH lives 17 confirmed national minorities whereas the Roma national minority is the largest so I do not understand why Constitution mentions only constituent peoples? Why are they the only who are constituent and who decided that they solely be constituent? I think that Constitution of BiH as the most important document of a state in this case our BiH is not in favor of women because we all know that the laws at the lower levels should be in accordance with the Constitution. The additional problem are entities and cantons that once again have their Constitutions and laws which are by the way different. So if we come to the local level we have the problem of the harmonization of the different documents with implementation of the basic human rights and I have already mentioned that laws are not exactly implemented in the field”.
How does it look like every-day fight for the better position of women in our society?
“I am fully engaged when it comes to my job and I am rarely at home. I often travel but I was the one who decided to do this job and to give my contribution to every activity if possible in order for the problem and unequal position of women and girls, especially Roma women and other vulnerable categories to be visible. I give my efforts in writing different reports, documents regarding women and girls but also in other fields. I travel outside BiH to conferences and there I speak on the position of women and girls in BiH, on how much they use mechanisms for protection of human rights, mechanisms against discrimination and domestic violence. We exchange experiences with other countries in neighbor and wider because I believe that our voice has to be heard and we have to impose with our requests if we want changes. In addition, I talk a lot, do the research and sometimes I have the feeling that I need more time during one day for everything that needs to be done. When I am at home I tried to spend quality time with my family”.
Can you mention minimum three items that endanger your constitutional rights that should be guaranteed?
„If I can choose, that I should have the chance to elect and be elected as national minority and our Constitution of BiH does not allow the same. The Constitution states that it guarantees the rights to all citizens but it is not so because at every turn the rights are violated to some citizen. I think that our Constitution of BiH should be civil, because at the moment it is not, and that all citizens should be protected by this highest legislative document.
A Platform for the improvement of the rights and status of Roma women in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Written by Novosti
Association of Roma Women "Bolja buducnost " from Tuzla and Roma women network , have started the development of a Platform for the improvement of the rights and status of Roma Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The platform is an advocacy instrument for the rights of Roma women at the domestic and international level, which is a concrete contribution to the policy of anti-Gypsyism and combating discrimination in BiH society. Pointing to the efforts and shortcomings in BiH policies related to Roma and Roma integration, the Platform is a mechanism to advocate for a more effective practice of recognizing, monitoring and preventing various forms of discrimination against Roma women.
Generally, the Platform emphasizes the identified shortcomings in other sectoral strategies, plans and policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following various analyzes and other available indicators, key problems and obstacles to better inclusion of Roma women in BiH society were highlighted. The Platform proposes more concrete measures to improve the implementation of the parts of sectoral strategies, plans and policies that are important for the realization of the economic, social, political, educational, cultural and other rights of Roma women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the Platform, we highlight specific problems and make recommendations regarding the political and social participation of Roma women, social protection, education and cultural rights, gender-based violence and domestic violence, exploitation of children (especially women) through arranged marriages and endangering development and health due to the higher index of minor pregnancies in the Roma community in relation to the non-Roma population and the increased risk of discrimination and lack of systematic support.
Activities for developing this Platfor is lead by the Association of Roma Women "Bolja buducnost" in cooperation with the Roma women network BiH. A ctive participation in the development was provided by: Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, Agency for Gender Equality of BiH, Gender Center of the Federation of BiH , Women's Network BiH, Association for the Promotion of Roma Education "Otaharin" BiH, Care International Balkans, OSCE Missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the intention to support and participate in the creation of a common framework of action to improve the rights and status of Roma women in BiH society as a whole. OAK Foundation, UN Women and Kvinna till Kvinna provided financial support to the process of creating this Platform.
Association of Roma Women "Bolja buducnost " Tuzla together with its members, beneficiaries and organizations that are part of Roma women network of Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the Roma holiday Vasilica in Tuzla. Vasilica is one of the most important Roma traditional holidays celebrated on January 14th. The holiday is closely associated with the Roma New Year that is celebartes on 13 January and lasts for the next four days. On Vasilic or Vasiljevdan, characterize the folk customs, according to which the attention is put on goose who they prepare for a meal and this goose must facing east. According to legend, the Roma who fled across the water from the invasion of invaders were helped by God sending them geese to save themselves from drowning.
Vasilica is today celebrated throughout Europe and other parts of the world and is celebrated by Roma regardless of their religious affiliation. So, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vasilica is a festive holiday, on the basis of which various customs are practiced for a successful and happy new year.
For a society without violence-female Roma movement through the 16 days of activism in 2019
Written by Novosti
On International Human Rights Day (12/10/2019) the global campaign 16 days of activism against gender-based violence ended and also activities that are implemented as part of this campaign by Roma women's network "Uspjeh" in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Roma women association "Bolja buducnost" from Tuzla as a partner in the regional project "For Active Inclusion and Roma Rights in the Western Balkans III", supported by Austrian Development Cooperation and Czech Development Cooperation through CARE International Balkans, coordinated activities within this campaign that are conducted by organizations and members of Roma women network.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign against violence against women and girls.It starts on November 25, when we mark International Day Against Violence Against Women, and lasts until December 10, International Human Rights Day.As part of this campaign, the Roma Women's Network conducted a wide range of activities in Tuzla, Visoko, Kakanj, Prnjavor, Vukosavlje, Bijeljina and Donji Vakuf.
We can only counter the problem of violence by constantly pointing to the problem and changing existing public policies that must have a gender component, and provide sufficient budgetary resources, both for the awareness program and for supporting women victims of violence and victims of domestic violence.Members of the Roma Women Network conducted 10 street actions / performances, 14 community workshops / events, 8 meetings with institutions, 5 thematic media presentations through the engagement of 47 volunteers.
More than 50,000 citizens have received messages from our activities that it is the responsibility of the entire society towards women who have ceased silence and spoke about their experiences, not to leave them alone but to encourage those who remain silent victims of violence and to report it and use available mechanisms for protection.