Advocacy

Advocacy is one of the core focuses of Voice of Romni, aimed at protecting the rights of Roma women, children, and the Roma community as a whole in Ukraine. We strive to ensure that every Roma individual enjoys equal rights, access to essential services, protection from discrimination, and full social integration.

Our team consistently advocates for the rights of Roma men and women at both national and international levels. We collaborate with government bodies, donors, international partners, and other NGOs to promote policies that protect the rights of the Roma community. Additionally, we participate in conferences, forums, and other events, enabling us to raise these critical issues at the highest level, particularly those concerning the protection of Roma rights and their social integration.

Voice of Romni has conducted extensive research to better understand the needs of Roma communities and develop effective strategies for advocacy and support. These findings are used to influence decisions made by government authorities and donors, as well as to design support projects that align closely with the community’s needs.

We are working to raise awareness about gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV) in Roma communities. We conduct training sessions for activists, equipping women with the knowledge and skills to defend their rights both locally and nationally.

The advocacy efforts of Voice of Romni aim to ensure that the Roma community is heard at all levels and empowered to defend its rights. This contributes to improving the situation of the Roma population in Ukraine, strengthening their integration into society, ensuring dignified living and development conditions, and incorporating their needs into Ukraine’s recovery plans. We strive to be part of a fair and inclusive national recovery strategy that reflects the needs and potential of the Roma community.

The voices of Roma women have been heard at these and many other events:

— UN Forums on National Minorities

— Council of Europe Dialogue with Roma Civil Society

— Ukrainian Women’s Congresses

— Icelandic Women’s Congress

— Feminist Forum on Foreign Policy in the Netherlands

— UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York

— Ukrainian Recovery Conference in Berlin

— Women Leaders Coalition Summit for the Future of Ukraine in Warsaw, etc.