A discussion was held on the topic: “Prevention of domestic violence and harmful traditional practices in the Roma community”

On November 16, a discussion was held on the topic: “Prevention of domestic violence and harmful traditional practices in the Roma community.” The meeting took place on the electronic platform of ZOOM.us, and more than 30 people from all over the country took part in the discussion.

November 16 is the International Day for Tolerance, the meeting was held under the motto “Let’s be kind to each other”, and each of the participants had the opportunity to share for themselves what tolerance is.

Denitsa Ivanova and Atanas Atanasov, part of the team of Amalipe Center, introduced the participants to the types of domestic violence, the first signs of domestic violence, what are the natural reactions of the victim of domestic violence, consequences of violence against women and others. Violence against women is a structural and global phenomenon that knows no social, economic or national framework. It is a serious violation of human rights and in many cases goes unpunished. In order for participants to better understand the forms of domestic violence, Atanas Atanasov shared the harmful traditional practices in the Roma community that need in-depth work, such as early marriages, domestic violence and the educational status of parents.

At the end of the meeting, Denitsa Ivanova acquainted the participants with the prepared questionnaire on prevention of domestic violence, focusing on the types of such. This is the first open discussion within the project “Prevention of Domestic Violence and Harmful Traditional Practices in the Roma Community”, funded by the public board of TELUS INTERNATIONAL in Bulgaria and implemented by CMEDT “Amalipe”. Within the project there will be 5 more discussions, after which there will be 6 explanatory campaigns on the prevention of domestic violence.