An online “coffee” conversation about the role of the Roma woman took place on June 10th
On the occasion of Roma Women’s Day on June 10, Amalipe Center held an online discussion with active and successful Roma women of several generations. Anyone could join through the Zoom.us platform and actively participate in the discussion or watch the event live via Live streaming on our Facebook page.
Over a cup of coffee we talked to over 50 participants. In an informal and very sincere conversation, women and men of different ages shared their experiences and problems with the Roma girls they observed.
Before the discussion officially began, we gave the floor to some very special ladies. Women of different ages – schoolgirls, students, professionals who have already realized. Along the way, they tore down walls and built bridges; they broke stereotypes inside and outside the community; they have proven and continue to do so that a woman, regardless of her background, can achieve everything she dreams of – to be educated, to develop, to be a successful woman and mother. To help and inspire.
Our inspirers told briefly what they went through and which of their dreams came true. Are they supported by their families and have they encountered misunderstanding and discrimination because of their background? You can find out all this from the recording of the event here.
And who were they?
Zyumbula Lambova – student, active volunteer, activist and winner of competitions on topics such as “Prevention of early marriages” and “Fighting hate speech”. She told us how she started getting involved in volunteering as part of her school’s student parliament and that she enjoyed helping people so much that she now dreams of becoming a doctor. And he intends to apply for medicine after graduating from high school.
Bogomila Samuilova – student, volunteer in a number of organizations, winner of a competition of the Amalipe Center and “President for a day”. Bogi, who has already started her higher education, appreciates the meaning of the youth camps organized by the non-governmental organizations, thanks to which she believes that she has believed more in herself and has dared to pursue her dreams.
Evelina Dimitrova – student, volunteer, activist, mentor; “Ambassador for a day at the Swiss Embassy” in 2019. And because a picture speaks more than 100 words, Evie told us and showed us the most important moments of her life. She also emphasized the help of various organizations, youth programs and competitions for student development.
Silvia Stancheva – regional educational expert, teacher, trainer, activist, defender of the rights of Roma, children and women. Sylvia told her personal and extremely touching story about how she had to fight to continue her studies. She had to overcome stereotypes within the community and family, but thanks to her perseverance and strong desire, she was able to change her predetermined role.
Radostina Chaprazova – Director of Arete Youth Foundation. She was an intern at the European Commission, Directorate General for Employment and Social Affairs. Joy took us through her career and success, emphasizing how important family support is for a woman’s success.
Milena Ilieva – Associate Professor, Doctor of Pedagogy, part of the team of the World Without Borders Association. She confirmed how strong the role of the family is, sharing that it was important for her mother to be educated. Her dream was to become a university lecturer in order to be close to young people and today she successfully realizes her wish.
Many young people, educational mediators, NGO professionals and others were present at the meeting. The discussion was extremely sincere and friendly. Maria Metodieva, Director of Institutional Partnerships at TSA, joined in with her story to confirm how important it is for the environment for a young girl (and a boy) of Roma origin to be supportive, so that she is not overthrown by negative epithets from classmates and strangers. “It’s certainly difficult, but it’s important to know that the point of helping others and achieving your dreams is the greatest. And keep sharing, that’s the only way the environment for everyone will change.”
Teodora Krumova, program director of the Amalipe Center also agreed with Maria: “I also think that the support we have is very important, because I believe that behind every successful woman there is a man and it is important that they change the male community from within. There are constant difficulties. they don’t end, but when you see that there is someone to rely on and that makes sense of what you are doing, you have more strength to move forward.It is very exciting for me to listen to all the girls here because it proves that there is no going back and that our efforts make sense.”
There was no lack of male presence either. Ognyan Isaev, Director of the Educational Opportunities and Achievements Program at the Trust for Social Alternative, asked all participants “Is there anything (1, 2, 3) that Roma men need to do urgently in order for oppressed Roma girls and women to feel?” equal, free and strong? ” We decided to give everyone the opportunity to answer this question in the chat, because it is really important. Here are the answers collected:
Answers that you will agree are valid for all men and women, regardless of their origin and age.
Several ladies, who are educational mediators, thanked for the meeting and the good examples because they give them courage. Not all of them are supported by their relatives in their desire to study and work. Such meetings give them the necessary support, they added.
We summarized in real time what those present think on the question “What is a Roma woman today?”:
For the finale we will end with the words of Ognyan Isaev: “as a man: it is important to have support. But come to think of it, none of us, including men, have had full support for our dreams, because only we, or people who have gone through the same path, fully understand our dreams and goals. Many people in our community have no experience where we are headed. And it is normal to have no support and to be afraid of the unknown, because years ago our people did not succeed because of discrimination or were limited in doing the hard and unwanted work. But we are the ones who can stand up and show them that we can stand up. And you do. But keep in mind that this does not happen from today to tomorrow. This sometimes takes generations. We are currently preparing the bricks. After us, construction must continue. And you are the people. Especially women who are more organized and more persistent. We need to be more confident, but also more prepared. “