“Turn Every Day into March 8” campaign brought together women from across Bulgaria
On the occasion of International Women’s Day – March 8 and within the RTransform project, Amalipe Center launched a campaign “Turn every day into March 8”, which began on March 9 and lasted until March 18 inclusive. During these 10 days, our active volunteers and educational mediators in some places managed to organize a series of meetings with Roma women and girls, meetings united under one motto – “Turn every day into March 8.” During these meetings we discussed the role of women in our society, what our dreams are, how we can go further and achieve more and more things when we are united.
In the town of Strazhitsa, Veliko Tarnovo region, the meeting was attended by women of different ages, who had the opportunity to learn more about their rights as women, the forms of discrimination and their role in the social world. Educational mediator and local agent Irena Mihailova shared “We talked with women that women should feel special and valued. This is a day to remember the difficult struggle for women’s rights and their place in the world. We also talked about violence against women, whether Roma women are aware that they are victims of domestic violence and whether they are aware of and perceive them as the weaker sex. Every woman must realize that the factor that determines what category a Roma woman belongs to is the level of self-confidence she has and the stage at which she is determined to change her life.”
In the village of Plachi Dol, Dobrich region, the mothers of Roma students were surprised by Mira Stefanova, who is part of our large family and the teachers of their children. The ladies were given the opportunity to communicate with each other over coffee, make martenitsas together and gain knowledge about their responsibilities as parents and women. As a token of gratitude, the ladies received fresh flowers – a symbol of the freshness that every woman carries within herself.
In the village of Tsarevets, we managed to attract the attention of several generations of Roma women and give them the opportunity to talk about the things that really excite them. Many middle-aged women (mothers of students) say that unemployment is a big problem for them, but they realize that it is a consequence of lack of
education. “I got married when I was little, I was stupid, I didn’t want to go to school. Now I want to, but it’s too late – the children have grown up, at least for them to learn to have a job. “ (Ivana, 36)
“We tried to make this day special for them, we prepared flowers and cards, we talked about their rights, about the respect they deserve, about the relationship. No woman should allow violence and humiliation in her life.” – shares Mira
In the village of Cherventsi, our volunteers included 10th graders in the campaign and watched the film “Two Roma Worlds” together – a film that addresses the topic of early marriages and the consequences for girls who experience this. “The children watched with interest, the plot of the film intrigued them. They shared that they also have acquaintances who are already married. The discussion provoked the transfer to another topic, in which the students shared their dreams and ambitions. “
In the town of Shivachevo, a conversation was also held with the students about the problem of early marriages. Ms. Stella Turlakova presented the topic to her audience in an interactive way and visibly managed to keep their interest.
In Shumen we also received the support of the stronger sex, in the person of Angel, who is an educational mediator and an active volunteer of ours. Together with Silvia Stancheva, a strong role model and our colleague, a member of the National Coordination Council for the RTransform project, they managed to mobilize young people and together create a Workshop for Women’s Day. On March 8, high school students participated in an impromptu workshop. They made gifts to express love, respect and gratitude to their mothers, grandmothers, teachers on the occasion of International Women’s Day. As they worked hard, students had the opportunity to learn about women’s rights. The principles of gender equality, as well as the etiquette of communication between “lady and gentleman”.
On March 14, 2022 “St. Paisii Hilendarski” in the town of Varbitsa organized and presented together with the students the campaign“ Let’s turn every day into March 8 ”. The educational mediator at the school shared “Each of us makes his choices! Get to know yourself on the weak and strong weak and strong qualities! Remember that every little step you choose leads you to an important dream! Keep going to education! Plan your successes that you can look forward to!”
And what the students themselves share you can learn here
The brochure used by the students during the campaign “Let’s turn every day into March 8” can be downloaded HERE
Find out more about the “Turn Every Day into March 8” campaign here
Join the Challenge “Turn Every Day into March 8”
RTransform is an international initiative aimed at the active inclusion of Roma women and girls in social life and the guarantee of their rights. The project focuses on promoting equal access to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning for Roma women. The main idea is to create a bridge between Roma women and young girls, to build an environment of trust and continuity, which will be an opportunity for dialogue and debate between different countries.
For 18 years, our partners from Drom Kotar have been organizing the so-called “Meetings of Roma Students” (RWSG), an initiative organized with the active participation of Roma women from all over Europe to exchange experiences and ideas for successful educational integration and demonstrate role models in the community to inspire other Roma women and girls.
The aim of the initiative is to encourage active Roma women from different localities to unite other women around them, with which to create a space in which to discuss the topics described above, to create support, motivation and opportunities for development.
