Empowerment of Roma women to recognize violence and seek help

UN Women Office in Skopje supports the National Roma Centrum in North Macedonia, a local partner organization, to implement an awareness-raising and a door-to-door campaign on VAW, domestic violence, child marriage and gender equality, targeting Roma communities in five municipalities in the country. As a result of the campaign, they noted a change in personal views on violence, and in some cases, this has led to a change in behavior. So far, 25 women have requested legal assistance, including for divorce proceedings due to domestic violence. The campaign was implemented under the regional programme “Implementing Norms, Changing Minds,” funded by the European Union.

Based on NRC research conducted in 2019, which showed that domestic violence was not recognized as violence against women (VAW), the campaign aimed to tackle these beliefs and empower women to seek help. More than 450 women were reached, and five local networks of community leaders were established to continue fostering dialogue on VAW and other harmful practices.

 “A lack of accurate information regarding their rights is one of the main challenges that Roma women face when trying to access support services. Our legal counselling activities tackle this challenge by providing a safe space and an opportunity for Roma women to learn about their rights and become informed about the new Law for the Prevention and Protection of VAW and Domestic Violence, as well as to access free individual legal counselling sessions.’’ said Aleksandra Trajanovska, Project Manager for the National Roma Centrum, adding that many Roma women survivors of violence have very little or no funds for legal representation in court proceedings.