For Active Inclusion & Rights of Roma Women in the Western Balkans III (FAIR III) – BIH963

This project is part of the wider FAIR programme, under which CARE has already implemented two previous project phases aiming to empower and foster the inclusion of Roma women. In the Western Balkans, and in particular in the project’s three target countries, the latest survey on the socio-economic position of marginalized Roma and their non-Roma neighbours (published in 2018, funded by the EC and conducted by UNDP and the World Bank) reveals increased school attendance but a growing gap between Roma and non-Roma in health, employment and housing. While more girls and boys are attending compulsory, primary, education than ever before, their attendance in high school is much lower and the gap with the majority society is increasing. When compared to their non-Roma neighbours, Roma people face twice as high unemployment and are less likely to see a doctor.　 As we have learned from our FAIR projects, these aspects are even more negatively reflected in the lives of women and girls since the Roma communities are highly patriarchal and rigid norms on masculinity and attitudes toward gender roles still prevail. Double marginalisation and discrimination of Roma women and girls, as women and as a minority group, is also clearly reflected in these latest statistics. In Montenegro 93% of Roma women aged 18-24 are unemployed, not involved in education or training, for example. It is also evident in the percentage of early marriages: in Serbia 49% of Roma women aged 20-49 reported to have been married before they were 18 years old compared to 9% of non-Roma women (in Montenegro the ratio is 41:8% and in BiH 27:11%). Early marriage/child marriage is a cause and consequence of gender inequality, poverty and violence. It violates girls’ rights to health, education and opportunity exposing them to all types and forms of violence throughout their lives.

Objective

To contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality among Roma (RAE) women and girls in　 Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Serbia and Montenegro by enabling Roma women and girls to exercise their rights, learn and live a healthy, dignified life free from violence, inequality and discrimination with support from their partners, families and communities.

Expected Results

ER 1: Enhanced capacities of Roma CSOs, youth and key community actors to practice and promote gender equitable, healthy and non-violent lifestyle with help of tested models and approaches.

ER 2: Improved access to and provision of services for RAE women and girls, (in particular on SRMH, GBV and Education) through strengthening of the Roma CSOs and the existing participatory accountability community mechanisms.

ER 3: Three national-level Roma women networks’ influence and regional collaboration enhanced through the regional Roma Women Balkans Network efforts toward Post 2020 EU Roma Integration Agenda.

ER 4: Roma women and girls, CSOs and Networks are a part of the regional and global social movement initiatives promoting and advocating for gender equality and (minority) women’s rights.

Location

Western Balkans Region/Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Serbia and Montenegro

Beneficiaries

The project will directly target 26.150 people in total – aiming at 85% Roma and over 60% women and girls.

Duration

01.02.2019 – 31.03.2022

Total Budget

EUR 1,100,000.00