Roma woman Zola Kondur, together with the Chirikli Foundation, has been addressing the issues of women from traditional Roma families for over 20 years. She is a well-known activist fighting for the rights of Roma women in Ukraine and beyond, providing them with support and knowledge to improve their lives. Her contribution to the development of communities and Roma culture is undeniable.
Luntako drom is the term used in the Roma language for a wedding caravan. Among the honoured guests is Zola Kondur, head of the “Chirikli” Foundation, or “bird” in Ukrainian. She is known in almost every Roma family. For more than 20 years, she has been taking care of Roma women’s issues, working as a mentor and role model.
Thanks to her efforts, Roma women have gained the opportunity not only to receive an education, but also to actively participate in the life of their communities. She focuses on helping women become leaders in their families and communities, providing them with new opportunities for development.
Kyiv-born Zola Kondur traveled to Zakarpattia not for leisure, but to assist residents of a Roma camp located 30 km from Uzhhorod. The camp suffers from constant flooding and a lack of communal services. Zola supports local women, teaching them how to defend their rights and represent the community’s interests in the village council.
Her support is crucial, as many Roma live in conditions that are significantly worse than the national average. Thanks to the active stance of leaders like Zola, these communities now have new opportunities for a better life.
One of Zola’s main focuses is educating Roma women and girls. She organizes training sessions where Roma women learn about their rights, how to defend their interests in front of authorities, and acquire the skills necessary for active community work. Her training is aimed at developing leadership qualities and strengthening the female community.
Graduates of such training programs become intermediaries between Roma communities and local authorities, ensuring that the pressing issues of the Roma people are addressed. This allows them to help not only their own communities but also to spread positive experiences to other communities, where people may be less open to cooperation.
Zola Kondur’s active civic work has not gone unnoticed at the national level. She collaborates with the Ukrainian government and participates in international conferences on Roma issues. Her authority and influence are growing, and she is now considering entering politics.
In the future, Zola Kondur may become one of the first Roma women in Ukrainian politics, to help even more with the advancement of the Roma community at the legislative level.
