On May 28, 2014, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), organized a roundtable discussion titled “Women from Vulnerable Groups in Relation to Various Forms of Discrimination.” The event was held as part of the preparation for Ukraine’s State Report on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Representatives from ministries, international organizations, and civil society participated in the roundtable discussion. Among them were representatives from the International Charitable Organization “Roma Women’s Fund ‘Chirikli’,” Yulia Kondur and Zemfira Kondur.
Nadiya Komarova, an expert in the preparation of Ukraine’s State Report on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, outlined the situation and challenges faced by women belonging to various vulnerable groups in her report. It was repeatedly noted that Romani women are among the vulnerable groups that face discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, health status, age, and more. Other groups at risk include unemployed women, rural women, elderly women, migrant women, and refugees.
Zemfira Kondur, in her presentation, highlighted the areas in which Romani women face discrimination. She emphasized the inadequate living conditions in compact settlements where Romani women live, the lack of identity documents that restrict access to basic services and rights. Zemfira specifically mentioned cases of refusal to admit Romani children to schools, as well as instances of low motivation among parents to provide education for Romani girls. Therefore, efforts are needed both to motivate parents to provide education to Romani girls and to work with school representatives to overcome negative stereotypes about Roma and discriminatory attitudes towards Romani girls and Roma in general.
Yulia Kondur expressed gratitude to the organizers for the invitation and their understanding of the issues faced by Romani women and gender-related issues within Romani communities. Yulia called on the state to undertake the responsibility of ensuring protection against discrimination based on gender identity and ethnic background at all levels, primarily in state institutions, law enforcement, and judicial bodies.
