Last week, a representative of the Roma Women’s Fund “Chirikli” carried out a working visit to Finland. One of the key parts of the trip included meetings with members of the Finnish Parliament — Saara-Sofia Sirén, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender Issues, and Tarja Filatov, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The discussions focused on the challenges faced by Romani communities in Ukraine, particularly women and individuals in vulnerable circumstances due to the war. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of including minority groups in policy-making processes during the post-war recovery period.
Participation in the Helsinki+50 conference, held under the auspices of the OSCE, served as an opportunity to reiterate that the principles enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act remain meaningful only if they are upheld in practice. The Romani community in Ukraine is not a passive observer; it actively participates in defending the country, in humanitarian efforts, and in supporting other communities. This voice must be heard at all levels.
As part of the visit, a substantial discussion was held with SaferGlobe, a Finnish think tank focused on peace, security, and crisis response. The meeting covered approaches to conflict analysis, PACD tools, principles of conflict sensitivity, and the development of realistic goals in unstable environments.
These insights are relevant to “Chirikli’s” work with communities living in high-risk zones, where a more strategic and comprehensive approach to humanitarian planning is essential.
While in Finland, the representative of the Fund also took part in an event commemorating the victims of the Romani genocide. The ceremony was held together with local communities, which also have a history of resistance Finnish Roma fought for their country during World War II. Today, Roma in Ukraine follow a similar path, defending their state.
For Romani communities, participation in international dialogue is not just symbolic; it is a concrete step toward developing solutions that do not leave vulnerable groups behind. Collaboration with partners such as Diakonissalaitos helps expand the scope of support and advocacy.
“Chirikli” remains committed to ensuring that the voices of Romani women and communities are heard with dignity and impact both in Ukraine and beyond.
