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Putting discrimination in context
tion of the National strategy to combat racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and other related forms of
intolerance and the National Roma Integration Strategy
(2012-2020).
Political parties should promote sufficient cross-cutting
budget allocations in all ministries and fully commit to
the effective involvement of Roma civil society. The
social protection model in place since the 1980s has
been quite inclusive of Roma and has always benefited
this community. In 1989 the National Roma Development
Plan was implemented to compensate the inequality
they face. Specific complementary programmes are
needed to boost school enrolment and labour market
access for the Roma population.
While problems do persist, improvements are notice-
able: more Roma children are attending pre-school and
there are more accompaniment programmes geared to
helping Roma find jobs; there are also mediation pro-
grammes to help close the gap between Roma and
non-Roma communities in the area of housing and ac-
cess to health-care. Important strides have also been
made in eradicating shanty towns.
The political parties running for election must commit
to a truly integrated society. If not, the electoral debate
will remain exclusively in the hands of political parties
that represent rejection, hatred and discrimination.
4. If Parliament were a true reflection of social plurality,
there should be 7 Roma Members of Parliament and
5 Senators, without even mentioning the lack of re-
presentation in regional and local government. What
steps need to be taken to address this lack of de-
mocratic representation?
In Spain an estimated 650,000 to 725,000 Roma live in
Spain accounting for 1.5% of the total population. Un-
der-representation is notorious, as it is amongst other
groups as well such as Spanish emigrants. As political
parties we are mainly responsible for this situation be-
cause we do not boldly promote candidates that would
provide more plural representation.
At one time Spain did have a Roma European Parlia-
mentary member, Juan de Dios Ramirez Heredia. Today
we’re envious of Sweden where Soraya Post, a Roma
woman, represents the Feminist Initiative Party in the
European Parliament. Our target should be to promote
greater participation among Roma youth in political par-
ties and social organisations. Institutional recognition of
the Roma people must be based on claiming the right
to be respected, to have access to the same opportu-
nities and therefore, to live free of discrimination, free
of social exclusion for being different; a people that
speaks with a single voice and remains united to over-
come the historical inequality it faces.
5. Are you familiar with the situation of Roma women?
Do you think they are subject to multiple discrimi-
nation in Spain?
Despite the silent revolution that has swept through
society in recent years, Roma women still suffer dual
discrimination, for being women in a patriarchal soci-
ety and for belonging to a marginalised ethnic minority.
They therefore need greater support, especially con-
sidering that they are the main caretakers and transmit-
ters of the values and culture of the Roma people.
Although few women are full-time salaried workers,
there are more and more Roma women who aspire to-
wards the mainstream labour market and are initiating
training processes. Also, the overwhelming majority of
girls are enrolled in school. Although many drop out at
the transition between primary and secondary school,
those that do decide to continue studying are more
likely to finish than their male counterparts.
Change is in the air for Roma women, the real driving
force behind the transformation of this community.
Although they often meet with resistance from the
men of their own community, they are spearheading
a gradual process which includes university level stud-
ies. While there are still very few university graduates,
8 out of every 10 Roma who earn a university degree
are women. As for positions of responsibility, there are
very few Roma women who take part in politics and
associations still have a short history. As for the la-
bour market, unemployment rates are highest for Roma
women, the main reason being the stereotyped image
and prejudices that employers have of them.
The integration of Roma women requires change in the
perception and prejudices of the entire community. En-
rolment at school is the main factor contributing to their
full integration in society.
Roma women want to be heard. They study, work out-
side the home and drive. Discriminated against and ste-
reotyped, they are organising themselves to claim their
rights and promote diverse feminism.