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Discrimination and the Roma Community 2014
do in this regard has already begun. Until now, politics
has been an opaque activity engaged in by men in ties
sitting in their offices. Thanks to social mobilisation, the
15M movement and Podemos, this is changing and citi-
zens have more and more mechanisms at their disposal
to be actively political rather than passive. Bottom-up
politics is being practised in the neighbourhoods. And
this new type of politics encourages participation of all
citizens and is starting to break down barriers and help
groups historically discriminated against participate on
a level playing field.
5. Are you familiar with the situation of Roma women?
Do you think they are subject to multiple discrimi-
nation in Spain?
Roma women are shouldering an important part of the
consequences of the crisis. In families where gender
roles are still rather differentiated, it is the women who
apply for aid, who taken in their sons, daughters and
grandchildren who are not able to make it on their own
and they have entered the labour market where they
have had to accept conditions doing unskilled jobs that
could be described as exploitation (geriatric and child-
care, cleaning, etc.). Where early school leaving rates
are similar for Roma boys and girls, the girls drop out
more because of family obligations. In this context it
is fair to say that Roma women face double and even
triple discrimination which enormously complicates
their lives and they are showing extraordinary strength
in overcoming these adverse conditions. I think that it
is admirable that a large percentage of Roma girls are
going back to school after having dropped out. This
is where we should concentrate our efforts, in recog-
nising the enormous effort made by Roma women and
empowering them so that they can gain access to all
areas of social life.