Double Discrimination: The Systemic Exclusion of Roma Women in Hungary

The Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent has released a comprehensive study titled The Case of Roma Women in Hungary. The report documents how ethnicity and gender intersect to create multiple layers of exclusion. It reviews laws, state policies, and lived experiences, while also highlighting acts of resistance. The report is aimed at lawmakers, civil society actors, and international bodies monitoring Hungary's human rights obligations.

Roma women are among the most marginalised groups in Hungary. Estimates suggest between 450,000 and one million Roma people live in the country. Among them, 75 percent live below the poverty line, in contrast to 13.8 percent of the general population. Over 90 percent report facing discrimination, yet only a quarter feel protected by current laws. These figures set the backdrop for the report's sectoral findings.

The authors use both quantitative data and personal testimony. Their sources include EU agency surveys, court judgments, and NGO files. The report adopts a feminist and intersectional lens, acknowledging how class, geography, and sexuality compound marginalisation. It critiques “neutral” policies that, by ignoring Roma realities, reinforce inequality.

Healthcare emerges as a major area of concern. Roma women face systemic racism in hospitals and clinics. The trauma of coerced sterilisation remains. Their life expectancy is ten years lower than for non-Roma women. Menstrual poverty is widespread. One survey found that a third of Roma women used rags or paper instead of sanitary pads. High smoking rates and poor access to gynaecological care further deepen health vulnerabilities.

The education system remains deeply segregated. Only one in five Roma children attends preschool, compared to nine in ten non-Roma children. Fewer than 30 percent of Roma pupils finish secondary school. Girls are especially at risk. Many drop out due to early pregnancy, poor sex education, and social pressure. In 2022, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Hungary's education policies unlawfully segregate Roma students.

Labour market indicators are bleak. The employment rate for Roma women hovers around 26 percent, far below the national average of 68 percent. Unemployment for Roma communities is at 52 percent. When Roma women find work, it is often insecure and poorly paid. Average wages are only 40 percent of what non-Roma earn. Discrimination in recruitment is widespread, with over 60 percent of Roma women reporting unfair treatment when applying for jobs.

Housing and basic services show further exclusion. Over a third of Roma families live in segregated settlements without infrastructure. Only 60 percent have access to piped water. Women often walk long distances to fetch water, reducing time for education or income-generating activities. Many children remain unregistered due to bureaucratic barriers and discrimination, leaving them without legal identity or access to services.

In the criminal justice system, the gap between law and reality is stark. Though the constitution promises equality, Roma women often face neglect and bias. Domestic violence, trafficking, and hate crimes are under-reported and under-prosecuted. Victims' testimony is often ignored. Legal aid remains inaccessible in rural areas. Prejudice within law enforcement further undermines trust and protection.

Despite these challenges, the Hungary report also highlights examples of resistance and leadership. The Informal Roma Women's Network organises forums and policy campaigns. Sheja Consulting, founded by two Roma women, provides corporate training on diversity. The MARA Programme promotes sexual health education and grassroots organising. These initiatives offer models of strategic activism and collective empowerment.

The Hungary report concludes with five clusters of recommendations. It calls for intersectional gender analysis in legislation, anti-segregation reforms in schools, labour quotas and childcare support, community-led health programmes, and political representation for Roma women. It argues that equality is not a favour, but a legal and moral obligation. The study demands urgent and sustained action from the Hungarian state and the international community.

Also Read: Systemic Discrimination and Resilience: Roma Women's Fight for Justice in Bulgaria