The Critical Role of the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls in Advancing Roma Women’s rights

The 2025 UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the theme “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs in the ECE region, Leaving No One Behind.”

The Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent organized a side event focusing specifically on SDG5 and Romaa women, titled “Empowering Roma Women: Advancing Gender Equality and Inclusion in the Context of SDG 5”. This event at the forum was an essential opportunity to discuss how we can bridge these gaps, particularly in relation to SDG 5, which calls for gender equality and the empowerment of all  women and girls.

Despite various international frameworks and commitments like the EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation and the OSCE Action Plan for Roma and Sinti, and others, progress in ensuring the full rights and inclusion of Roma women has been slow. The gap between promises made by governments and actual implementation has become an enduring struggle that we can no longer ignore.

One crucial element discussed at the forum was the vital role of the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls (UN WG DAWG) in highlighting and addressing these issues.

During the forum, Ivana Krstić, a member of the UN WG DAWG, made an impactful intervention that underscores the working group's commitment to recognizing and addressing the intersectional discrimination experienced by Roma women. She explained that the working group does not view women as a monolithic group but understands the vast diversity of experiences that shape women's lives, particularly in marginalized communities like the Roma.

One of the key pillars of their work has been to address the overlapping forms of discrimination that Roma women face, which often go unnoticed in mainstream policies and discussions.
Krstić pointed out that Roma women are disproportionately affected by a range of systemic issues, including discriminatory social welfare practices, healthcare segregation, employment discrimination, and the harmful stereotypes that portray them as fertile or promiscuous. These stereotypes are not just damaging to their reputation but also increase their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Krstić also highlighted the distressing practice of ethnicizing gender-based violence in Roma communities—where violence is either dismissed as a cultural issue or normalized, rather than being recognized as a human rights violation that requires immediate intervention.

Furthermore, Krstić noted the role of hate speech in the media, which perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Roma women and amplifies a hostile environment. This cultural climate makes it even harder for Roma women to assert their rights and access the support they need. The UN WG DAWG has worked tirelessly to combat these forms of discrimination through country visits, thematic reports, and direct communications to states, demanding they address the specific needs of Roma women in their policy frameworks (see below some examples).

Despite these persistent challenges, Krstić also shared the inspiring stories of remarkable Roma women who have triumphed against all odds. These women have become leaders, activists, and professionals, challenging the barriers that have historically held them back. Their success serves as a powerful reminder that when Roma women's voices are heard and their potential is realized, the entire community benefits. These stories highlight the transformative power of inclusion and demonstrate the crucial need to continue advocating for the rights of Roma women.

As Krstić stated, the UN WG DAWG is committed to continuing its efforts to address the systemic injustices Roma women endure. However, she emphasized that Roma women have waited long enough for change—not for charity or token gestures, but for real, structural justice that upholds their fundamental rights. The time for action is now, and it is imperative that governments, international bodies, and civil society work together to turn commitments into tangible results.

In conclusion, the 2025 Regional Forum provided a critical platform to discuss the barriers that prevent Roma women from achieving their full potential and to propose actionable solutions. As we move forward in our efforts to meet the SDGs and address the gaps identified in frameworks like the Beijing Platform for Action, it is clear that the UN WG DAWG's work will remain at the forefront of ensuring that Roma women are not left behind. The path to true gender equality for Roma women requires addressing the intersectional nature of their oppression and ensuring that their rights are protected, their voices amplified, and their potential fully unlocked.

UN WG DAWG's Roma Women's Concerns through Country Visits, Thematic Reports, and Direct Communications

In Bulgaria, the WG DAWG's visit focused on the exclusion of Roma women from public life and the intersectional discrimination they face, including poverty and lack of access to services. It  highlighted how Roma women face an intersection of discrimination based on both their gender and ethnicity and called on Bulgaria to take measures to improve the living conditions of Roma women, provide better access to health care, and end harmful stereotypes in the media. “Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women and girls on its mission to Bulgaria” (A/HRC/41/33/Add.1, 2019).

In its report on Serbia, the WG DAWG focused on public discourse and how media stereotypes about Roma women exacerbate their discrimination and marginalization. The report criticized the negative portrayals of Roma women in the media, calling for the promotion of positive role models and advocacy campaigns to challenge harmful stereotypes. “Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women and girls on its mission to Serbia” (A/HRC/41/33/Add.3, 2019).

The WG DAWG visited Spain and found that Roma women, especially those in rural and segregated communities, faced high rates of gender-based violence. The group recommended that the Spanish government take a more proactive approach in ensuring Roma women's access to legal protections and support services for survivors of violence.“Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women and girls on its mission to Spain” (A/H RC/41/33/Add.2, 2019).

In Slovakia, during the country visit of the UN WG DAWG, the Working Group report underscored that Roma women were often subjected to segregation in schools and healthcare facilities, resulting in significant barriers to education and essential health services. “Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women and girls on its mission to Slovakia” (A/HRC/38/46/Add.1, 2018).

During its visit to Croatia, the WG DAWG emphasized the underrepresentation of Roma women in local and national political structures. It recommended that the Croatian government adopt specific policies to ensure Roma women's inclusion in political decision-making processes and foster leadership development among Roma women. “Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women and girls on its mission to Croatia” (A/HRC/38/46/Add.2, 2018).

In North Macedonia, the WG DAWG highlighted the role of public advocacy in changing attitudes towards Roma women. The Working Group pointed to successful community-led campaigns aimed at educating the public on Roma women's rights and combating discriminatory stereotypes. These campaigns were seen as essential in advancing the social inclusion of Roma women. “Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women and girls on its mission to North Macedonia” (A/HRC/38/46/Add.3, 2018).

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