There are many who feel discriminated against and live on the margins of a society that should nurture the values of the 21st century. Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina are in a subordinate position in many spheres of life, and to make matters worse, Roma women face a number of difficulties.
Mirela Canovi spoke with Indira Bajramovic, president of the Roma Women’s Association “Bolja buducnost”
Bajramovic points out that the position of women in society in BiH is extremely difficult, but that the position of Roma women is even more difficult due to prejudice and discrimination, especially Roma women with disabilities, single mothers, and socially vulnerable categories.
In its activities and projects, the Romani women’s association “Bolja buducnost” emphasizes the reproductive health of women, because most of them are still not in the health care system, Bajramovic pointed out.
“Our goal is to empower them economically because they are not competitive on the labor market due to low education. We try to make up for it in some way by giving them social loans through projects such as greenhouses, cows, sheep.”
She emphasizes that political participation is also very important to them because they believe that there are those who could participate in the work of various bodies and commissions, councils of national minorities at both the state and federal level, and advocate integration.
In the end, she told all women to vote and support women.
“There are 51% of us – there are more female voters than men, and I think that if women led this country, we would all be better off,” concluded Bajramovic.
