A Jelenlegi Helyzet
Miközben a magyar EU-elnökség számos kezdeményezést fogalmazott meg a nemek közötti egyenlőség előmozdítása és a különböző formájú erőszak és diszkrimináció kezelése érdekében, jelentős hiányosságokat látunk a roma és a marginalizált nők specifikus kihívásainak kezelését illetően. A jelenlegi prioritások, ha nem veszik figyelembe az interszekcionalitást és a rendszerszintű problémákat, fennáll annak a veszélye, hogy továbbra is fenntartják a meglévő egyenlőtlenségeket.
Introduction The Feminist Collective of Romani Gender Experts is a transnational network established to promote gender equality and intersectional justice for Romani women. Our collective emerged from the need to amplify the voices of Romani women who have been historically marginalized and tokenized across all sectors, including academia, European institutions, and civil society. As gender experts and advocates for Romani women, we share our insights and perspectives on the Hungarian EU Presidency’s gender equality priorities, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes and an intersectional approach.
The Informal Network of Romani Women was formed in January 2021 with the goal of ensuring that Romani women in Hungary have access to the same opportunities and chances as their non-Romani or male counterparts. This organization brings together purposeful and active Romani women from different parts of the country, varying age groups, social situations, and professional backgrounds to voice their concerns on issues primarily affecting Romani women. Their aim is to assert and represent Romani women’s perspectives.
Current Situation While the Hungarian EU Presidency has articulated several initiatives to promote gender equality and address various forms of violence and discrimination, we observe significant gaps in addressing the specific challenges faced by Romani and marginalized women. If current priorities fail to consider intersectionality and systemic issues, there is a risk of perpetuating existing inequalities.
Key Observations
- Lack of Focus on Intersectionality The current priorities do not address the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Romani and other marginalized women (including LBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, sex workers, homeless women, etc.) face complex discrimination not only based on their gender but also their ethnic background, social status, sexuality, and more. Policies and initiatives must recognize and address these intersecting identities to be truly effective.
- Insufficient Emphasis on Systemic Changes Although promoting gender equality and combating violence are essential, there is not enough emphasis on systemic changes. Addressing the roots of inequality, such as institutional racism, sexism, and class-based discrimination, requires comprehensive reforms in legal, economic, and social structures beyond isolated initiatives.
- Tokenism and Genuine Inclusion Our experiences show that women are often included symbolically in consultations and initiatives. Genuine inclusion means providing platforms for women (especially marginalized women) to take on leadership roles and influence decision-making processes. This shift is essential for decisions to reflect and respond to the needs of ALL women.
Our Recommendations
- Do Not Treat Gender as Merely a Political Ideology We urge the Hungarian Presidency to adopt the European Union’s language and stop demonizing “gender.” Without using the correct and necessary language, we cannot effectively address issues related to gender and intersectional inequalities.
- Adopt an Intersectional Approach We call on the Hungarian EU Presidency to adopt an intersectional approach in all gender equality initiatives. This means recognizing the unique challenges faced by Romani women and other marginalized groups and tailoring policies to address these challenges.
- Promote Systemic Changes Efforts to promote gender equality must be accompanied by initiatives aimed at systemic changes. This includes:
- Reforming legal frameworks to eliminate discriminatory practices,
- Ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and employment for Romani women,
- Implementing robust anti-discrimination measures across all sectors,
- Guaranteeing that equal pay for women is a fundamental right and recognizing the value of child-rearing and household work both socially and financially.
- Take Strong Action Against Health Discrimination Health and access to healthcare are fundamental human rights, where equal access and treatment must be guaranteed. However, Romani women face significant health discrimination, particularly in sexual and reproductive health, and forced sterilization remains prevalent in the EU. It is crucial to:
- Establish and apply appropriate legal frameworks,
- Hold offending medical professionals accountable,
- Ensure adequate compensation for victims of forced sterilization,
- Guarantee quality, free professional assistance, and therapeutic services following health discrimination against women.
- Ensure Genuine Inclusion The Hungarian Presidency must ensure that Romani women are genuinely involved in all decision-making processes. This can be achieved by:
- Creating dedicated platforms where Romani women can share their expertise and experiences,
- Providing leadership and capacity-building opportunities for Romani women within EU structures,
- Collaborating with Romani feminist and other civil organizations to ensure Romani women’s voices are heard and considered,
- Guaranteeing dedicated roles for Romani women in planning, implementation, and monitoring processes, as well as real decision-making positions, not just advisory roles.
- Strengthen Monitoring and Accountability To ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives, strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms are needed. This includes:
- Regular review and evaluation of gender equality policies from the perspective of Romani women,
- Establishing clear milestones and indicators to measure progress,
- Ensuring institutions are held accountable for their commitments to promoting gender equality and intersectionality.
Conclusion The Feminist Collective of Romani Gender Experts and the Informal Network of Romani Women call on the Hungarian EU Presidency to take bold and decisive steps to address the specific challenges faced by Romani and other marginalized women. By adopting an intersectional approach, promoting systemic changes, ensuring genuine inclusion, and strengthening monitoring and accountability, the Presidency can make significant progress towards achieving true gender equality. Only through such comprehensive and inclusive measures can we hope to create a just and equal society for all.