On the occasion of the Month of Roma Women’s Activism, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) will support the campaign of Roma women’s network “Success”.

Every year from 8 March to 8 April, the Roma women’s network “Success” marks the Month of Roma Women’s Activism. The network brings together a group of seven Roma organizations dedicated to improving the legal, social and economic status of Roma women and children.

This year’s slogan is: “It is my right, not a privilege”. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of citizens about the importance of Roma culture and identity as well the authorities’ obligation to protect and fulfill the rights of Roma as the largest and most marginalized national minority in B&H.

Despite the progress achieved, Roma women in B&H and the Western Balkans experience double discrimination: as members of the Roma minority and as women.

-Roma women still face widespread marginalization and exclusion from decision-making processes – at home, in the community, as well as at the political level. They can be leaders of social change, but they have to be given the opportunity. There is a need to create equal opportunities that allow Roma women and girls to achieve their full potential- said Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to B&H. -For this reason, I welcome this campaign and call on everyone to join our efforts to reject stereotypes and prejudice and to support the inclusion of Roma as equal members of society.-

The OSCE Mission to B&H remains committed to working with national minorities and authorities in B&H to ensure increased national minority inclusion and greater realization of their human rights.