We are women activists from Leskovac and until recently we were informally organized as Roma Women Initiative.
We will register our organization under the name Roma Women of Leskovac during this year’s Month of Roma Women Activism campaign.
Our greatest accomplishment is empowering women from Roma communities to solve problems they encounter in education, healthcare, and political participation.
We have held a great number of workshops and actions in Roma communities in Leskovac.
We are determined to show young Roma girls just how important the education is. Results are visible, more and more girls are being enrolled in high schools.
We often organize preventative medical exams for women. The fact that four women caught cancer in early stages speaks for itself. These women took care of their health and are now living healthy lives. Other women we work with take great care of themselves and their health and are being more responsible.
We have established a connection with Roma churches in Leskovac. Healthcare workshops are also being held there.
Workshops held during the election for National Council of Roma National Minority were very successful. Women found out how to vote and the importance of their vote.
We are working on finding systemic solutions for the problems Roma women face, together with organizations Women Space from Niš and Ternipe from Pirot.
We are part of the feminist movement in Serbia and we are happy to participate in activities of other sister organizations from Roma Women’s Network, which we are a part of since the start.
During yearly Month of Roma Women Activism, we contribute to the process of decreasing prejudice and stereotypes, specially towards Roma women.
Our goal is to have our organization recognized by the municipal government. That would be an enormous support to our work and to improvement of Roma women’s status and human rights overall.
Contact:
Roma Women of Leskovac
Phone: +381 61 24 44 934