Discrimination, lack of jobs and school nonattendance remain the major problems faced by the Romani people in Moldova. On April 8, when it is celebrated the International Roma Day, the Government staged a roundtable meeting where members of the Roma community asked the authorities that the state institutions should include at least one representative of this ethnic group, who would promote their rights, IPN reports.
Vasile Drangoi, who heads the public association “International Roma Union” of Moldova, said that a plan of action to support the Romanies was adopted in 2011, but not all the planned policies were implemented and insufficient attention was paid to this ethnic group. “No executive posts in state institutions are held by Romanies. This is a very big mistake as nobody knows better the current problems of the Roma than we know,” he stated.
Vasile Drangoi also said that the limited access to education, health services and social assistance as well as to employment remains a key problem. The families with children must be supported and encouraged to enroll the children in school.
The head of the National Roma Center Nicolae Radita said the participation of the Romanies in the decision-making process is not ensures, while the money allocated for supporting the Roma is insufficient and is not always used according to the needs.
Attending the event, Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici said the Romani people remain one of the most vulnerable ethnic groups in Moldova and they continue to be discriminated, being the victims of stereotypes. The plan of action for supporting the Roma population adopted in 2011 is being implemented the last year. But the authorities will continue to take steps to identify solutions to the problems experienced by the Romanies so as to improve their situation.
The International Roma Day has been marked in Moldova on April 8 since 2002. In Moldova there are over 102,000 Romanies.
