The Roma community faces a series of challenges, such as unemployment, low school attendance or discrimination. The difficulties and opportunities for the inclusion of the Roma community were discussed with Moldovan authorities in an awareness-raising roundtable organized by IOM Moldova in Soroca, IPN reports.
According to IOM Moldova, the roundtable was an opportunity to listen to the Roma community of Soroca, the largest in Moldova, to discuss short and medium-term challenges and opportunities, channels for dialogue and actions to be taken to promote fair and sustainable social inclusion as well as to promote Roma culture and traditions.
The challenges raised included unemployment, low school attendance among Roma children, domestic violence, discrimination, social exclusion and a lack of awareness on safe and regular migration and referral mechanisms.
IOM Moldova’s Chief of Mission Ester Ruiz de Azua said that the Roma community leaders and mediators play a crucial role in representing the interests of Roma people and ensuring their access to essential social and administrative services. Listening to their views can maximize joint efforts with Moldovan authorities to address Roma needs.
The initiative was attended by Roma community leaders, Roma mediators, representatives of the State Chancellery, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, National Agency for Interethnic Relations and the Office of the Mayor of the city of Soroca. The initiative is funded by the Government of Norway.
