Women of Roma ethnicity from different localities of the country are trained and encouraged to become involved in the decision-making process at the local level. A number of 22 women were invited to a workshop held on February 16 and 17, while another 22 women will be trained in March. The activities form part of the program “Roma Women in Politics”, IPN reports.

Coordinator of the project Natalia Duminică said that after the training the beneficiaries will have to organize an event in their community and urge the members of the Roma community to take part in elections and to run in the local general elections of this summer, for mayor and local council. The training seminars are given by two experts in the protection of the Roma women’s rights, from Romania and Moldova.

Explaining the necessity of the project, Natalia Duminică said not many Roma women become involved in the decision-making process at the local level. In the last local general elections, only two Roma women were elected local councilors.

Elena Rădiţă is a community mediator in Râșcani town. She said she takes part in the workshop in order to obtain more information about the upcoming elections. She also wants to show that the Roma women are not indifferent to the events that take place in society “We want to become involved, to take part, to support our Roma population so that we do not lag behind,” stated Elena Rădiţă.

Victoria Bandă, from Soroca, said she came to the workshop to learn how to become involved and to contribute to changes in society. “We hope for a better life,” she stated.

The program “Roma Women in Politics” forms part of the project “Support for the Roma Women in the Local General Elections of 2019” that is implemented by the National Roma Center together with the Network of Roma Girls and Women “Romano Alav”, in partnership with UN Women Moldova, with financial support from the Government of Sweden.