From an early age, Roma in Slovenia and Slovakia face widespread discrimination in various areas of their lives, including housing, education, employment, health care and policing, driven by persistent negative attitudes among the majority population towards Roma. Roma women often face multiple and intersectional discrimination based on their ethnicity and gender in both countries. The Covid-19 pandemic also amplified ongoing shortcomings in the protection of Roma rights.
We have just released a new report, which provides an overview of the current scope of discrimination against Roma, especially women, their lived experience and access to justice in Slovakia and Slovenia. Based on a combination of desk research and empirical study, namely a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with different stakeholders in both countries, it also includes a series of recommendations to achieve greater inclusion and equality in line with the stated commitment of both countries to protect their Roma populations
