The Wife of the President, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, attended and addressed the Conference “The Contribution of Roma Women to the Macedonian Democratic Society” that was held with her support in the Cabinet of the President, at the initiative of Roma women’s non-governmental organizations: ROZM “Daja”, Association of Roma Women “Esma”- Skopje, Association of Roma Women “Cerenja”-Stip, Association of Roma Women and Youth “Luludi”, Citizens’ Association MIR and Association “Initiative for the Rights of Roma Women from Suto Orizari”.
The purpose of the Conference is to draw attention to the movement of Roma women and the challenges of Roma women’s non-governmental organizations in the direction of bridging them to achieve continuity in their activities by articulating topics related to their empowerment in several areas and their contribution to the Macedonian democratic society.
Below is the full text of the address of the Wife of the President, Ms. Elizabeta Gjorgievska.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am proud that today I am in the company of many brave, persistent and rebellious women who have worked hard for the past two to three decades and are still working to improve the position of Roma women and girls. It is a great pleasure to see some of you again and to talk about your successes and dilemmas. I believe your presentations will be an inspiration, encouragement and hope for all present here today.
This event, presenting the different experiences and voices of Roma women activists, promises to shift the discourse about Roma women from everyday stereotypical views, to insights based on personal experiences of members of the group itself, and speak loudly about the struggle for social justice and gender equality in the community and in the Macedonian democratic society. We can understand the perspective of the Roma woman, her ups and downs, her sacrifice, perseverance and courage only if Roma women are fairly involved in all social processes, if she herself creates the perception of herself and the community she comes from and if she participates in the decisions that affect her.
The initiative for the consistent struggle of Roma women and the results we see today are closely related to the work of Roma women’s non-governmental organizations that act as a corrector of institutions, change the awareness and perception of Roma women in society. I believe that the beginnings were not simple. I also believe that even today, this struggle is not simple, taking into account the fact that you lack the financial viability of the projects to have continuity of activities and to maintain the target group you are working with. That is why we are here today to address your challenges. Together we need to work a lot and overcome the barriers that still complicate your fight against multiple intersectional discrimination. Your courage, motivation, persistence made the path of the generations that follow you easier in the struggle to overcome stereotypes, prejudices, gender discrimination and limited access to basic human rights. That is why we should continue your fight with joint efforts including the competent institutions, the community, the Roma woman as an individual and all stakeholders of the Macedonian democratic society.
We must not allow certain progress to be stated only on certain days and warn about problems faced by someone every day. It is our common duty to react when someone is faced with the denial of the right to a dignified life and the right to choose. For this reason, I assure you of my support for improving the position of Roma women in the Macedonian society and I invite you to be the bearers of positive changes.
In conclusion, on the eve of March 8, I wholeheartedly congratulate you, wishing you mutual support and response from the competent institutions to our joint efforts. I express my gratitude to all Roma women and girls, known and unknown heroines who never gave up the fight to overcome the obstacles and barriers imposed on them by the society, and I call on them to be persistent and determined in their struggle. Thank you for your contribution to the Macedonian democratic society.
