The Fifth International Conference of Roma Women

The Fifth International Conference of Roma Women organized by the Council of Europe and the Macedonian Government will take place in Skopje, Macedonia, on 6-7 October 2015.

Since 2003, the Roma Women’s conferences have provided the opportunity for Roma women to address on the international stage the issues affecting them and their families’ lives. They have also provided a space where Roma women have kept each other informed of issues concerning them and exchanged experiences. The 5th International conference will take stock of the developments since the first international conference of Roma women and will aim to build on the latest results of the 4th international conference, including the work of Phenjalipe and the impact of the Strategy for the Advancement of Romani women and girls, 2014-2020.

The main topics to be discussed during the Conference, identified by the Roma women themselves, are:

• The mainstreaming of gender in the national Roma integration strategies and local action plans and their implementation;
• Phenjalipe and Romani women’s empowerment, including political participation;
• Forms of violence against Romani women, with a focus on trafficking and child marriage.

Eligibility

All Roma woman living and working at local level in member states of the Council of Europe, and with the capacity to contribute to this conference can participate.

Costs
The Council of Europe will cover the travel and subsistence expenses of one Roma woman living and working at local level per Council of Europe member State.
Roma women in member States not able to attend, as well as anybody wishing to, will be able to follow the conference through live web streaming organized by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the hosting authorities. Additional information and access link will be provided in due time on the webpage of the Council of Europe

Application

For application you first express your interest by sending your motivation letter and you CV to roma.team@coe.int

Interpretation at the Conference will be provided in English, French, Romani and Macedonian.

You will be contacted only if selected to attend the conference. A selection Committee will carefully assess all applications and will give priority to Roma women at local level that have been working on the selected priorities for this conference. Please note that any of the working languages indicated above constitute a basis for the selection criteria.

Location: Skopje, Macedonia

Application deadline: 20 July, 2015

Read more and apply here.