Intergenerational Solidarity Networks: The Case of Roma Women's Movement in Spain

• In Event: Overcoming Inequalities of Systematically Underserved Communities From a Global Research Network: Teachers and Minority Women as Agents of Change

Abstract

The Roma, an ethnic minority of Indian origin who have spread out all around the globe, are one of the first people to live beyond the states’ boundaries, and who claim the existence of a common cultural identity and a shared history (Sordé, Flecha & Alexiu, 2013). Racism has always marked this history: they have been slaves and victims of hate crimes, murdered by the Nazis, and trapped in poverty (IRU, 2001). Still, they suffer from segregation in schools, poor quality housing and high unemployment rates, among others (Bello, 2009). Roma women are among the most vulnerable: many do not finish primary education and a high percentage does not complete secondary education (only 3% compared to 63% of non-Roma women). However there are Roma women who are succeeding against the odds. This paper analyzes a Roma women-led movement whose transformations are at the individual level but also an emerging worldwide trend of collective thought and action, which has not yet been studied in depth (Sordé, 2002).

Within the framework of the International Roma Women Network (IRWN), we analyze one of the actions developed by the leading organization of the IRWN. One of those successful actions is the intergenerational Meetings of Female Roma Students. Following the Communicative Methodology of research (Gómez, Flecha & Puigvert, 2011) we conducted communicative observations and interviews with Roma women of different ages and profiles.

In the meetings Roma women -of different ages and educational levels-, discuss about the causes of the exclusion suffered and how to overcome them. Interactions in these meetings build on egalitarian dialogue, as one of the key elements to develop solidarity. The right of, access to, and quality of education emerge as a critical topics in their discourses. Without denying the obstacles they face, through building a global solidarity network, they dream and fight for increasing the presence of Roma girls in high schools and universities.

Within this solidarity network, they engage in collective struggles to change the structures and situations of inequality. Subsequently, new discourses are articulated as well as new strategies to improve their lives, schools and communities.

Author

• Rocio Garcia Carrion, University of Deusto