Fundación Secretariado Gitano

25 November 2023 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women [editar]

• Gender Equality and Romani Women
• National level

From the Area of Gender Equality and Roma Women, the Roma Women's Group, together with the rest of the people who form part of this organisation, we join in the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November-

According to official data, 56 women were murdered in Spain in 2023.

We strongly denounce the violence to which women and girls are subjected on a daily and systematic basis. Violence that is exercised against us in multiple ways and that limits and conditions the enjoyment of an equal, healthy and free life.

We condemn all the aggressions, harassment and mistreatment that all girls and women suffer in our homes and workplaces, but also in the street, public institutions, leisure spaces and internet spaces.

Male violence is all those aggressions and damages that directly or indirectly affect women and girls, and not only physically or psychologically, but also digitally, economically or institutionally, among others.

Violence is being kissed or touched without consent, being manipulated with the threat of assaulting your children or other family members, being asked "what were you wearing" when you are raped, or being asked by medical professionals to decide how many children you can or should have.

Roma women suffer from these forms of violence and many more. We suffer violence and discrimination on the streets and in public services. The health care system medicates us in an exacerbated way, violating our bodies without taking into account our social and personal situations. The police system violates us with its persecution.

The media violate us with their stereotypes and constant discrimination.

For these reasons and many more, Roma women throughout society, the Roma Women's Group and the FSG say: stop the violence on our bodies, on our lives and on our families!

We are tired of fighting, centuries of resilience and resistance, but we will not be silenced. We ask the whole of society, public authorities and social agents that together we put an end once and for all to this scourge that murders women, girls and boys and that kills in life so many others, who are not murdered but who live in fear and under situations of violence for most of their lives.

It is the responsibility of the public authorities to put an end to violence by providing all the means and resources to do so. All women and all victims need to feel accompanied, safe and supported by governments. It is necessary to guarantee that the public system ensures the care and protection of Roma women victims, taking into account our situation of intersectionality and with an intercultural perspective.

We cannot take a step backwards in resources, personnel, legislation or terminology. It is necessary to name the realities we live in order to put an end to them.

We must continue to make progress in promoting equal treatment, gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence. We are very concerned about the particular increase in gender-based violence among young women aged 16 to 30 in Spain.

We want a society free of violence against women and girls, free of antigypsyism, fairer and more intercultural, peaceful and in which Roma women achieve the dreams they want to fulfil.

We are sure that with the recognition and work of all of us, WE WILL GET IT.

In memory of our colleague Gina.

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