We commemorate 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women [editar]

Because the freedom of one Roma woman is the freedom of all #25N2025FSG #25N2025GMG

Once again , the Roma Women's Group (GMG) of the Fundación Secretariado Gitano, together with the rest of the people who form part of this organisation, join in the commemoration of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to denounce the fact that violence against women and girls continues to be the most widespread human rights violation in the world.

Every 25 November invites us to stop, reflect and remember that violence against women remains one of the greatest injustices of our time and that it is experienced every day. At the Fundación Secretariado Gitano, we are raising our voices once again to say enough is enough! Enough of silence, fear, inequality, gender stereotypes and looking the other way. Enough of violence that destroys lives, families and entire communities.

At the Fundación Secretariado Gitano, and specifically its Roma Women's Group, we have been emphasising for years that there are still many obstacles in the way of women achieving equality and eradicating gender-based violence. Existing legislation is not enough. It is still necessary to strengthen mechanisms for preventing gender-based violence, starting with education in values and equality. It is also vital to raise social awareness, a key objective in preventing gender-based violence, and one in which the media plays a fundamental role, including through awareness-raising.

Roma women are no strangers to the problems faced by women as a whole. However, we suffer other forms of discrimination due to our ethnicity, among other factors such as living in segregated environments and high poverty rates. This is what we call intersectional discrimination.

In promoting the right to equal treatment and combating violence, it is essential to incorporate not only in theory but also in practice the specific characteristics of Roma women into public policies, as well as into other measures and resources that can promote their autonomy and social advancement through equal opportunities.

On 26 February 2025, the Spanish Congress of Deputies almost unanimously approved the renewal and updating of the State Pact against Gender Violence, which for the first time incorporates specific measures for Roma women, representing a major step forward.

This recognition is a historic step: it means seeing, hearing and understanding that violence does not affect all women equally, and that Roma women need responses adapted to our reality and our context.

We want our strength, leadership and wisdom to occupy the place they deserve in the fight for equality.

We know that there will be no real equality without justice, respect and diversity. We know that when a Roma woman advances, we all advance.

This year, which marks the 600th anniversary of the arrival of the Roma people on the Iberian Peninsula, it is essential to recognise the valuable contributions of Roma women to feminism in Spain. From our own realities and experiences, Roma women have driven a movement that broadens the concept of feminism; diverse, inclusive, community-based, promoting social justice, intercultural sisterhood that demands equality without renouncing cultural identity and that fights for the recognition of all female voices in the history and present of Spain.

We also want to remember those who are no longer with us, accompany those who continue to fight, and celebrate those of us who build freedom every day from our identity and pride in being Roma.

We will continue to work for a society free of violence and discrimination, where all Roma and non-Roma women can live without fear and with dignity.