GENDER DIMENSIONS OF ROMA INCLUSION - World Bank

GENDER DIMENSIONS

OF ROMA INCLUSION

Perspectives from Four Roma Communities in Bulgaria

GROUP

2014

Gender Dimensions of Roma Inclusion:

Perspectives from Four Roma Communities in Bulgaria

Europe and Central Asia Social Development Unit

The World Bank Group

January 2014

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Executive Summary

i.

The ¡®Gender Dimensions of Roma Inclusion¡¯ study conveys gender-informed Roma

perspectives on the historical challenge of their social inclusion in Bulgaria. It is based on

qualitative research consisting of neighborhood questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs)

with women and men of varying age groups, and mini case studies. The research was conducted

in four Roma communities (Byala Slatina, Hristo Botev, Sheker Mahala, and Vesselinovo)

selected by regional representation, extent of urbanization, and adherence to traditional lifestyles

and isolation from mainstream society. The study contributes to efforts in implementing the

Bulgarian National Roma Integration Strategy 2012 ¨C 2020, and developing Roma targeted

policies and programs.

Roma communities in Bulgaria

ii.

The Roma constitute about 4.7 percent of Bulgaria¡¯s population, though estimates

vary due to contested identities. The Roma number approximately 371,000 according to

official figures (National Statistical Institute, 2001) and are the third largest group after ethnicBulgarians (83.9 percent of the population) and Turks (9.4 percent). Other minorities (Arabs,

Armenians, Russians, and others) account for 0.9 percent of the population. In the 2011

Population Census, Roma numbered only about 325,000. This number is likely to be an

underestimate since the 2011 census relied on Roma self-identification. A 2007 UNDP survey

estimated the number of Roma in Bulgaria to be 700,000-800,000 individuals, including

individuals of mixed ethnicity.

iii.

The Roma in Bulgaria are an extremely heterogeneous group and the four

communities that the study focuses on reflect this. There are possibly as many as 60

subgroups, demonstrating variations in nature of residence, spatial location, culture, language,

tradition, religion, occupation, and extent of integration with the wider society. These groups

exhibit diverse social patterns, livelihood, economic wellbeing, health, and education. With very

few exceptions, the majority of the Roma lead settled lives and are distributed across both urban

and rural areas in the country.

iv.

Bulgarian Roma suffer from acute social exclusion and the transition from planned

to a market economy has worsened the overall economic and employment situation of the

Roma. Roma are among the groups most severely affected by the extensive long-term

unemployment that resulted from the transition. High rates of poverty, unemployment, low

human development indicators, poor living conditions, low quality infrastructure, and other

services all point to severe social exclusion. Social exclusion for Roma has been historically

associated with prejudices and stereotypes. Thus far Roma integration policies have not had

much success at alleviating the situation of the communities.

i

v.

The EU and its member states have only recently increased their focus on the

particular situation of Roma women and started to explore their role in promoting

inclusion. Principle number five of the EU¡¯s 10 Common Basic Principles on Roma Inclusion

notes that effective Roma inclusion policy initiatives must take into account the needs and

circumstances of Roma women and address issues such as multiple discrimination and problems

of access to social services. In order to address these issues effectively it is necessary to analyze

the particular situation of Roma women and men, and the challenges they are facing inside and

outside their communities and explore in more detail the root causes of their social exclusion.

Social norms, agency and strategic life choices

vi.

This study investigates the key factors and mechanisms that promote or inhibit

social inclusion of the Roma with the wider Bulgarian society by examining the social

norms, agency, and strategic life choices, from a gender perspective in the four

communities. The study pursues three research questions to deepen the understanding of Roma

communities and contribute to identifying effective inclusion policies. These are: (i) What are

the key gender related social norms that influence agency, and how do they vary across and

within the four communities included in the research? (ii) What does agency mean in respect to

making strategic life choices, and how does it differ for women and men, and across the

communities? and (iii) What can we draw from our understanding of norms, agency, and life

choices to inform policies that will support Roma inclusion, and thereby the implementation of

Bulgaria¡¯s National Strategy for Roma Integration?

vii.

The EU¡¯s working definition of social inclusion is used in this study as a lens to

analyze Roma communities. The definition states that: ¡°Social inclusion is a process which

ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain the opportunities and resources

necessary to participate fully in economic, social, and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of

living and well-being that is considered normal in the society in which they live. It ensures that

they have a greater participation in decision making which affects their lives and access to their

fundamental rights.¡±

viii. Understanding the ¡®agency¡¯ of Roma men and women is instrumental in

determining the nature and type of policy and operational interventions that are likely to

facilitate inclusion. This study attempts to generate a better understanding of the ability of

Roma men and women to make strategic life choices, make decisions, and control resources. It

sheds light on how this agency, in turn, influences basic human conditions and demand for social

services. This study thus tries to reveal some of the reasons why, for example, Roma girls tend to

drop out of school at a young age, why early marriage is preferred, or why (younger) Roma

women are less likely to be employed.

Gender roles in Roma communities

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