Beyond Stereotypes: The Power of Community Support for Roma Women Affected by Violence

Galina is a Roma woman who has dedicated her life to supporting women in her community, ensuring their voices are both heard and respected. A psychologist by profession, she works with the Roma Awareness Foundation (RAF), an organization that operates on both sides of the Nistru River to assist Roma women who are facing domestic violence or recovering from trauma.
"I enjoy talking to people,” says Galina. “They have problems they want to share but can’t do so with strangers. Keeping everything inside is incredibly difficult, but they know me and trust me to help them open up."

One of 10 siblings, all of whom are educated, Galina studied in Moscow and credits her mother for the opportunity to pursue an education and build her independence. She resides in Transnistria, a region not under the control of Moldova’s constitutional authorities, but her work spans the entire country.

"We can’t simply remove a woman [who is experiencing violence] from her family—it’s not an acceptable practice in our community,” explains Galina. “However, we can help her. We work not just with the women but with their entire families: husbands, parents and sometimes even grandparents. We talk, listen and sometimes cry together. People know us, respect us and, as a result, they listen to us.”

Galina’s husband says she was the first woman to claim her right to participate and speak at the “kris,” the unofficial court system used in many Roma communities and traditionally closed off to women. "The most authoritative men in our community listen to her,” he says. “When Galina speaks, everyone falls silent because they know she is wise and right.”

At RAF, Galina works alongside Carolina, who, while not of Roma origin, has supported Roma communities in Moldova and Romania for nearly five years. Carolina notes that Roma women often face discrimination not only from society but also within their homes. Reporting to the police is usually seen as betraying the community, and many can’t even confide in their families.

"To work with the Roma community, you must understand and respect them,” says Carolina. “For most of these people, family and dignity are their highest priorities. You can’t come in from outside and tell them how to live or offer unsolicited advice. I admire their pride in being Roma and their honesty about what they like or want. However, they need help, and society must learn to respect them and stop stigmatizing them."

Initially, the RAF struggled to earn the trust of Roma women, but over time, Galina and Carolina have managed to support more than 70 survivors of violence. The organization takes an unconventional approach to addressing unspoken community issues. Galina and Carolina visit villages, speaking with women at their doorsteps, outside wells, or along the roadside, discussing life, family and dreams. Through these conversations, they identify women who may need help, uncover the truth with patience and care and work together to find solutions.

The RAF’s outreach to women and their families is one of only a few projects operating successfully on both sides of the Nistru River. "Domestic violence is a serious problem. Some stories women share are horrifying, and it’s absolutely unacceptable for such situations to persist. We work with the entire family to identify the root causes of this unacceptable treatment of women and encourage change,” says Galina. “It’s not easy, but it’s possible, and we celebrate every success. Carolina helps address the trauma, while I use my own story to show that with family support and without violence, women and girls can achieve so much."

The RAF team offers comprehensive support for Roma women. Their outreach addresses administrative issues, assists women in meeting basic needs, facilitates access to education, and offers professional training, legal assistance and psychological trauma management.

With the support of UN Women, over 70 refugee women and 30 Roma women from Moldova have received help to cope with domestic violence and its effects. Through its initiatives in Moldova, UN Women tackles pressing issues within Roma communities, including integration, breaking stereotypes, reducing discrimination, empowering Roma women, ensuring access to education and addressing poverty and vulnerability.