For centuries, our society has adopted a patriarchal regime. While men got education, developed their careers and generally had more freedoms, women's lives and destiny completely depended on men. Over the years, women's positions have started to change, society has transformed and progressed, but many cultures still bear the heavy imprint of patriarchy, and Roma women are unfortunately among them.

The life of Roma women is burdened with a lot of difficulties. As a representative of one of the most vulnerable and stigmatized ethnic groups and also a representative of the “weaker sex”, Roma woman comes under the double blow of labels imposed by society and a lack of rights.

According to compiled UN statistics in the Balkan region, 45% of Roma women in Moldova have no education (including primary), compared to 2% of women of other nationalities and 22% of Roma men. Roma girls are particularly vulnerable to school refusal and poor academic performance. This is due to the fact that a girl can study at school until she gets married. The age of marriage for Roma girls in many countries is still 14-15 years old. In Montenegro, 41% of women from Roma settlements think that a man’s violence towards his partner is the norm. Roma women who live in poor households justify violence more frequently (63%) compared to Roma women who live in wealthier households (31%). From the total number of Roma women interviewed in Serbia, 91.9% of them have been exposed to some form of physical and/or sexual violence after turning 18.

Feminism is a movement to ensure that women have the same political, economic and civil rights as men. But did you know that Roma women also have their own feminists? Roma feminism is a movement that fights for women's rights within its community. The exhibition “Roma Women Weaving Europe” held between 21st of March and 30th of July in 2019 in Berlin shows how women artists of Roma origin use art to raise awareness about their problems and dreams. Let's take a closer look at this amazing phenomenon.

Art has always been a powerful tool for expressing ideas and feelings. Women artists from the Roma community use their work to speak out about the issues they face. Their works are often devoted to the theme of domestic violence, poverty, discrimination and the fight for equal rights.

The exhibition “Roma Women Weaving Europe” presents the works of Roma women artists from various European countries, such as Poland, Romania, Finland, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Great Britain. This is not just an exhibition of paintings, photographs and sculptures, but also a platform for dialogue about Roma women. Each piece of art in this exhibition is a different story about life and struggle.

Many works are devoted to the topic of Roma identity and cultural heritage. The artists use traditional motifs and techniques to show the beauty and richness of their culture. Some works talk about the discrimination that Roma women face in everyday life. The artists show how difficult it can be to be a woman and a Roma at the same time. An important theme in many works is the dream of a better future. The artists portray their heroines as strong and independent, showing that Roma women can also be leaders and inspire others.

The exhibition features works by Roma artists such as Julia Wierzbicka, Milena Dunderova and Nora Romi. Each of them interprets the theme of Roma feminism in its own way.

• Julia Wierzbicka. Her paintings are dedicated to the topic of domestic violence. Wierzbicka uses bright colors and expressive lines to show her characters' pain and suffering, but also their strength and resilience.

• Milena Dunderova. In her works, Dunderova explores the topic of cultural heritage. Her works are filled with traditional Roma ornaments and symbols, which she reinterprets in the context of the modern world.

• Nora Romy. Nora Romy's works often touch on the theme of dreams and hope. Her heroines are strong women who fight for their rights and strive for a better future.

The exhibition “Roma Women Weaving Europe” plays an important role in promoting Roma feminism. It draws attention to the problems faced by Roma women and helps them to be heard. The exhibition strives to break down stereotypes about the people, showing what the women of their community are capable of, how rich the Roma culture is and how diverse it is.

Roma feminism is a powerful movement that tries to help women make their lives better and more comfortable. Art plays an important role in this movement, allowing women to express their ideas and feelings. The exhibition “Roma Women Weaving Europe” is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the work of Roma artists and learn more about Roma feminism. We hope it inspires you to think about the importance of equality and justice for all women, regardless of their background.