Roma women are particularly affected since they rely traditionally on men for household income. In this context their cultural specificity is under threat as they are led to live under increasingly worse conditions that seriously undermine their traditional way of life.
Roma people in Europe constitute an ethnic/cultural/linguistic group that suffers severe discrimination and social exclusion. Studies indicate that the Roma population in all EU member states and accession countries is particularly affected by high unemployment, law quality of life and the development of delinquent tendencies. Several reasons are quoted as causing this situation, but the lack of labour market and relevant vocational qualifications ranks among the most important.
This project’s aim is to improve the life chances of Roma women, by providing them with necessary training and support in developing a sustainable household or communal production of traditional dresses.
Market research shows that there is a demand with significant growth potential for “ethnic” clothing, particularly dresses. However due to the gradual abandonment of traditional crafts most Roma women no longer know how to make traditional dresses, neither are they acquainted with the garment manufacturing machines or modern methods of household production. These factors indicate three main project outcomes:
- Pilot training of a group of 15-20 young Roma women in each partners country to modern methods of household production in designing, sewing and marketing traditional Roma dresses in order to act as trainers, intercultural facilitators and multipliers.
- Development of a complete training and production pack (instructional Guide and Manual, production methodology, designs, marketing guide and didactic material) that will be made widely available through existing Roma organizations and networks in all partners countries and beyond
- Fashion show in each participant’s country where traditional dresses produced by the trainees will be presented
The impact of the project is expected:
- to improve their social conditions of life
- to combat intolerance, racism and discrimination
- to contribute to the preservation and elevation of an important aspect of Roma culture; Romani traditional dresses.
