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Published on 24.8.2026

Advancing equality through Roma women’s leadership: lessons from Eastern Europe 24.9.

What is needed for Roma women to be able to exercise their rights equally? How can community-based work transform structures, attitudes, and people’s lives?

A woman stands smiling with her arms crossed on the porch of a weathered peach-colored rural house; concrete steps and clothes drying on a line are visible in the muddy yard.
“I can see positive change happening around me. For my own family, the most important improvement has been obtaining identity documents, because thanks to them we are finally entitled to healthcare as well,” says Ionela Ciobanu from Romania. Photo: Meeri Koutaniemi

Welcome to the Helinä Rautavaara Museum on Thursday 24 September, 5.30–7.30 pm for a discussion on advancing equality. The event celebrates ten years of cooperation between the Deaconess Foundation and the Romanian organisation E-Romnja and explores the achievements, lessons learned, and future challenges of advocacy led by Roma women.

The inequalities experienced by Roma women reflect broader societal challenges and injustices. That is why the solutions developed to address these inequalities can offer valuable insights for building a more just and inclusive society for everyone.

The event will be held in English. The Helinä Rautavaara Museum is situated on the second floor of the Entresse shopping centre (Siltakatu 11, Espoo).

To attend, please register here.

Programme:

Anca Enache (Deaconess Foundation) and Ilona Niinikangas (Helinä Rautavaara Museum): Welcome remarks

Saara Hyrkkö, Member of Parliament and Espoo City Councillor: Opening reflections: advancing equality and participation

Anca Nica & Carmen Gheorghe, E-Romnja: Creating change: lessons and achievements from Roma feminist work in Romania

Anette Åkerlund: Flamenco and Romani music

How can we advance equality for Roma women in Europe? A panel discussion with

  • Carmen Gheorghe, Researcher and Executive Director, E-Romnja
  • Saara Hyrkkö, Member of Parliament and Espoo City Councillor
  • Joao Verdelho, Policy and Membership Development Officer, Eurodiaconia

Janette Grönfors, Advisory Board on Romani Affairs: Roma women and the future

Anette Åkerlund: Flamenco and Romani music

Light refreshments will be served, and guests are warmly invited to explore the E zor amendar – The Strength Within Us exhibition.

The event is organised by the Deaconess Foundation, the National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs, the Finnish Roma Association and the Helinä Rautavaara Museum

The Deaconess Foundation, Helsinki Parish Union, Emmaus Westervik, Emmaus Helsinki, and Emmaus Åland have financially supported E-Romnja’s work.

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