Despite a lack of ethnic data, it is widely known that Roma and Traveller children face extreme poverty and deprivation throughout the EU – both indigenous Roma and Traveller communities, and those migrating to the West to seek a better quality of life. However, despite the level of political attention given to Roma exclusion, a specific focus on the rights of Roma children is largely missing from the debate.
From Eurochild’s perspective, protecting and promoting children’s rights and well-being is key to positive social change. Long-term Roma integration requires that Roma children grow up happy, healthy and confident, proud of their own cultural identity, at the same time respectful of others. It requires all policies, such as health, housing, transport, employment as well as education and family support, to take account of the best interest of the child.
This report analyses the specific situation of Roma children and brings together some examples of initiatives that have had a demonstrable positive impact on children and their families. It is hoped that it will contribute to ensure efforts to address child poverty take account of the specificities of Roma and Traveller communities whilst also ensuring that efforts at Roma inclusion give priority to the rights and well-being of children.
Click here to read/download the report.
Further reading: International Roma Day: European Commission calls for decisive action to further Roma integration (8 April 2013)