While things have improved in recent years, the problems faced by the Roma people in Moldova remain the same. Limited access to social services and discriminatory attitudes are among the the most serious ones, says Marin Alla, secretary of the Voice of the Roma Coalition, as the world marks International Roma Day today.
“It would be untrue to say that things have not changed, because when you work every day, things do change for the Roma community and things change as far as the understanding of the authorities is concerned. Starting with 2013, the Government has identified financial resources to fund community mediators and the community mediator institution. And whereas in the past there were 20 people employed as mediators, now they are over 30”, says Marin Alla.
Despite some positive steps, the problems faced by the Roma persist. And it’s due to some sort of a vicious circle, whereby a Roma child skipping school is less likely to find employment later in life. Among the Roma, life expectancy is lower - because they do not have access to the health system or because they are reluctant to see a doctor. Another aspect is the poor financial situation of the Roma throughout the country, including Soroca. More and more Roma are selling their larger homes because they can no longer support them. Some even have to sell their lifetime belongings.
Marin Alla also said that everybody should understand that if society has one more educated person, regardless of his or her ethnicity, this represents an advantage for the country and for society, including economically. There must be no discrepancies in the provision of government-guaranteed services.