Marya Sadouni represents the UK at fourth International Conference of Roma Women

Above: Marya Sadouni in the Friends, Families and Travellers office in Brighton

UK Roma representative Marya Sadouni recently returned from The 4th International Conference of Roma Women in Helsinki.

The conference welcomed 36 Romani delegates, all from different countries, from the 15th -17th September 2013. It was organised by The Council of Europe, and the Finnish Government.

Marya was thrilled to be chosen as the UK Representative, and she has returned from Helsinki with lots of news and stories.

“Through my work as an Outreach Worker at FFT I have a very good understanding of the lives of many Gypsies and Travellers in this country, but attending this conference brought it home to me that no matter which country you live in the issues are the same.

"It was agreed by the delegates that women’s and girl’s education must be a priority because we are the gatekeepers of the family, and we are the key to moving forward in to the future.

"It is vital that girls continue in education, vital to our future, and for our culture.

"We had to decide on one piece of draft legislation to be taken forward to the European Council of Human Rights.

"We were unanimous in voting for girl’s education.

"I am passionate about moving forward as a culture, and empowering women and girls. Going to the conference has made me realise that women are becoming stronger members of the community, and that makes my heart smile.

"I am very proud of my heritage- I am a Romany Gypsy and I grew up in a trailer on the roadside, and throughout my married life I went from site to site, all the time doing my best to keep my children in school when I could. I knew that times were changing, and I wanted to prepare them for the future.

"I feel very privileged that now my children have grown up I now have the opportunity to work for my community at an international level.”

Marya can be contacted by email at- Marya@gypsy-traveller.org.

Further information about the conference can be found on Facebook via this link.