Handan Tufan/JINHA

IZMIR – Ahead of tomorrow's International Romani Day, Roma women say they suffer from double oppression and othering as women and Roma.

The first International Romani Congress, held on April 8, 1972 in London, announced the holiday of April 8 as International Romani Day, a day to celebrate the struggle of Roma. Today, Roma (around 12 million of whom live in Europe) are notable as one of the most heavily othered and marginalized groups on the continent. Roma, who experienced Nazi genocide in the past, now experience not just widespread stereotypes of them as "thieves" and "security threats," but overt marginalization and denial of their identity from the states in which they live.

Most Roma in Turkey live in the Aegean and Marmara regions of Turkey, often working in dangerous professions. Women are typically confined to selling flowers or cleaning houses.

Women living in the Mevalan neighborhood in the Bornova region of Izmir say society reminds them every day that they are "othered." Most of the women live in the gecekondu neighborhoods. They say that they have suffered from child marriage and pressure to have lots of children in addition to economic oppression and marginalization in society.

"My daughter went to school until fifth grade," she said. "Then she got married. Now she has a child. Her husband works as a day laborer. They have trouble." She says her sons can't find work and are both unemployed.

"When I say I'm Roma, people don't want me to clean their houses. They say I can't clean well," said Leyla, who has three children and attempts to find work as a house cleaner.

"Some sell flowers, some do cleaning. I gather pads in the street," said Roma woman Aynur. "Our husbands either carry loads or they can't find work. The state does nothing for us; it's like we're not humans. Some Roma children smoke marijuana; some, heroin. They do it from desperation and from not having anyone around. For example, I leave the house so my children won't go hungry. I can't set aside time for the children."

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