On Roma Day 2026: How UN Women supports Roma women in Ukraine

During Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Roma women have faced a double burden. Already in a vulnerable position—experiencing discrimination, limited access to services, and persistent stereotypes—the war has further exacerbated their situation through forced displacement, loss of housing, and disrupted social connections. 

A 2024–2025 study conducted by UN Women and the research agency Info Sapiens confirms the scale of the problem: only 34% of surveyed Roma women and men received humanitarian assistance, 6% accessed social services, and just 3% received psychological support. 

April 8, the International Roma Day, is an important moment not only to celebrate Roma culture and history, but also to highlight the realities Roma women face today.

Since 2023, UN Women Ukraine, together with the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), has been supporting Roma women’s civil society organizations across several areas, including humanitarian aid and psychosocial support, access to education and knowledge, and institutional strengthening of Roma organizations. Nearly 6,000 Roma women and girls across Ukraine have received support. 

A roof over the head and a sense of safety 

When the full-scale invasion began, many Roma families were forced to flee. Staff from the NGO “Romani Zbora,” which works with the Roma community in Odesa, witnessed this firsthand: families arrived with nowhere to stay.

In response, a temporary accommodation center called “Contribution to the Future” was established in 2024 for internally displaced persons, including Roma women and girls.

With support from UN Women and WPHF, the center provided temporary shelter, food, hygiene kits, as well as psychological and legal assistance. A total of 160 people received housing and basic support; 110 benefited from psychological and legal consultations, with over 2,000 sessions delivered in total.

“Women are now more aware of their rights and feel more confident regarding safety issues. Gradually, their emotional well-being is improving, economic independence is growing, and connections with host communities are being rebuilt,” says Zhuzhuna Duduchava, founder of “Romani Zbora” and coordinator of the center. 

Knowledge that transforms lives 

Humanitarian aid addresses urgent needs. But women need more—tools to understand their rights, speak for themselves, and act independently.

This was the focus of educational trainings conducted by the Charitable Foundation (CF) “Blaho”, an organization supporting Roma communities in several regions of Ukraine. In 2024–2025, these trainings reached over 450 Roma women and girls in Zakarpattia, Odesa, Cherkasy, and Lviv regions.

Participants discussed their rights, prevention and response to gender-based violence, reproductive health, self-protection, and the development of their own initiatives.

“One of the most significant outcomes has been breaking the stereotype that Roma women are not interested in education. In reality, they seek knowledge—knowledge that helps improve their lives and the lives of their families,” says Eleonora Kulchar, director of the CF "Blaho". 

Organizations that sustain communities 

Roma organizations are often the first to support their communities. They know their people, understand the context, and remain present during the most difficult times.

That is why, since 2023, UN Women and WPHF have supported four Roma organizations—not only financially but also institutionally.

One example is the NGO “Kherson City Association of Young Roma ‘KYRS’” a Roma organization that, after relocating from Kherson, continues its work in Odesa. The team undergoes training in administration, financial and crisis management, while also developing a strategic plan for 2026–2027 and strengthening its approaches to risk management and grant writing.

“We are strengthening our skills, implementing new management approaches, and becoming a more resilient organization. This enables us to better support Roma women and girls and involve them in social and educational initiatives,” says Vira Dranhoi, Deputy Head of NGO “KYRS.”

Needs remain significant, while international funding is shrinking. Supporting Roma women and their organizations is therefore an investment in ensuring that communities that have endured so much can not only survive—but move forward.