Power2HER

Implementation period: October 2025 – April 2026

Financially supported by WAVE – Women Against Violence Europe

Through the Power2HER project, implemented in partnership with the Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection District 5 – Ferentari Community Social Center and with the in-kind support of AVON Romania, we aimed to empower Roma women to gain knowledge, build their confidence and make their voices heard and experiences visible.

Through weekly support group sessions in a safe space, personalized assistance, awareness-raising and education campaigns, the project addresses the intersection of gender and ethnicity, stereotypes and social barriers. Power2HER offers a safe space where Roma women can seek support, claim their rights and promote both individual empowerment and increased public awareness of their daily difficulties.

Objectives:

• Empowering Roma women through participation in support groups, a safe space for information, connection and emotional support.
• Increasing knowledge and awareness of forms of abuse and promoting changes in gender-related attitudes and beliefs, with an estimated increase of 25%;
• Improving the emotional state of participating women;
• Strengthening the capacity of psychologists and social workers within DGASPC Sector 5, to continue support groups and implement measures to prevent abuse and violence.
• Increasing public awareness of the challenges of Roma women and the intersection of ethnicity, stereotypes, domestic and gender violence through the awareness campaign: (In)Visible.
• Referrals to specialized assistance and support services for 300 Roma women, victims of domestic and gender violence.

Activities include:

• Support group for Roma women – A safe space for information, connection, emotional support and empowerment, where, gradually, depending on the dynamics of the group and specific needs, among the topics addressed are healthy relationships, forms of violence, discrimination, everyday problems and stress management methods.
• Activities for children of women participating in the support group sessions – activities carried out to allow their mothers to participate in the support group sessions.
• Training sessions for psychologists and social workers within DGASPC Sector 5 for the transfer of good practices and working methodologies focused on victims of crime and informed about trauma.
• Creation, printing and distribution of information leaflets – essential information on signs of abuse, forms of violence, safety recommendations and available support services, distributed during group sessions, at the DGASPC Sector 5 headquarters, in other DGASPC centers, as well as in other accessible points in the neighborhood.
• (In)Visible online awareness campaign – raising awareness of the stereotypes, prejudices and forms of violence faced by Roma women, highlighting their stories, daily experiences and challenges related to access to services and support.
• Facilitating access to services and support resources provided directly by the Necuvinte Association or referred to partners.