Family is the top priority for Roma people. This was shown by a unique study by the organization Slovo 21 for International Roma Day

Family is the top priority for Roma people. This is the finding of a unique study published by the organization Slovo 21 on the occasion of International Roma Day. Last autumn, 100 Roma men and women from five selected locations across the Czech Republic, including so-called excluded areas, participated in the survey. The data obtained can help the state and, for example, non-profit organizations in planning activities aimed at the integration of Roma into Czech society.

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A total of 55% of respondents identified family as their main priority in the survey. This was followed by health, which is a priority for 13% of those surveyed, and roughly one-tenth of respondents consider financial stability to be the most important. "It is characteristic that family is the main priority for respondents of all age groups. Health, which finished second in the ranking, is more important for the older generation of respondents," the research report states.

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The research focused on several areas. In addition to life priorities, it also investigated, for example, how satisfied Roma are with their lives in the Czech Republic in general, what role models they have, what they would like to achieve in life, and what problems they encounter most often. Nearly one-fifth of respondents identified poverty as the main problem. A quarter of those surveyed placed unemployment and related labor market issues in first place. As other threatening problems, the Roma identified a lack of a sense of security, as well as indebtedness, housing problems, inadequate healthcare, high living costs, and prejudice and discrimination.

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According to the organization Slovo 21, the fight against racism and discrimination is crucial for improving the lives of Roma in Czech society. "Awareness-raising and training programs to suppress racism, prejudice, and discrimination would help significantly. It is important to support an inclusive environment that respects diversity and ensures fair treatment of the Roma population in various social aspects," adds Sabina Badžová from Slovo 21, who led the research team.

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The research on the life priorities of Roma in the Czech Republic was conducted by members of the Roma women's group Manushe, which has been operating under the auspices of Slovo 21 for over twenty years. The research is based on extensive data collection among Roma women and men from Prague, Chomutov, Chodov, Budišov nad Budišovkou, and Rokycany. The research took place between June and September 2023.

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Slovo 21 is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Prague, established in 1999. It focuses on three main areas: improving the status of Roma, improving the integration of foreigners from so-called third countries, and supporting Ukrainian war refugees.