25th Meeting of Roma Female Students of Catalonia: 25 years walking together

Last Saturday, October 11th, we experienced a very special day. We celebrated the 25th Meeting of Roma Female Students of Catalonia, an event full of emotion, learning, and reunions. More than 80 Roma women, along with 20 girls and 25 volunteers, shared a day that took place in the La Pau hall and the Casal de Barri La Pau, in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona.

This year, we had the presence of Ms. Inma Bajo de la Fuente, president of the Women’s Council of the Sant Martí district, and Ms. Sònia Burgués, director of La Pau school, who wanted to join us and recognize the work we have been doing through the Roma Women’s Association Drom Kotar Mestipen over the years.

The opening conference was led by Ms. Manuela Fernández, founding member of Drom Kotar Mestipen, pedagogue, and social educator, former director of the Office for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination of the Generalitat, and currently a Ph.D. student.

We were joined as role models by Ms. Lola Mateo Peñalver, first-year student of the Social Work Degree at UNED. Torre-Romeu, Sabadell, Ms. Miriam Flores Muñoz, third-year Social Work student at the University of Barcelona. La Mina, Barcelona, and Ms. Libertad Heredia Heredia, Biology graduate, Master’s in Neurosciences. Montcada i Reixac

Mesa redonda de referentes

25 years walking together

25 years ago, we began this journey where Roma and non-Roma women walk side by side, striving together for the equality of grassroots Roma women, those whose voices have been historically silenced. Every meeting is a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much we still have to do. From that first encounter to today, we have seen more and more Roma women encouraged to study, participate, speak publicly, and become role models in their communities.

For me, the important thing is to reach all women, both young and old, and to convey a clear message: that they are not just dreams, that if you dream big, it is possible, and you can achieve it.

The value of accompaniment

At Drom Kotar Mestipen, we have always believed in the power of accompaniment. It’s not just about organizing activities or training sessions; it’s about being there for one another.
As I often say, “if I pick up the phone and someone calls us, we know that, at the very least, we will support each other.” And that, for many women, makes all the difference. Knowing you are not alone, that there are others who understand your path, your challenges, and your dreams, is a tremendous strength.

The participants of Drom Kotar Mestipen are feminist, humble women, women of battles. We have faced many challenges, but always with the conviction that change is possible when we do it together.

Conclusiones de los grupos de trabajo

Inspiring role models, advancing generations

At this 25th meeting, looking at the young participants, I reflected on how we have grown as a community. Seeing Roma girls and teenagers listening, participating, and dreaming about their futures fills me with hope. They are living proof that the work of these past years has been meaningful.

Because each meeting is not just a gathering: it is a space for transformation, where we share experiences and build new role models. Here, we all learn from one another. The older women share their wisdom and stories, while the younger ones remind us that dreams remain powerful driving forces.

Dreams that pave the way

Over these 25 years, Drom Kotar Mestipen has shown that when Roma and non-Roma women come together, change becomes real. We have broken many barriers, both inside and outside the community, and we have done so without losing our essence, our joy, or our way of understanding life.

We keep dreaming, yes, but above all, we keep walking together, supporting each other, and reminding one another that dreams, when shared, pave the way.

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25th Meeting of Roma Female Students of Catalonia: 25 years walking together

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