Urgent inquiry regarding segregated maternity wards and intersectional discrimination against Romani women
24.4.2024
Priority question for written answer P-001260/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Patricia Caro Maya (The Left)
Women’s sexual and reproductive rights are a fundamental human right across the EU. However, Romani women across Europe still face segregation in maternity wards because of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination in laws, policies and practices. These violations of Romani women’s rights contravene European treaties and directives on equality, particularly at the intersection of gender, anti-gypsyism and socio-economic status.
Research conducted in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia by organisations such as the Center for Reproductive Rights, the European Roma Rights Centre and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has highlighted the consequences of these inequalities: many Romani women have experienced racial harassment, humiliation, medical neglect and abuse during childbirth.
We urge the Commission to address the following questions:
- 1.What is the Commission doing to eliminate intersectional discrimination against Romani women’s reproductive rights in laws, policies, and coercive practices during childbirth?
- 2.What is the Commission doing to eradicate the existence of segregated maternity wards across Europe?
- 3.What investigative and monitoring actions has the Commission taken, or does it intend to take, regarding documented violations of Romani women’s rights in segregated maternity wards in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia?
Submitted:24.4.2024