Since September 2014, UN Women have been participating in the “Strengthening Social Cohesion in the
Labour Market through Support to Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Groups” project implemented by the
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) with the financial support of the European Union. The
overall objective of the project is to provide innovative employment solutions for populations excluded
from the formal labour market, specifically for Roma men and women. Activities will contribute to the
increase of employability and access to the labour market for Roma men and women through support to
development of occupational and social skills and functional literacy and through piloting projects and grant
scheme for Roma men and women employment and self-employment. UN Women has committed to
provide support to the project in the field of gender equality, which will include advisory, methodological
and analytical support in defining methods and implementation models adequate for Roma women in the
area of employment, including proposals for specific safeguard tools to ensure Roma women’s needs are
properly identified and reflected in the project interventions. These activities build on UN Women’s
previous work in the area of gender based discrimination at the labour market and policy employment
measures targeting vulnerable groups of women.
With the aim of supporting the development of innovative employment solutions aimed at increasing Roma
women’s employability and access to the labour market, this assessment should provide insight into the
reasons that prevent Roma women from being active at the labour market.