EFC Forum for Roma Inclusion Workshop on Early Childhood Development March 4 & 5, The Hague Hosted by the Bernard van Leer Foundation Samples from Research and Key Points

Education Educational attainment of Roma Children is extremely low. Despite attempts for inclusion, non-Roma children are leaving integrated schools Quality of education and teachers are low Unproportionally large numbers of Roma children are sent to schools for children with mental disabilities

Nutrition Indicators 24% of Roma children and young people had never consumed milk or milk products 70% of children ate meat less than once a week 40 % had never had fresh fruit and vegetables OXFAM, 2001 Survey on availability of food showed that the majority of Roma (53%) reported going hungry in the previous month, compared with only 7% of non-Roma living in close proximity to Roma settlements UNDP,

Health Indicators How often was the child sick during the last 12 months? UNICEF Serbia- Child Rearing Study

Roma facts - Serbia The infant mortality rate among the Roma children living in Roma settlements is estimated at 25 per thousand live births, while the probability of dying under the age of 5 is around 28 per thousand live births (almost three times higher than national average). The least security of tenure in housing is found among Roma living in Roma settlements where 38 percent of households do not have formal residential documentation About 9 percent of children under the age of 5 in Serbia were left with inadequate care in the week preceding the survey. This practice is particularly present among Roma families (18 percent of children left without proper care). MICS

Child Rearing Practices After the child’s birth, until what time did you breastfeed the child? (months) UNICEF Serbia- Child Rearing Study

Child Rearing Practices - Discipline What was the punishment that you gave? UNICEF Serbia- Child Rearing Study

Child Rearing Practices Injury prevention Have you taken measures for making your house/ apartment a more secure place for your child? UNICEF Serbia- Child Rearing Study

Child Rearing Practices Roma parents rarely or never play with their children, less often respond to children’s questions, but more often shout at and beat their children. Children lag behind in motoric development: 14 per cent of children older than 3 do not hold a pencil properly (relative to 2 per cent in the general population) A large number of children grow up without reading or story telling, colouring books, singing children’s songs. UNICEF – Serbia

Early Learning, Housing and Violence Housing Substandard Housing Lack of tenure Crowding Violence Disciplining Domestic Violence Trafficking Used as commercial commodities (Begging) Early Learning Low preschool attendance Poor quality of education Parental practices Segregation / discrimination

Housing Situation Large numbers of Roma and Travellers in the EU live in substandard conditions which fall far below even the minimum criteria of adequate housing. Sometimes Roma live in squalid shanty-towns and temporary camps, often in segregated and environmentally hazardous areas. Very often Roma housing areas have poor access to public services, employment and schools, and are without adequate access to public utilities such as water, electricity or gas. FRA,

Roma housing in Tirana, Albania

Household Level Crowding

Discrimination Research demonstrates that children are aware of race and discriminatory symbols as young as age 2 or 3 According to Eurobarometer 2008, in the EU 24% of the population is uncomfortable in having a Roma neighbor. In many countries the number is higher (CZ = 47%)

Domestic Violence A pilot survey done in the region of Niš in Serbia showed that more than 47% of Roma women had been victims of domestic violence, in most cases with their children as either witnesses or victims. A similar finding was reached by a study for the (ESE), which indicated that almost half of Roma women surveyed in FYR Macedonia had experienced domestic violence.

Early Learning, Housing and Violence Housing Substandard Housing Lack of tenure Crowding Violence and Child Labor Disciplining Domestic Violence Trafficking Used as commercial commodities (E.g.: Begging) Early Learning Low preschool attendance Poor quality of education Parental practices Segregation / discrimination