The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, spoke at the opening panel of the project “Roots and Wings: I Know Who I Am and Where I’m Going”, organized by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) with the support of German Cooperation in Serbia.

In her address, Janković reflected on the everyday discrimination faced by Roma men and women, emphasizing the importance of joint action and consistent institutional support. While there has been some progress in the field of education, the number of complaints submitted to the Commissioner remains high. Particularly concerning is the fact that only 7% of Roma children under the age of five attend preschool, compared to about 60% in the general population.

“Preschool education is the foundation of development. This is where essential skills and a sense of belonging are built. If we do not invest in the earliest stages, we miss the opportunity to build equality from the very beginning,” the Commissioner emphasized.

Speaking about the position of Roma in the labor market, Janković pointed out that discrimination does not end with the completion of education. In practice, there are examples of highly educated Roma who apply for jobs for years without success, even though they often have better qualifications than other candidates.

In addition to addressing specific complaints, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality is also actively engaged in the prevention of discrimination. Over the past year, educational sessions were organized in ten Roma settlements, training was provided to more than 300 teachers, and workshops and lectures were held for over 1,200 citizens. In addition, guidelines for employers were developed.

“This year, we are placing additional focus on working with children — because that is where everything begins,” Janković emphasized.

The event was enriched by a performance from children involved in the Music Art Project.