The  European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted a report by Dr Antonyia Parvanova today evaluating the issues surrounding the social integration policies in the EU, particularly for women belonging to ethnic minority groups and to highlight what works, where there are problems, and to help identify solutions.

"Something that is rarely mentioned is the fact that it is women who are the greatest victims of discrimination, once for belonging to an ethnic minority group, and again simply because they are female.  Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits any discrimination based on membership of a national minority, but there are ethnic minority communities living in the Union still victims of discrimination, social exclusion and segregation. This situation can't be accepted.  Are we saying that EU fundamental rights don't apply to all people living in the Union?"  Dr Parvanova questioned.

The reports notably highlights the crucial role of the European Fundamental Rights Agency and national equality bodies, calling for the inclusion of a transversal gender equality and women?s rights perspective in all aspects of their programmes and activities.

Dr. Parvanova continued: "The recent events in France, and the politics of this country towards the Roma population, are obvious examples of how we are not looking at problems from the right perspective, and of how we are not addressing the issue properly. It's only through an integrated and cooperative approach - with targeted strategies for the most vulnerable, especially women - that we will manage to make integration within our European society a reality for all citizens, for all women, regardless of their origin."