In Madrid, in the Vallecas district, Queen Letizia met with representatives of the Roma community at the Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG). The discussion focused on pressing issues of employment, education, and discrimination faced by Roma women in Spain. According to the foundation, their unemployment rate reaches 60%, and nearly half have experienced bias when seeking work.
Queen Letizia, who attended the event together with Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, emphasized the importance of expanding access for Roma women to education and employment. She noted that Fundación Secretariado Gitano plays a key role in advancing the rights and social integration of the Roma population, which numbers more than 700,000 people in Spain.
Challenges and statistics
During the meeting, participants shared their own experiences — from working in warehouses to programming and trading at markets. Special attention was given to the issue of early school leaving: according to FSG, 63% of young Roma women do not finish their education. Celia Gabarri, head of the department for equality and Roma women’s issues, led a discussion where stories emerged about hardships and successes, as well as the need for changes in the education system.
Foundation head Sara Jiménez noted that advancing Roma women in the labor market is impossible without systemic changes in education. She stressed that the educational gap remains the main obstacle to integration and professional growth.
Cultural details and support
At the end of the meeting, Queen Letizia received a commemorative plaque in gratitude for her support of Roma women, along with the wish ‘Latcho Drom’ — ‘safe journey’ in the Caló language. Guests were offered traditional Roma coffee, and foundation staff performed the song ‘Sin miedo a la libertad’ by Antonio Remache, often considered the unofficial anthem of Roma women.
Issues of discrimination and social integration of Roma women are becoming increasingly prominent amid other initiatives in Spain. Recently, Barcelona’s city authorities opposed investments in armaments and supported new affordable housing measures, reflecting a growing interest in social justice and the rights of vulnerable groups. Learn more about the municipality’s stance in the article on Barcelona’s new steps in social policy.
