Environmental racism is/as a gender based violence : bridging antiracism and ecofeminism with Roma communities.

Among those more affected by climate change and pollution, racialised communities and women are easily known as the first victims. Whether it is their living conditions, health issues, impact on their income, racialised women face a pressure multiplied by both of their condition as women and as racialised people. 

There is an understanding that environmental racism exists, induced by state policies and corporate activities, racialised communities are not only the first to suffer from climate change, but political decisions also willingly put them first line, as it is shown by the locations chosen to “host” roma people. On the other hand, various studies show the impact of climate change is unequal and more importantly affects women. As well, the patriarchy as a cause of climate change, among capitalism and colonialism, is the frame of thought guiding ecofeminism, with demands for a feminist response to the stake of the century. 

Bridging the gap between environmental racism and climate change gender inequalities by building a feminist intersectional understanding and response at the European transnational level is necessary. 

Roma communities in Europe are facing continuous racist and discriminatory policies and behaviours. As a consequence, environmental racism faced by Roma people is well documented and studied. Roma women are often the ones to mobilize in order to fight for their rights in communities all across Europe. Gathering Roma women activists to work on environmental racism as gender violence is therefore extremely relevant to tackle both environmental racism and climate change as a gender based violence in Europe. 

This workshop aims at bringing together researchers and women activists from Roma communities in Europe to reflect on their experience, demands and possibly on building a common position, which can be the ground for further advocacy at the European level.