Photovoice

PERSPECTIVES OF ROMA MOTHERHOOD
in Giurgiu, Mizil, and Valea Seacă

Dajphen is a constructed term deriving from the Romani words daj, which means ‘mother,’ and phen, which means ‘sister.’ The juxtaposition of these two terms defines an entire sorority system created by Roma women to assist, support, and care for each other during the process of becoming mothers. 

In Romania, the discussions on maternity and delivery are defined from the perspective of white, educated, middle-class women, which creates a type of representation that defines the idea of being a mother. At the same time, Roma women, poor women, women with different types of disabilities, women with mental health issues, those in rural areas, or coming from other minority groups are excluded from this representation because their image does not fit the desirable portrait of the mother.   

On the other hand, Roma women’s motherhood is generally discussed in negative terms, the narrative abundant in stereotypes, prejudices, and references to forced sterilization policies. The same narrative excludes realities faced daily by Roma women: poverty, lack of sexual education, insufficient services or lack of access to maternal and reproductive health services, lack of medical infrastructure, discrimination, and institutional racism.

The photo-voice exposition documents various experiences of Roma women in Giurgiu, Mizil, and Valea Seacă, from the decision to become a mother, delivery itself, access to services, and discrimination from the authorities, to the support networks created between Roma girls and women during the pregnancy period, but also after giving birth.

We believe it is crucial for Roma women to have platforms to define their perspectives regarding motherhood with all the challenges, responsibilities, and contexts specific to each community. Our endeavor reflects all these concerns and also the Roma women’s local mobilization to increase their access to maternal and reproductive health services.

We dedicate this exposition to Roma women and those who regard us with respect, who have open minds and a desire for knowledge beyond stereotypes and biases. 

E-Romnja Team
dajphen.ro

Ionela, Valea Seacă: As mothers, we bear the brunt in the family. And it is the hardest for us when our children are sick, or the little ones go to school, and we have no lunch to pack for them or buy what is required of them at school. We can deal with the discrimination from the authorities if we are more united women. I wish there was more understanding between us, no fights, to be united, and to help each other when needed. If you are by yourself, you cannot cope.
Ionela, Valea Seacă: As mothers, we bear the brunt in the family. And it is the hardest for us when our children are sick, or the little ones go to school, and we have no lunch to pack for them or buy what is required of them at school. We can deal with the discrimination from the authorities if we are more united women. I wish there was more understanding between us, no fights, to be united, and to help each other when needed. If you are by yourself, you cannot cope.
Bianca, Valea Seacă: It is not difficult to be a mother if you receive help from your husband and family. It is not hard for me to be a mother. Sometimes it can be exhausting, and I feel like I can’t keep up with their energy and curiosities, but when I think of the fact that the little ones see the future through me and that their education depends on me, I gather all my strength and patience, and I am there by their side whenever they need me. I wish we, the mothers, would raise our children without us or our children feeling discriminated against every day, wherever we go. Discrimination is something you learn, you are not born with it. I wish we would educate our children with no malice or discrimination among them. I wish we taught our children not to judge and criticize anyone, regardless of color, look, ethnicity, or financial status.
Bianca, Valea Seacă: It is not difficult to be a mother if you receive help from your husband and family. It is not hard for me to be a mother. Sometimes it can be exhausting, and I feel like I can’t keep up with their energy and curiosities, but when I think of the fact that the little ones see the future through me and that their education depends on me, I gather all my strength and patience, and I am there by their side whenever they need me. I wish we, the mothers, would raise our children without us or our children feeling discriminated against every day, wherever we go. Discrimination is something you learn, you are not born with it. I wish we would educate our children with no malice or discrimination among them. I wish we taught our children not to judge and criticize anyone, regardless of color, look, ethnicity, or financial status.
Cipi, Valea Seacă: Sometimes it is difficult for me to be a mother, but at the same time, it is also beautiful because you feel fulfilled when you have a family with children. I wish for my children to go to school, to have a better future. I wish people would change, I wish there was more love, compassion, understanding, and unity between us.
Cipi, Valea Seacă: Sometimes it is difficult for me to be a mother, but at the same time, it is also beautiful because you feel fulfilled when you have a family with children. I wish for my children to go to school, to have a better future. I wish people would change, I wish there was more love, compassion, understanding, and unity between us.
I am Tanța, and I am 17 years old. In 2018, I joined the ‘Sisterhood mentorship program, which helped me a lot. With the monthly stipend, I bought treatment, food, and clothes for school. Before joining the mentorship program, I was a shy person, so shy that I did not talk to anyone. Since I have become involved in mentorship and other claim activities with the young men and women in Valea Seacă, I’ve changed a lot. I like to communicate with people, I support women, and I want to go to school. In 2021, I relocated with my family to Ireland, I continue to go to school and wish to follow my dream of becoming a policewoman to protect children.
I am Tanța, and I am 17 years old. In 2018, I joined the ‘Sisterhood mentorship program, which helped me a lot. With the monthly stipend, I bought treatment, food, and clothes for school. Before joining the mentorship program, I was a shy person, so shy that I did not talk to anyone. Since I have become involved in mentorship and other claim activities with the young men and women in Valea Seacă, I’ve changed a lot. I like to communicate with people, I support women, and I want to go to school. In 2021, I relocated with my family to Ireland, I continue to go to school and wish to follow my dream of becoming a policewoman to protect children.
Dana, Valea Seacă: Being a mother is very difficult. I understood this when I prematurely gave birth to Matei. I cried a lot, and I had a very tough time. When I went to the maternity to give birth, the doctor lady did not want to help me. I understood then that she was racist. I would like to be more faithful and the world to be a better place, with more fear of God.
Dana, Valea Seacă: Being a mother is very difficult. I understood this when I prematurely gave birth to Matei. I cried a lot, and I had a very tough time. When I went to the maternity to give birth, the doctor lady did not want to help me. I understood then that she was racist. I would like to be more faithful and the world to be a better place, with more fear of God.
Anica, Giurgiu: It is really difficult to be a mother and grandmother and, at the same time, to take care of the house. Do you know how I cope with discrimination? I disregard it. I suffered a lot when my child was discriminated against by the 1st to 4th-grade teacher. My child was striving to be a good student but was receiving very poor grades. I wish there was no more discrimination. I wish the world would stop looking at us differently.
Anica, Giurgiu: It is really difficult to be a mother and grandmother and, at the same time, to take care of the house. Do you know how I cope with discrimination? I disregard it. I suffered a lot when my child was discriminated against by the 1st to 4th-grade teacher. My child was striving to be a good student but was receiving very poor grades. I wish there was no more discrimination. I wish the world would stop looking at us differently.
Ciurărița, Valea Seacă: The most difficult is when you can’t buy notebooks, clothes, and shoes for your children. Your heart breaks. Once, my boy came crying from school. When I went to school to discuss with the teachers, they blamed my boy, saying he was brazen. In reality, all the children are insolent, but only the Roma children get to be punished by teachers. I wish the other people would understand and respect us. Siguranța, Valea Seacă: It is really tough to be a single mom. It is hard to be a mother and a father to your children. I suffer a lot when my children are discriminated against. What upsets me the most is that I cannot turn words back. Lucica, Valea Seacă: It is hard to be a mother and to cope financially. I can’t deal with the discrimination from the authorities, but if we are more women united, I feel it is easier to endure all the hardships. We support and encourage each other and learn how to demand our rights.
Ciurărița, Valea Seacă: The most difficult is when you can’t buy notebooks, clothes, and shoes for your children. Your heart breaks. Once, my boy came crying from school. When I went to school to discuss with the teachers, they blamed my boy, saying he was brazen. In reality, all the children are insolent, but only the Roma children get to be punished by teachers. I wish the other people would understand and respect us.

Siguranța, Valea Seacă: It is really tough to be a single mom. It is hard to be a mother and a father to your children. I suffer a lot when my children are discriminated against. What upsets me the most is that I cannot turn words back.

Lucica, Valea Seacă: It is hard to be a mother and to cope financially. I can’t deal with the discrimination from the authorities, but if we are more women united, I feel it is easier to endure all the hardships. We support and encourage each other and learn how to demand our rights.
Laura, Mizil: I am happy to be a mother. Although I am only 28 years old, I don’t regret having three children. Last year, while I was pregnant, I went to driving school and got my driver’s license. Now I want to develop more, to go to a university, to have a better job, and be a model for my children.
Laura, Mizil: I am happy to be a mother. Although I am only 28 years old, I don’t regret having three children. Last year, while I was pregnant, I went to driving school and got my driver’s license. Now I want to develop more, to go to a university, to have a better job, and be a model for my children.
Geanina (Valea Seacă): It is challenging to be a mother, but you also have plenty of joys. For us, the Roma women, it is even harder when facing discrimination from all sides. Even when we go to the doctor with our children, we are ignored or treated very poorly. Because we have dark skin or speak a bit differently, when going to a restaurant, we are disregarded or served just if we make a scene.
Geanina (Valea Seacă): It is challenging to be a mother, but you also have plenty of joys. For us, the Roma women, it is even harder when facing discrimination from all sides. Even when we go to the doctor with our children, we are ignored or treated very poorly. Because we have dark skin or speak a bit differently, when going to a restaurant, we are disregarded or served just if we make a scene.
Liza, Giurgiu: It was easy for me to be a mother because I wanted the kids I now have. It is pleasant to be a mother if there is peace, harmony, and understanding in the family. I wish the school were like in our times when you went gladly, and the teachers showed interest.
Liza, Giurgiu: It was easy for me to be a mother because I wanted the kids I now have. It is pleasant to be a mother if there is peace, harmony, and understanding in the family. I wish the school were like in our times when you went gladly, and the teachers showed interest.
Nati, Giurgiu: For me, being a mother means strength, many worries, and responsibilities in equal measure. My child, the most he misses is me because I now work and I don’t have as much time for him. I want to offer my child education and support.
Nati, Giurgiu: For me, being a mother means strength, many worries, and responsibilities in equal measure. My child, the most he misses is me because I now work and I don’t have as much time for him. I want to offer my child education and support.
Raluca, Mizil: I was mistreated by a doctor in Bucharest. She never told me from start to finish how my girl was and what problems she had. So I can be aware and at peace. She always yelled at me. She did not want to give me a medical certificate for the girl or any medical report. In the end, after many requests, she gave me a report, but even that one was wrong. She didn’t solve anything, didn’t help me at all.
Raluca, Mizil: I was mistreated by a doctor in Bucharest. She never told me from start to finish how my girl was and what problems she had. So I can be aware and at peace. She always yelled at me. She did not want to give me a medical certificate for the girl or any medical report. In the end, after many requests, she gave me a report, but even that one was wrong. She didn’t solve anything, didn’t help me at all.
Lizuca Valea Seacă: I’ve heard from my sister, mother, and other women around me that the pregnancy period is wonderful. The moment you keep your child in your arms for the first time… it fulfills you. From them, I know that with the coming of the child, the difficulties are also coming. Periods when you don’t feel well because you are judged or discriminated against for how you look, you have bad days when you suffer. But there will also be good days when your child is well, and that is when you are the happiest mother. Elisa, Valea Seacă: I believe that the women who choose to be mothers must be helped and respected more because it is too great of a responsibility for one person. I have seen women under a lot of pressure to have children, even though they do not feel ready to become mothers. I am not a mother, but I can say that I understand how it is to be. My mother tells me it is a lot of responsibility and worry. A mother goes through many states, she must be a heroine who saves the life of the child, and regardless of how much he suffers or cries, she has to always be there.
Lizuca Valea Seacă: I’ve heard from my sister, mother, and other women around me that the pregnancy period is wonderful. The moment you keep your child in your arms for the first time… it fulfills you. From them, I know that with the coming of the child, the difficulties are also coming. Periods when you don’t feel well because you are judged or discriminated against for how you look, you have bad days when you suffer. But there will also be good days when your child is well, and that is when you are the happiest mother.

Elisa, Valea Seacă: I believe that the women who choose to be mothers must be helped and respected more because it is too great of a responsibility for one person. I have seen women under a lot of pressure to have children, even though they do not feel ready to become mothers. I am not a mother, but I can say that I understand how it is to be. My mother tells me it is a lot of responsibility and worry. A mother goes through many states, she must be a heroine who saves the life of the child, and regardless of how much he suffers or cries, she has to always be there.
Vasilica, Giurgiu: It is tough to be a mother, but it is also pleasant. Although I went through difficulties, I thank God for the children I have. When my boy was discriminated against by other children in school, I would worry and suffer a lot. I wish school were like before when children were book-learned. I wish there were again uniforms for pupils, so no differences would exist among them.
Vasilica, Giurgiu: It is tough to be a mother, but it is also pleasant. Although I went through difficulties, I thank God for the children I have. When my boy was discriminated against by other children in school, I would worry and suffer a lot. I wish school were like before when children were book-learned. I wish there were again uniforms for pupils, so no differences would exist among them.
Ramona, Giurgiu: I am the happiest when the children call me „Mother”
Ramona, Giurgiu: I am the happiest when the children call me „Mother”
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