From 20 to 22 October 2026, research interviews continued with women who had experienced unlawful sterilisation or other forms of discrimination in the past. Our Roma colleagues also shared their stories. They spoke not only about their own experiences of discrimination, but also about their work at Poradňa and why it is important to stand up for the rights of Roma women.

Every one of these experiences matters. The stories of Roma women help us better understand the past, as well as how discrimination continues to affect people’s lives today. Documenting these experiences is important to ensure that they are not forgotten and that they have their rightful place in historical memory.

Historian Kateřina Čapková is conducting her research as part of the INHIST project – Inclusive History of Central and Eastern Europe from the Mid-19th Century to the Present, funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The project explores modern European history through the experiences of marginalised groups, specifically Roma, Sinti, Jews and people with disabilities. It is carried out by the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague.

We would like to thank all the women who chose to share their experiences, and Kateřina Čapková for her interest in their stories and for providing them with a space through her research.