From National Report for WP2 – Slovenia (Frangež et al., 2024):

Ključ Society – Centre for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (Društvo Ključ – center za boj proti trgovanju z ljudmi) has drawn attention to the forced marriages of Roma children and young people with the traveling exhibition titled “My Dreams” which started in 2015.

The exhibition comprises seven portraits of children and youth, who are depicted in professions they dreamed of (e.g., a dancer, singer, basketball player, football player) but did not achieve because they could not choose their own future. Ključ Society – Centre for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (Društvo Ključ – center za boj proti trgovanju z ljudmi) wanted to raise awareness about the fact that Roma children are often discriminated against and have their rights violated. Forced marriages, sexual abuse, labour exploitation, slavery, forced begging, and the commitment of criminal acts are a fact in some of the Roma communities. While Roma boys are mostly exploited for labour, Roma girls are exploited for forced marriages. The offences are rarely prosecuted, and the perpetrators are convicted on even rarer occasions. The portraits were exhibited in multiple locations, such as Ljubljana, Maribor, Kranj, Kočevje, Novo mesto, Gotenica and Koper. In 2016, the exhibition was also displayed at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, University of Maribor, in Ljubljana.

During the exhibition in Novo mesto there was a short conference, where Ključ Society – Centre for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (Društvo Ključ – center za boj proti trgovanju z ljudmi) presented findings of a study about forced Roma marriages in Slovenia. In these cases, a child is not officially married to an adult; however, they begin living together after the first sexual intercourse, which is considered sexual abuse in the majority of cases. The study reveals that in the context of forced marriages, Roma girls from Slovenia are sold abroad to countries such as Italy and Germany for prices ranging from €15,000 to €30,000. Additionally, Roma girls sold to Slovenia often come from Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, with a price ranging around €5,000. The findings reveal the humiliating position of girls in their so-called “husbands'” homes, where they essentially become house servants to the entire family. They are punished for every mistake they make and are often unable to attend school. Many give birth very young, even as early as 11 years old, though most typically become mothers by the age of 15 (Društvo Ključ – center za boj proti trgovanju z ljudmi, 2015a, 2015b, 2016a, 2016b; M., Ž., in L., M., 2015; Pokrajinska in študijska knjižnica Murska Sobota, 2016; Stanovnik, 2015).

Preventive campaigns, such as exhibition “My Dreams”, are crucial for raising public awareness that all children, including Roma children, have the same rights. Forced marriages of children are a crime, a form of trafficking in human beings and a serious violation of human rights, and not a part of Roma tradition and culture.

Photograph is showing a Roma girl who is posing in front of the camera for the exhibition “My Dreams”.

Photograph 1. A Roma girl is posing in front of the camera for the exhibition “My Dreams”

(photo: Društvo Ključ – center za boj proti trgovanju z ljudmi)