At the previous ECER-conference (2016) the participants discussed the situation of Gypsy and Roma people in education in the Czech Republic, in Spain, England and Hungary in general (Symposium 462 on Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Education) based on our own concrete research projects. In Copenhagen we would like to continue this discussion, focusing on the topic "Education of female Roma and Gypsies". If possible we would like to stay in Network 07 "Social Justice and Intercultural Education". To improve conditions for Roma and Gypsy education is one of the most urgent topics inEurope today to realize basic rights and social justice. In most European countries Gypsy and Roma people are traditionally less successful in education systems than the non-Roma-population. Especially Roma and Gypsy women suffer from multiple deprivation (Council of theEuropeanUnion 2011): Firstly, their different cultural/ethnic traditions often lead to discrimination in school education. Secondly, a large part of Roma and Gypsy people live in poverty. Thirdly, women also have disadvantages through the gender aspect, because the traditional Roma/Gypsy culture defines the place of women in the family and an educational career is not necessary for that. Despite of these multiple deprivations Roma and Gypsy women are increasingly successful in the education system.

The symposium discusses the situation of female Roma and Gypsy women in four European countries: in the Czech Republic, in Spain, England and Hungary. Our aim is firstly to describe their special needs, (possible) improving and impeding factors in educational systems. Secondly, to share experiences about developing education concepts, which could support the educational participation of Roma and Gypsy women and – as much as possible –also their success (e. g. by achieving a high school oder university qualification) in the education system. The papers discuss aspects of educational policy, practice as well as school and organizational developments.

Dana Bittnerová, David Doubek, Markéta Levínská present the difficulties of family upbringing and education based on stories of Roma and Gypsy mothers who decided to complete their basic education. They present results of three ethnographic research studies: “Decision-making processes of helping professions in the area of intercultural relationship”, “Function of Cultural Models in Education” and “Education and Its Value from Roma Perspective: Education as Seen by Roma Mothers” and show the potential education can have in an excluded locality in the Czech Republic.

Tánia García-Espinel, Fernando Macías-Aranda, Sandra Girbés-Peco focus on the contributions that Roma and Gypsy women have made in Spain in various Learning Communities – a project, which is based on the implementation of a set of Successful Educational Actions oriented towards the transformation of educational contexts to maximize learning opportunities for all.They present results of a longitudinal study carried out during the last 10 years (2006-2016) using mixed methods and show how Learning Communities can promotethe educational participation of Roma and Gypsy women in Spain.

Eleni Tracada shows how violence and non-supportive legislation leads to serious mental health problems and also to poor educational attainment, high dropout rates and non-successful educational biographies by Roma and Gypsy women in England. Her research is based on the analysis of statistical data, social and educational policies and field research among Roma, Gypsy and Traveller girls. Katalin R. Forray, Andrea Óhidy present the case of Marianne, which can be seen as typical for Roma and Gypsy women in Hungary. The paper/presentation is based on two own interview studies.

Council of the European Union (2011): Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020. Bruessel. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52011DC0173&from=de + please see also References of the papers