PURPOSE:
The project «REACH: Roma women’s Empowerment and fighting discrimination in ACcess to Health» aimed to combat discrimination against Roma, through the development of an inclusive Primary Health Care (PHC) environment as well as to support Roma equal access to health services. It also contributed to the development of i) skills of the professionals of the Community Centers of selected Municipalities with Roma Branches, ii) mutual learning and understanding on the mutual benefits of Roma integration and iii) working methods that can be adopted by other PHC units or Municipalities.

DISCUSSION:
The REACH project demonstrated that culturally tailored mediation, community co-design, and intersectoral collaboration are critical to overcoming systemic barriers. Furthermore, building Roma women’s health literacy and leadership capacities must go hand-in-hand with equipping midwives and primary care staff with the tools to challenge discrimination and deliver equitable care. Sustainable change requires embedding cultural safety, anti-racism, and accountability mechanisms into both practice and policy.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Mixed-methods research revealed persistent inequities. Key barriers included discrimination, mistrust in institutions, limited antenatal care access, and bureaucratic or linguistic obstacles. Roma women reported feeling unwelcome or judged when seeking care, particularly in reproductive and maternal health services. While providers expressed confidence in their ability to deliver inclusive care, qualitative data revealed implicit bias, communication challenges, and a lack of practical tools for culturally safe engagement. The integration of trained Roma health mediators in two municipalities led to increased service uptake, improved trust, and strengthened community outreach.

KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives are crucial agents of health equity. To ensure Roma women in Greece and across Europe receive respectful, accessible maternal care, midwifery policy must prioritize cultural safety training, institutionalize community health mediation, and meaningfully include Roma women in the design and evaluation of care systems. Poster session 4 (Group B)