Maja Nikolić, Human Rights Monitor (Serbia)

12 February 2018

Maja became involved in Roma Rights because of her experiences growing up as a Romani woman in Serbia. She was discriminated against in education by teachers who thought her motivation to learn was a waste of time, as they assumed she would marry early. Maja had no support from her friends but succeeded anyway and is currently studying for a Master's Degree in Preschool Education. She is proud to now have the opportunity to help and motivate young Roma go to school herself. She has worked as a mediator in education with socially deprived and underprivileged Romani children and parents for six years. During this time Maja was also an activist working to improve living conditions for Romani families. She helped them find food, clothes, hygiene kits, and went with them to the social and health centres to ensure their rights were respected. She devotes special attention to keeping Romani girls in the education system so that they, like her, can reach their full potential. Maja joined the ERRC as a country monitor in November 2016.