The International Planned Parenthood Federation - European Network (IPPF-EN) organises a conference entitled " Sharing best practices and tools in addressing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Roma", on the 28-29 March 2007 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Approximately 12 million Roma are living in Europe. They constitute the biggest ethnic minority since the EU’s enlargement in 2004 and are present in almost all countries. Roma are less likely to have access to sexual and reproductive health information, care and rights.

The barriers to health care that many Roma confront result from the complex and interrelated effects of poverty, discrimination and unfamiliarity with government institutions generally, and health services in particular. IPPF EN runs a three-year project in Hungary and Slovakia which aims at providing accessible and high quality sexual and reproductive health services and sexuality education for Roma and other marginalized groups.

The project adopted an integrated community approach establishing sustainable partnerships with the Roma community and other marginalized people living in regions with a large Roma presence. The project works with communities of greatest needs, operates in areas where there is low or insufficient presence of other agencies and government services, introduces concepts of local decision-making, self help and sustainability, aims to improve access to contraceptives.