The conditions in which Roma women and adolescents live are framed upon the structural and intersectional phenomena that influence them. On the one hand, the most relevant are heteropatriarchal structures (still predominant today) which place all women (including Roma) in disadvantaged, discriminatory and unfair positions; and on the other hand, the existing structural and social anti-Gypsyism, which affects Roma women and adolescents with special virulence. It puts them in higher ratios of discrimination and inequality compared to society as a whole and with men of their own communities (according to studies and reports prepared by international and Spanish institutions).

Anti-Gypsyism, exclusion and poverty conditions in which many Roma families live in Spain make some of these adolescents choose marriage and motherhood before being prepared for adult life, and as the only future option. The scientific literature is consistent in stating that, under circumstances of structural marginalization, such as extreme poverty and anti-Gypsyism, adolescents who choose motherhood at an early age are exposed to greater risks of suffering domestic violence, discrimination in Social Protection systems; under conditions of job insecurity and economic exploitation.

The [J]ITANA project arises from the narratives of Roma women living in marginalized contexts, who have identified the important role those adolescent girls play in their community. [J]ITANA uses participatory-action research transforming organizations into empowering settings to identify their dreams for the future, give value and make their voices visible, turning their life stories into evidence to fight anti-Gypsyism, and include their vision and priorities in the feminist and equality agendas of the present and future.