Every Woman Matters

In Hungary, marginalized Roma women often face systemic barriers, including discrimination and a profound lack of trust within the healthcare system, which shape their reproductive experiences. The Community Doula Service in Alsózsolca was established as a unique grassroots response to these challenges, grounded in the principles of reproductive justice and dignified care. Operating since 2020, the service employs community doulas—local Roma women who provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These lay supporters leverage their shared lived experiences and social ties to act as vital bridges between vulnerable women and the formal healthcare system. The programs methodology emphasizes that childbirth is a transformative life event rather than a purely medical one, fostering solidarity and agency within the community. This study details the operational model of the Community Doula Service and introduces the "Our Choice!" project. The latter represents a strategic effort to adapt and scale the original methodology to other settlements. By analyzing these initiatives, the paper demonstrates how community-based, lay support models can empower women in marginalized settings and create pathways to more equitable and respectful maternity care.