Stela Krasteva

My central question is whether, when, and how the adoption of Evangelical Christianity by Roma in post-socialist Bulgaria has affected the status and engagement of Roma women in their families, communities, and the larger society. I examine the dynamic interplay between outside religious actors and members of local Roma communities that vary in the extent of their marginalization and in the prevalence of patriarchal attitudes and practices. Based on a year’s immersive fieldwork, I find that participation in Evangelical churches has a minimal impact in the most marginalized communities, while it enhances women’s status in more integrated Roma communities.