ZAYNEB ISA

Qamishlo- Amara Psychological Counseling Center, affiliated to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) Women’s Council, aims to raise awareness by holding courses, seminars and workshops so that women and children can identify and overcome the psychological problems experienced by them.

The center has branches in Til Temir, Rimêlan, Hasakah and Qamishlo. “The Amara Psychological Counseling Center provides psychological support to all people, especially women,” said Maya Shabo, the director of the center. “Many women receive death threats and face all forms of violence. As the center, we try to find solutions to the problems by holding seminars, courses and workshops.”

Women attending courses receive certificates

The center organizes courses and seminars for women working for institutions and women's organizations affiliated to the AANES. “We organize courses and seminars for women working for institutions and women’s organizations affiliated to the AANES in coordination with NGOs and women’s organizations. We also organize awareness-raising seminars for children. In recent years, many children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder. We organize activities to help children feel better and express themselves more comfortably. At the end of courses and seminars, women and children receive certificates.”

 180 awareness-raising seminars in one year

 The center has organized 180 awareness-raising seminars since the beginning of 2024, Maya Shabo told us, adding: “The seminars were about women's self-defense, the reasons for gender-based violence, psychological problems in society, sexual harassment, the risks of using drugs and child marriage. The center has also provided special training programs with the participation of 11 people. We also held awareness-raising activities to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the coming days, we will organize seminars on the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”

 ‘We have new plans and projects for women and society’

Maya Shabo called for participation in their activities. “The door of the Amara Center is open to all women. We have new plans and projects for women and society in 2025. We aim to provide more educational seminars for women, especially women living in camps. Because we know that women living in camps face many challenges. I want to tell all women that they should have self-confidence and believe that they can improve themselves with their own strength. As the Amara Psychological Counseling Center, I would like to say that our door is open to all women and that we can produce solutions to all the problems experienced by women and overcome their problems together.”