YUSRA AL-EHMED

Raqqa- Since the Green Women’s Association was founded by internally displaced women of Idlib in Raqqa in 2019, the association has provided psychological, legal and financial support to women. The association has developed projects and organized training courses for women to promote women’s economic empowerment. NuJINHA spoke to women of the association about the association’s objectives.

 ‘We aim to raise social awareness’

“We have carried out awareness- raising activities for women about their rights,” said Safaa Taha, director of the association. “The aim of the association is to be an umbrella organization for forcibly displaced women. We aim to raise social awareness about women’s rights. We support women’s participation in rebuilding their lives and making changes. We also aim to build peace among people from all nations and religions in Syria and strengthen people affected by the Syrian war.”

‘We face challenges due to stereotypes’

The members of the association face challenges while carrying out their activities and projects. “We face challenges due to the stereotypes saying that women cannot work, carry out projects and participate in tenders. We have held meetings for women who want to start their own business,” Safaa Taha told us.

Children are also supported

Fatima Halabi, an official at the Psychological Counseling Committee of the association, told us that the association also supports children. “We carry out educational activities for children so that they can improve their skills. We also provide psychological support to the displaced children. Until now, we have held many courses for both women and children,” Fatima Halabi said.

The association also holds workshops to strengthen women’s roles in the peacebuilding process and ending the Syria crisis. “We work to make a difference in society and promote women’s leading role in society. We support women to make plans and produce solutions for social problems and needs. We have developed projects for women to promote women’s economic empowerment.”

The association has put many projects into practice in Raqqa. Speaking about the projects of the association, Fatima Halabi said, “We have held many training courses such as sewing, beauty, weaving and dessert making courses. Many children cannot go to school due to ongoing clashes and conflicts so we have held literacy courses for children and adults.”

Each computer course last two months

The association also holds two-month computer courses for both children and women. Areej Al-Qaddour is one of the computer teachers of the association. “We hold computer courses for especially women because they could not complete their education due to the Syrian crisis. 15 young women of different ages have been attending one of our courses to improve their practical skills. Our aim is to support women to participate in the labor force.”