On International Women's Day... Various activities and initiatives to support and empower women
In conjunction with International Women’s Day, and in recognition of the significant role women play across various aspects of life, GOPA-DERD’s team, implemented a set of various activities in a number of regions.
GOPA-DERD’s Community Center’s team in Nashabiyah, in cooperation with UNHCR, oganized an awareness and recreational activities for more than 20 women, about the concepts of justice, equality, and women’s empowerment in society, and emphasizing the importance of providing full support to women who have experienced violence.
GOPA-DER’s “Beituna” Center’s team in Jaramana, in cooperation NCA, also implemented a set of activities for women, during which they expressed their opinions and ideas interactively. In addition, a legal awareness session with the participation of a specialized lawyer, was implemented about women’s rights from a legal perspective, some issues related to these rights in society, and mechanisms for obtaining legal support and advice when needed.
In Arbin, GOPA-DERD’s “LIGHTS” and “Beitna” centers’ teams, in cooperation with Filantropia and NCA, implemented an interactive awareness activity to highlight the role of women in society, and raise awareness of their contributions in various fields.
The activity included an introduction to International Women’s Day, messages to influential women in the participants’ lives, an exchange of expressions of appreciation and support.
In Damascus, GOPA-DERD’s “A Safe Maternity” program’s team, implemented various activities, including a dialogue session about the importance of empowerment to enshrine the concept of justice and equality. In addition, physical activity was conducted to increase self-esteem and positive thinking.
The activity concluded with the drawing and writing of a set of expressions of appreciation and congratulations to women on a mural, along with the distribution of flowers and gifts to the participating women. This took place in cooperation with ACT Church of Sweden and Radio Aid.
In Al-Haffah, GOPA-DER’s “Beituna” Center’s team, implemented an activity entitled “A Day Without Women,” which included displaying photos and stories of successful women. In addition, a set of recreational activity was carried out for exchange words of support
between participating women.
In Jableh, GOPA-DER’s “Beituna” Center’s team, implemented a comedic theater activity highlighting the daily roles of women in the home. The activity also included interactive stations where women asked questions and shared experiences, in cooperation with NCA.
In Latakia, GOPA-DERD’s Community Center’s team, conducted an awareness session entitled “They Said to Her” Museum, which featured models of women who had a strong impact, common phrases often said to women, and an introduction to Ugaritic script. This took place in cooperation with the UNHCR.
In turn, GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team, a safe space for youth, carried out an interactive session for girls, with the aim of raising awareness of women’s issues. The session included a safe space to discuss the impact of social and cultural factors, and exchange experiences on ways to deal with stress. In addition, a short theatrical scene was implemented, in cooperation with the UNFPA.
GOPA DERD’s team in Latakia, also organized a celebration at the Arab Cultural Center, in cooperation with DKH.
The celebration included several theatrical and musical segments, honoring women who have made a mark on society after showing videos about their contributions, and an exhibition that included products and handicrafts by women who had benefited from small business grants, within the programs implemented by GOPA-DERD’s team.
With the phrase “Don’t be afraid of your voice… Don’t be afraid of your dream, the world needs it more than you think,” the Syrian singer Judy Shahin concluded the celebration, expressing her thanks to GOPA- DERD, for her participation in the celebration of International Women’s Day.
In Homs city, GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team implemented an event for a number of women about the leadership role of women. The event included an open discussion about inspiring role models in each participant’s life, and creative recycling activity to produce practical tools from simple materials.
In Al-Qusayr, GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team implemented awareness sessions aimed at highlighting women’s status in society, promoting their rights, and emphasizing their role in various aspects of life. The sessions focused on raising women’s awareness of their fundamental rights through open discussions and debates. During these sessions, women expressed the challenges they face. This took place in cooperation with UNFPA.
GOPA-DERD’s “HEAL” Center’s team in Homs, in cooperation with Caritas Austria, implemented a number of awareness sessions on the importance of mental health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women shared their experiences during this period, emphasizing that physical health supports mental health, which is not a luxury but a basic need.
The team also conducted a health awareness session on postpartum health, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits for both mother and child, as well as to introduce healthy foods.
In Al-Waer neighborhood of Homs, GOPA-DERD’s “A Safe Maternity” program’s team, organized various activities for women and adolescent girls under the slogan “You, and the life you bring” aiming to highlight the vital role women play in building and developing society and to promote awareness of the importance of women’s empowerment in all fields.
The events included several workshops that addressed the importance and impact of the multiple roles that women play in the home, society, the labor market, the environment and agriculture, and health. This took place in cooperation with ACT Church of Sweden and Radio Aid.
Under the theme of “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls”, GOPA-DERD “HEAL” Center’s team in Hama, implemented an awareness-raising activity to emphasize the importance of recognizing women’s efforts and achievements in various fields. In addition, a health awareness session was carried out on the family planning and women’s health. This took place in cooperation with Caritas Austria.
With the aim of highlighting women’s role and promoting a culture of support and empowerment, GOPA-DERD’s “LIGHTS” Center’s team in Hama, implemented a series of activities, field visits and interactive meetings with more than 100 women from various sectors, in cooperation with Filantropia.
The activities included a meeting with the women of the charity kitchen, where the pivotal role of women was reviewed, starting from the family and work, up to volunteer work, with emphasis on the ability of women to leave a deep societal impact and help others effectively, despite their multiple daily responsibilities.
The team also met with the handball and volleyball players, and a discussion was held about the importance of self-support as a tool for promoting mental and physical well-being.
The activities concluded with a visit to the “Rihana Choir” for young women, where discussions focused on the necessity of providing each woman with personal space to enable her to regain her balance and renew her creative energy.
GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center, the safe space for women and girls in AL-Raqqa, carried out a recreational activity for women, which included an awareness session on the concepts of justice and equality. In addition, Dignity kits were distributed.
GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team, a safe space for girls and women in Al-Hasakah, carried out various activities, including a dialogue session that focused on raising awareness among women, and the importance of joint work to promote justice and equality.
GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center, the safe space for youth in Al-Hasakah, also carried out a recreational activity for more than 70 women. The activity included an awareness session on affirming the role of women in family and community recovery, and listening to some personal experiences. This took place in cooperation with UNFPA.
GOPA-DERD’s “A Safe Maternity” program’s team in Aleppo, organized an open day activity in both of the Old Cathedral and the Syrian Cancer Society, for a group of women, including women who are survivors of breast cancer.
The activity included a number of awareness and interactive segments that focused on empowering the participating women to acquire life skills that help them cope with psychological and physical challenges, in addition to emphasizing the importance of healthy and proper nutrition to support reproductive health and promote women’s physical and hormonal health at various stages of their lives. This took place in cooperation with ACT Church of Sweden and Radio Aid.
