Baladi - Coverage
Two Syrian refugee women in Jordan describe how taking part in CARE’s Women Leadership Councils initiative has transformed their lives – and points the way forward for refugee women responding to the Syrian crisis.
Yasmin
I’ve always been a housewife: our culture and traditions in Idleb forbid us to go out and engage in an active life. I finished the ninth grade and settled like most girls do in my town. In 2012, life became unbearable with the war, so my husband and I gathered our five children and we left to Jordan. It was so difficult; we suffered to find a house for our family, but like everything else in life, it got easier.
I enrolled with CARE as soon as we settled down, then two years later, I took a sewing workshop in order to learn a vocation. I must have done something right during that workshop because last year, CARE called me again and asked if I’d like to be interviewed for a spot in the Women Leadership Council.
I had my doubts. I went to the interviewer and told her that they must have something wrong because I don’t have a proper education, but she reassured me that this isn't about education, but about leadership.
My role in the Women Leadership Council along with others is to ensure that the voices of women, especially Syrian women, are communicated to organisations and stakeholders through CARE. We also listen to people in general and note down their challenges so that we can in turn formulate them in a better sense and present to organisations.
The most important topics that we are tackling right now are around gender-based violence and early and forced child marriage.
I’m 38 years old now but I got married at an early age myself, but thanks to the platform that CARE has given me, I am a changed woman.
My eldest daughter is now 18 years old, but I will never allow her marriage before she finishes her university education.
Amani
I have a very complicated life. I’m a divorced mother of three children; two boys and one girl. Originally, I’m from Golan, but you know, people from the Golan have been seeking refuge for a very long time, so my family lived in Daraa.
I got married to my cousin when I was 16 in the most traditional way. My parents told me that I do not have another choice, nor will I get a better chance to get married.
I dropped out of school, and dropped my dream of becoming a pharmacist entirely.
I took on the responsibility of being a wife, a mother, and a daughter in law while I was just a child. I’ve spent more days at my parents’ house than at my own home. He [her husband] would treat me like dirt, kick me out when he feels like it.
It was horrible. Society wasn’t helpful to my case either as I would be looked down on if I got a divorce.
When the war started, I took my children and went to live with my parents in Daraa. But I faced so many problems there too. I don’t have an education, job, or steady income. There were no schools for the children to go to.
So I decided that I would take the biggest risk of my life and move to Jordan. Start a new life somehow with just my children and myself.
Although it was hard at the beginning, I found a lot of support as soon as I found CARE.
When they saw that I was a woman on my own and knew that my husband and his family don’t support me or my children anymore, I received more psycho-social support and training. I was taught on the positive coping mechanisms in life, and I was able to stand on my own after being dependent most of my life.
I am working on improving myself so that I can improve the quality of life for my children, they shouldn’t suffer like I did. I am finishing my education on my own, and I don’t let an opportunity pass me by without taking it.
I did many courses on every topic that you can imagine, and developed myself to the point where I am now teaching English to the women here at the Women Leadership Council.
I truly see what effect my lessons have on these women, especially when I see that one of them is going through a difficult time; my words to her matter, they listen. Most women come to me now and ask if they can invite their friends who want to learn as well.
In the future, hopefully the near future, I want to learn more, and eventually become a true leader. I want to change myself so that I can change everything around me.
Source: CARE INTERNATIONAL