#WomensDay — Meet 7 refugee women determined to thrive in exile
Join us as we celebrate the refugee women and girls working hard and inspiring others who have been forced to flee home.
When women and girls are forced to flee, they face specific risks and challenges. But they also show incredible strength and resilience. Whether they’re learning new skills, like reading or driving a car, or harvesting crops and raising families, women are doing amazing things after escaping war and persecution.
An unprecedented 65.3 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 21.3 million refugees. Women and girls typically make up about 50% of any refugee, internally displaced or stateless population. From Syria to Central African Republic, Iraq to South Sudan, we are working around the clock to extend our protection and lifesaving aid to millions.
On #WomensDay, we honour all the refugee women who are helping their communities and inspiring a generation of strong girls.
Jamila — Somali refugee in Ethiopia
“We want self-reliance for ourselves and we want to be able to support our children,” says Jamila, proudly. “Now we have a proper business where we sell high quality milk.”
The tin-roofed start-up at the camp, 70 kilometres from the border with Somalia in southern Ethiopia, buys up goat, cow and camel milk from local herders.
The project, which we’ve supported with our partners, provides both a service to the camp and local community and a living for the 20 Somali women who work there, testing, pasteurizing and storing the milk in solar-powered refrigerators for resale.
“We are 20 women who have created a cooperative to sell milk and become self-reliant. We sell milk to refugees and the host community, and generate income to sustain our families.”
Meet the Somali women running the Milk Retailer Cooperative at Melkadida refugee camp in Ethiopia.
Ghalia — Saharawi refugee in Algeria
When Saharawi refugee Ghalia (right) suddenly went into labor, getting to the hospital with her sister Mana was not a problem; a neighbor was around to drive them. But after the birth of her child, the new mother struggled to find a ride home — she was left feeling stranded and dependent.
That frustration inspired the sisters to start a driving school for women in Dakhla camp, in southwestern Algeria. A woman behind the wheel is still considered uncommon, but this school has helped shift attitudes. Today, the school is empowering women to move around freely and independently.
The school is empowering women to move around freely
For four decades, we have been actively promoting gender equality, by supporting projects just like Ghalia and Mana’s driving school. Engaging women to improve their own situation has a direct and positive impact on the well-being and livelihood of their families and communities.
Aisha — Syrian refugee in Jordan
“Before I started here I couldn’t read bus timetables. Now I can read a timetable or a newspaper. It’s a very good feeling!”
Aisha never went school when she was growing up in Syria. With a husband and children who could read and write, it had never been a problem.
But when she found herself a widow and a refugee at the age of 73, and living alone in Jordan, she knew she had to learn to read and write to survive.
“I’d kept it a surprise and they were pleased for me.”
Aisha enrolled in a literacy class at a community centre serving Syrian refugees in Jordan. Before long, she became an inspiration to our staff.
“When I texted my son for the first time he was so surprised. He replied ‘Mum! When did you learn to write? How did you learn that?’ I’d kept it a surprise and they were pleased for me.”
The ability to read and write has changed Aisha’s world — these skills help her cope with her new life and instill confidence. She now hopes to join a math programme and learn computer skills. Aisha also receives monthly assistance to help cover the cost of her rent and medication.
Biney — Sudanese refugee in Chad
“With the money I earn by selling parts of my harvest, I can take care of my children and they can focus on their studies.”
One of our farming projects in Chad is empowering women by giving Sudanese refugees like Biney what they need to grow their own crops. Today she is one of 462 mostly female farmers involved in the project in her host village.
Since its launch in late 2014, we’ve helped more than 5,000 refugees and 3,000 Chadians in one region alone to become more self-reliant. Even more, the two communities—refugees and hosts — live together peacefully while boosting women’s independence.
Read Biney’s story.
Ariam — Syrian refugee in Jordan
“I miss everything about Syria. I miss my friends, my Dad, my school. I want to get back home more than anything. We left Syria because of the bombings. We were all scared. I remember feeling safe when we got to the camp.”
Ariam fled Syria with her family when she was just eight years old after her father was killed in the war. She remembers feeling scared during the bombings and felt safe for the first time when she reached Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.
“It’s important girls get educated so we can be empowered and develop our skills. If we’re educated, we can also teach our children when we have them.”
We know that strong, talented girls like Ariam are the future of Syria. That’s why we’re assisting her with academic and extracurricular support to build her confidence and skills.
Amneh — Syrian refugee in Jordan
Amneh arrived in Zaatari refugee camp on a freezing winter night in 2012 with no money and only the clothes on her back. Her family fled Syria, terrified after too many nights hiding in the basement during bombings.
Five years later, Amneh is not only enrolled in school and learning English—her favorite subject — she rips it up on the football pitch. Today, she’s thriving and advocating for girls’ education and participation in sports.
“If I met a family who would not let their girls go to school, I would explain the benefits and how it’s important to study. Imagine a mother who could not help teach her children? How would they feel? Education is also very important for girls, not just boys.”
Nawar — Syrian refugee in Jordan
“When you’re forced to flee, it’s so painful. I can’t express the words of how much it hurts to leave your home. Home means so much. It was all taken from us.”
Despite the heartbreak of being forced to leave her homeland, Nawar is doing all she can to contribute to her community in Za’atari refugee camp. Nawar earned her baccalaureate back home in Syria, but had to flee before she could continue her studies in psychology.
For the past year, Nawar has been coaching 12 young and energetic Syrian girls — helping them become happier and more confident. She’s truly a role model in many ways: she recently received a scholarship and is attending university in Jordan, studying English literature.
Nawar is an inspiration to all the girls of Za’atari refugee camp, and to all of us at UNHCR.
Support refugee women and girls and stand #WithRefugees today: http://www.unhcr.org/refugeeday/
