In the words of Fatena Mahli: “Together we are stronger”
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Fatena Mahli (40) fled the war in Aleppo to Gaziantep, Turkey, eight years ago. She now works as a professional Turkish-Arabic interpreter at community centers in Gaziantep, where refugee children and their families are provided with psycho-social counselling and other protection services. She also participates in activities organized by the SADA Women’s Empowerment and Solidarity Center which aim to empower Turkish and refugee women and support social cohesion between their communities.
“I believe that all women can realise their full potential if they do not give up, even if they are refugees or have special needs. Everyone faces obstacles. The important thing is to believe in yourself, work hard, speak up and act. If your dream is slipping away from you, women’s solidarity can support you. A friendly hand can help you overcome the obstacles you face. That is why I believe that places like the SADA Women’s Empowerment and Solidarity Center (SADA) can have an enormous impact on women’s lives by providing a space where women can learn and support each other.
SADA helps both refugee and host-community women through services such as psychosocial support, counselling and referrals, childcare services, vocational and language trainings. To enhance social cohesion and close networking and collaboration between host and refugee communities, these services are provided equally to everyone. This creates friendship and solidarity among women from different communities. For example, on International Women’s Day last year I attended activities organized by SADA and had the chance to meet women from different cultures and backgrounds. Such activities improve women’s well-being, eliminate prejudices and contribute to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Whether we are refugees, disabled, young, old, Syrian, Turkish, we all are women and we should empower each other. Together we are stronger.”
SADA Women’s Empowerment and Solidarity Center is supported through the regional programme “Strengthening the Resilience of Syrian Women and Girls and Host Communities in Iraq, Jordan and Turkey.” Funded by the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis and the Government of Japan, the project is led by UN Women and implemented in partnership with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, the International Labour Organisation and the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants.