“Soft Fists” a book telling how 23 Syrian businesswomen withstood the terrorist war imposed on their country
The Businesswomen Committee at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce has launched a book titled “Soft Fists” depicting the experiences of 23 Syrian businesswomen who confronted the impacts of the terrorist war on their country and who have managed during the years of war on Syria to establish small projects and present different trade, economic and humanitarian services to the Syrian society and economy.
Mrs. Sonia Khanji, Chairperson of the Businesswomen Committee, said in a statement to SANA that the book, which was launched Sunday evening, presents examples of Syrian businesswomen, who, despite the difficult circumstances caused by the war and the economic siege on Syria, have turned the negative circumstances in the country into positive energy that enabled them to play a major role in economic empowerment and development.
“Each one of these women has achieved notable presence in her work sector. Even during the war, they managed to break many old-fashioned social and economic barriers and played a new effective role in economic life through creating new work methods inspired by the situation on the ground, thereby presenting the world a distinguished example to follow,” according to Khanji.
Several businesswomen talked about some aspects of their trade and industrial projects, including establishing training centers for human resources development, supporting people with special needs and voluntary work in charities and humanitarian associations to back socio-economic development in the country. Nevertheless, these women stressed that what they are doing is so small compared to the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab army in the battle to uproot terrorism from Syria.
Firyal Rislan, one of the businesswomen, said that during the crisis in Syria, she focused on training and qualification in the field of human resources development and on enhancing skills so as to benefit from these skills in rebuilding the country on solid bases.
Randa al-Ojeili, Chairwoman of Raqqa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, talked about the difficulties she suffered from because of the presence of terrorist organizations in Raqqa. She explained how she managed to surpass these circumstances and get out of her city to continue her work in leading the Raqqa Chamber of Commerce and Industry from Damascus, in addition to her own economic and trade activities in the field of industrial and agricultural equipments and car spare parts.
On her part, Nada al-Ghabra, another businesswoman, said that her experience concentrated on producing clothing and running sewing workshops. She pointed out that she faced many hardships during the war, but she insisted on continuing work and playing her role in social and economic development.
She pointed out that several skilled women were martyred during the war on Syria, highly appreciating the efforts of one of her colleagues (Rula Zulhuf) who was martyred while doing her job which was part of her participation in the 59th Damascus International Fair.
Member of the Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce Ruba al-Abboud talked about her work in the domain of furniture and about her keenness to continue working despite challenges in order to provide income to the families of the workers in her factories.
Hamda Mustafa