Syrian women producers: Work is better than asking others for help

Today, supporting women’s entrepreneurship and participation in business and economic sectors has became more essential than ever for reducing the unbearable financial burden which is caused by the hike of prices as a result of the ongoing wars, sanctions and bad management of resources in many countries. 

 

Syria is one of the countries that has supported women’s empowerment and participation in the business sector and other ones and gave women  equal pay, equal access to education and funding even before the start of the terrorist  war on it in 2011.  

 

Evidences of this fact is the project that was launched in 2006 by Mrs. Sabah Hasan, a woman from the mountains of Lattakia- a project for producing dairy products 

 

This woman had several cows and she had followed training courses for empowering rural women in her province to be able to achieve her aspiration related to financial independence and helping her husband in housing expenses. 

 

“ My aspiration was to have a career to get money with the aim of being a breadwinner for my family and not asking any one to give me money,” Mrs. Hasan told Syriatimes” e-newspaper during an interview with her at the  “Syrian Women Producers” market being held in Damascus. 

“I make all products with my own hands and I enjoy my work,” Mrs. Hasan said, indicating that her husband supported her and allowed her to go to intensive courses to learn new things about producing dairies.  

 

Husbands’ support for wives is essential to carry out successful projects. 

 

Mrs. Rasha Englizi, who is also participating in the market, said that her husband helped her to continue making gifts made of candles.

 

“The idea of making gifts came to my  mind 10 years ago when I wanted to buy a gift for my friend. I made a beautiful gift of candle and all my friends liked it. So, one of my friends asked me to make some types of gifts to sell them at her shop.  I accepted her offer and started to make gifts.. My small project was launched since that time and I continued to expand it through participation in bazaars and other activities for handmade crafts,” she clarified. 

 

She believes that management of priorities helps any woman to set up successful project. “ When a woman knows her rights and duties, she can realize awesome achievements.” 

 

These two women alongside 23 other women are taking part in the “Syrian Woman Producers” market upon an invitation from the Syrian Handicraft association to promote their products.  

 

Besides dairy products and candles, there are honey, accessories, sweets, clothes and  cosmetics. 

 

Mrs. Sahar Al-Jerdi is exhibiting several types of honey and she told us that she  benefitted  from the experience of her brother in law in beekeeping  to set up her self-financed project.  

 

“I work with my husband to  earn money in order to support our family. We started our project 10 years ago and now we have our customers and we receive orders from new customers in many provinces.. Actually, my participation in this event and other ones is fruitful as I show my products and give an explanation about each type of honey to the people who come to these events,” she stated. 

 

Mrs. Al-Jerdi’ s slogan in this life is that “Woman builds house when she is active”. 

 

To be active  means to know how to obtain benefit from the opportunities. 

 

Miss. Amal Ibrahim is an active lady. She translated her graduation project at the faculty of Agricultural Engineering into a real project with the help of the UNDP in 2019. 

 

She and her partner are making cosmetics made of tropical fruits, which they plant in a private nursery in Al-Adawi area in Damascus. 

 

“Our graduation project was distinguished , so we got a grant from the UNDP and then we got another grant from Mrs. Asma Al-Assad to develop our work. Now, we depend on ourselves.. We are making soaps, creams, shampoos and other cosmetics,” Miss. Ibrahim clarified. 

 

She went on to say: “We want to export our products to markets in nearby countries, but sanctions hinder us.. Currently, we just sell our products in Syria.. We are doing our utmost to go ahead with our project in order not to waste the efforts that we exerted over the past years.” 

 

Keenness on going ahead with projects could be likened to what three ladies were trying to do outside the doors of the market, precisely at the entrance of the Al-Hijaz Station. 

 

The three ladies were showing one stage of the Qeshani handcraft [decorative arts, that was used to decorate houses, holy shrines, plates…etc. ]

 

“The raw materials for this craft  are available in Syria but they are very expensive.. We try to preserve this craft.. Just one family [Ramadan Family] in Syria is still making Qeshani products., “ said Hanadi Zaza, who joined a course on this craft after she completed study at the Faculty of arts 4 months ago. 

 

This is just an example about how Syrian youths are trying to revive ancient handicrafts. 

 

The “Syrian Women Producers” market, which kicked off on March, 7, 2022, concluded today. 

 

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Reported by : Basma Qaddour