Women’s Small projects Forum opens in Damascus with the participation of 31 women

With the participation of 31 women, the activities of the “Women’s Small Projects Forum” were on Sunday in Damascus. The event is organized by the Syrian Trust for Development, represented by the Bab Sharqi Community Center (Manara), in cooperation with the Sham al-Yasmeen Foundation for Guidance and Community Services and the Fine Artists Union at the Al-Riwaq Al-Arabi Gallery in Damascus, under the title “Unite to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.”

The forum, which is held as part of the 16-day campaign to combat gender-based violence and which lasts for two days, includes products of small projects launched by women from their homes, including food, clothing, accessories, crochet, sewing and embroidery works, with the aim of improving the women’s economic and living situation.

In a statement, Taghreed Al-Halh, the official responsible for combating gender-based violence at Bab Sharqi Communitry Center, said: “The Syrian Trust Development is keen to hold multiple and diverse activities within the 16-day campaign, the most important of which is bazaars to help women, who have undergone psychological, social, and vocational training within Bab Sharqi Community Center and outside, it to market their products. The aim is also to empower the women economically”. She explained that the forum came at the end of the professional path that was held in cooperation with Sham Al-Yasmeen Foundation which involved a group of women and included activities and programs in the field of professional, psychological, social and legal support, where the women were taught marketing and communication skills over the course of an entire year.

Al-Halh also pointed out that there were other women who participated in the forum and had undergone professional training courses such as : crochet, preparing Syrian winter food supply as well as awareness courses to acquire marketing skills and promote their products. Indicating that the forum included 15 women from the vocational path program and 15 beneficiaries of Al-Manara programs, in addition to a woman with disabilities.

Chair of the Board of Directors of Sham Al-Yasmine, Dr. Yasmine Shalabi, explained that the role of the Foundation is limited to providing psychological support programs so that women can face the economic and social obstacles, such as how to face and address the gaps to raising one’s awareness and help them move to another advanced stage if they find the desire to do so.

While the participants in the forum confirmed that they were able to develop their skills to expand their small projects with the support of the Syria Trust Development and other partners. The craftswoman, Abeer Abu Hammoud, who works in the field of the art of “knotting” using coarse lace, said: “Her project aims to revive this traditional craft that dates back to the ancient times, of the Assyrians and Babylonians, as pieces of clothing belonging to this heritage were discovered in the city of Palmyra.”

On her part Samiha Hassoun explained that she participates with a group of women in handicrafts based on the Palestinian heritage, such as embroidery, hook workand sewing. Considering that the Syrian Trust Development is keen to support women and involve them in any activity they do. While Maryam Al-Khalaf confirmed that her handicrafts vary between “hats, gloves, jackets, and scarfs”, noting the importance of her participation in the forum to introduce her products. While Sawsan Haddad pointed out that her work focuses on paper and recycling, and said:” She underwent courses that introduced her to marketing and presentation skills at Bab Sharqi Lighthouse”.

Not this only but also home cooking was present at the forum through Wissal Al-Dairi, who confirmed that her passion for preparing pastries enabled her to succeed, after she underwent professional cooking and pastry courses , as well as  getting psychological support sessions at Bab Sharqi lighthouse, which made it easier for her to participate in the forum to display her products. While Enas Allawi stated that her project depends on making cakes, wedding models and preparing chocolate with distinctive fillings, stressing that her participation is an important step for her to introduce people to her products.

Leen Al Salman