950 Syrian and Lebanese women beneficiaries from MOSA economic empowerment

In its issue of Thursday, An Nahar daily shed light on the so-called ‘economic empowerment and societal mobilization and targeting women affected by the Syrian Crisis’ project launched jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and UN Women in June, 2015, with funding from Japan. Elaborating on the initiative, the national coordinator for the Project in the Ministry, Suheir Ghali, stressed the importance of the undertaking in promoting the points of economic strength in women affected by the refugee crisis in Syria and empowering their Lebanese counterparts in the vulnerable and disadvantaged host communities. This, Ghali maintained, is largely achieved through specialized professional training workshops, particularly in the artisan and food manufacturing industries. “We organized training courses implemented by the development services centers in Tariq al Jadideh, Takreet, Andkit, Mash7ha and Khraybet Jundi in Akkar, in collaboration with the Safadi Foundation and Fair Trade Lebanon for the purpose of promoting women’s capacities in embroidery, sewing, soap making, carpets, jewelry and cake decoration,” Ghali stated. Participants, she added, also received training on the preparation of seasonal traditional mooneh products, the principles of proper cooking, repairing mobile phones devices, as well as special sessions on personal development, administrative skills and techniques for marketing their crafts and food products. She also mentioned an awareness campaign to enlighten women on how to fight gender-based violence. In conclusion, Ghali said some 950 participants have graduated from the project, and received presents, including looms, or special equipment and technical tools required in their production. The project also secured jobs in the Beirut for up to 75 women beneficiaries, and assisted in the setting up of one cooperative of women for the manufacture of craft products located in Khraybet Jundi. (An Nahar, March 24, 2016)