International Women’s Day | March 8^th, 2022

The Syrian Jamila came to Greece in 2019. Since 2021, she lives in the open accommodation structure for refugees in Drama with her four children. There, she is a beneficiary of the SolidarityNow “Female Friendly Space”* and participates in activities and discussions.

Katerina lives in Drama; she is a social worker and works in SolidarityNow since December 2020. She spends every day in the “Female Friendly Space” with her women, as she says. Most of all, she loves the way women from all over the world manage truly to communicate.

Jamila through Katerina’s eyes:

“Jamila is a woman who never gives up hope. Through the difficulties she became even more kind, more active and more willing to offer. She wanted so much to communicate with me that we reached the point where we did not need an interpreter! For me, Jamila is a role model! She is a woman who despite the adverse conditions continues to hope and to live striving for the best”.

Katerina through Jamila’s eyes:

“Katerina is kind to our children at a time when neither are we! She cares about us (women) and comes to our door every day. She never stopped even when we pretended not to be inside (laughs). Katerina has a big open heart to listen to our problems and comfort us. When a woman had a problem, the next day she would come and call us to discuss a similar issue.

Katerina, you made me better. You are my neighbor”, Jamila.

*The “Female Friendly Spaces” program is implemented by SolidarityNow in 14 open accommodation structures for refugees and asylum seekers with the support of UNICEF Greece, IOM Greece and EU funding.

International Women’s Day | March 8th, 2022

My name is Fateme and I am from Iran.

For me, the International Women’s Day is very confusing because all over the world one day is women’s day. I do not agree at all, all days should be days dedicated to the women.

Women are very strong. They may not have physical strength, but they have mental strength.

The only message I have for women on the occasion of March 8^th is to never stop fighting for their rights, never stop fighting for equality.

I fight too. That is why I seek knowledge. In the HELIOS program, I found support in various topics and gained knowledge. Greek lessons with the SolidarityNow teacher have helped me a lot. I use what I learn to find a job and be independent.

——-

My name is Parvin and I am from Iran.

I am 42 years old, and I live in Greece the last two years. I had a hard time getting to this point but fortunately now I have my own life, I have been able to stand on my own feet and be independent.

The world should celebrate women every day. In my country, the two sexes are not equal and working for example in the same place is a taboo. On the other hand, things are better here, and gender equality is more noticeable. I can speak through my own example. I have a business here in Thessaloniki (hair salon) and both SolidarityNow and the society as a whole were very supportive to me, and I managed to have my own business although being a woman alone in Greece. I am deeply grateful to those who supported me, and I am now as independent as possible.

I managed all the above because when I completed my asylum procedure, I was informed about HELIOS, and I enrolled in the SolidarityNow “Integration Learning Center” in Thessaloniki. I knew I needed to learn Greek so as to integrate. The program helped me a lot to learn the language but also with the public services and the Greek bureaucracy.

*SolidarityNow is a key implementing partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece), in the framework of the HELIOS project which is funded through the co-financed part of the Public Investment Programme of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

International Women’s Day | March 8^th, 2022

Olga is a social scientist and works at SolidarityNow and the “Female Friendly Spaces”* program for two and a half years.

Najiba has been in Greece for three years and she is one of the “Female Friendly Space” beneficiaries which operates in the open accommodation structure for refugees in Serres, where many activities take place.

Najiba admires Olga for her friendliness, kindness, and ability to create an intimate atmosphere of trust, confidentiality and mutual support among the women involved in the space activities.

Olga also admires Najiba. “For her honesty, optimism and her ability to express herself through art“.

Najiba has been inspired and written poems about women and their multifaceted role, which express and empower every woman who visits the “Female Friendly Space” in Serres.

For the International Women’s Day, Najiba wished “dynamic women to have a voice in the future, in all parts of the world; women who will act as role models for others so that each in turn can express their uniqueness“.

Olga wished that “there will not exist a place in the world where women are deprived of security and freedom of expression to claim their dreams“.

*The “Female Friendly Spaces” program is implemented by SolidarityNow in 14 open accommodation structures for refugees and asylum seekers with the support of UNICEF Greece, IOM Greece and EU funding.

International Women’s Day | March 8^th, 2022

In this story, the message comes from two women from Ghana and Congo. Two women that met each other in Greece, their new country.

Two wonderful, sunny struck women at the “Integration Learning Center” of SolidarityNow in Athens, that operates within the framework of HELIOS project, talk about what “woman” means to them and send their message, on the occasion of this year’s March 8^th.

“A woman is also a mother. And the mother is the one who gives birth to both the man and the woman. She creates and raises a life. Women are strong, take care of and empower those around them. If I could say something to other women it would be to be strong and not be ashamed of their body, even if they are not fit or physically strong. I would also like to tell them out loud that they can achieve everything!”

The 27-year-old A., from Ghana, mother of one, has recently started joining the language courses held at the Center. However, she has already been distinguished for her excellent performance!

“We, women, are strong. We take care not only of our children but also of those around us. A woman can achieve everything if she believes in it. My dream now is to find a job and gain new experiences. I have patience and will. What I want is to become a positive role model for other women. I want to tell all women in the world, not to be afraid! “

The 25-year-old W. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a very diligent and prudent student full of dreams!

*SolidarityNow is a key implementing partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece), in the framework of the HELIOS project which is funded through the co-financed part of the Public Investment Programme of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

International Women’s Day | March 8^th, 2022

Two women from Afghanistan, beneficiaries of SolidarityNow at its “Integration Learning Center” in Ioannina which operates under the HELIOS* program, speak about other women who inspire them.

What do they admire to them? Which of their characteristics do they identify with?

Leila: “I really admire Malala**. Education is everyone’s human right. How much strength and patience someone needs to fight for the education of older and younger children..! That’s why I also continue my Greek language courses. I want my children and I to grow through education following the path set by Malala”.

Leila is 35 years old. She wants to learn the Greek language very well and become a beautician. She wants to find a job to support her family.

Fatima: “Malala is a great role model. But I was also moved by Sappho***, especially when I heard that some of her poems are related to freedom. Freedom…. How important! I too like to write and through writing to express my thoughts and feelings. That is why I try out of the opportunity given to me with the Greek language courses to find out about people of art”.

Fatima is 48 years old. She wants to live in Greece with her family and for her children she wants to finish their school and go to the university. She is learning Greek to be able to work as a seamstress, as she did in Afghanistan.

*SolidarityNow is a key implementing partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece), in the framework of the HELIOS project which is funded through the co-financed part of the Public Investment Programme of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

**Malala Yousafsai:

Pakistani activist. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, known for defending human rights and educating women and children. Her capacity and persistence in defending the fundamental right of education, moved the students of the program.

***Sappho:

The most important and lyrical poetess from the Greek island of Lesvos, especially known from antiquity till today for her exceptional poetic work. She wrote poems about women and girls who worshiped Aphrodite as she did. Through them she prepared girls for the great milestones of female nature: adolescence, marriage, childbirth. Among other things, her poetry is directed against tyrannical regimes, praising freedom.

International Women’s Day | March 8^th, 2022

Fatma talks with Iliana.

The two women spend many hours together in the “Female Friendly Space”* operated by SolidarityNow, in the open accommodation structure for refugees in Vagiochori, Thessaloniki. In a place where they both feel safe, they share problems and concerns, feelings, bad and good moments. Their relationship is aimed at supporting Fatma; but each relationship has mutual benefits.

“I like that I have such a busy schedule and that I participate in so many activities at SolidarityNow’s ‘Female Friendly Space’. I have learned many useful things and I feel worthy because I can help other women and act as a positive role model. It would be very boring and pointless if this space did not exist. For the International Women’s Day, I wish every girl’s dream would come true; every woman to feel safe and free to decide and do whatever she wants”.

Fatma is from Syria, she is 34 years old and has been in Greece for a little over than three years.

“In Fatma, I admire the calmness and dedication with which she raises her three children as well as her creativity! She is particularly interested in cooking and painting and enjoys learning new things and acting as a positive role model for her children. She comes to the ‘Female Friendly Space’ almost every day, takes part in the activities and actively joins the discussion groups. For the International Women’s Day, I wish and hope every year we are one step closer to women’s independence from any kind of oppression and stereotypes.”

Iliana, 29, from Greece, is a clinical psychologist and has been working at SolidarityNow’s women empowerment program since 2020.

*The “Female Friendly Spaces” program is implemented by SolidarityNow in 14 open accommodation structures for refugees and asylum seekers with the support of UNICEF Greece, IOM Greece and EU funding.

by the Legal service of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow

Mr. X was born and raised in Greece.

Some time ago, he visited the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow to ask for help. He was carrying on his shoulders the burden of an extremely unpleasant life story that was dramatically reflected in his appearance. Extremely slender, he “shouted” for help, he “shouted” for an opportunity to put his life in order. He had lost everything. His family, his children, his income and home.

The members of the services provided at the Athens Solidarity Center, immediately embraced him. Legal service provided legal advice on the communication issues with his children, on the issues of his criminal cases and after examining his insurance contributions, he succeeded to submit an online application for retirement and an application for temporary pension and advance payment.

That’s how his life changed. In less than a month, Mr. H. saw the advance payment of his pension in his bank account, felt stronger and thus able to catch the thread of his life from the very beginning.

*From 1/8/2021 till 31/7/2022, the Athens Solidarity Center’s operation is supported through a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) in the framework of its global COVID-19 Relief Initiative.

**From 1/7/2021 till 30/6/2022, Kahane Foundation supports the Psychosocial service of the Athens Solidarity Center.

*** The Athens Solidarity Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.