NÛPELDA DENİZ

Makhmour- In the 1990s, thousands of Kurdish people were forcibly displaced from their homeland in Northern Kurdistan due to the attacks of the Turkish state. Some of them went to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 1994 and stayed in seven different camps. After the Makhmour Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp (Makhmour Refugee Camp) was founded in 1998, they settled there. Despite all the difficult living conditions, the displaced women managed to rebuild their life in the camp.

In 2002, the women of the camp founded the Makhmour Women’s Foundation to empower women. Since the foundation was founded, it has carried out many activities such as vocational courses, photography workshops and cultural activities. Despite limited means, the foundation promotes women's economic empowerment and increases women’s labor force participation by offering vocational courses. For three years, the foundation has offered three sewing courses in the camp. NuJINHA spoke to Nûrê Kara, one of the sewing teachers at the foundation, and Viyan Mijinî, one of the course attendees, about the sewing courses offered by the foundation.

 ‘The foundation aims to increase women’s labor force participation’

The aim of the foundation is to promote women’s economic empowerment and increase women’s labor force participation by offering women vocational courses, Nûrê Kara told us. “Women’s labor force participation is very important for women to improve themselves. As the foundation, we have carried out activities to increase women’s labor force participation. Every summer, we offer women a sewing course. Many women attend the course to learn how to sew. 20 women have attended the 20-day course.”

‘Women should participate in labor force for themselves and their existence’

The foundation also supports women to start their own business after they complete the course. “We are here to support women. Women should improve themselves and get to know their rights. They should participate in the labor force for themselves and their existence. The door of our foundation is open for all women.”

‘We learn how to sew’

“As young women in the camp, we attend the course and learn all the details about sewing,” said Viyan Mijinî. “The Women’s Foundation gives women a great opportunity by organizing courses for women in the camp. After learning how to sew, we will teach other women how to sew. Such courses are important not only for us but also for the future of our children. I call on all women to improve themselves by attending such courses.”