NÛPELDA DENİZ

Makhmour- The Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp (Makhmour refugee camp) has been under a siege imposed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) since 2019. No humanitarian aid has been provided to the camp due to the ongoing siege. In addition, the camp is often targeted by Turkish attacks.

The Women’s Foundation in Makhmour creates new employment opportunities and income sources for women by developing projects despite the siege and attacks. One of these projects is sewing courses. More than 150 young women have attended the courses and the courses will end on March 6, 2025. The foundation will organize a sewing competition on March 6 for the attendees on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

The foundation will also hold an exhibition so that women can exhibit their work.

Fatma Nêrwehî, one of the course attendees, wants to get her financial independence. “I used to sew by hand. Then, I worked in a sewing workshop for three years,” she told NuJINHA. Fatma Nêrwehî then worked as an agricultural worker. “I collected money and bought a sewing machine. I now sew all kinds of clothes, especially traditional clothes. I work because I want to be financially independent. All women must work to become financially independent without depending on anyone.”

Qedrê Mijînî, another course attendee, thinks that all women should participate in the labor force. “I first attended the sewing courses. I will take part in the competition. All women in the camp can attend the courses in order to learn how to sew. The foundation does not only hold sewing courses but also other courses for women.”

Preparation for the competition for two months

“I attended the sewing courses to improve myself,” said Çîmen Benek, Spokesperson of the Sewing Department of the Women’s Foundation. “I have learned how to sew and improved myself. Now, I am the spokesperson of the department. As the foundation, we have prepared for the competition for about two months. The aim of the competition is to encourage women’s participation in the labor force.

An exhibition

“We decided to organize the competition on March 6, close to International Women’s Day in order to draw attention to the rights violations against women. We will also hold an exhibition on March 6 so that women can exhibit their work. We want to show that women exist and can improve themselves.”