Kongra Star... Solutions and guidance to differences of society

ROZANA DADO /ALEPPO

The women of the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood went through difficult distresses where conditions of war imposed on them the harshest days, and the customs and traditions of the society imposed on them another life. Kongra Star since its establishment in Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood in Aleppo on 19 September 2015 has been a platform and a guide for solving social problems for women supporting their development to confront differences.

Stories of women exposed to social problems

Citizen Hanifa Ali in the third decade of her life, has faced with three children a lot of social problems after her husband's death. She was a victim of the customs and traditions of her society, which puts women in a mold without allowing them to try life experiences and cope with them properly. This tragedy continued for a full year, but Hanifa found her hope through the visit to the Kongra Star.

Hanifa said, "After my husband's death I faced bitter days with my children from my family and my husband's family. They asked me to marry again, but my position was always different, because I wanted to stay with my children and be faithful to my husband."

Hanifa did not find a solution but to resort to Kongra Star and consulted in the problem, and members of Kongra Star helped her by providing housing for Hanifa and her children, and to maintain its role within the community, be aware and organized. In addition to that, she was appointed in Martyr Shilan Kobani Commune as a member of the Protection Committee to protect and resolve the differences of the neighborhood.

Hanifa pointed out that she maintained her strong will after the assistance provided by the members of Kongra Star, did not allow the dismantling of her family and the displacing of her children within the customs prevalent in society, and now runs her house and her children after the death of her husband 3 years ago.

Abeer M'amiko at 27, a mother of a child, lost hope of life after losing her husband. She faced severe financial problems and had to sell her clothes to buy the needs of her baby after her husband's family denied any relations to her after his death or even helping her financially.

Abeer's days continued with suffering and pain feelings every now and then until she visited the Women's House in Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood and underwent training that showed her the meaning of confronting life and how to deal with her harsh conditions throughout her work as a member of the Women's Association over the last 3 years.

Addressing the problems lies in women's awareness and organization

The administrator in the Women's Association in the neighborhood of Sheikh Maksoud Brishan Rashid confirmed that the society's vision of women was confined to her presence alongside a man and dying together, and these cases were very common and negatively affected the lives of many women that could have been eliminated their lives.

Brishan pointed out that women's lack of training and economic weakness were a major reason for being an easy prey to society, so they had to strengthen women economically and employ them in the projects that Kongra Star opened.

Brishan ended her speech "Problems are addressed by educating, developing and organizing women, so we will try our best to help women and work for their development."

(T/S)

ANHA