“Dara Thakafia” The Women Cultural House

Human rights violations are widespread across Syria, especially in besieged areas, such as the Ghouta. The regime forces attack their own citizens with bombs and chemicals. The residents of the Ghouta have endured some of the worst violations committed during the crisis. Women and children can become more vulnerable to these violations if they lack the knowledge and skills to combat them.

 

The Project:
Projects in the Ghouta were not limited to only basic needs. These zones are fundamental for beginning the construction of a Syrian state built on human rights. The Cultural House project was born out of this dream for Syria and was established specifically for women. Female activists quickly realized that Syrian women face a complicated situation in semi-rural conservative areas because the war has reinforced the inequalities experienced by Syrian women. The Cultural House is a refuge from the war where women can come together and support each other.

The Cultural House was equipped with two computers, a small library, a meeting room, and was decorated with famous pieces of art, such as the Mona Lisa, to introduce the women to international culture.

In only three months the Cultural House welcomed about one hundred women who engaged in social and political discussions as part of an initiative called “What do you think about it?” The goal of these debates was to allow women to develop a position on the current political situation, to suggest projects, and to become active participants in society. The women were divided into groups based on their age and social standing. There was one group of married women and another of younger women who had all received a high school diploma who were more active and enjoyed meeting with each other.
The Cultural House also organized activities for children that were supervised by a specialist.

Hope for Eid August 2013 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAahBu-IZz0

 

Beneficiaries:
Women and children from many different cities in the Ghouta used the library at the Cultural House. Young women also had access to the internet at the Cultural house and were able to learn about navigating the internet and use social media.
In total the center benefited 100 to 200 women and children.