“What women* experience on the run is associated with great helplessness and thus exactly the opposite of empowerment. Therefore, self-empowerment is of very central importance. It enables to move from a self-image as “victim” to “survivor”.” (Dr.ⁱⁿ Barbara Preitler, Hemayat)

The findings from the VIDC gender tandem trainings for refugee women* from Afghanistan show how such empowerment can be facilitated. Following on from our gender tandem program for Afghan men*, which was launched in 2016, intercultural teams (one trainer* from the (diaspora) community and one from the majority society) have been conducting empowerment training for Afghan women* in cooperation with the Afghan associations AKIS and IGASUS since 2020.
Around 115 women* have participated so far and demand remains high. Important counseling institutions such as FEM SÜD, the Vienna Women’s Shelters, Diakonie and the Counseling Center for Migrants are also involved in the trainings.

Excerpt from original article of the VIDC
The WOMEN*- EMPOWERMENT MANUAL IN THE FLIGHT CONTEXT