Planting Hope: Refugee Women and Children Find Connection and Support in Izmir
Planting Hope: Refugee Women and Children Find Connection and Support in Izmir
Refugee women and children came together in İzmir during an event organized by UNHCR’s NGO partner Support to Life (STL): This community-based event brought refugee women and children together to plant trees, spend the day in nature, and attend an information session on their rights and obligations in Türkiye. For many women, these kinds of activities offer a tangible way to feel connected and begin claiming a place for themselves in a new country.
Fatima, a mother of four who arrived in Türkiye nine years ago, plays a critical role in facilitating these efforts. After arriving in Türkiye, she learned Turkish and worked for a health project’s vaccination campaign. She provided translation support and guidance to refugees who were struggling to access hospitals. Now, Fatima volunteers with STL in İzmir and provides language assistance to those in need. She helps inform refugee women about the available services and activities that STL offers. “With this support, women feel stronger and can overcome their difficulties with confidence. That’s why I believe that this work brings real and positive change to women’s lives,” Fatima says.
Hala* is one of the women who also reflects this change. She came to Türkiye from Syria in 2015, first attending Turkish courses and then completing high school through open education. Now a mother of three, she is studying computer programming. “My father always wanted to see me get a university degree. It wasn’t possible in Syria due to the war, but I drew strength from his memory,” she says. Hala learned about STL through Fatima and now regularly attends sessions organized for women, focusing on many issues, including access to justice, prevention of gender-based violence, and mental well-being. She emphasizes that these sessions, in particular the one on women’s rights, helped reduce their lack of awareness: “We realized what counts as violence, including some behaviours we never thought about. I think it was very informative.”
Aisha* came to Türkiye with her family in 2015. She married here and is now a mother of two. She started attending STL’s activities, initially for her children and later sessions on psychosocial education and women’s rights, thanks to Fatima’s guidance. Aisha says the psychosocial education and anxiety management sessions have been very helpful: “I am so pleased with the time I spend here, and I recommend it to everyone around me. Sharing memories and experiences helps a lot.”
Fatima’s story, and the experiences of the women who reached STL through her, show how refugees are empowered as active members of the support mechanisms available to them while integrating into society. Her commitment to volunteerism contributes not only to her personal development but also to the resilience of the refugee community around her. Fatima says, “When a woman is empowered, she brightens not only her own life but also her family, her children, and everyone around her. The love and labour of women are the true foundation of society.”
With the support of the Republic of Korea and other donors, UNHCR Türkiye and its partners organize social cohesion activities to help people forced to flee their homes engage with the host community, build meaningful connections and take part in activities that support their well-being and inclusion. These efforts help people rebuild their lives through protection assistance, psychosocial support and community-based initiatives. UNHCR Türkiye, together with its field partners, aims to ensure that individuals in need of international protection—like Fatima, Hala and Aisha —have access to vital services that support them in becoming active, contributing members of society.
*Names of individuals have been changed for protection purposes.