Women from communities in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Somalia, Congolese and Uganda come together to learn, share experiences and empower each other at a center run by BOSCO, a partner of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR in India.
Rukia Begum, a refugee woman living in India, said, “The aggressor doesn’t have to be outside; he can be inside our house. No one will come to save me – I have to save myself.”
Rukia Begum has faced and overcome many situations where she felt physically unsafe.
Rukia Begum’s words highlight the reality that countless women struggle with every day, especially those who have been displaced from their homes or countries.
There are more than 60 million women and girls around the world, like Rukia Baigum, who are forcibly displaced or stateless, and face serious risks of gender-based violence (GBV).
But Rukia Begum thinks that her physical safety is her own responsibility. Concerns about gender-based violence are common among women in refugee communities. But Rukia Begum is confident that this challenge can be tackled with basic security awareness and training.
Rukia Begum, along with 46 other women from different communities, resolved to turn their weakness into strength.
Run by UN refugee agency partner BOSCO, the center was not just another workshop; It was a moment of change, where women took responsibility for their own safety and learned to protect themselves from the violence of an uncertain world.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. But the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says the risk increases for women and girls forced to flee their homes and countries because of conflict or in search of safety.
Caution is necessary
The session began with a simple yet profound lesson: awareness is power. in Many refugee women are in leadership roles in their communities. An interesting video was shown to test their observational abilities.
“It’s amazing how much we miss when we don’t pay attention,” said Dipanjali Bakshi, national security officer at the United Nations Department of Defense and Security (UNDSS), who facilitated the training.
In training, women learn the importance of sharpening their six senses – paying attention to their instincts, understanding their surroundings and identifying potential threats.
Additionally, through activities such as spotting differences in pictures while blindfolded or locating locations, the women realized that a few moments of alertness can be helpful in distinguishing between safety and danger.
The power of adversity
“Learning from each other’s experiences empowers women,” said Celine Mathews, UNHCR’s Co-Protection Officer in India, “Hearing stories of women’s active participation and tackling the challenges of their daily lives was an inspiring experience.”
These stories were purposefully shared, becoming the basis for practical learning. The group also discussed strategies for avoiding threats, resolving conflicts and responding to threats.
“Their courage reminds us that fear can be conquered, and that we are stronger than we think,” said workshop participant Amy Ang.
During a lighter moment in the show, the room erupted in laughter when a contestant pretended not to understand the language to avoid an awkward situation.
Practical measures for safety
This training session went beyond discussion and experience sharing and focused on practical solutions and strategies. This leads to action, where self-defense techniques are taught using everyday objects such as keys or pens. But Dipanjali reminded participants, “The best defense is to avoid fighting.”
But if escape was not an option, methods were also taught to attack the weak points of the attacker’s body. In sessions based on near-realistic scenarios, women learn that even in moments of fear, they can take thoughtful action.
The session also discussed modern threats such as cybercrime, which particularly affects women and girls. Participants learned digital safety tips and shared tips with each other to stay safe online.
Building a community of adventurers
The purpose of this training is not just for personal safety – but to create a wave of women’s empowerment that can spread throughout the community.
Each woman returned with new skills and renewed confidence – ready to share what they learned with their families and communities.
The event provided an opportunity to discuss more in-depth topics, such as the definition of consent and consent under pressure.
Deepanjali says, “Saying yes to survival is not consent.“ It was a very freeing idea for many participants.
Rukia’s words echoed throughout the session, while Amy added an optimistic perspective: “No bad experience can force us to stay indoors and depend on the male members of our family. We must always be free.”
Early and effective interventions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) are lifesaving and transformative.
Around the world, these programs are having a significant impact on the lives of displaced and stateless women and girls, as well as their host communities.