From Adversity to Advocacy: Women Empowerment in Tybet El Reyah

“After one year of being a member of the Domiz WPT, my life has undergone a complete transformation. I have become happier, more confident, and my relationship with my family has significantly improved. Previously, I struggled with feelings of anger and sadness due to the displacements and wars we have faced. Unfortunately, this led me to take out my frustrations on my children through physical means. However, being part of the WPT has changed that entirely.

I now feel supported by other women in my community, which has enabled me to better understand myself and realize my importance. It has become my responsibility to empower other women, like my peers, and help them recognize their self-worth. I believe that all women in Zummar have the capability to serve themselves and their community. This belief motivated me and my colleagues to target Tybet El Reyah village.” —Women Peace Team (WPT) member in Domiz Camp

Those were the words of Dalia*, a 40-year-old woman and member of the Domiz camp WPT. Along with her colleagues from the WPT, she approached NP with a request to support the women of Tybet El Reyah. Some women have reached out to her, highlighting various protection concerns in their village. Issues such as women being prohibited from leaving their homes, child marriage, a high number of suicide cases, and the looming threat of diseases due to the presence of garbage are distressing the community.

In response, Dalia and her WPT team took the initiative to advocate for the women of Tybet El Reyah. They approached the head of the municipality of Zummar, requesting his attendance at a Community Security Forum at NP's office to address the needs and requests of the women in Tybet El Reyah. Accordingly, the head of the municipality agreed and met with the women of Tybet El Reyah along with Domiz Camp WPT, where, for the first time, the women of Tybet El Reyah engaged with a government official. They communicated their needs and requests, prompting the official to supply the village with waste bins and garbage bags. The head of the municipality was impressed by the women and was very happy to help meet their requests, informing them that he would provide all the supplies they needed to clean their village.

This proactive engagement resulted in notable outcomes, such as the provision of waste bins and garbage bags to address sanitation concerns in the village. Furthermore, the municipality's commitment to supplying necessary cleaning supplies demonstrates a recognition of the women's agency and their ability to advocate effectively.

The initiative was met with astonishment and gratitude from the women of Tybet El Reyah as they couldn't believe that change was on the horizon.

Om Yassin, a woman from Tybet El Reyah village, exclaimed: 

"I never had trust in any organization, but the women from the WPT of Domiz kept on saying NP will support. I couldn't believe them, but now I see it's happening. I am amazed to know that there are organizations that actually support the community and empower them to make that change."

Another woman, Om Safaa, concurred with Om Yassin’s statement and added: 

"I can't believe that we actually had a meeting with the head of the municipality of Zummar. This is our first time ever meeting or seeing any official. I can't believe that this actually happened. This is the first time we went out of the village and went to Zummar center."

The work of Dalia and the rest of her colleagues from the Domiz Camp WPT inspired the women of Tybet El Reyah, instilling faith and trust in themselves.

Witnessing the impact of the initiative, Layan, a woman from Tybet El Reyah village, mentioned: 

"At the beginning, my husband was not okay with all of this and didn't agree for me to go to this meeting because this is not something we are used to doing. However, when I told him that other women are going and actually those women are from Domiz camp, and just like me, he agreed. But I had to bring my son with me, which I think is a great first step. From having this freedom and empowerment, I saw the other WPT members have."

The narrative of Layan's experience reflects the transformative impact of the WPT's efforts, contributing to a broader shift towards empowerment and gender equality within the community.

Currently, the women from Tybet El Reyah are attending training sessions conducted by the Domiz WPT on various WPS and gender equality topics related to GBV and electronic extortion. They aspire to become a Community Protection Team (CPT) themselves, just like the Domiz Camp WPT. To be a group of women who can advocate for others and have the power and strength to meet with officials and request their needs and to support the women in their village and all Zummar, inspired by Dalia and her colleagues.

Women from Tybet El Reyah village expressed their hopes and aspirations, stating: 

"The men in our village were impressed and amazed by what the women managed to do and how the municipality was responsive to our requests. I believe this will help us make men know that women are also capable of doing something."

Another woman shared: 

"I hope one day I can be a member of a CPT like Dalia. Her strength and confidence inspired me, and I hope to be like her one day."

Looking ahead, Dalia and her WPT colleagues plan to expand their patrols and advocacy meetings by reaching out to more women in Tybet El Reyah and neighboring villages. Their overarching goal is to establish additional WPTs throughout all villages in Zummar and provide them with UCP training, just like theirs, to equip women with the skills and knowledge to effectively advocate for their rights and address security concerns on a daily basis.

Ultimately, this initiative not only empowers women across communities but also fosters a culture of collective progress where women can make decisions, stand up for themselves, and engage with stakeholders to advocate for their community's needs.

This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for increased participation of women and girls in community peace and security processes. By engaging with key stakeholders and advocating for the needs of women in Tybet El Reyah, they have empowered women to actively contribute to decision-making processes and take charge of their own security and well-being. This empowerment is demonstrated by the women's newfound capability to interact with government officials and effectively advocate for essential resources, such as waste bins and garbage bags. As a result, women feel a greater sense of agency and ownership in their community, which is essential for enhancing sustainable peace and development in their village and beyond.

*All names were altered to maintain privacy and confidentiality.