Darfur - The Quiet Room |
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January 18th, 2007 - 01:12PM |
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I had a chance to see artwork created by women at an IRC center in Darfur. Photo: The IRC International Rescue Committee communications officer Emily Holland is keeping a blog of her trip to Darfur. Today, I visited the Hassa Hissa Women's Health Center and interviewed a woman who is working in the community to improve the lives of women who have been forced from their homes by the violence in Darfur. What is going on here? This is an IRC-supported women's center in Hassa Hissa camp. Women come here to sit together, discuss and share experiences in order to let go of their trauma. They come for emotional support. We have many activities going on in this center benefiting women. They learn how to draw, sing, sew and do drama. Some learn to fix hair or paint their hands, legs and feet with henna. We have coffee ceremonies and information sharing sessions where women learn about reproductive health and how to ensure good hygiene in a crowded camp. Where do they come from? These ladies come from war-torn areas. Some are in very bad shape. They lost their families, their children, their husbands. Their homes were burned. Their property was looted. Some of them were sexually assaulted. They don't want to be touched. That's why they need to be here. What is this room? We call this 'the quiet room.' It is a peaceful place where women who have recently arrived can sit quietly and relax. Sometimes we play music for them. We are here to talk when they are ready. What are these pictures? The women drew these. You see, they are pictures of flowers, houses and animals. They drew these during the 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women. They also painted these scarves and made cards pinned with flowers to wear and distribute among the people in the camp. Do you see positive things happening here? Yes. Some women are getting an education and learning how to make handicrafts. Some who were unable to talk about their painful experiences have opened up. It is very healing. Earlier: Women Far from Home Posted By: Emily Holland | Africa, Diaries & Journals, Health, Sudan & the Darfur Crisis, Women, _Emily Holland in Darfur Permalink |
