Some bold men in Uganda opted to walk in women’s shoes for a day—literally. They joined a march in the streets of Kampala, boldly decked out in high heels, purses and women’s wraps in order to make a very public statement about the need to end violence against women. This was one of many events held around the world during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women.
So much of what I saw in these refugee camps was artificial–buildings that don’t belong in the middle of a desert, and people who don’t belong in the camps. By empowering refugees to become agents of change in their own communities, HIAS is helping to restore their dignity and self-sufficiency.
On June 20, 2016, World Refugee Day celebrations around the world honored the bravery and perseverance of the millions of men, women and children who are refugees today—and also provided an opportunity for refugees themselves to have a bit of fun.
“We were glad to be trained together with the NGO members,” said one man, a refugee community leader from the Goz Amir camp. “We learned from them and they learned from us. Now we are aware of our rights." He was one of the more than 50 participants in a HIAS workshop on protecting older refugees from sexual and gender-based violence.
Hawaye Djouma Yaya was born in Kadamoule, Sudan in 1940. But for the last decade she has called Bredjing refugee camp her home. "We have no one to provide for us and we are at the mercy of God," she tells HIAS.
In our work on four continents, we continue to be amazed by the strength and resilience of the women we encounter and serve. This International Women’s Day, let’s all speak up for the women and girls who have been displaced from their homes in staggering numbers.
Chad is currently home to nearly half a million refugees and asylum seekers. Many have lived as refugees for over a decade, and it is uncertain when or if they will ever be able to return home. As funds continue to be stretched thin in 2016, the World Food Program was forced to scale back its food assistance to refugees there.
Suicide bombers attacked the town of Baga Sola in Western Chad on Saturday, killing more than 35 people and wounding several dozen more. A market and a refugee camp were both attacked, according to the Associated Press.