New centre opens in Azraq camp to provide women with safe space

AMMAN — Over 80 women and girls recently came together to celebrate the opening of the women and girls safe space centre in Azraq camp.

The Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) centre was launched to provide women with a place to relax, socialise, build support networks and engage in recreational activities, according to a statement sent from the DRC.

The centre, which is the first of its kind in the camp’s Village Two, will mainly offer structured protection and economic empowerment activities tailored to help the women learn new skills and generate income.

During the opening of the centre, a group of girls had the opportunity to show off their skills in a performance that featured traditional Syrian songs and dancing, according to the statement. 

“It’s been a while since we’ve all sung and danced,” said Fatima, whose last name was not given in the statement and who volunteers at the new centre.

Since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, 5.6 million Syrians have fled the country as refugees. According to the UNHCR, Jordan hosted over 700,000 Syrians, approximately 40,000 of which reside in Azraq camp. 

“I’ve always dreamed of going to school and learning how to read and write because my parents made me get married at a very young age,” said Huriyya, a refugee and a regular visitor of the centre whose last name was not given. “Whenever there’s a new training course, I sign up for it. I’m always at the top of my class. One time, the teacher got me a gift for doing so well.”

According to the DRC statement, the women’s needs are taken into consideration when designing the centre’s training programmes, and classes will start with literacy training which a high number of women have asked for. Future plans for the centre also include building a sports area with a running track, the statement added.