The Social Activation+ programme for women with a migrant background, funded by the Ministry of Demography, Family and Social Affairs and the European Social Fund Plus, is delivered in Kranj and Jesenice in the Gorenjska region. The programme has become well established in our local environment and is also recognised by other stakeholders as an effective approach to working with this target group. As providers, however, we face numerous challenges that go beyond those we usually encounter in adult education.
Our groups are highly diverse, bringing together women from different ethnic backgrounds with different expectations and, above all, different life goals. They come from cultural environments where women’s roles may already be defined and difficult for them to change. We find that some have limited literacy skills in their first language, making Slovenian a considerable challenge. They share stories of war and its impact on their families, the loss of careers and property and other painful experiences.
Many have no support network to turn to when they need help. Above all, they tend to distrust institutions, including schools. Finding employment can be difficult, even for those actively looking for work, with language presenting a major barrier. Those with qualifications face the added challenge of rebuilding their careers while also going through the process of having their qualifications recognised.
How can we overcome these challenges?
How can we help them make a fresh start? We begin with the foundations – helping them discover themselves as women or strengthening their sense of who they are. We tell them about women, including women from previous generations, who went beyond what their time and circumstances allowed them. We talk about what they can achieve and open doors to a world they want to be part of. Above all, we aim to build their confidence and, with it, the trust they need to interact with people in their new environment.
Women who inspire me
These ideas were at the heart of a work-based learning project involving participants in our third programme cycle in Kranj. We called it Women Who Inspire Me. The project was designed to empower women by encouraging them to identify with the stories of other women who could inspire and motivate them. We decided to create a series of canvas portraits. Each portrait combines an image of the woman with symbols that represent her. The women portrayed come from the same backgrounds as our participants – Romania, Ukraine and Kosovo – and share a similar social status.
As the creative process unfolded, the original idea developed further. At times, participants struggled to decide which inspiring woman to choose. Each chose the woman whose story resonated most with her. Their portraits included Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, global music star Dua Lipa, legendary gymnast Nadia Comăneci and elite judoka Nora Gjakova. One participant found inspiration in her own great-grandmother.
Kosovan entrepreneur Fahrije Hoti holds a special place in the portrait project. Her harrowing yet powerful life story inspired the award-winning film Hive. Fahrije lost her husband in the war and, despite strong opposition and patriarchal pressures within her local community, took full responsibility for supporting her family. She brought together women from her village and established a successful business that is now internationally recognised. The works created by our participants therefore portray more than faces – above all, they convey perseverance, courage and the strength to survive.
Women’s stories
As part of the work-based learning project, we also produced a booklet. The Women’s Stories guide (in Slovenian) presents the women selected for the portraits.
The works created by the participants were exhibited at the premises of the Kranj Association of Cultural Societies in May and June.
Damjana Flajnik (damjana.flajnik@lu-jesenice.net), Social Activation of Gorenjska+