How does Lifting Hands International determine the needs of refugees?

Lifting Hands International conducts fact-finding missions and asks partner organizations and beneficiaries directly what they need and want, ensuring their programs are responsive to actual needs.

What challenges did Mahadisa face in becoming a pilot in Afghanistan?

Mahadisa faced rejection multiple times in Afghanistan, being told she couldn't fly because she was a girl, small, and lacked muscles. This changed when she pursued training in the US.

How does the Refugee-led Research Hub empower displaced individuals?

The Hub supports displaced individuals through academic programs, access to graduate degrees, and professional development, training them in research skills to lead their own knowledge production.

What role does technology play in empowering displaced women, according to Julia Adolo?

Technology provides access to educational opportunities, facilitates communication and community building through platforms like WhatsApp, supports entrepreneurship, and enables digital storytelling and skills acquisition.

What are the biggest challenges mentioned by Mahadisa and Haley Smith?

Challenges include the inaccessibility of information for all refugees, government and political barriers, the difficulty of integrating refugees into society, and the sustainability of programs after external organizations leave.

What is Olivia Darby's recommendation regarding family and community involvement?

Olivia stresses the importance of bringing families and the wider community on board by convincing them of the value of a woman's education and development, and by the community committing to making migrants feel welcome.

What are Julia Adolo's key recommendations for improving educational opportunities for women?

Recommendations include bringing men into the conversation, conducting community-based needs assessments, providing resources to refugee-led organizations, adopting an intersectional lens, focusing on foundational personal development and mental health, and using voices to demand access.

How does Olivia Darby view the role of technology in education for refugees?

While technology can be brilliant for some, Olivia cautions against relying on it solely, noting that for many, it's not their learning style, they may lack quiet spaces, face digital exclusion, or have data limitations.

What final thoughts do Camilla and Haley share about the emotional toll of this work?

They reflect on the pressure of wanting to do more but being limited by resources and budgets, the constant stress of fundraising, and the importance of self-care and mental health check-ins to sustain themselves while working in vulnerable contexts.

Panel: Women in Education - Migration Summit 2023

Q: What is the significance of mentoring in supporting refugee women according to Olivia Darby?

Mentoring is crucial for accompanying women who have experienced trauma, helping them regain or develop agency, set goals, and work towards them, which is essential for their personal journey and growth.

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education6 min read90 min video

Apr 13, 2023|136 views|5

migration displacement livelihoods refugees education workforce development MIT ReACT storytelling migration summit panel women in education

Save to Pod

Key Moments

On this page

TL;DR

Women in education panel discusses empowering displaced women through education, technology, and community support.

Key Insights

Education is a fundamental human right and a key tool for empowering women and girls, especially those affected by migration.

Tailored, individualistic educational approaches are crucial, recognizing diverse needs, trauma, and life circumstances of migrant women.

Partnerships with local organizations and community members are vital for understanding needs and ensuring program sustainability and relevance.

Technology can facilitate access to education and information but must address digital exclusion and diverse learning styles.

Advocacy for women's education must involve men and the wider community to challenge societal norms and promote gender equality.

Mental health support and the restoration of dignity are integral to empowering displaced women and enabling their successful integration.

INTRODUCTION AND THE MIGRATION SUMMIT CONTEXT

The panel "Women in Education" at the Migration Summit 2023, organized by MIT Refugee Action Hub, focused on co-creating pathways for learning, livelihood, and dignity for displaced individuals. The summit theme emphasizes bridging divides between various stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities faced by refugee and migrant communities. This specific panel highlighted the work of four women trailblazers advocating for women's rights, education, and livelihoods, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5, with a particular focus on empowerment and dignity.

WONDER FOUNDATION'S HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EMPOWERMENT

Olivia Darby of Wonder Foundation detailed their mission to empower vulnerable women and girls through education and mentoring in 22 countries. Established in 2012 by individuals with migration experiences, the organization works with local partners to address financial insecurity, access to education, and the need for women's voices to be heard. Their work acknowledges how migration deeply affects individuals and families, leading to specific programs in Poland for Ukrainian refugees and support for migrant women and teenage girls in London, focusing on language acquisition, employability skills, and integration.

ADDRESSING THE COMPLEXITY AND DIGNITY OF MIGRANT WOMEN'S EDUCATION

Olivia stressed that educational responses must move beyond a 'sausage factory' model, recognizing each woman's unique needs and stories for effective integration and thriving lives. The politicization of migrant women's education often overlooks their dignity and individuality, with many facing gendered societal norms, care responsibilities, and the need for safe, women-only spaces. Effective programs require listening to migrant women, understanding their struggles, and designing interventions that incorporate their dreams and priorities, such as family support and parenting in new environments.

LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL: RESPONDING TO CRITICAL NEEDS

Haley Smith of Lifting Hands International shared how her organization provides humanitarian aid by first identifying beneficiaries' needs. Their work spans various contexts, from a community center in Greece for Yazidi survivors with a dedicated women's space, to a goat distribution program in Jordan addressing food insecurity and empowering women with traditional skills. In Moldova, they provided grants to local organizations assisting refugee women and children, and in Ukraine, they support operating centers and a shelter in Lviv, offering shelter, vocational training, and psychosocial support, emphasizing hygiene kits and culturally sensitive aid distribution.

OVERCOMING BARRIERS: LESSONS FROM A PILOT AND REFUGEE ADVOCATE

Mahadisa, Afghanistan's first female commercial pilot and now a refugee, shared her inspiring journey. Facing rejection and societal barriers in Afghanistan, she found opportunities in the US, becoming a pilot. After the fall of Kabul, she had to rebuild her career in Europe. Now, she uses her platform to advocate for refugees, particularly women, highlighting their skills and the need for opportunities. She partners with UNHCR, focusing on changing mindsets about refugees and ensuring they have access to education, rights, and pathways to continue their studies and careers.

REFUGEE-LED RESEARCH HUB: EMPOWERING DISPLACED VOICES

Julia Adolo from the University of Oxford's Refugee Study Centre discussed the Refugee-Led Research Hub's initiative to support displaced individuals as leaders in forced migration studies. The Hub offers academic programs, graduate degree access, and professional development, intentionally recruiting 50% women and underrepresented groups. They focus on enabling refugees to lead their own knowledge production by equipping them with research skills and facilitating access to graduate programs at institutions like Oxford with fully funded scholarships, thereby decolonizing research and ensuring lived experiences shape academic discourse.

TECHNOLOGY AS AN ENABLER FOR DISPLACED WOMEN

Julia underscored the role of technology in overcoming displacement challenges, citing online educational platforms that offer flexibility and recorded sessions for accessibility. WhatsApp groups foster global connections, allowing women to share experiences, discuss gender issues, and disseminate research findings. Technology also supports entrepreneurship through digital storytelling, trauma-informed workshops, and skill-sharing, empowering women to rebuild their lives. However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to technology and exploring alternative mediums like community radios for information dissemination.

PARTNERSHIPS AND LOCAL COLLABORATION

Panelists emphasized the critical importance of partnerships. Wonder Foundation works with locally-led organizations, found through recommendations and due diligence. Lifting Hands International collaborates with community volunteers and local organizations, leveraging their insights and bridging cultural gaps. Successful partnerships involve understanding complementary skills, shared values, and ensuring local communities are central to decision-making, preventing orphaned projects and fostering genuine support. Both panelists highlighted that while organizations aim to help, they must rely on local knowledge to ensure their interventions are effective and sustainable.

KEY CHALLENGES IN THE SECTOR

Major challenges identified include the difficulty in disseminating information effectively to all displaced individuals, especially those in remote areas or lacking digital access. Political and governmental barriers, such as restrictions on women's education in Afghanistan, pose significant hurdles. For organizations, securing sustainable funding and balancing the demand for services with available resources is a constant struggle. Additionally, addressing the profound mental health and psychological impact of trauma and displacement on individuals, as well as the caregivers, remains a critical, ongoing challenge that requires dedicated support.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Recommendations include engaging men and the wider community in discussions about women's education to shift societal norms. Research must be community-led, identifying specific gaps and ensuring displaced people are partners in developing sustainable solutions. A significant call was made for increased funding and resources for refugee-led initiatives. Adopting an intersectional lens is crucial to address the diverse experiences of women, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Foundational activities like personal development, healing circles, and mental health support are vital prerequisites for educational success.

THE ROLE OF MENTORING AND RESTORING DIGNITY

Mentoring is highlighted as a crucial element in accompanying women through their journeys, helping them regain or develop agency, set goals, and work towards them, particularly after experiencing trauma. This process aids in restoring confidence and self-esteem, making them more receptive to educational opportunities. Ultimately, the overarching goal is to instill a sense of significance and dignity in every woman, ensuring they feel valued regardless of their immediate progress in language or skills acquisition. This fosters a belief in their inherent worth and potential.

CONCLUSION AND CALL TO ACTION

The session concluded by emphasizing that empowering women and girls through education is integral to their dignity, economic participation, and societal well-being. The panelists' diverse experiences underscored the need for collaboration, localized approaches, and a deep understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by displaced individuals. The summit continues with sessions on higher education as a pathway to voluntary repatriation and the value of inclusion in learning outcomes, inviting ongoing engagement and commitment to these vital causes throughout April.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Wonder Foundation's mission is to empower women and girls through education and mentoring, helping them to lift themselves out of poverty and gain agency in their lives.

Topics

Women In Education Gender Equality Advocacy For Women Research On Displacement Mentoring Technology For Empowerment

Mentioned in this video

conceptSDG 4

Sustainable Development Goal number 4 (Quality Education), which is relevant to the panel's discussion on education for women and girls.

locationMoldova

Country where Lifting Hands International provided small grants to local organizations helping refugee women and children following the invasion of Ukraine.

organizationRSC

Abbreviation for Refugee Study Centre at the University of Oxford, likely referring to research conducted by the center.

organizationLifting Hands International

An international organization providing humanitarian aid to refugees, founded by Haley Smith.

locationCentral America

Region where Wonder Foundation has projects, often impacted by migration.

conceptMiriam and Fatima

Names of projects in Spain, Slovenia, and Sweden that help women learn local languages and access employability support.

locationLviv

City in Western Ukraine where Lifting Hands International established a shelter for women and children fleeing the war.

personOlivia Darby

Co-founder and director of Wonder Foundation, who is a panelist discussing empowerment of women through education and mentoring.

personHaley Smith

Founder of Lifting Hands International, a panelist who shares her organization's work in humanitarian aid for refugees.

personJulia Adolo

Manager for professional placements and coordination at the University of Oxford's Refugee Study Centre, a panelist discussing research on refugee-led initiatives.

conceptSDG 5

Sustainable Development Goal number 5 (Gender Equality), relevant to the panel's focus on empowering women and girls.

locationBulgaria

Country where Mahadisa became a refugee and is now flying in Europe and advocating for refugee women.

organizationRefugee Advisory Board

A board Mahadisa is part of, composed of refugees working for refugees, focusing on women's challenges, education, and rights access in Bulgaria.

conceptEmpath

A system used by Wonder Foundation that is designed to look at how traumatic experiences affect thinking and how challenges are addressed in life, used in mentoring.

organizationWonder Foundation

An organization founded in 2012 that empowers vulnerable women and girls through education and mentoring in 22 countries, working with locally led partners.

organizationUniversity of Oxford Refugee Study Centre

An institution where Julia Adolo works, managing professional placements and coordination for refugee-led research.

organizationBay Tree Center

A partner organization of Wonder Foundation in London that works with migrant women and their families, providing English language support, coaching, mentoring, and integration services.

conceptSyrian refugee Exodus

The large-scale movement of people from Syria due to the conflict, which Haley Smith witnessed in Greece.

conceptSDG 5B

A specific target within Sustainable Development Goal 5, focusing on enhancing the use of technology to promote women's empowerment.

cityCape Town