Atelier Frauendiversity: Hope for migrant women in Meißen is shaky!

Atelier Frauendiversity: Hope for migrant women in Meißen is shaky!

The Women's Diversity Atelier in Meißen has enjoyed increasing popularity since it opened on March 8, 2017. Founded with the aim of creating an intercultural meeting space for women, the studio particularly supports women with migration and refugee experience. “There is something going on,” thinks project manager Grit Stephan, who previously worked as a social worker in the initial reception center in Meißen-Bohnitzsch. She observed that women were barely visible in the facility, even though they needed massive support. The studio has now become even more of a lively space in which women from different countries of origin come together.

Around 50 women from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Ukraine come together every week. Zahra, a native of Iran, is also one of the women who has made great progress since her arrival in Germany in 2019. She now leads language exercises in the studio and ensures that other women can learn and use the language more quickly. The studio is not only a place for language practice, but also promotes self-confidence and integration into German society.

The offer in the studio

The studio's weekly schedule is diverse and varied. From everyday knowledge, to computer and sewing workshops, to yoga and project work, the women find numerous opportunities to expand their skills and make new social contacts. The opportunity to lead courses yourself is also popular, as shown by a former teacher who offers office courses. The women also actively support city events, such as the dance picnic in Käthe-Kollwitz-Park, and are committed to helping children in daycare centers and schools.

In order to further promote integration, the Women's Diversity Atelier also offers interpreting services and parent discussions as part of the “Strong Together for Children” project. The close cooperation with the Social Projects Foundation (SoPro) and the Foreigners' Council further strengthens these initiatives. The feedback on the offerings is consistently positive, and the women describe the studio as familiar and friendly - regardless of their nationality.

An uncertain future

Despite its great popularity, the Women's Diversity Atelier faces challenges. Applications for funding must be submitted by the end of July in order to secure financing for the coming years. This uncertainty not only affects the project work, but also the existing offers, which were brought to life with a lot of passion and commitment. It is therefore important to make women and their voices visible, as the initiative and the studio intend. A large part of the work ensures that the perspectives of women with migration and refugee experience in Meißen are heard and that the different lifestyles are recognized.

Overall, the studio is a prime example of lived integration and intercultural exchange. The commitment shown here could be of great importance not only for the women taking part, but also for the entire city of Meißen, which benefits from a diverse and respectful community.