Women’s Spaces as Empowerment: Fostering Connection and Building Solidarity in Our Community Centres
As March comes to an end, marking a month of reflection for International Women’s Day, it offers a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge the essential role of women’s spaces within our community centres. At Alpha Centre and Alpha Land, we recognize the power of women-only spaces and activities to foster connection, safety, and growth.
In light of this, we sat down with Corinna, one of our Community Centre Officers, who has facilitated these spaces for the past few months, to dive deeper into what they mean to us and our community.
What are Women’s Spaces at Samos Volunteers?
”In the context in which we’re working, women’s spaces mean so much to us,” begins Corinna. “They are, of course, places where women can feel safe, relax, and enjoy recreational activities like arts and crafts, music sessions, and dancing. At the same time, they also provide opportunities to learn new skills from one another or reconnect with their passions and activities they enjoyed in their country of origin - that are no longer easily accessible in the Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC).”
The lack of women’s spaces in reception centres like the CCAC can negatively impact women’s well-being. Some women from our community have shared feelings of anxiety and insecurity due to the absence of privacy and safety in the camp.
Where do you get the inspiration for the activities?
“Organizing and hosting women’s spaces largely depends on the needs and preferences of the participants,” explains Corinna. She walks us through her approach: “First, I take a look at the materials we already have to make the most of them. Then, I propose workshops where women can create something they can take with them and use afterwards. For example, we’ve made bags from spare fabric or jewellery boxes from coffee jars, decorating them with little pearls, buttons, and colourful lace.
Of course, I also ask participants what they’d like to do. At the end of the day, it’s all about catering to their interest, and I try to adapt to that as much as I can. I only suggest and facilitate the activity, providing the space and materials, but as the activity progresses, it’s up to the women participating in the workshops to take the lead. This autonomy allows them to shape the experience in a way that feels empowering to them.”
Why do you think there is a need to host women’s spaces in this context?
“There is a significant need because the majority of people in the CCAC, and in our spaces, are men. For women, being in a new environment that’s predominantly male-dominated can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially at first. That’s why it’s essential to create a dedicated space and time specifically for women and people who identify as women. Providing them with a space where they can feel safe, heard, and at ease is crucial,” says Corinna.
In these spaces, women can more comfortably engage in spontaneous activities that are natural, such as breastfeeding or adjusting their hijab.
It also offers them the chance to make friends, enjoy the community, and discuss topics that are more personal to their experiences, like sharing tips and advice on womanhood. Many women are also mothers, and caring for their children in the precarious conditions of the CCAC can be particularly challenging. When we organise women’s spaces, we set up activities for children nearby, so women can enjoy some much-needed time to themselves and an opportunity to reconnect with other women.
“A clear sign of the importance of these spaces is that many women continue to return to participate in women’s space activities”.
What impact do you hope the Women’s Spaces have on women’s lives?
“I hope women’s spaces continue to have a significant impact - helping women increase their self-confidence, reconnect with who they are, and give back a spark to their personality,” Corinna highlights. “I also hope these spaces foster new friendships and intergenerational connections, like when mothers and daughters join us. At the same time, women’s spaces can also offer a chance for healing. Above all, I hope these spaces help women feel seen, appreciated, and cared for.”
Written by Gaia Polidori, Communications Officer
Edited by Dalia Impiglia, Communications, Advocacy and Fundraising Coordinator