Joining forces with Kareemat to empower local women
The situation in Syria continues to evolve rapidly on all levels. This series of posts looks back in time, telling the stories of what people endured during the earthquake, providing layers of context to the current situation, honouring their resilience and strength, and meeting them with empathy.
Forced to flee Syria in 2012 after barrel bombings devastated her community, Najlaa El Sheekh, with her injured son by her side, embarked on a courageous journey to find refuge in Turkey.
Reflecting on the heartbreaking scenes she witnessed, Najlaa recalls, "I was pained to see Syrian women engaging in negative coping mechanisms, such as prostitution and begging, and queuing for long hours to provide food for their children. The revolution was supposed to restore our dignity, yet so many found themselves in even more compromised positions."
Motivated by a deep commitment to restoring dignity - especially for marginalised women in her community - Najlaa turned adversity into opportunity, initiating knitting activities to help women generate income. From this spirit of activism and determination, Kareemat Organization (Izzetli Kadinlar Dernegi) was born. Najlaa transformed what was once an animal shed into a sanctuary for women, especially Syrian refugees. Her vision for the space was clear: "I wanted it to look and feel like Syria, so that every woman who stepped in could feel safe, comfortable, and at home."
Founded in 2014, Kareemat is a non-profit, non-political organisation registered in Turkey, dedicated to fostering peace, social security and dignified living for all. The organisation focuses on strengthening women's roles by enhancing their capacities, safeguarding their rights in alignment with human rights principles, and creating educational opportunities to counteract the impacts of war, violence and injustice.
The influence of Kareemat’s work extends through its impactful business model and dynamic leadership. The organisation epitomises the ‘courage of conviction’ that drives its programming. Operating in southern Turkey and northwest Syria, Kareemat focuses on economic empowerment, livelihoods, protection and education to realise its mission and objectives. The positive impact has not gone unnoticed; both local and national Turkish authorities have recognised Najlaa’s unwavering dedication and transformative work.
Building on this inspiring work, we are excited to announce the start of a promising partnership between ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR) and Kareemat. Through this partnership, AAAR is dedicated to empowering local women in the Killis area of southern Turkey by sponsoring vocational training programs as part of a broader initiative involving both Syrian refugees and host communities.
Kareemat organised an activity inviting local children from both communities to express their feelings and hopes for peaceful coexistence and an end to the conflict in Syria through drawings.
We are filled with optimism about the potential impact of this collaboration. Kareemat, led by Najlaa, is a shining example of how small initiatives can create significant change for marginalised and vulnerable populations. We look forward to sharing updates on the progress of the vocational training programs and remain deeply grateful for your unwavering support in addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected by the crises in Syria and Turkey.
