Daniela Schadt, the partner of the President of Germany, Joachim Gauck, this morning visited the Jesuit Refugee Services in Birkirkara and met with a number of women refugees from Somalia, who shared their experiences of suppression in their home country and their journey towards Malta.
The Jesuit Refugee Services was founded internationally in 1980, and opened its doors in Malta in 1993, and is today present in over 50 countries. 17 people work within the services in Malta, including lawyers, psychologists and social workers. The organizations’ main mission at present is in Syria, and two Maltese missionaries are in the country, helping out in any way they can.
Dr Alexia Rossi explained that migrant women have particular need for support and protection because they are more prone to be victims of domestic violence, rape and human trafficking. In the past months, the Jesuit Services launched ten-week programme for women refugees, which focused on empowerment, human rights and communication skills, teaching these women how to be their own advocates.
The experiences of the participants of the programme have been compiled in a booklet, which is to be launched in May.
One refugee explained to Ms Schadt how suppression and the lack of rights of women in Somalia led her to flee her country. She said that too often, women are accused of having sexual relationships and as punishment, they are stoned. She also explained how most females are forced into marriages.
Ahmed, who works as an interpreter for the Jesuit Refugee Services, explained that he worked as a journalist in Somalia, but because he was threatened often, he fled the country. He attempted to start a new life in Etophia, but that didn’t work out. Today, he said, Malta has offered him a new hope.
A painting by the refugees, which depicts the journey they go through, from their home country, through the desert and across the sea, is hung up at the centre in Birkirkara.
Fr Mark Cachia, who accompanied Ms Schadt, explained that most refugees end up dying in the desert, but their deaths are often unheard of.
Photographs: Jonathan Borg