Beirut – “Protection of the rights of migrant and refugee women in Lebanon” is a CELIM project – amounting to €859.217, and co-financed by the Italian Development Cooperation for a total of €453.938 – that wants to protect migrant women who are victims of violence and abuse, ensuring the restoration and operation of two shelters dedicated to this fragile group. The center in the Beirut suburbs is home to about 60 women – informs the Italian Local Technical Unit for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan – mainly from Ethiopia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, who arrived in Lebanon to work as domestic assistants and soon become victims of violence and other forms of discrimination. The staff that manages everyday duties and the various activities is made up of people from the same countries of origin, in an effort to make these women feel less isolated. If the women request it, the center – located in an undisclosed location for security reasons – manages the bureaucracy of the return procedure and travel logistics. Before then, the women who choose the center as their safe haven spend their days taking part in language classes, basic computer classes, as well as other creative and recreational activities. (9Colonne)
