Women Migrant Returnees livelihood training

The Development Action for Women Network (DAWN) continues to provide Skills Training on handloom weaving for women migrant returnees and members of their families from September to December 2023.

DAWN provides the holistic approach to reintegration through psychosocial interventions alongside economic and livelihood opportunities for women migrant returnees, survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking and members of their families. This empowering approach to reintegration has proven to transform them from victims to survivors to advocates of their own issues and concerns.

Ms. Mary Joy Barcelona, DAWN Alternative Livelihood Coordinator, taught the basics of handloom weaving and how to create handwoven coasters and placemats. She eventually taught how to create scarves, shawls with simple and advanced patterns. Through these trainings, they are able to learn new skills for alternative livelihood as well as become mentors to fellow migrant returnees on the art of handloom weaving.

Ms. Crezol Mar L. Navarro, RSW, DAWN Social Services Program Coordinator, provided psychosocial sessions through group work activities and therapeutic workshops alongside skills trainings.

“I’m surprised that I’m able to learn something new and make these products,” said a trainee who is a family member of a migrant worker. “With the skills I learned, I may share this to other women who would like to know how to weave.”

The Development Action for Women Network (DAWN) provided skills training on handloom weaving for women migrant returnees from May to July 2023.

DAWN’s Alternative Livelihood Coordinator, Ms. Mary Joy E. Barcelona, taught these migrant returnees from Saudi Arabia and Australia the process of handloom weaving. They also learned how to create designs from simple stripes to complex patterns. They also produced products such as coasters, placemats, scarves and shawls.

“I’m happy to be one of the trainees of DAWN,” said a women migrant returnee from Australia. “DAWN gave us the chance to interact with other participants and understand their personality so that we can easily work together. DAWN welcomed us.”

“DAWN taught us to be strong and empowered,” said one of the skills trainee from Saudi Arabia.

They also engaged in various psychosocial activities with DAWN’s Social Services Program Coordinator, Ms. Crezol Mar L. Navarro, RSW. The conduct of skills training and therapeutic activities is part of DAWN’s holistic approach to reintegration, where women migrant returnees, survivors of gender-based violence & trafficking and members of their families are empowered and transformed from victims to survivors to advocates of their own issues and concerns.