The Final Stage of WEMIN – Final reflections from SSP

The WEMIN Project is now drawing to a close in Ireland and all the activities with the women have ended as we enter the final reporting phase. WEMIN has made a big difference to the lives of the women who have participated and it has complemented the existing Women’s Programme of the Southside Partnership. We have benefited also from the positive collaboration with our EU partners and the sharing of learning and good practice in the integration of migrant and refugee women.

Through WEMIN, we have been able to offer new opportunities, courses and creative activities that would not otherwise have been possible. We have put a considerable emphasis on involving local as well as migrant women in some of our activities, and focusing on integration as a two way process.

Some challenges arose throughout the process, particularly in relation to meeting target indicators of participation numbers for each Work Package. This required enormous effort in relation to recruitment, adding additional workshops/classes and ensuring that all women signed in appropriately for each activity. The number of hours set for the English language classes were particularly challenging, as it was not possible to organise 80 hours of classes during the time period and the majority of women did not attend over a sustained period. Those who did attend however were very happy with the classes and found them beneficial.

The women really enjoyed the arts and crafts activities and this also allowed women with creative talents to become teachers and leaders, with some new arts classes now being offered to migrant and local women by the migrant women who participated in these activities.

Some of the feedback from our participants includes:

Even though we might look different we are all the same with the same struggles, problems hopes. I loved to be creative and I didn't know at the start of the class what I would have created by the end</p>

Brilliant organisation for women

It was amazing experience, enjoy with all different woman from different country mostly in the same position/ situation. I really recommend that course.