Women from Afghan, Myanmar, Somali, Congolese and Ugandan communities come together to learn, share experiences and empower each other at a center run by BOSCO, a social service organization – a partner of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR in India. Ruqiya Begum, a refugee woman living in India, says, “It is not necessary that the attacker be from outside; he can be inside our house also. No one can save me. Ruqiya Begum has faced and overcome many situations where she felt physically unsafe. Ruqiya Begum’s words highlight that truth, This is something that countless women struggle with every day, especially those who have been displaced from their homes or countries. There are more than 60 million women and girls around the world, like Ruqiya Baigum, who have been forcibly displaced or are stateless, and face serious risk of gender-based violence (GBV). But Ruqiya Begum believes that it is her own responsibility for her physical safety. Concerns related to gender-based violence are common among women in refugee communities. But Ruqiya Begum is confident that these challenges can be overcome with basic security awareness and training. Ruqiya Begum, along with 46 other women from different communities, resolved to turn their weaknesses into strengths. UN Refugee Agency The center, run by Bosco’s partners, was not just another workshop; It was a moment of change, where women took charge of their own safety and learned how to protect themselves from violence in an uncertain world. Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. But the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says this risk increases for women and girls forced to flee their homes and countries due to conflict or in search of safety. AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT The session began with a simple but profound lesson: Awareness is power. Many of these refugee women are in leadership roles in their communities. An interesting video was shown to test their observational abilities. Deepanjali Bakshi, National Security Officer at the United Nations Department of Defense and Security (UNDSS), who facilitated the training, said, “It shows how much we miss when we are not paying attention. It’s amazing.” In the training, the women learned the importance of sharpening their six senses – paying attention to their instincts, understanding their surroundings and identifying potential threats. Additionally, through activities such as spotting differences in pictures or identifying locations while blindfolded, women realized that a few moments of vigilance could prove helpful in distinguishing between safety and danger. The Power of Experiences in India “Learning from each other’s experiences empowers women,” says Celine Matthews, co-protection officer at UNHCR. “Women’s active participation and stories of their struggle to cope with the challenges of their daily lives It was an inspiring experience to listen to.” These stories were shared purposefully, becoming a foundation for practical learning. The group also discussed strategies to avoid threats, defuse conflicts, and respond to threats. Workshop participant Amy Ang said, “Their courage reminded us that fear can be defeated, and we can We are stronger than we think. During a lighter moment in the program, the room erupted in laughter when a participant pretended not to understand the language to avoid an uncomfortable situation. For safety’s sake The training session moved beyond discussion and experience to practical measures and techniques, where Deepanjali taught self-defense techniques using everyday objects such as keys. Participants were reminded, “Avoidance is the best defense.” But if escape was not an option, they were also taught how to attack the attacker’s weak points. In the close-range session, women learned that they can take informed steps even in moments of fear. The session also discussed modern threats like cyber crime, which especially affect women and girls. Participants learned digital security tips and shared tips with each other to stay safe online. Building Courageous Communities The aim of this training was not just about individual safety – but also to create a wave of women’s empowerment that could spread throughout the community. Each woman returned with new skills and refreshed confidence – prepared to Share what you’ve learned with your family and community. The event also provided an opportunity to discuss deeper issues, such as the definition of consent and compliance under duress. Deepanjali explained that “saying yes to survival is not consent.” This was a deeply liberating thought for many participants. Rukia’s words resonated throughout the session, while Amy added an optimistic perspective: “Any bad experience takes us home. They cannot force themselves to live inside and depend on the male members of their family. We must always be free.”Early and effective measures to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) are life-saving and transformative. These programs around the world support displaced and stateless women and girls, as well as their hosts They are also having a significant impact on the lives of communities.
