In the bustling marketplaces of Amman and Zarqa, nestled within large, modern shopping centers, we’ve encountered women whose lives have been transformed thanks to the Bothoor project. Despite facing complex social and economic challenges, these women have turned their passions into small businesses, becoming protagonists of their futures.
This project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by COOPI and Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II, has been the catalyst for this change. Born with the aim of supporting the most vulnerable, both Jordanians and Syrian refugees, the project has provided them with the tools to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
Through training courses, personalized consulting, and financial support, project participants have acquired the skills needed to manage a business, individually or through ad-hoc or pre-existing organizations, to develop their communities. From managing home-based businesses to promoting their products and services, women of all ages have learned how to run a small enterprise. But most importantly, they have found a support network, a safe space, and a community where they can share experiences, ideas, and challenges.
Stories of Resilience
The stories we have heard are both moving and inspiring. Take S., a Syrian refugee who, despite facing adversity, decided to turn her passion for cooking into a business. Thanks to the support received through the Bothoor project, she was able to create healthy and nutritious sweets, designed for people with diabetes. She even encouraged her eldest son to hone his skills in designing and producing synthetic leather accessories. But S. is just one of many women who have benefited from the project. Each of them has a unique story to tell, a challenge overcome, a dream realized.
An Impact Beyond Economics
The Bothoor project does more than just create new businesses. It has a profound impact on the lives of women and their communities. By empowering women economically, the project helps to reduce poverty, promote gender equality, and strengthen social cohesion. The women involved in the project have become role models for their communities, demonstrating that with determination and the right support, it is possible to overcome many obstacles.
A Future Woven with Relationships and Opportunities
The Bothoor project is just one small piece of a much larger puzzle. A puzzle that represents the struggle for women’s empowerment and for a more just and equitable world. By investing in women, we are investing in the future. And the women we have met in Jordan have shown us that this investment pays off.
