An Italian language course was held in Palermo during February – April 2023 for 24 women from different non-EU countries, within the framework of the WINGS project and its social and labour inclusion programme for women.
The participants coming from countries of three different continents had a low to medium level of Italian. The course, guided by the Italian language teacher, allowed them to learn and acquire terminology and knowledge of the local culture, which will be very useful for job orientation and socio-cultural integration.
A special feature of this course was that it contributed to the creation of a group. Being able to see those problems such as finding a job, learning a new language, the difficulty in many cases of looking after children and dealing with Italian bureaucracy are common, united women from very different backgrounds and origins in equal measure, created a network of human relationships from which they could draw strength and motivation.
In addition to the language teacher, an important figure was the psychologist who supported the women during the course. She also met the participants for one-to-one interviews and led group sessions with team-building activities. During these activities, there were plenty of moments to share past experiences and discuss the difficulties of dealing with the Italian bureaucracy and a labour market in which they are deeply disadvantaged because of their status as women, migrants and, in many cases, mothers.
The experience of the language course will also be used to produce storybooks containing the participants’ own artistic creations developed during the sessions, which encouraged them to reflect on their skills and talents, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.
The WINGS programme is not over. Now it continues with the personalised employment counselling sessions aimed at developing tailor-made internship offers. At the moment various opportunities offered by employers are analysed with the participants in order to match their interests and skills with a suitable career path.
The aim of the internship is not only to provide temporary employment, but more importantly to equip the women with tools, awareness, knowledge and skills that will facilitate their integration into the local society after the end of the project.
For more information on WINGS, follow us on Facebook or contact Ruta Grigaliunaite: ruta.grigaliunaite@cesie.org.
About the project
WINGS – Supporting Women survivors of trafficking through a Comprehensive Integration Programme is a project funded by by Erasmus+, DG Home Affairs – Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), Assistance, support and integration of third-country national victims of trafficking in human beings.
Partners
- CESIE (Italy, coordinator)
- KMOP (Greece)
- SURT (Spain)
- PAYOKE (Belgium)
- Libera contro le mafie (Italy)
For further information
Read more about WINGS, visit the website Social Hut | The information hub for social inclusion and follow us on Facebook.
Contact Ruta Grigaliunaite: ruta.grigaliunaite@cesie.org.
