Woroud’s transformation: The power of resilience and empowerment

In Al-Kisweh-Rural Damascus - Woroud Ez-Eldin has survived of Syria’s prolonged crisis to become the head of her household of two children: “The crisis changed everything, I never imagined I would lose my husband who passed away by a mortar shell explosion. Now I find myself as the sole provider for my family,” expresses Woroud.

Alongside the heartbreak of war that forced Woroud to become a breadwinner for her family, she also faced deep-rooted societal constraints and barriers that had long limited women’s access to education, employment, and the right to make their own life choices.

“Women in our communities have had to take on both parental roles, often with little support,” she explains. “I had no prior work experience, but I had to find a way—for my children, and for myself.”

The vulnerable people in Syria need, especially women, need to walk through an integrated empowerment journey that complements between boosting agricultural practices for a better livelihood and source for income, and enhancing their social skills through awareness sessions that focus on women’s rights and roles within their communities.

This integrated social and economic empowerment journey is well-designed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under its ‘Building local resilience of Syria’ project, with the generous fund of UK aid. The intervention reached about 18 370 women during the first phase of the project across the country with resilience building and gender-based interventions.      

The power of resilience

Woroud’s first step toward transformation came through an opportunity with FAO. She joined a Farmer Field School (FFS) focused on sustainable agricultural practices—specifically garlic production. There, she learned agricultural practices to improve the quality and yield of her crops, and processing raw produce into value-added products like garlic powder and pickles, creating a new and viable source of income.

Woroud did not stop here! Soon, she became part of a women-led food processing unit established and equipped by FAO. Alongside 23 other women, she began producing a variety of seasonal and preserved foods. With technical training on agroprocessing and business skills, including food safety and hygiene practices, the group was empowered to run the operation independently, profitably and sustainably.

“FAO’s support boosted my self-esteem and decision-making abilities,” she says. “I have learned how to turn what I grow into something greater—not just for profit, but for purpose.”

Women for women

The series of integrated and interconnected interventions—focused on agriculture, personal development, and community engagement—have not only helped Woroud generate income but also reshaped her identity. FAO, through its Dimitra Clubs, has encouraged women to join its women empowerment sessions to motivate open discussions about social matters, mainly early marriage, domestic violence, reproductive health, and women’s rights. These discussions have reshaped Woroud’s personality, as she states: “I am more confident now than I have ever been. I have learned how to speak up, not just for myself, but for other women in my community,”.

Through her participation in the Economic and Social Empowerment Framework (EA$E), Woroud strengthened her ability to manage her household’s finances, resolve economic conflicts within the family, and prioritize spending despite limited income. She also gained skills in agricultural business development and generating income to ensure her family’s stability.

This newfound confidence led her to become actively involved in the Dimitra Club, a pilot initiative under the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) project supported by UK Aid: “Being part of the club encouraged me to raise awareness about issues that affect women and girls every day. I have become a voice for change,” She adds.

Today, women like Woroud are contributing to local food security, practicing climate-smart agriculture and agroprocessing simple technics, and strengthening the social fabric of their communities. Their stories are a proof to the power of opportunity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of women determined to build a better future.