My name is Sanaa and I am 58 years old. For years, I lived in a marriage marked by injustice and neglect. When my former husband married another woman, his treatment of me shifted drastically—suddenly, I was met with constant discrimination and disrespect. Eventually, our marriage ended in divorce. But that was only the beginning of my struggle.
After the divorce, I faced one of the most painful experiences of my life: my children were taken away from me. I was denied visitation rights, and worst of all, my children were deprived of their right to education. I found myself alone, with no support system to lean on. The emotional and financial burden was overwhelming.
Then, I discovered the UN Women project, and it changed everything.
This project didn’t just provide financial assistance—it gave me a lifeline. Through the psychosocial support (PSS) sessions, I began to learn valuable techniques to manage my stress, regulate my emotions, and start healing. Slowly, I started regaining my confidence and emotional strength.
Today, I am no longer just a woman who endured injustice—I am a woman who overcame it. I am stronger, more resilient, and more equipped to face life’s challenges.
Thanks to the support I received, I’ve transformed my pain into power. I didn’t surrender to my reality—I chose to rise above it and rebuild my life.”
Sana’ is one of 214 women engaged in a community kitchen in Tyre, led by INITIATE in partnership with UN Women and the Union of Tyre Municipalities, with generous funding from the Republic of Korea. The project delivers holistic livelihood and protection services to vulnerable women and girls—particularly those affected by conflict and displacement. Through Cash-for-Work opportunities such as agricultural labor and kitchen operations, women like Sana’ are empowered with income, skills, and purpose, while the kitchen itself prepares and distributes hot, nutritious meals to internally displaced persons in temporary shelters.
