January 5, 2024
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In Iraq, life for women who dream of being entrepreneurs is not easy. They are often expected to keep a more traditional role in the family, but this is starting to change. Qadisiya, Elham, and Muna are three of the entrepreneurs supported by Caritas Czech Republic who received grants and business training.
Women should work and support their families, says Elham after opening her shop
Elham is a 52-year-old woman from Bartella, a Christian heartland located very close to Mosul in Iraq. She faced numerous challenges following the ISIS invasion. Fleeing to safety with her husband and three children, she moved two times before finding refuge in Sweden for a year and a half. After being denied asylum status, they returned to Iraq. “But our home had been burned down by ISIS,” lamented Elham. In Bartella, her husband struggled to find consistent work as a tiler.
Facing financial difficulties, Elham thought about opening a shop to support her family. Her friends loved the idea and advised her to apply for Caritas Czech Republic's help to receive the necessary funds and training. Elham underwent 40 days of training in business management and received a grant. With this help, the new business owner bought equipment like shelves and refrigerators as well as goods for her shop.
Elham is very grateful for Caritas Czech Republic's help: “Our lives changed significantly after receiving the grant and opening the shop, as the earnings became the main source of income for our family”. Although running the shop is demanding, Elham is happy, and her self-confidence has soared. Her husband supports her, occasionally taking odd jobs. "Women should work and support their families and husbands and be independent," Elham thinks.
Qadisiya gained confidence and can now support her family with her shop
Qadisiya is a mother of three from Karamles in northern Iraq. When ISIS attacked, she had to abandon her home to take refuge in Erbil. She lived in the city with her husband and kids for almost 4 years. In 2017, they returned to Karamles, but nothing was left of their possessions. “With my husband, we decided to open a small shop selling clothes, toiletries, and cosmetics and we took turns working,” recalls Qadisiya.
The new entrepreneur received a grant from Caritas Czech Republic that she used for a much-needed renovation of the shop. She filled a hole above the door where dust used to come through, changed the floor tiles and the roof, and added a fan and shelves. Qadisya also followed online business management training offered by Caritas Czech Republic. The entrepreneur used to want to work in a mall in Erbil, but while her husband was opposed to that idea, he accepted her to work in this smaller shop. Qadisiya is very grateful: “Thanks to my hard work and the grant and management training from Caritas Czech Republic, I have gained more confidence in myself and can support the whole family”.
Muna's popular salon helps change the lives of three families
Since childhood, Muna has loved beauty and cosmetics and dreamed of opening a salon where she could share this passion with customers. But those dreams are hard for a woman in Iraq, especially in conservative areas. However, when Muna's husband could not provide anymore for their family, he agreed that she would open her own salon.
In 2014, Muna started working at home, offering basic treatments. Wanting to provide the best service possible, she saved up a little money from her work at home and used it to attend workshops on cosmetics. In 2021, a friend told Muna that Caritas Czech Republic was offering support for entrepreneurs and advised her to apply. “Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, I have received a 10-day training course on handling a business and a grant to help me develop my salon,” recounts Muna. With the money, the entrepreneur bought necessary things for her business, such as furniture, mirrors, shelves, and air conditioning, and redecorated the rented space. She also bought cosmetics and machines.
The business owner now offers plenty of services such as pedicures, manicures, makeup, cosmetics, and hair dye and has many ideas to make her business grow even more. Caritas Czech Republic's help did not only impact Muna's life. The business owner hired two employees, one of them a widow who supports her ten brothers and sisters.
Muna's ambition also grew with her business. “I plan to open a gym for girls and rent a two-floor house, one floor for the salon, one for the gym,” she tells us with a smile.
Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq
Qadisiya, Elham, and Muna's stories are just a few of the many examples of how Caritas Czech Republic is helping entrepreneurs in Iraq. Thanks to grants and business training, many can now support their families and other members of the community.
Iraq is still suffering the consequences of years of armed conflict. Caritas Czech Republic has been working in Iraq since 2015 and has gradually shifted its activities from immediate humanitarian aid to longer-term programmes. We are helping people to rebuild their original livelihoods and create new jobs. For those who have lost their homes, we are helping to provide permanent shelter to improve their living conditions.
We are also able to help women like Qadisiya, Elham and Muna thanks to our donors. Join us and help with us.
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