Liberated from ISIS, Raqqa Women Become Breadwinners

Courtesy Photo | After receiving training, supplies, and equipment from USAID and support from the local civil council, six women entrepreneurs were able to open pastry shops in Raqqa City. Today these pastry shops are serving delicious mana’eesh––a popular flat pastry with a variety of toppings including cheese, meat, spinach and eggs. The shops are helping to restore a sense of normalcy to the war-torn city, while also helping revive the local economy. One of the women said, “Although the shop has only been open a short time, there has been a change in my financial situation, and I now play a more effective role in society. I am a productive, independent woman who can provide for my children.” Photo Credit: USAID Syria Essential Services Project (SES II)  

RAQQA, SYRIA

06.13.2019

Courtesy Story

USAID, Bureau for the Middle East

Five years of ISIS domination devastated the economy of northeast Syria. Today, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development, communities are rebuilding crucial economic sectors piece by piece.

USAID has been supporting local farmers and businesses to revive wheat production - from seeds to baking.

USAID rehabilitated over 30 miles of irrigation canals damaged by the war benefiting over 1,000 farmers; repaired three bread bakeries that serve over 33,000 people; and is helping six local women entrepreneurs open pastry shops in Raqqa City.

“I’ve benefited a great deal from the training on management, accounting, and pastry production for sale,” said one woman who opened her own shop with USAID support.

Along with the training, these local women received supplies, and equipment from USAID and support from the local civil council to bake a local favorite pastry called mana’eesh. Mana’eesh is a popular flat pastry with a variety of toppings including cheese, meat, spinach and eggs.

These pastry makers not only help revive the local economy, but they help restore a sense of normalcy to the war-torn city.

“These women entrepreneurs—who were directly affected by the ISIS occupation—can now provide for themselves and their families. They are also able to employ additional women in the shops,” said the head of the civil council’s women’s committee during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the shops.

“Our first and last goal with these projects is to achieve self-sufficiency and support women-owned enterprises,” added the head of the civil council’s women’s committee. “With that, it is our obligation to support all women to develop their businesses in all fields, and to undertake other projects in all specializations.”

During the oppression of ISIS, women were not allowed to work. Now, these women are becoming breadwinners, providing for their families and helping drive economic recovery efforts in their communities.

“Although the shop has only been open a short time, there has been a change in my financial situation. I now play a more effective role in society,” said another pastry shop co-owner. “I am a productive, independent woman who can provide for my children.”

By establishing businesses like these pastry shops, the local council and USAID help to ensure that Syrian communities can achieve economic independence and self-reliance.

• Date Taken: 06.13.2019
• Date Posted: 06.13.2019 15:07
• Story ID: 327276
• Location: RAQQA, SY