Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- A local woman learns how to use one of the 12 computers donated to...... read more read more
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Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP TAJI, Iraq –Assyria Village conducted a grand opening for a Women's Center just outside the gates of Camp Taji Wednesday, which will provide women in the small village a place to meet, sew, cook and use the center's computers.
The $230,000 building was built from the ground up and is equipped with 12 sewing machines, 12 computers, a kitchen, office space, a back-up generator and two ovens.
"This is the first building I've ever heard of that is just for women," said Capt. Holly Hanson, team leader for Civil Affairs Team 3, Company C, 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. "There aren't a lot of chances for women in this part of the world. It (the Women's Center) will give them a sense of accomplishment and an education that they won't get anywhere else."
Iraqi women have faced decades of oppression and there is a large education gap between men and women, although women make-up 60 percent of the population. In March 2006, during the signing of Iraq's interim constitution, more than 200 women marched in Baghdad for greater rights. For many, this was the first time they had ever seen women demonstrate freely in Iraq.
With changes in how Iraqis look at women occurring slowly, centers like the Women's Center in Assyria Village are a welcome relief.
"This project has been very well received in this community," said Fred Nightengale, resident engineer for Camp Taji with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who has been a part of the project since its inception. "Here in Iraq, women don't get to do a lot. The center is a real boost to this community because it gives them an opportunity to help out."
The center plans on having education classes for women to improve illiteracy problems that plague the country. In addition, women can take classes on the internet, if they are able to read, and can make a living by making garments in the sewing shop.
"I'm planning on making clothes here to sell to people so I can make some money for my family," said a local woman, who was already making clothes at the grand opening. "I've been waiting for this place to open for a long time, and I'm very happy now that I can come sew here."
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2006 09:26 |
| Story ID: | 7403 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 32 |
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