IOM Kuwait Chief of Mission Mazen AboulHosn

KUWAIT: The International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Migration agency in Kuwait - in partnership with the telecommunication company, Ooredoo - has launched a series of psychosocial support workshops through the month of March for women residing in the government of Kuwait's shelter for female foreign workers.

IOM has been working in Kuwait to provide the needed support to female breadwinners, who have left their country of origin to provide financial support for their families back home and who have faced some challenges along the way.

"The workshops are primarily aimed to offer women the very much needed safe space to discuss and share their psychosocial challenges, concerns and experiences in a structured and non-stigmatizing manner." Mazen AboulHosn, IOM Kuwait Chief of Mission said.

Xandra Spijker, a certified life coach and psychosocial support expert, said: "Through these workshops, we create a sense of togetherness and support in times of stressful events. With this psychosocial support program, the women in the shelter acquire information on how to be more resilient and with higher self-esteem; all needed to enable women to be survivors rather than victims."

Sheikha Bibi Nasser Al-Sabah, IOM Goodwill Ambassador for Kuwait and the Gulf Countries, said "I am really pleased with my partnership with the International Organization for Migration as we share a common vision and goal, which it to advocate for, and protect the rights of migrant workers and to highlight their important role in our society."

In addition to the series of psychosocial workshops and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IOM also provided 200 personal hygiene and protective kits to around 100 women residing in the shelter as a preventive measure against the virus.