Guided Urban Excursions for Immigrant Females: Making Cities More Accessible
In the vibrant city of Nordhorn, the innovative integration project for migrant women has been a resounding success, with over 30 women of various nationalities participating in the recent city tour. The initiative, led by Anja Milewski, the city's equality officer, has been met with great enthusiasm and has fostered a sense of community among the participants.
The city tours, which serve as a key component of the integration project, have been designed to introduce migrant women to the community and the various aid organisations within Nordhorn. The tours have visited notable locations such as the municipal youth center, the Jobcenter, the Hobbit counseling center, the women's counseling center, the concert and theater hall, the black garden, and the town hall.
During the tours, women from Poland, Somalia, Syria, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Russia have had the opportunity to learn about the offers of different aid organisations, as well as education, language, and work opportunities available in the city. The tours have been well-received, with childcare organised by the municipal equality office during the visits.
One of the highlights of the last city tour was a personal account shared by a woman who had previously been affected by violence against women at the women's counseling center. The Hobbit counseling center also addressed difficult topics of sexual abuse and violence, providing valuable insights and resources for the participants.
The success of the city tours has been acknowledged by Anja Milewski, who expressed her confidence in the continuation of the innovative integration project next year. The next meeting of the working group "Migrant Women in Nordhorn" will take place in January to discuss the pilot project and plan follow-up actions.
The working group has offered four dates for city tours in the coming months, inviting more women to join and benefit from the integration project. As the city of Nordhorn continues to welcome and support migrant women, the city tours are set to play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and integration within the community.
