Alumni Spotlight Interview: Supporting and empowering women - that fascinates me!

Part of your Master's degree was an internship abroad. You went to Greece with the non-profit organization ROSA e.V. to support refugee women as a midwife. What does ROSA e.V. do and what was your work like there? 

ROSA e.V. - Rolling Safespace was founded in March 2021 and is committed to gender-equitable aid strategies for women on the move. Since March 2022, the non-profit association has been regularly driving to three refugee shelters on the Greek peninsula of Attica in a converted truck: Ritsona, Malakasa and Oinofyta. The aim is to give women on the run a safe space. The truck serves as a contact point for refugee women to network, retreat and relax. The long-term aim is to prevent the dangers of psychological and physical stress for women on the run. In addition, basic medical care is offered in a small treatment room, usually with a doctor and a midwife. I was this midwife for three months.
In one-to-one meetings, together with an interpreter, the doctor and I tried to advise and triage the women. We listened to their concerns and, if necessary, tried to connect them with other local health organizations or refer them directly. At the same time, we held workshops on health-related topics. At the health workshops or discussion groups, the refugee women were able to get involved and share their knowledge and experiences.

Our crew also consisted of other people. We lived together in a rented house. Our working days were quite structured. In the mornings, we had meetings about work organization, planning our time in the camps and supervision meetings. In the afternoons, we went to the camps and set up the safe space with a privacy screen. We wanted to create a space where the women could simply be themselves. In addition to medical advice and care, there was also childcare, sports and exercise activities and creative workshops.

ROSA e.V. is a German organization that works on the ground in Greece with women who have fled from other countries. How did you deal with cultural differences? 

Fortunately, we had interpreters on site. Over time, refugee women who spoke English also joined us as volunteers and supported us. That was very helpful.