The Three Meem Foundation gives prominence to women’s empowerment, particularly those from BAME backgrounds, understanding their unique and deeply ingrained challenges. Our strategic focus is to identify and prioritise critical initiatives, delivering them through a mix of voluntary and professionally funded resources. With the help of women volunteers, we have established 16 new services dedicated to women in the community.
The Three Meem follows a comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment, encompassing education, economic autonomy, political representation, health, mental health, and the re-evaluation of entrenched gender norms. They routinely host open meetings, creating a platform for women to address current issues and strategise the way forward. The women’s group at Three Meem conducts various programmes, including sports and upskill workshops, to boost women’s self-confidence and self-sufficiency. Moreover, we organise regular sessions for a women’s speaker club.
Alongside these initiatives, the foundation provides crucial support to victims of domestic violence and collaborates with TDAS (presumably Trafford Domestic Abuse Services) to enhance their aid to these women.
Indeed, the comprehensive strategy employed by the women’s wing of the Three Meem Foundation for women’s empowerment is commendable. With the ongoing evaluation of their strategies’ efficacy, the Three Meem Foundation is poised to continue significantly impacting women’s lives.
Please reach out to us in confidence at sisters@3meem.org.
Public Speaking course for women
Communication skills are crucial in navigating daily life’s complexities, bolstering workplace confidence, and improving employment opportunities. Current statistics show that only 57% of Muslim women between the ages of 25 and 49 are employed, compared to 80% of the general population. This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including the lack of self-confidence and communication skills.
To address this issue, Three Meem partnered with the Association of Speakers Club to launch a women’s speakers club. Our main objective is to foster improved communication, confidence, and competency among women. Our inaugural course, spanning eight weeks, took place at the Coppice Library in August 2021.
We received an overwhelmingly positive response from both employed and unemployed women. Their zest and dedication shone brightly. Women who had never had the experience of addressing a crowd could communicate their thoughts confidently. In some instances, these women communicated in English, their second language. The craft of public speaking was something they embraced wholeheartedly.
This year Sadia Jaffery, lead in the women working group, conducted our second six-week public speaking program in May and June 2023. It was a resounding success and significantly boosted women’s confidence in public speaking. We aspire to offer this course annually, continuing to empower women with the gift of eloquence.
Cooking and Gardening Classes
The Three Meem Foundation has taken an innovative step by organising cooking classes and insightful kitchen gardening tips. These live sessions are spearheaded by Shafia Ahmed, aiming to bolster culinary abilities among participants. It’s an ingenious way to unite people, nurture cultural understanding and foster an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of international cuisines.
This program transcends mere culinary education by also targeting mental health improvement. Connecting individuals and cultivating a deeper awareness of diverse cultures through food creates a therapeutic environment. Hence, this initiative is not just about culinary proficiency but also promoting mental wellness, making it a well-rounded approach to holistic development.
Women Support Advice
Domestic abuse is a universal issue that transcends racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic, and lifestyle boundaries and disability status. However, the situation becomes even more complex within Asian and Muslim communities, where cultural constraints often impede victims from seeking help. Women in these communities are often shackled by fears of dishonouring their families, inciting stigma, or initiating societal taboos, leading to community rejection. As such, domestic violence incidents tend to be underreported within these communities.
To address this issue, Three Meem offers critical resources, guidance, and options to these victims. Our organisation leads the charge in offering advice and directing individuals to relevant services. Our leading authority, Sadia Raza, provides specialised assistance, lending her expertise and commitment to those in need. Her efforts are instrumental in bridging the gap between victims and the help they need, facilitating an environment of support and safety.
Sadia Raza is our lead in helping on this matter.
She can be contacted on info@3meem.org
Women’s Health Programme
Recent data indicates that Asian women aged 65 and above experience the highest incidence of limiting chronic illnesses, with a rate of 64.5%. This starkly contrasts the 53% observed among all women within the same age bracket. In response, Three Meem assembled a team of specialists to develop a women-centric health program. Identified challenges encompass general health disparities, cancer screenings, cultural hesitations in seeking medical attention, mental health concerns, and a deficiency in support regarding healthy lifestyles and physical activity. A dedicated team of healthcare experts from the community has volunteered to facilitate bi-monthly educational sessions to increase awareness among BAME women. Topics already addressed span female-specific cancers, bowel cancer, menopause management, gynaecological issues, and many more.
Mother and Toddler Group
Mother and toddler groups offer a nurturing environment for preschool-aged children during the week. These gatherings serve as a haven for parents with infants and young children, allowing them to unwind and converse as their children engage in play. The most significant advantage is for children under five, a period marked by swift cognitive and skill development. Such young minds require a dynamic environment for play and learning.
Playgroups present many early learning opportunities for infants, toddlers, and young children. These settings foster social interactions, enhance language and communication skills, and introduce children to new activities. This helps them acquire novel skills, making it an excellent precursor to Pre School. Three Meem Foundation has initiated this venture for the Sale community. The sessions were previously conducted at The Avenue Church, a rented venue, once a week. We’re soon transitioning to a new location.
English Language Classes ESOL
The Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper from March 2018 reveals that a higher percentage of women, compared to men, from various ethnic backgrounds, especially South East Asia, report having limited or no English proficiency. Insufficient English language skills can significantly limit one’s job prospects, social integration, participation in community activities, and accessibility to essential services. This, in turn, can prevent individuals from achieving independence, self-confidence, and autonomy. The UK government promotes English learning even for non-native speakers, a stance supported by the Trafford Council. Three Meem has initiated English language classes, led by Shahida Awan every Tuesday. These classes, held at Coppice Library, will continue after the summer holidays and are open to any woman seeking to enhance her English proficiency.
Women’s Working Group: Monthly Recap
The Three Meem Foundation’s Commitment to Women’s Empowerment:
From the inception of the Three Meem Foundation, one of our main focal points has been the empowerment and upliftment of women. The commitment to this cause is evident through the dedicated efforts of our women’s group. This group has been a dynamic, ever-growing and evolving entity, with an increasing number of women actively participating in its myriad activities.
Sadia Jeffery Takes the Lead:
Since February, Sadia Jaffery has taken the reins of our women’s group, leading almost monthly meetings where ideas are brainstormed, activities reviewed, and new initiatives forged. Under her able leadership, the group has embarked on various new endeavours.
A Glance at Our Recent Initiatives:
1. Mental Health Workshops: An initiative to equip women with the knowledge and resources to maintain and bolster their mental well-being.
2. Parenting Sessions: These sessions provide guidance, techniques, and support to mothers navigating the complexities of raising children.
3. ESOL Classes: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses to improve communication skills and boost confidence.
4. Domestic Violence Awareness: A crucial campaign that focuses on educating women about the signs of domestic abuse and offering resources and support.
5. Support for Single Moms: Creating a safe space for single mothers to share their experiences, receive guidance, and garner support.
6. Cooking and Gardening Classes: Enabling women to learn new skills, cultivate hobbies, and promote sustainability.
Moreover, the group is excitedly planning to introduce an Employability Skills course and organise family retreats and recreational activities tailored to women.
Highlight from the Last Meeting: Personal Development
The theme of our most recent meeting was personal development. Here, we delved into the intrinsic connection between our feelings, thoughts, and behaviours.
• Awareness of Self: Recognising and understanding one’s emotions and responses is pivotal. This is the foundation upon which personal growth is built.
• Control over Feelings: It was emphasised that individuals should be in command of their emotions. This is because our feelings seed our thoughts, manifesting in our behaviours.
• Focus on Actions: Instead of being a passive victim of circumstances, taking proactive actions is vital. When we act with intent, we reclaim power over our lives.
• Mental Channel-Changing: Just as one would switch a TV channel, it’s essential to ‘change the channel’ in our minds when faced with adverse or unproductive thoughts. Doing so can redirect our focus and energy towards more positive and constructive matters.
In conclusion, our women’s group under the Three Meem Foundation strives to create impactful and lasting change, empowering women to live their fullest, most enriched lives.
