EUROPE/ITALY - Two houses in Rome offer shelter and assistance to vulnerable women migrants

Monday, 1 October 2018 emigration   women   human rights   missionary institutes  

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - One of the two houses in Rome which offers shelter and assistance to vulnerable women migrants was inaugurated yesterday, Sunday 30 September. The project is called "Chaire Gynai" which in Greek stands for "Welcome woman". According to information sent to Agenzia Fides by the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters, these are the first of such houses in Italy and will provide temporary accommodation to women who have already obtained the recognition of refugee status in Italy or who could regularize their migration status. In the two houses they can stay for a period ranging from 6 months to a year until they have achieved autonomy and integration.
The initiative was made possible not only by the Congregation of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters, but also by the Dicastery of the Holy See for the Promotion of Integral Human Development (Migrant and Refugee Section) and by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and by the Italian Episcopal Conference.
The Scalabrinians, engaged in pastoral activities and direct assistance to migrants in emergency situations, also involved the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today also other female religious Congregations contribute to the success of the project.
Refugees and migrants from Nigeria, Somalia and Ethiopia have already been welcomed into the houses. "We value the principle of human dignity, the right to freedom and equality, the development of people and their protection - explains Sister Eleia Scariot, Scalabrinian, coordinator of the project -. The intention is to support women in their path of integration and professional development: these women receive human and professional help and support, living experiences of coexistence. At the same time these women and their children can contribute to the building of a different society, here in the Roman territory, where they are integrated". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 1/10/2018)


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