“Knowledge is power, know your rights.”

Knowledge is Power: Empowering Migrant Women Through Legal Literacy in Suriname

At Stg. Building Bridges…Saving Lives (SBBSL), we’ve long recognized a critical gap: the urgent need to address the legal vulnerabilities faced by migrant women, especially concerning gender-based violence (GBV) and their access to fundamental legal rights. This pressing concern spurred us to launch a comprehensive project aimed at significantly enhancing the legal capacity of these women. Our initial efforts integrated vital legal literacy training with essential GBV outreach sessions, all designed to equip women with the knowledge and practical tools they needed to confidently navigate complex legal systems.

However, despite the undeniable importance of this endeavor, we faced significant financial limitations that constrained our ability to provide the comprehensive support we knew was necessary. In response to this challenge, we strategically developed and proposed the “Knowledge is Power, Know Your Rights!” project. This new initiative was designed as a crucial intervention to overcome those financial barriers, placing a strong, unwavering emphasis on empowering migrant women through targeted information dissemination in their respective languages. We believe that accessible information is the first step toward true empowerment.

The “Knowledge is Power, Know Your Rights!” project employed a multifaceted and highly adaptable approach to achieve its ambitious objectives. Key components of this initiative included dynamic online campaigns, impactful face-to-face sessions, and the creation of a comprehensive resource repository webpage. These diverse activities were meticulously designed to reach migrant women across various communities, ensuring not only broad accessibility but also deep relevance to their lived experiences.

Central to the project’s overarching goals was the mission to significantly increase awareness of human rights and GBV among migrant women. To achieve this, the project offered invaluable educational sessions conducted by experienced legal experts. These sessions provided practical, actionable insights into how to navigate legal systems effectively and, crucially, how to access vital support services. But our efforts didn’t stop there. The project also produced a compelling policy brief, serving as a powerful advocacy tool to champion much-needed legal reforms. Furthermore, we developed a range of engaging multimedia materials, including informative e-posters, compelling videos, and insightful podcasts, all crafted to both engage and inform our target audience in accessible and memorable ways.

Through “Knowledge is Power, Know Your Rights!”, we’re not just sharing information; we’re building a foundation of empowerment. We’re helping migrant women in Suriname understand their inherent rights, navigate the complexities of the legal system, and, ultimately, protect themselves and their futures from violence and exploitation. We believe that when women know their rights, they gain the power to change their lives.