This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who don’t just survive but rise. They arrived in Armenia with suitcases filled with memories and hearts heavy with loss. War, conflict, and displacement had taken everything—homes, careers, communities. But there was one thing no one could take from them: their talent.
Their hands had always been skilled—whether in the delicate art of embroidery, the rhythmic kneading of dough, or the bold strokes of a paintbrush. And so, with nothing but their craft and sheer determination, they began again.
This year, the theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” At UNHCR, we see these words come to life every day in the refugee women who are shaping their own futures, one stitch, one brushstroke, one loaf of bread at a time.
Maral proudly holds her creation—crafted with skill, resilience, and heart.
We are inspired by Maral, a Syrian Armenian woman who found strength and purpose through her craft. When she arrived in Armenia, she picked up her embroidery needle and turned her passion into a profession. A master artisan in Armenian embroidery, felting, knitting, and sewing, Maral has transformed her skills into a thriving business, earning recognition for her craftsmanship.
Maral, a Syrian Armenian artisan, stands with the women who are stitching together new beginning
Today, she leads a refugee women’s handicraft group, stitching not only beautiful patterns but also opportunities for others.
We are moved by Inna, a baker whose joy has always been in the rhythmic kneading of dough, the warmth of an oven, and the satisfaction of seeing people enjoy her food. In her café, the scent of fresh bread and pastries welcomes locals and refugees alike.
With skilled hands and a warm heart, Inna brings the flavors of home to her new community.
Every loaf she kneads, every pastry she crafts, carries a touch of home and a taste of new beginnings. She believes that:
Inna shares a moment with the photographer, capturing the warmth and passion she pours into her craft.
We are inspired by Olena Shevchuk, a Ukrainian refugee who turned hardship into purpose. Determined to support refugees, she became a pillar of strength through the Ukrainian Forum NGO Dopomoga.am, creating a space where people could find guidance, connection, and hope. Through advocacy, community initiatives, and unwavering dedication, she has turned her own challenges into a force for collective empowerment. For Olena, helping others is not just an act of kindness—it is a responsibility, a way to ensure that no one faces hardship alone.
Olena Shevchuk holds a traditional Ukrainian pysanka, a symbol of heritage, resilience, and hope
We admire Ayda, an artisan whose hands weave generations of heritage into every embroidered piece she creates. Named after her grandmother, her boutique is more than a shop—it’s a testament to the power of women preserving culture, empowering themselves, and passing their strength on to others.
Ayda showcases one of her handcrafted bags
We celebrate Rita, an artist and refugee from Karabakh, who paints what words cannot express. Inspired by Picasso, she pours her emotions onto canvas bags, blending past pain with future hope.
Rita adds vibrant strokes to her hand-painted bag, blending creativity with personal expression
We are in awe of the KolorArt women—Danteline from Haiti, Kristel, Klarisse, and Pierrette from Congo, and Lamarana from Guinea. Together, they craft traditional dolls, each one a reminder of where they came from and the futures they are building.
Bound by resilience, creativity, and sisterhood—Lamarana and her friends
Overcome with joy and tears, Lamarana sees her dolls on display at the Marriott in Yerevan
We admire Theingi, a refugee from Myanmar who found a new way to belong—through food. Discovering Armenia’s love for lavash, she blended it with the Flavors of her homeland, proving that cultures can intertwine, that food is a language of belonging, and that adaptation is its own art. Laughing, she admits, “Lavash saved me! Now, I use it to make my spring rolls, and people love it!”
Theingi with her husband, daughter, and son, sharing a moment of togetherness in their yard in Yerevan.
These women have endured loss, uncertainty, and hardship. But they refuse to be defined by what they have lost. Instead, they are shaping a new world—one stitch, one brushstroke, one loaf of bread at a time.
They are more than artisans, bakers, and painters.
They are pioneers forging new paths, entrepreneurs building from nothing, and leaders inspiring the next generation.
Their hands do more than create; they rebuild futures—with love, with strength, with resilience.
To all women and girls: You hold within you an unlimited strength—one that can shape your destiny, defy the odds, and create the life you dream of. No barrier is greater than your will, no challenge stronger than your courage. You are powerful beyond measure, and the world is waiting for your light to shine. Happy Women Day’s 2025.
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