Most of the women who visit the women’s centre have little or no education or training. They have lived in the Netherlands for years, but are not familiar with Dutch society. Before the women’s centre opened in their neighbourhood, they rarely left their homes.

The objective of the Cleo-Patria Foundation is to promote participation, emancipation and integration. This process is outwards, towards society and other cultures. Most of the women who visit the women’s centre have little or no education or training. The four multicultural women’s centres in various districts of Rotterdam offer women an opportunity to use their qualities, in order to occupy a valued place in our society.

The women’s centre provides a safe meeting place to women from different cultures. They learn about each other’s cultures, customs and characteristics. The organised activities are aimed at enhancing their self-confidence and independence and helping them to function more effectively within Dutch society. The women’s centre is an easily accessible service. The women organise the activities themselves.

Every week more than 200 women visit the Cleo-Patria women’s centres in Rotterdam. Some 75 women are taking Dutch lessons. Two women from the target group have taken up a regular job. Some 20 women have started volunteer work.

Physical meeting places (community centres), customised training courses by professionals in order to support the women in working as a volunteer. Both resources are crucial: the physical meeting place is needed in order to ensure a safe meeting place, the training courses are necessary in order to generate enough self-confidence to work as a volunteer.

Stichting Cleo-Patria
Phone: +31 (0)10 465 9944
info@adegoede.nl
Ms. Anneke de Goede

02/11/2005

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Equality

Gender Equality