Above: Sahida Gharibzada (front) is looking forward to participating in the MRC’s new Sewing Centre.
By Sarah Schwager
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day last week was a cause of double celebration at the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Dandenong.
The day, on Wednesday, celebrated migrant women from across the south east and also launched a new program at the centre designed to bring women across different cultures together.
The MRC Sewing Centre aims not only to assist in teaching migrant women to sew, but also to be a means of helping women adjust to life in Australia by providing an extra means of support.
Sahida Gharibzada, 60, migrated from Afghanistan by herself nearly seven years ago. She has never been married and does not have any children.
“This department is very good for us because we are alone at home,” Ms Gharibzada said.
“It is hard being alone. To some extent this helps.”
Ms Gharibzada was an award-winning seamstress in her home country, and at the age of 18 was awarded a medal from the King of Afghanistan after the princess liked a dress Ms Gharibzada made so much that she bought it.
In Australia, Ms Gharibzada does not have a sewing machine.
The MRC will provide sewing machines and materials for the more experienced sewers as well as casual teachers for those who want to learn.
MRC manager of settlement Marija Dragic said casework had identified that many migrant women who were isolated also knew how to sew.
“Women from developing countries often know how to sew as they have to provide for their children and families,” she said.
MRC director Jenny Semple, who opened the centre, said it was appropriate that the centre be opened on International Women’s Day.
In 1909 after the first known Women’s Day was organised, women garment workers staged a general strike, which lasted 13 cold winter weeks.
On International Women’s Day in 1997, Carmelita Alonzo, a sewing machine operator in the Philippines, died from being overworked, causing uproar around the world.
The sewing centre will be funded by a funding allocation for settlement services by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
