As part of the ongoing training component of its Protection and Psychosocial Support Programme, Malaz Foundation for Women’s Support implemented its second training session, entitled “Psychosocial Support Techniques and Coping with Stress and Crises.” The training aimed to strengthen participants’ practical skills and enable them to apply basic psychosocial support principles when responding to stress, crises, and difficult situations that they or members of their families and communities may encounter.
The training built on the knowledge and skills acquired by participants during the first phase, focusing on strengthening their capacity to provide practical and accessible psychosocial support through enhancing supportive communication, active listening, emotional containment, positive support, and appropriate responses to stress and psychological reactions resulting from crises. The training also emphasized the importance of respecting individuals’ privacy, avoiding stigma and judgment, and identifying situations that require specialized intervention and referral to the relevant service providers.
The training adopted interactive and inclusive methodologies that took into consideration the participants’ diverse educational backgrounds and learning needs. These included practical role-playing, real-life scenarios, group work, and visual learning tools, providing participants with opportunities to practice the acquired skills within a safe and supportive learning environment. This approach enabled them to connect the knowledge and skills gained during the training with situations they may encounter in their daily lives, thereby strengthening their confidence and ability to provide appropriate and safe first-line support.
The training programme concluded with the participation of 30 women and girls from groups experiencing heightened vulnerability, including daily wage workers, women with limited literacy, and participants with limited levels of formal education. The programme was delivered over four training days and equipped participants with practical skills to cope with psychological stress, provide initial support to themselves and others, and recognize the importance of seeking specialized assistance when needed. These efforts contribute to fostering more supportive, inclusive, and safer family and community environments.
This training pathway reflects Malaz Foundation’s rights-based approach to designing and implementing capacity-building programmes that respond to the needs of women and girls experiencing heightened vulnerability. The approach relies on accessible, practical, and participatory training methodologies that take into account participants’ lived realities and diverse capacities. Through such interventions, the Foundation seeks to strengthen protection and psychosocial support, while empowering women and girls with practical life skills that enhance their resilience, ability to navigate everyday challenges, and capacity to contribute positively to the well-being and protection of their communities.
