S.H.E "STARTING HER EMPOWERMENT" WOMEN REFUGEE CENTER

City University Malaysia

Project idea

The Women Refugee Empowerment Center is a dedicated initiative designed to provide a safe and empowering environment for women refugees and marginalized communities. Its primary objective is to facilitate personal and economic independence through targeted programs in skill development, healthcare, childcare, and entrepreneurship.

By addressing the challenges faced by its beneficiaries with a comprehensive and sustainable approach, the center aims to foster resilience, self-reliance, and meaningful reintegration into society. Its mission is to transform adversity into opportunity, enabling women to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

Project description

The Women Refugee Empowerment Center focuses on empowering women refugees by providing vocational training, childcare, healthcare, and economic opportunities. It includes skill-building workshops, on-site retail spaces for income generation, and healthcare services to ensure physical and mental well-being. Social spaces foster community engagement, while sustainability initiatives promote environmental awareness and resourcefulness. The project aims to enable women to transition from vulnerability to independence through a comprehensive and holistic approach.

Technical information

The Women Refugee Empowerment Center is located in a refurbished warehouse, utilizing its open layout for flexible use. The design incorporates recycled materials, including reclaimed metal for structural elements and furnishings, and reclaimed wood for flooring, partitions, and shelves. Sustainable materials like bamboo panels and cork flooring enhance the center’s eco-friendly focus.

The building features hinged fabric roofing and heat-reflective polycarbonate panels to maximize natural light and energy efficiency. The layout includes a reception area, donation zone, vocational workshops, and a social area with weaving stations. The upper level provides additional workshop space and administrative areas. This design emphasizes sustainability, functionality, and community engagement.