« MANA : the trajectory of migrant women towards success » : a project co-financed by the European Social Fund for women in the French city of Bordeaux

Created in 2002, MANA is an association belonging to the SOS GROUP « Solidarity », which works in favour of access to law to the inhabitants of the economically disadvantaged neighbourdhoods of the Aubiers, in Bordeaux.

« MANA : the trajectory of migrant women towards success » project, co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF), ran from January 2021 to December 2021. It was set up following the observation that migrant women living in the Aubiers district of Bordeaux, face two main issues hindering their professional integration: difficulties in mastering the French language and a lack of knowledge regarding their access to basic social and professional rights. The project’s objective was therefore to fight against job insecurity by accompanying these women in the definition of their professional project.

A total of 27 migrant women, aged between 20 and 54 have benefited from this project and have participated in various activities including: sociolinguistic workshops, awareness raising on access to rights, employment training as well as artistic creation and art therapy workshops meant to help them regain self-confidence. They have also benefited from reinforced French language courses in view of entering the job market.

This project has been a real opportunity for professional and social integration for these women, as expressed by Nassima, who has been supported by the association for several years, during her interview with Ms Brigitte Botte, Editor-in-Chief of Ressources & territoires at the department of Gironde: « Here, we find ourselves. I discovered, through what they gave me, what I can do for myself. I was born in MANA ». Therefore, this project is a real success and the MANA team intends to continue with this type of action!