From where I stand: “Be strong, don’t give up and unleash your potential.”

Manal Barham, 33, applies make-up on one of her clients in her home-based beauty salon in Hasmi Shamali, East Amman. Photo Credit: UN Women/ Lauren Rooney. 

Not so long ago I was suffering from severe depression. I had lost all hope after my husband chose to no longer financially support our family, which in turn drove our family into debt. However, it was at this point in my life that my burdens inspired me to take action and pursue an opportunity for work. I realized I could only depend on myself for the sake of my children…I couldn’t surrender, I had to move forward.

I applied to attend the JNFW’s Women’s Development Center, intrigued by the cosmetology and hairdressing courses that were available. In the beginning, I was scared to even touch a client’s hair, but through the support of the center, those fears were soon overcome. Soon I was thriving off of the women's smiles when they would leave the salon with a new look.

I then began to take the practical courses on project management, with the hope to gain an insight on how to run my own business. Utilizing the skills and confidence I had acquired, I decided to start up my beauty business from own home. I now have regular clients that come from within my neighborhood and even travel from far distances for my services, such as from Irbid, Karak, and Tabarbour.

I was surprised by the number of clients who would share their stories about their struggles with me, struggles similar to my own. I recognized that I was not only providing a service to make these women feel beautiful but an opportunity to make them feel inspired and empower them through my own story.

To other women facing the same hardship as me, I would say to them; you must work on yourself, become an independent woman, be strong, don’t give up, and unleash your potential. Now, I also provide free hairdressing and make-up courses to women in need, with the hope of brightening their futures.

My life is now filled with positivity. I can pay for my children's education, pay off my debts and no longer rely on my husband for support. My family used to tell me that my husband should be supporting us, but after witnessing my growth and success, they are very happy for me."

Manal Barham, 35, is building her own business through the support she is receiving from the Jordanian National Forum for Women (JNFW). With the generous support of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, FCPS provides educational opportunities and services to empower young Syrian refugee and Jordanian brides and raise awareness about the impacts of early marriages in the community. Issawi’s path to empowerment reflects Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which seeks to significantly reduce all forms of violence against children, as well as SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women, and end harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage.