Malala im Museum

Women with a history of flight or migration often face challenges such as language barriers and a lack of social connections, which are compounded by isolation and experiences of violence.

The "Malala in the Museum - Mentorship from Woman to Woman" project aims to enhance the self-determination and social participation of women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, while addressing patriarchal structures and gender-based violence through cultural engagement.

In Austria, specifically in Graz and the surrounding area, the project establishes mentorships between women with refugee and migration backgrounds—some of whom may have experienced violence—and female volunteers. These participants receive professional guidance and support from the full-time staff at Caritas Styria and the Universalmuseum Joanneum. The program offers a wide range of activities, including personal counseling, exchange meetings, and events such as summer and Christmas parties. Workshops address topics like gender-specific violence, violence in the name of honor, cultural mediation, structural violence in Europe, and the history of emancipation in a cultural context.

As part of the mentorship, both mentors and mentees are given annual tickets to access the 20 locations of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, which serves as a barrier-free, protected public meeting space, free from the pressure of consumption.

This blend of personal connections, continuous, needs-based support, and knowledge transfer within a cultural setting provides a solid foundation for successful integration and empowerment.