The Damascus PE conducted a 5-kilometer Fun Run to raise awareness about women with disabilities at the biggest park in Damascus, Syria, Tishreen Park on 30 March 2022, in observance of the Women With Disabilities Day on 28 March 2022, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No 774 issued on 06 December 2004, declaring the “Last Monday of March of Every Year as Women With Disabilities Day”. The event also culminates the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) 2022.

Consistent with the Women With Disabilities Day, the team dined at a unique restaurant called Roots “Juzour.” Run by a nonprofit organization under the same name, Roots employs persons with disabilities, including women. According to their representative, Ms. Souhaileh Mouhtaseb Bellah, this is the only restaurant in Syria that employs persons with disability. Mrs. Mouhtaseb Bellah also informed the Embassy about the latest event of the organization to celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme "Iron Butterfly.” Here, strong and inspiring women took to the stage of the Al-Assad Library and spoke about their story to prove that they are women of iron and were able to overcome all circumstances and difficulties and achieve their dreams on the ground with determination and strong will, while still being gentle and soft like a butterfly.

Roots, as a nonprofit organization, focuses on the development and psychosocial support for all segments of the Syrian society. Their activities range from extending assistance to vulnerable segments of the Syrian society, developing their skills, providing shelter and job opportunities for them. The Roots restaurant is one of the projects of the organization that helps raise funds to sustain the organization’s operations and advocacies. The Embassy showed support to the nonprofit by extending financial donation. The Embassy regularly conducts wellness activities for staff care and health promotion. -END

The Philippine Embassy held a 5-km Fun Run for Raising Awareness on Women With Disabilities around Tishreen Park in Damascus

The Embassy personnel with the employees of the Roots restaurant, the only restaurant in Syria that employs persons with disability.

CDA Verzosa with Roots “Juzour” representative, Ms. Souhaileh Mouhtaseb Bellah