Women In Action
We work towards ensuring a life free from inequality and discrimination for every woman.
About Us
Empower Women, Transform Communities Your Support Matters!
SWAM, founded on August 3, 2018, is a Somali women-led non-profit dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for women and girls. As a home away from home, it connects women through celebration, education, and shared experiences. By addressing the specific challenges faced by refugee women in Malaysia, SWAM equips them with vital skills, knowledge, and confidence, fostering community and resilience for a brighter future.
Come join us
We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.
Events
We organize inclusive events for Women & Girls
20 JuNE, 2024
On June 22nd, we presented a powerful theater performance that highlighted the struggles and resilience of a young…
28 NOVEMBER, 2023
On Tuesday, 28 November 2023, the Empowering Refugee Women Expo brought together eight remarkable…
5 May, 2020
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Want to make a difference?
Stand with us as we work to break barriers and open doors for women and girls to thrive
Impact Stories
A Journey of Hope Through Baking
As a refugee and single mother of three, discovering a new passion for baking opened doors to unexpected possibilities... Read More
Breaking Language Barriers
Learning English became my path to empowerment, helping me connect with my children and community... Read More
Finding Strength in Self-Belief
A chance encounter with a self-empowerment session changed my perspective on what's possible... Read More
Healing Through Community
Finding strength and healing in a mental health support group after facing the challenges... Read More
Discovering Art Through Design
Mastering graphic design became my creative outlet, helping me express myself beyond... Read More
Empowerment Through Knowledge
A women's rights session opened my eyes to the power of making my own decisions... Read More
A Journey of Hope Through Baking
As a refugee and single mother of three, my life was entirely focused on my children. My own dreams seemed distant, almost foreign, as if they didn't belong to me. But everything changed when I stepped into a six-month bakery program. At first, I doubted myself, thinking that being a mother was all I could ever be. But this experience opened a new chapter in my life, helping me rediscover my potential. Now, I'm considering starting a small business and dreaming of a brighter future, not just for my family, but for myself as well. I've learned that being a refugee doesn't define my limits; I can be whoever I choose to be. The journey has taught me that my dreams are valid, and I can still carve out a life full of hope and possibility.
Breaking Language Barriers
Embracing English learning has been my empowerment journey, even as a refugee in a new country with a different language. Communicating with my children was a struggle, especially when they excelled in school. Now, I'm able to understand and ask questions, breaking down language barriers. Thanks to the opportunity I got, I've become empowered, and step by step confidently able to communicate in English. As I reflect on my growth, I'm reminded of my English teacher's favorite phrase "Keep learning, keep empowering"
Finding Strength in Self-Belief
Being a refugee made me feel like my choices were no longer mine, as if my freedom to decide had been taken away. One day, I accompanied my mother to a session she was attending about self-empowerment and personal growth. As I sat there, listening to the facilitator speak, I was struck by her energy and confidence. Despite the challenges life had thrown her way, she radiated strength and resilience. She said, "If you want to be someone capable of achieving anything, you're already that person—you just need to believe in it and work for it." That moment changed everything for me. I started attending every session, joining the classes they offered. As a young woman in today's world, I realized how important it is to work hard and move forward, no matter what. That lesson will stay with me, and I will carry it with me as I continue on my path. Life starts with you and ends with you.
Healing Through Community
At nineteen, I lost my husband, and my world fell apart as a civil war erupted. Stranded in Malaysia, I faced overwhelming challenges—language barriers, poverty, and the trauma of a forced marriage at thirteen. I had no education and struggled to afford medical care for my baby. Attending a mental health support group became a turning point in my life. For the first time, I realized I wasn't alone in my struggles. I found friendship, understanding, and a space where we could share our stories. That connection helped me understand my own mental health better. Mental health today is often seen as a taboo. When we talk about how we feel, we're told to stop stressing. But are we really stressed, or do we just need someone to listen? This experience inspired me to help others in similar situations, knowing that our stories can be a source of strength and healing.
Discovering Art Through Design
Over the past few months, I've immersed myself in graphic design, focusing on mastering Adobe Illustrator. Attending a course on this subject has been a truly fulfilling experience, as I've unlocked the unique tools of Illustrator and discovered a deeper passion for art. Crafting my own illustrations brings immense satisfaction and allows me to express my creativity freely. Despite the challenges I've faced completing high school and dealing with the daily struggles as a refugee, this training has reignited my love for design and illustration. While there's always pressure to achieve perfection when recreating designs, creating original art has become an outlet for me to express myself fully.
Empowerment Through Knowledge
I often saw community women attending sessions about women's rights and various activities, and I wondered what drew them there. One day, I decided to join some of them. The center was filled with women, each one radiating a sense of purpose for being there. The trainer spoke passionately about the importance of knowing your rights as a woman and emphasized that making personal decisions is your right—no one else should decide for you. As I sat there, I realized that it was the first time I consciously chose to attend such a session, and that decision empowered me in a way I had never experienced before. The feelings I had that day were unforgettable. It was a profound moment of self-discovery, reminding me that my voice matters and that I have the right to shape my own life