Women with a migration background are underrepresented in the German labor market, even though they bring a wealth of potential, experience, and skills to the table. As part of the ESF Plus federal program “MY TURN – Women with a Migration Background Get a Head Start,” women with a migration background receive targeted support and are placed in training programs, apprenticeships, and jobs. The following MY TURN projects are active in Saxony-Anhalt:
- ASAMi – Contact and Service Center for the Labor Market Integration of Migrant Women in Saxony-Anhalt advises and supports immigrant women as they integrate into the labor market. In addition, the project promotes statewide networking among employment agency representatives, educational institutions, and potential employers—both with each other and with the project participants. The project is implemented by the Caritas Association for the Diocese of Magdeburg e. V. and Minor Wissenschaft Gesellschaft mbH as part of the MY-TURN program.
- Through the LIMA project—Long-Term Integration of Migrant Women into the Labor Market—run by the Halle Youth Workshop, migrant women can receive individualized counseling that takes into account their personal backgrounds and circumstances, professional qualifications, and prospects in the labor market. In addition to counseling, the migrant women can also participate in workshops on computer skills, job application training, and project development, as well as on the topic of empowerment.
- In the Burgenlandkreis district, the MISA BLK project—Empowering Migrant Women for the Labor Market—offers various support services to place women with migration backgrounds in the labor market in a way that addresses their specific life circumstances, provide them with individualized support, and help them gain further qualifications. In addition to advising migrant women, the project also supports companies in preparing and sustainably integrating their workforce, as well as in other relevant areas such as labor law and intercultural issues. The project is implemented as part of the MY-TURN program within the project network of Zukunftswerkstatt Mitteldeutschland GmbH and collaborates with the Burgenlandkreis Job Center, the Saxony-Anhalt South Employment Agency, and other partners.
- The “Strong Migrant Women – Strong Society” project by AWO SPI also offers migrant women individualized counseling and support, ranging from career guidance to assistance with cover letters and job interviews, all the way to enrolling in further training programs. In addition, migrant women can participate in group events to exchange ideas and network with one another.
DaMigra e.V. is a nationwide umbrella organization for women’s migrant organizations, currently comprising 71 member organizations. The goal is to give women with a migration background a voice at the political level and to enable them to participate more fully in social life. To this end, DaMigra also organizes workshops and networking events for migrant women in Saxony-Anhalt in collaboration with regional partners in the fields of migration and employment.
DaMigra e.V.’s “Gemeinsam MUTig” project provides practical support to refugee and immigrant women to improve their opportunities for social participation. The goal is to help them better navigate their circumstances, recognize their resources, and confidently utilize them in society, the labor market, and the education sector. Through various formats, the project builds networks and supports collaboration among regional labor market and education stakeholders, volunteers, and women with refugee and migration backgrounds.
The Saxony-Anhalt State Women’s Council(Landesfrauenrat Sachsen-Anhalt e.V.), as an umbrella organization, represents the interests and concerns of women’s organizations and associations, as well as women’s groups within various organizations in Saxony-Anhalt. It aims to help achieve equal opportunities for women and men in family life, society, and the labor market; to establish gender equality in society; and to motivate women to become politically active.
Regarding violence against women, the Federal Association of Women’s Counseling Centers and Women’s Emergency Hotlines – Women Against Violence e.V. provides contact information for counseling centers nationwide.
Vera—the Center Against Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage of the AWO State Association of Saxony-Anhalt e.V. in Magdeburg—provides counseling and support to women affected by human trafficking, forced marriage, and honor-based violence.
The “lebensart” e.V. (BBZ)—a specialized center for gender and sexual identity in Halle (Saale)—is committed to promoting equality and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual as well as transgender and intersex people in Saxony-Anhalt. Among other things, the BBZ offers counseling for marginalized individuals and their families, specialized information, as well as educational and public awareness initiatives, including in cooperation with schools and other educational institutions.
The BBZ’s free magazine “homo sum – Annual Journal for Gender and Sexual Diversity” provides information on counseling services and events for gay, bisexual, and pansexual people, as well as transgender and intersex individuals in Saxony-Anhalt.
The “Gemeinsam STARK” project of the Saxony-Anhalt State Sports Federation works to combat homophobia, sexism, and transphobia in sports. In addition to workshops, lectures, and training sessions on diversity and anti-discrimination, the project offers personal counseling for those affected. Furthermore, the project provides informational materials and resources, as well as a traveling exhibition on sexual and gender diversity in sports, which can be borrowed free of charge.