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From Awareness to Action: Women Leading Change in Azraq

In the heart of Azraq Refugee Camp, a simple idea grew into collective action. For Inam, Fawza, and Asmaa, the story began with a series of community awareness sessions on waste management and environmental responsibility delivered through the EU-funded Oxfam's Solid Waste Management project. The discussions sparked something more than understanding. They inspired a shared conviction that learning alone was not enough.

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© European Union, 2026

Walking through their neighborhood, the three women noticed waste accumulating in corners that routine cleaning services struggled to reach. Rather than waiting for someone else to act, they decided to lead the response themselves, and their idea quickly drew in women from across the neighborhood. "What motivated us was the belief that keeping our community clean is everyone's responsibility," they said. "We wanted to create a healthier environment for our families and encourage others to do the same." Equipped with gloves, waste bags, and determination, the women organised a community led cleanup campaign, clearing litter from public spaces while drawing neighbors and children into conversations about caring for the environment. 

What began as simple cleanup became a source of pride for the whole neighborhood, showing what communities can achieve when people unite around a common purpose. "The awareness sessions strengthened our understanding of proper waste management and encouraged us to work together," the women explained. "They also inspired us to share what we learned with our children and neighbors, so that protecting our environment becomes part of everyday life." The women are determined to keep the momentum going. They have requested further sessions on safe waste management and hope to organise regular cleanup activities to keep their neighborhood clean and healthy, a commitment Oxfam's team is working to support as the project continues. 

Their message to others is clear: "Don't wait for someone else to take the first step. Each of us has a role to play. When we work together, we can create cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming communities for everyone." 

Through the EU-funded Solid Waste Management project, Oxfam works alongside communities in Azraq Refugee Camp to build cleaner, healthier living environments and, above all, to support the local leadership that makes change last. Because as Inam, Fawza, and Asmaa have shown, lasting change begins with people willing to turn awareness into action.