/ Ways out of Poverty and Violence
The Non-Governmental Organisation El Khir was founded by committed women in Essaouira with the aim of improving the living conditions of women and children. El Khir is mandated by the Ministry of Education to coordinate literacy courses in the region's villages and it also uses the courses to inform women participants about their rights and to impart knowledge on health issues. On several occasions El Khir has offered vocational training courses for women in difficult situations and has supported them in seeking employment. The training to work as a cook which was held in 2011 with the support of cfd led to those women completing the course to being issued with a quasi-official certificate.
Since 2009 the Organisation has conducted an advising centre in which women receive legal, social and psychological support. Most cases involve a husband neglecting his maintenance obligation or the registration of children. Women also frequently seek the assistance of El Khir in cases of domestic violence.
