Thesis project (took one year)
| Individual work
Tutor : Professor Anna Meroni
* All the pictures are unreal because of NGOs security.
Challenge
In my thesis, through studying different NGOs in Tehran province it has been clarified, cultural, political and social challenges NGOs are facing in Iran, bring obstacles for them to empower recovered women socially and financially. In comparison with NGOs, Social enterprises and social businesses, concentrating on social values and have social concerns are more successful in economically empowering women.
The challenge is:
How might we financially empower recovered women from drug addiction in the Iran context?
My Journey
From the beginning, for several months, I have been in touch with 3 NGOs in Tehran context and observed women condition who have passed the detoxification phase of recovering.
Meanwhile, I have started my field and desk research journey such as having a deep interview with recovered women and also NGO's managers, financial manager, social workers and other staff to discover what are the main needs of disadvantaged women especially drug-addicted group.
The main insights
(desk research):
1. 95% of addicts relapse into the addiction cycle is six months after quitting.
2. The highest scores for relapse was allocated to unemployment, changed income, and emotional needs
3. By improving the necessary skills to avoid using drugs, adapting to stress, establishing self-esteem, and building up self-confidence.
4. Social exclusion is a substantial consequence of addiction.
Max neef Fundamental human needs theory
Also Based on chillian economist Max Neef,
Fundamental human needs consist of Subsistence, Safety and protection, Affection, understanding, freedom, creativity, leisure and social and individual identity are equal in a different culture but satisfiers are different depends to the context.
For instance, a job as a satisfier may contribute to fulfilling subsistence, safety, understanding and participation and creativity.
Based on the field research, interviews, observations, surveys.
Recovered women from addiction needs are more focused on the financial aspects of their lives.
Design
brief
According to vocations recovered women achieved during their stay in NGOs such as tailoring and to enhance their vocational skills and job proficiency in sewing and with the aim of financial empowerment in women, designing social business is an appropriate solution.
Online clothing
maintenance service
Relight is a social business that provides garment care and maintenance services to expand apparel lifespan and giving them a second life.
The employer of this service is included recovered women from addiction and expert tailors. Under the supervision of expert tailors through learning by doing foster recovered women vocational skills in tailoring and sewing.
The service provides clothes repair, alteration, restyling and laundry services through an online platform.
The assumed dedicated space to laboratories and disposition of equipment and tables bring a friendly environment for tailors and women to learn and collaboratively work and feel free to ask their questions and experience.
It is mandatory to follow safety sewing laboratory rules in terms of ergonomy and equipment.
Expert Tailors role in relight
1. Tailors as a coach to train and foster women
To enhance problem-solving skills in different orders
To improve creativity through giving solutions for repairment, alterations and restyling
2. Tailors as coordinators
Online chat to be in touch with customers give advice
Working space
(Labs)
Assumption
Capacity for each laboratory is 8 - 10 women
2 - 3 expert tailor
System map
Website Interface
