According to the Public Relations Office of the Mazandaran Provincial Welfare Organization, Maryam Khakrangin, Director General of the Family and Women’s Affairs Office of the Social Health Deputy of the State Welfare Organization of Iran, stated at the gathering of the Empowerment and Community-Based Transformation Task Force of Mazandaran Province that in order to deliver effective services to all segments of society, it is essential to enter local neighborhoods and make use of the capacities and capabilities of the residents themselves.
She added that social identity in many underprivileged neighborhoods has been undermined by poverty, family-related challenges, and a lack of trust, and when individuals lack self-confidence, they are unable to take advantage of life opportunities.
Emphasizing the importance of a sense of social belonging, the Director General noted that individuals must feel they are members of society, that their voices matter, and that they are able to advocate for their neighborhood and community. This sense of belonging and self-worth, she stressed, forms the foundation of genuine empowerment.
Khakrangin continued that wherever community-based programs have been properly implemented, they have contributed to strengthening the sense of social belonging, particularly in communities that have experienced isolation due to a lack of social infrastructure and tend to compare themselves with more developed areas.
She further stated that community-based initiatives provide opportunities for neighborhood residents to engage in dialogue with senior officials, participate in provincial and national events, and restore their social identity—an identity that reminds them they are responsible for their lives, their neighborhood, and their future, and that they can take pride in being active members of their community
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