Individual Support  

We are with you when becoming aware of violence, working towards a safer life and when recovering. Together, we explore ways to cope with and overcome traumatic experiences. In individual support meetings, you have the opportunity to pause and focus on yourself in a safe and confidential setting. If needed, we can handle official matters together and search for other professionals that could be there to support you. If you wish, we can also meet with people who are important to you. All interactions and discussions are completely confidential. An interpreter can be booked for the meetings if necessary.  

Contact us for more information: 

Sanni Mäkinen 
p. 358 50 3688 906 
sanni.makinen@puijola.net  

Kaisu Pylkkänen
p. 044 787 2868
kaisu.pylkkanen@puijola.net 

Julia Rauhansalo
p. 044 797 1805
julia.rauhansalo@puijola.net

Group Support  

We organize a variety of weekly group activities that are open to girls and women with migrant background. For some of the activities mothers can join with their children.  

Our activities are planned together with participants. They take place in the women-specific spaces of the Girls’ House. These group activities provide opportunities to meet others who may share similar life experiences and to become part of a supportive community.  

Support for Professionals  

Violence, or the threat of it, is unfortunately often a part of the lives of those seeking safety in Finland. We hope no one is left alone when facing their experiences and thoughts, but as professionals, we would be encouraged to recognize and talk about violence. Our wish is to support professionals in becoming aware of gender-based violence, recognizing its realities, facilitating safe conversations, and providing support for those in need.  

 We provide tailored training for professionals. We can come to talk about gender-based violence at work communities and at different events. In addition, we can be asked to organize group sessions for girls and women with migrant background focusing on raising awareness on gender-based violence. We work with professionals to support clients facing violence or the threat of it. Those in need of support can be guided to connect with us and our work. 

Projects and Funders

The  GBV-Tuva2 project focuses on gender-based violence among asylum seekers and those receiving temporary protection. The goal is to enhance the prevention of gender-based violence, identification of experiences of violence and the support provided for victims. The work is funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF), which is managed in Finland by the Ministry of the Interior. The project will continue until the end of March 2026.  

In a project funded by the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA), we support migrant girls, women, and their families. The goal is to reduce feelings of insecurity among those experiencing or at risk of violence, strengthen emotional and safety skills, and fostering a sense of inclusion through communal activities. Additionally, we aim to enhance professionals’ understanding of violence experienced by women and girls with migrant backgrounds. This project will continue until the end of 2025

Materials 

Over the years, as part of our international projects, we have developed a variety of tools and materials addressing gender-based violence. We have compiled all these materials, along with other valuable information, into an online resource bank!  

The resource bank includes:  

• information on gender-based violence in refugee contexts,  

• a list of support providers, 

• materials and tools for individual and group counselling. 

The materials have been developed and collected as part of our CCM-GBV, GBV-Tuva, SARAH projects as well as our ongoing work. 

At the Girls’ house

At the Girls’ house we encounter, see and hear a person as they are. Our purpose is that everyone that comes to the House would find an activity that suits them. We think that every person grows as a person in relation to other people, as a member of a community, and you are an important part of it.  Together, we build a community where it is good for everyone to be themselves. You can find more information about us and our services below. Our house is located in Kuopio, at Kuninkaankatu 26.  

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