When Crisis Strikes: How to Support Syrian Women

Imagine that you are too scared to leave your home. Imagine that if you do leave your house you will most likely be the victim of gender based violence, again. And imagine that you are forced to marry a man that is at least 15 years older than you, just so your parents can use the money from your dowry to pay for food and rent. Who are you? Well you’re the victim of a civil war, you’re a Syrian woman. 

Women’s issues often go unnoticed, especially in the face of a crisis. From what we understand, or don’t understand, about the Syrian refugee crisis is that a lot of people are suffering. But have we stopped to consider that different groups of people might be suffering in different ways? Women, children, and the elderly are all groups of people who need extra medical attention and humanitarian relief. And the first step towards helping is understanding. 

1. What do you need to know?

• How did it all start? Anti-government protests in 2011 that lead the government to respond violently. 
• What was the immediate impact? The war resulted in 220,000 fatalities and another 6.6 million who were forced to relocate. 
• Where are they going? Mostly Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Most recently they have been relocating across Europe (think Germany). 
• How are they getting there? Some are trying to escape by raft and enter through Greece. Others are traveling by foot. 
• Where are they living? Some live in camps set up by U.N, but most are living in urban areas. 
• Read more here. 

And check out this video if you want to understand more about Syria’s civil war and how each country is really responding. 

2. Why are women in greater need? 

There are many reasons. One being that women are disproportionately subjected to sexual harassment. Another issue might be that they aren’t being heard and we aren’t listening. Did you know that women make up 50% of the refugee population? Women are being denied the health care that they need. Whether its personal hygiene products or an outlet to report violent attacks, they don’t have it. The crisis is especially harmful to young girls who are having their freedoms taken away. Adolescent women are being forced to marry, which only subjects them to more violence and harassment. These girls aren’t able to get an education, and if they try to get a job they will be coerced into trading sexual favors for employment. Girls are quickly losing the ability to plan and prepare for their lives after the crisis. Read more here. 

3. What do they need?

• Access to clean water. Did you know that about 100 babies are delivered to Syrian mothers each month? Being able to wash one’s hands is extremely important for both the mother and the baby. 
• Reproductive health care. Trips to the gynecologist cost women to pay out-of-pocket, with the money they don’t have. Because of this, many women don’t receive adequate health care. Read more here.
• Food. Food isn’t always able to reach Syrians. Read this article to understand why it’s so hard to deliver aid and relief. 
• Education.
• Employment. Both education and employment are crucial for women. If they have options, they can better avoid child marriage, inequality, and harassment. Read this report. 
• Clothing. Clothing is not a main priority as it falls behind food and water. 
• Safe spaces. Safe spaces are communities to host female refugees. Women need an outlet where they can report situations of violence. Or if young women lose their families during their escape they can utilize safe spaces for protection. 
• Feminine hygiene products. Refugee families are given coupons that can only be spent on certain food items, and certainly not on hygiene products. 

4. How can you help?

There are so many organizations that are working to help Syrian refugees. Some ask for donations of items, while most ask for donations of money. Donate here or here! If you can’t donate money, you can talk with your campus clubs and see if any would be interested in holding a fundraising campaign. College students are some of the most active volunteers, so you can do it! And remember, stay informed, especially about the issues that might go unreported. 

• health
• refugee
• Syria
• war