THE CHALLENGE

For the past five years Syria has been experiencing a brutal civil war, which has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 civilians.

Women and girls have been severely impacted by the conflict. Both men and women experience daily violations of their most basic human rights, including the right to life, security, and dignity and suffer huge economic and psychological difficulties as a result. However, women and girls are exposed to the added horrors of sexual and gender-based violence and forced early marriages. It is estimated that 7.5 million people, including many women and girls have been displaced within Syria and more than 3.5 million women and children have taken refuge in neighboring countries.

Today, these women are struggling to meet their families most basic needs, in particular ensuring that their children have access to continued and quality education.

Many schools have been destroyed and children often have to travel very long distances, just to be have the opportunity to learn to read and write. For young girls, the situation is even more challenging, as security threats and exposure to harassment and sexual violence further limit their mobility. 

The SOLUTIONS WE'RE PROPOSING

In order to respond to the urgent situation in Syria, our field partners the Mediterranean Women’s Fund and Women Now for Development are establishing training centers for women and girls. The training centers provide women and girls in Syria, as well as refugees in Lebanon and Turkey have access to a safe space. Women gain access to self-sufficiency training courses so that they are better equipped to provide for the needs of their families, while young girls are provided access to quality schooling, enabling them to pursue their education and learn about civic life.

Ensuring their children can continue their education is the number one priority for Syrian mothers. When asked about their needs, these women are clear: “We need school books! Not food and medicine.”  

THE IMPACT OF GIVING

Since it was created, our field partner Women Now has created seven training centers in Lebanon and in areas controlled by the Syrian government in Syria, reaching more than 10,000 women and 6,000 children.

By contributing to this project, you are helping Women Now to continue their vital work providing psycho-social support and capacity-building training to Syrian women and girls displaced by the conflict. In some areas, the organization is the only resource available to fill the void left by the complete breakdown of governmental and civil society organizations.

Thanks to your generous support Syrian women and girls are able to build their self-confidence and self-esteem, and learn to assert themselves within their families.  Young girls watch their mothers become autonomous, and look at them with pride and admiration, an important step in building their own self-esteem and resilience.

Your generous donation will enable young Syrian girls to become active members of their communities, by enabling them to continue their education and build their self-confidence.