A learning paper reflecting on women’s needs and access to healthcare in north-west Syria.
Islamic Relief Syria Field Team 2021
Executive summary
The devastating effects of the Syrian crisis over the past 12 years are impacting an ever-greater number of people. Access to healthcare services is a particularly acute challenge for many women. More than 50% of trained health professionals have left north-west Syria, while there has been a significant decline in the number of available healthcare facilities (18.8% decline in the 4th quarter of 2021 alone). As a result, many women and girls are unable to access healthcare services, a problem which is further exacerbated by protection risks and social customs that restrict their mobility.
Since 2012, Islamic Relief has targeted its assistance in north-west Syria predominantly on health interventions. This includes working with partners to provide free healthcare services. Islamic Relief programmes reach more than 500,000 people annually, the overwhelming majority of whom are internally displaced people (IDPs). In 2020, Islamic Relief Worldwide initiated a series of learning papers to understand the specific needs and barriers to accessing health services for women and girls and other at-risk groups. Data was collected from approximately 1000 participants in four health facilities in Harim and Idleb in north-west Syria.
Our findings indicate that customs and traditions are the major barrier preventing access to healthcare facilities for women and girls. They are socially required to be accompanied by a male guardian or a relative and are only allowed to seek help on their own in extreme circumstances.
Women are expected to be seen by female doctors in most circumstances, presenting another significant barrier for women due to the lack of female doctors in north-west Syria. Education is also a key factor in access to healthcare. Women and girls with a higher education level are more aware of their health needs and better able to access healthcare facilities.