Attachments
Executive Summary
Fourteen years after the onset of the crisis, Syria continues to grapple with one of the world’s largest and most protracted humanitarian crises. Changes in government since December 2024 have exacerbated the effects of protracted displacement, ongoing hostilities and regional insecurity, economic crisis, and climate impacts, and contributed to extremely high levels of humanitarian need, which is compounded by the impact of regional conflicts, including displacement into Syria from Lebanon. More than 16 million people – over 70 per cent of Syria’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance, and 7 million people are displaced across the country.
This report documents findings from Syrian women and girls themselves about the gender-based violence (GBV) they face, their access to GBV services and other humanitarian assistance, their recommendations for humanitarian actors, and their hopes and dreams for the future. It aims to influence the design and implementation of humanitarian response in Syria in this pivotal moment to meet the needs and desires of women and girls.
Women and girls in Syria are, as has long been the case, facing the worst consequences of these intersecting political, social and economic crises, including multiple and increasing forms of GBV. They are experiencing a wide range of violence on a daily basis – including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic violence – and are denied access to rights, opportunities and services. Nowhere is safe, with violence occurring in homes, public places, and digital and online platforms. Their freedom of movement is severely curtailed and they are prevented from accessing services and support. Restrictive and discriminatory social and gender norms underpin this violence, which is exacerbated by displacement, economic hardship and insecurity.
While the change in government of 8 December 2024 has led to some optimism and the consequent return of many displaced families to their homes – more than 1 million displaced people have returned from other areas inside Syria, while some 400,000 have returned from neighbouring countries – women and girls have linked these political changes to deteriorating safety and increased levels of GBV.
In these times of crisis, GBV programming remains an essential and lifesaving intervention. Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS) are often the only place that they can feel truly safe and free to express themselves, and seek much-needed support. GBV prevention activities are contributing to increased awareness of key services among women and girls and community-level shifts in attitudes towards violence.
Women and girls, despite years of protracted and intersecting layers of violence and oppression, still have hope for the future. They shared dreams of ending violence against women and girls, achieving women’s empowerment and equality, and changing society for the better, including by helping and supporting others. To enable the achievement of these dreams, women and girls recommended that humanitarian actors:
• Increase the availability and accessibility of WGSS and other female-only spaces, especially in underserved areas;
• Increase the quality, availability and accessibility of specialized GBV services including GBV case management, psychosocial support, healthcare and legal assistance;
• Expand effective GBV awareness-raising and social and behavioural change approaches to shift harmful gender norms that drive GBV and limit opportunities for women and girls;
• Improve safe and equitable access to humanitarian assistance, services and protective living conditions;
• Increase availability of and safe access to formal and informal education for adolescent girls;
• Expand vocational education and support for income-generating activities for women and older adolescent girls;
• Strengthen access to justice and legal protection for women and girls.