What is the refugee crisis?
In Syria and Iraq, oppressive, dictatorial rule has sparked violence between the government and populace. Today, over 7 million people have become internally displaced within Syria and almost 4 million Syrians are living in surrounding countries as refugees. For a more detailed report, check out Europe’s Refugee Crisis: How Did We Get Here?
How does the crisis effect the female population?
Common to all humanitarian emergencies, is the vulnerability of women and girls in these crises. In refugee and displacement situations, risks like discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence are often exacerbated as public structures break down and formal justice systems tend to fail at upholding women’s rights.
Sexual Violence
In the current refugee crisis, women, and their children, are at heightened risk for sexual violence and abuse, especially in overcrowded reception sites. The threat of harassment is rampant in urban shelters and refugee settlements, but often women and their children have nowhere else to turn to.
Prenatal Care
Shortfalls in funding threaten to deprive women of critical assistance during pregnancy. Expensive or unavailable health services means that many women risk giving birth in unsafe conditions. According to UNFPA, “nearly half a million Syrian women, including refugees and those still in Syria, are pregnant and in need of maternal care.” (UNFPA)
Poor Living Conditions and Lack of Resources
According to the U.N., four in five Syrian refugees are women and children. And, a recent study by the U.N. Refugee Agency, reports that women head over 100,000 refugee households. These women must grapple with poor living conditions, often alone, forced to face harsh climates in makeshift tents and overcrowded dwellings. Additionally, being separated from their families and facing a lack of work opportunities, means that female refugees struggle to acquire adequate nourishment and other necessities for themselves and their children.
Child Marriage
In the dire circumstances that have manifested from the crisis, child marriages have reportedly increased in the region at a rapid rate. To ease financial burdens, or with the impression that a husband would be better equipped to keep their daughters safes, many families marry their children off. Perpetual instability, destroyed incomes, displacement, and a lack of safety have driven families to this extreme, which has in turn stripped girls of opportunities and reinforced already deeply embedded gender inequalities.
How we help refugee women?
There are many organizations that provide aid to refugee women, such as World Vision, UNHCR, and Care. Donations to these organizations and many others can help alleviate their hardship. But just as important is keeping informed and aware that these women exist. Humans of New York, the project that made itself known through photographing people in new york and featuring an accompanying story, for about a week shifted its focus to highlight stories of Syrian refugees. These anecdotes are just one way to ensure that the plight of these refugees doesn’t slip from our consciousness and rather pervades our everyday thoughts.
Sources:
http://www.unfpa.org/news/after-flight-syria-refugee-women-iraq-find-safety-support
http://www.unfpa.org/news/syrian-refugee-parents-take-stand-against-child-marriage