A candle vigil in Beirut in solidarity with Syrian displaced women || Newspapers (Arabic)

ABAAD centre organized last week a candle vigil in solidarity with displaced Syrian women, with the support of IRC and Oxfam GB and as part of an international initiative launched in collaboration with the international Save the Children in 30 countries to mark the second anniversary of the Syrian civil war and in support of displaced Syrian women on the occasion of the international women’s day.
Displaced Syrian women shared stories which resonate the findings of the small survey undertaken by ABAAD and IRC which covered 100 displaced women and men and showed that women experienced several forms of gender based violence such as rape and physical abuse.  The survey also indicated that women suffer from the lack of minimum social and economic needs and experience exploitation when they seek services, from the high density of displacement centres and the overall insecure political environment.  The recommendations of the study include improving access to health services to women and girls survivors of violence and abuse, provision of necessary technical support to service providers, support in kind, financial assistance and confidential counseling, and implementing international conventions which protect displaced people in general.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Safir 18 March 2013