Interactive activities in Lattakia as part of the 16- day campaign of activism to end gender-based violence

“violence against women is one of the most widespread and devastating human rights violations in today’s world. This violence is a barrier to gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment and it is an impediment to the achievement of the goals of sustainable achievement”. Mrs. Tania Al-Khayer, Head of the center for Supporting and Empowering Women in Lattakia province said during the Syriatimes e-newspaper’s visit to the center.

The center, which is affiliated to the Syrian Family Planning Association ( SFPA) in Lattakia, has carried out recently  a series of field tours, interactive activities, and awareness sessions on issues related to women and gender-based violence, as part of the 16-day campaign for ending violence against women. 

 “undoubtedly, women are the integral part of society and it is crucial to recognize their vital role in sustainable development. Empowering women would empower the entire society and can have many positive results on social economic and other aspects of life”.  Mrs. Al-Khayer underlined. 

The campaign aims at raising awareness on the importance of combating violence against women and reintegrating abused women into society.

She pointed out that the  FPA’s centers and mobile work teams in Lattakia carried out workshops and  symposiums, delivered lectures, held awareness-raising sessions,  which targeted  various age groups as well as presenting world success stories of famous women who were subjected to violence .

 Director of the Center Mrs, Al-Khayer  affirmed that the center aims at empowering the Syrian woman socially, economically, and psychologically and creating job opportunities to improve women’s living conditions through  holding free training courses on sewing, hairdressing, first-aid kit, illiteracy eradication, English language , computer skills and wool works.

She made it clear that the trainees at the center aged 19-70 who join the center, send messages to the world that  Syrian women are able to shoulder their responsibility towards their countries and their families . At the Syrian family planning Association center for Supporting and Empowering Syrian women, Syriatimes e-newspaper met  Miss . Rania Sadakah the  psychological supervisor of  women who were subjected to different kinds of violence  .

She stressed the fact that “ the Syrian crisis has had many negative consequences on the Syrian people and this led women to face more responsibilities”.

Miss Sadaka indicated  Lattakia has suffered from the crisis and it received a number of women who were subjected to different kinds of violence including economic and physical, underscoring that “at  the center we listen to and understand women’s need to support them effectively and enhance their presence in society through cooperation with concerned sides to provide them with job opportunities”.

Love is not enough

“ love is not enough and getting a divorce is not a failure” Miss. Sadaka  commented  when told Syriatimes about Mrs. A. Barakat’s story who was subjected to  severe physical violence.

“ Barakat’s husband was very violent  and aggressive and he was unfaithful to  his wife with one of his relatives. She faced brutal and harmful physical violence and hard circumstances because she was unable to do anything” Sadaka said. 

She underlined that after Barakat joined a sewing training course at the center she felt relaxed , had positive energy and enjoyed more self- confidence to challenge her circumstances.

“ After years of suffering Mrs. Barakat got divorce and began a new life. She started her own work and managed to be strong enough and faced all challenges” Sadaka said.

“ I encourage all  women to stay positive and surround themselves with supportive people” Miss. Sadaka concluded.

Mrs. Umm Shuaib  fifty-year old  and Mrs. Fadia thirty-six year old noted  the  importance of attending such activities  by  women  and girls  of different ages  to learn about their rights that are protected by law , about misconceptions that prevailed in society and to obtain the necessary advice in dealing with various cases of violence which women are exposed to in general as a result of their ignorance and fear of society’s reaction. 

Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam

Photos by : Rawaa Ghanam