Since 2011 the ongoing war in Syria has displaced around 1.5 million Syrians into Lebanon. Protection intervention is still of vital importance for countless affected people, especially women and girls.
In response to the assessment on prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV), the IRC launched a Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) programme, funded by the European Union, to equip adolescent girls with knowledge and skills to prevent discrimination and help them create networks of support.
The Girls' Safe Spaces carry out sessions that provide psycho-social support; ranging from conversations around themes such as reproductive health, self-esteem, and decision-making, to activities that involve craftwork and dialogues that help them get to know each other better.
Sabah* is a 15-year Syrian refugee who now lives in Lebanon with her family. She was formerly engaged to a man from her community, but after participating in WPE sessions she learned more about her right to education. Eventually she opened up to her parents about how she feels marriage would hinder her self-development. She made the decision to break up her engagement so she could resume her education.
The sessions also helped Sabah develop a support network with other girls. She also shares a close relationship with Elissar, the IRC’s Adolescent Girls Assistant in her area. Sabah says, “We are very grateful to Miss Elissar. She always tells us that a woman should be brave, and that there is no difference between a boy and a girl. She tells us that a woman should be firm and defend her rights. She should not be silent if someone harasses her - she should speak up and protect herself.”
In the sessions run by Elissar, she teaches the girls how to confidently defend themselves, and which hotline to call to report any kind of harassment they might face. Sabah* talks about how great it is to attend the gatherings before school, saying “We have a lot of fun there, and we’ve made a lot of friendships.”
Ameera*,15, is a Syrian refugee with special needs who attends the Safe Spaces sessions with her sister Ruqaya*, 14. Moving to Lebanon with her condition was not an easy feat but the IRC has adapted activities to fit in with the needs of those with disabilities. Together at the centre, the girls participate in playing with toys, drawing, colouring, and making tabbouleh.
“Everything in her life changed,” says her sister Ruqaya*, “I felt like she became closer to me, too.” The other girls who attend the sessions with the sisters encourage Ameera*’s participation and ever since she has built a support network she has become much happier. Her father Samer* says, “Ameera* benefited a lot from the sessions. Three or four months ago, she did not mix well with children. She is now getting out of the house. She has the desire to explore. She has friends now.”
Diana, 33, is another Adolescent Girls’ Assistant in Lebanon. She says, “The most important lesson that I teach the girls is always to speak out and seek support because it's the first step to help their self-esteem, self-confidence, and to actually solve their problems.”
Diana assigns the girls handicraft activities to build trust with them. She ensures that everything talked about in the sessions will remain confidential in order to create a space where they can openly talk about their problems. “The girls have the opportunity in the safe space, to feel safe,” she says, “Everyone here in the room shares the same fears, the same thoughts, and they can actually seek the support they need.”
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
