Panel in preparation of the Day of Dialogue of Brussels VIII Conference

“Supporting the future of Syria and the Region”:

Ensuring Mechanisms to Combat Violence against Women and Girls in Syria

during Early Recovery Phase
29 April 2024 

Closing remarks
by

Remarks Birgit Van Hout, Director, Representation Office in Brussels,

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank EuroMed Feminist Initiative, Syria Gender Advocacy Group, and Musawa for inviting the United Nations Population Fund to contribute to this important discussion.

As we mark 13 years of conflict in Syria, we must acknowledge the profound and disproportionate impact this has had on women and girls. The fabric of Syrian society has been torn, leaving a legacy of gender-based violence that has,regrettably, become normalised. In the words of Yara, a young Syrian woman from Aleppo who recently sought support at a UNFPA-supported facility, “Syrian women are being slowly suffocated. The violence against us has now become part of every day, and we’re losing hope in any form of justice.”

Since 2016, UNFPA has been studying and cataloguing the state of gender-based violence throughout Syria, publishing our findings in an annual report called Voices from Syria. Our analysis has found that the experience of Yara mirrors those of countless women and girls who grapple with gender-based violence.

The crisis has not only depleted resources and crippled the healthcare system but has also severely limited access to essential protection services for women and girls, further compounding the risks and trauma they face. Their resilience in the face of such adversity is a testament to their strength and determination. 

The array of human rights violations faced by Syrian women and girls, including unlawful killings, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and pervasive gender-based violence and discrimination, underscores the urgency of our message. These violations are compounded by legal and administrative barriers to accessing human rights that create an environment where women and girls are devalued, controlled, and
exploited. 

Adolescent girls, in particular, are facing challenges that stunt their development and limit their future prospects, perpetuating a cycle of violence and exploitation. For both women and girls, harmful patriarchal norms — deeply entrenched after 13 years of crisis — continue to place significant restrictions on basic freedoms and rights, often paving the way for various forms of socially-condoned gender-based violence.

The deteriorating economy, loss of livelihoods, and protracted displacement cycles have forced many into negative coping mechanisms, such as early and forced marriages and sexual exploitation. Alarmingly, the normalization of violence against women and girls threatens to erode what little remains of their dignity. We need comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of gender-based violence.

UNFPA stands firmly with the women and girls of Syria. As we focus on early recovery, we must recognise the critical role women and girls have to play in rebuilding society. Their empowerment is not only a matter of rights but also a cornerstone of sustainable recovery and development.

Their voices, experiences, and leadership are indispensable to lay the foundation for a more stable and equitable Syria. But this vision of hope will never materialise as long as women and girls are being dehumanised and subjugated, and live with the daily threat of violence.

In closing, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting the human rights of the women and girls of Syria. By addressing gender-based violence and ensuring their active participation in the recovery effort, we not only honour their resilience but also harness their potential to lead Syria towards a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

Thank you.