International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8th of March each year to honor women and their contributions to the community. It is a day to recognize their great efforts and gains; to recall their benevolence and strive throughout the years.

Out of the belief of women’s capacity to develop the community, the GBV team attached to SSSD, in cooperation with the UNHCR, conducted events throughout the centers of Rural Damascus (Adra, Jaramana, Al-Hameh, Sayyedah Zainab) targeting women, men, adolescent boys and girls, and children.

Need: celebrating IWD.

Target: introducing IWD, the important role women play in the community, women’s abilities to overcome obstacles, empowering women, underpinning the importance of gender equality.

 

Jaramana, Athar Al-Frashah Center

Mother’s Group:

 

The team welcomed the women, offering them a flower labelled with their names and attaching it to the slogan of the event “Gender Equality for a Better Future” subtly introducing IWD.

The adolescents performed a play titled “Bisan” narrating the story of a girl who was subject to several types of parents’ abuse throughout her life; however, she finally overcomes domestic violence. The attendees agree that the girl’s story resembles their suffering, all of them faced difficulties and were subject to violence. Many of them were deprived of work due to husband’s jealousy or fear of wife’s success. Hearing the women’s opinions, the team highlighted the different types of gender-based violence.

Afterwards, the team asked the women “Were women able to overcome these difficulties and achieve their ambition?” They unanimously replied “The situation improved during the war, we have become aware of our rights attending sessions. We know that successful women are on par with successful men. We know how to manage our families properly. Women might be able to overcome some of the difficulties- not all of the difficulties. It depends on the environment.” Hearing their reply, the team asserted that each woman is capable of overcoming all sorts of difficulties; each woman can claim her rights and reach self-fulfillment through building mutual understanding with her husband.

Later, the team elaborated on the topic of gender equality, namely, rights and social roles. Women’s opinions covered the following: Women are deprived of their right to education, married at a young age. They are also deprived of their right to work, out of fear of being harassed. Women are responsible for housekeeping and raising up the children, whereas men are only responsible for providing for their families. Women do not have the right to choose their spouses.

 

The team inquired about the reasons of violence (customs and habits, the community, power is only given to men). Drawing on their answers, the team asserted that these reasons are weak and that each woman should believe in herself, her abilities and strength. Each woman is capable of achieving her targets.

Next, adolescents performed a play shedding light on the roles women and men play. The play underpinned the importance of proper communication and participation in establishing a healthy husband-wife relationship and a healthy family. The team then read aloud the supportive messages (You and I are capable of miracles. He and she establish love, family, and happiness..strength shine out of the couple)

Then a lawyer introduced the main changes of the civil status law and handled all the inquiries revolving (marriage contract and witnesses, marriage age, guardianship of children, dowry, divorce, alimony).

The event was concluded by a comedy play performed by the women’s committee narrating the new changes of the civil status law and sending messages (I am ambitious and strong. I will be in charge and prove that I could be successful.)

 

Al-Hameh, Salam Center

Women’ s Group:

 

The team distributed posters in the main street to introduce the event. The volunteers distributed brochures, reaching out to individuals and attracting them to the exhibition.

The team welcomed the attendees, offering each one of them a flower and directing them to the exhibition, which displayed handicrafts, recycled handicrafts, sewing products, Aghabani, accessories, detergents, meals, and sweets.

An adolescent girl delivered a poetry introducing IWD and the event, and then each woman participating in the exhibition introduced her products, how to make them, and the available tools she relied on, as detailed.

 

• One of the women recycled simple materials and expired items into beneficial, neat and beautiful items.
• Another woman shared her experience, talking about her training workshop in making detergents, shampoos, hair conditioners, hand and feet lotions, and how it boosted her income. She also talked about the importance of the exhibition in networking and attracting new customers.
• One woman expressed her happiness, “The feminine side could be creatively reflected in simple pieces of accessories.”

 

The reaction of the attendees was favorable.

One woman said, “I was not aware of IWD. This day creates a space for self-expression and provides a chance to show off women’s creative and productive sides.”

 

 

One man said, “It is beautiful to witness and celebrate IWD, especially during times of crisis, given the sudden changes of family roles, which of women were able to prove they were great achievers, regardless of the community limitations exerted on them and the very limited resources allocated.”

 

The team concluded the event by saying, “Relying on their artistic and creative spirit and their feminine side, women could achieve their goals, prove themselves, and activate their social role. The community will always impose obstacles against the progress of women.”

 

The exhibition was like a train station at Qudsaya Park. It was the first time the team targets beneficiaries from Qudsaya, introducing SSSD and its services. It was also remarkable to witness the attendance of some key persons from the area, a manager of a private hospital and a group of teachers.

 

The exhibition acted as a bridge connecting participating women with shop owners, who reached out to the woman requesting some samples, particularly shampoos and cleaning tools. One accessory shop owner struck a deal with the woman who makes accessories.

 

Adra, Farah Center

Women’s Group:

 

The team began the celebration by welcoming the women and delivering a poem to instill a sense of pride, and then introduced IWD (working women in New York fought for their rights for years).

Next, the team displayed a video about the life stages of women and related social roles and discussed the content with them. The women were impressed by the video, one of them said, “The part that shows how the girl helped her elderly parents really touched my heart, as it underpins the giving spirit of females and their great multitasking abilities, as opposed to males who might neglect looking after their parents, as a result of their responsibilities and life pressures.”

Later, the women attended a play and expressed their admiration of the performance that reflected reality in detail, wishing that men would really play women’s role for one day to get the real feel women experience and the huge responsibilities they manage.

In closing, the adolescents of the center performed a dance show, congratulating women on IWD and spreading happiness. The team then distributed cards, asking each woman to write down greetings to another woman present in the event, a mother, a friend or a close neighbor. The team also encouraged women to do something special on this day, like making a cake or practicing a hobby. Women’s reactions were great, they exchanged greeting cards and expressed their joy and gratitude for the efforts exerted by SSSD team.

“This day is ours; this beautiful place gathers us; we can collectively celebrate and enjoy our self-worth.”

 

 

Sayyedah Zainab, Dafa Center

Women’s and Men’s Group:

 

The team began the event by welcoming the women and introducing IWD, and then displayed a historical video of IWD, highlighting women’s great roles in families and communities throughout the years. Many men from the audience were impressed by the video.

Next, a theatre sketch was performed, talking about a husband mistreating and belittling his wife, ordering her to fulfill all of his needs. The team then swiftly introduced women’s rights, the most important ones: the right to education, gender equality, the right to work, inheritance rights, freedom of expression, the right to choose a life partner, the right to choose pregnancy time when the woman is physically and emotionally prepared… etc.

Then the team heard the opinions of women on their duties (look after the husband and kids, raise up the kids and instill high values toward love, cooperation and respect.)

The team stressed that gender equality advocates equal rights and equal duties, which guarantees a happy and successful life for males and females. Gender equality empowers women to overcome difficulties and achieve success, which is positively reflected on women’s lives and their relationships with their spouses and kids.

Afterwards, the adolescents performed a dance and closed it with supportive statements (It is your right to enjoy practicing your favorite hobby. It is your right to participate in social activities. You resemble half of the community and you make the other half.)

Later, the team displayed a group of photos of women who were able to recraft history, proving that women are capable of taking on heroic and great roles in life, even though they faced huge obstacles, the community’s stereotypes (women are weak, their abilities and skills are limited). These women were and are still live examples of strong will and success, they had to play men’s roles and they were able to obtain some of their rights, during the crisis and post crisis.

The team discussed the obstacles women face, limiting their self-fulfillment, such as, pushing them to be obedient to the husband, forcing them into early marriage and denying them of their rights. Growing up, females are weakened as part of the social norms and customs.

A child from the center and a woman composed and delivered poems pertaining the ramifications of denying women of their rights on the physical, emotional, and social aspects, such as, isolation, anxiety, divorce, revenge, and suicide... etc.

To close up, the volunteers prepared and displayed a video, telling the story of a woman who was denied of her rights throughout her different life stages and how she was determined to succeed and fulfill her ambition.

Toward the end of the event, the attendees reached a conclusion that de-activating women’s role adversely affects women and their families, whereas activating their role contributes to community development and prosperity.

Women suggested many solutions: Conduct awareness sessions, targeting different age groups, especially males. Enroll women in vocational training courses, empowering them to work inside or outside their homes. Activate laws supportive of women. Conduct activities at the center that support effective communication and highlight the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding as means of avoiding conflict.

Ending the event, some of the women hailed positive words expressing self-worth, self-appreciation and self-care: “Each and every year, we are the mother, the sister, and the friend. We are the strength, the generous givers to our kids and spouses.”

 

Adolescents’ and Children’s Group:

The event started off with welcoming the children and adolescents and introducing IWD by displaying a video, telling the story of a woman who practiced her rights, while growing up and during marriage, and how it positively affected her life. Some of the impressing comments of the children on the video, “A mother is a safe haven for her children.” “A girl is successful when she practices her rights and receives support from the people around her.”

Next, the team displayed a video of a TV program that delivers questions related to gender equality in terms of rights and duties and the children were given the chance to respond. Their opinions pertaining rights revolved around: the right to play, the right to non-discrimination, the right to education, the right to healthcare, and the right to live with a non-violent family. The team asserted that gender equality should be practiced by males and females. As for duties, the children’s opinions were: respect others, commit to ethical values role- modeled by the parents, study and work hard. The team asserted that males and females have the same rights and duties, and that each right someone gains is intertwined with an obligation, he/she should fulfill.

A group of children from the center delivered poems, shedding light on the important role women play in the community and how to invest in their capabilities and multitasking skills to improve their lives.

Later, the team displayed a video, telling the stories of remarkable women throughout different historical eras. These women were leaders and geniuses, and had shown extinguished physical and innovative abilities. The children then told stories of successful women from their community.

Afterwards, the team opened up discussions with the children regarding the physical, emotional and social effects, as a result of denying women of their rights, de-activating their contribution to the community. The opinions of the children revolved around: depression, weak personality, isolation, sadness, the community moves backward.

The team summarized the views of the children and then moved to displaying a video prepared by the volunteers, telling the story of a woman who was denied of her rights throughout her different life stages and how she was determined to succeed and fulfill her ambition. The children hailed some of the statements they heard in the video:

• “Being a woman is not an underprivilege. On the contrary, prove to yourself and to the world that you are strong and capable.”
•  “You have so many rights, do not allow anyone to deprive you of them.”
• “Life is all about hardship, never give up, be patient and determined, fight, and you will achieve success.”

The children proposed the following: Strict laws forbidding the parents or the husband from denying females of their rights. Illiteracy courses targeting different age groups, especially women.

Closing up the event, the children collectively hailed:

• “Each and every year you resemble strength and generous giving.”
• “Thank you for being there for us.”
• “Gender equality guarantees happiness and success to both genders.”

Out of the belief of the important role women play in the community and in honor to women’s contribution, the Syrian Society for Social Development team, Lama’et Dahab, conducted an event “Equality for a Better Tomorrow” celebrating international women’s day at Al-Zahira Center, Damascus, with the participation of 88 women and 165 adolescents and children.

The event included many parts, such as, sketches and dances for children. It revolved around introducing international women’s day (8th of March) and raising the awareness of different age groups about the concept of gender equality.

The women expressed their happiness of the event in their honor and were touched to receive roses in an atmosphere of joy and respect.

A number of awareness sessions and recreational activities were held at the Nabd Community Centre, as well as in the Salkhad area and surrounding villages to raise awareness about gender-based violence and other related issue. The occasion was seized to introduce the 16-day campaign against GBV, why the campaign was launched and for what purposes.
A session for women and girls: The women and girls were given a warm welcome, followed by an icebreaker activity. The session was about various methods to increase trust between mothers and daughters. Several activities were implemented on relationship building. Then the girls were edified about using social media to raise awareness about harassment, the steps that should be taken to reduce this phenomenon in our society and appropriate solutions in case such problems actually occurred.
“When I had this problem,” said one of the girls, “I told a close friend about it. How could I imagine she was going to tell every soul about it! This certainly aggravated the problem and I was being pointed at. But when I told mom about it, what a relief! It was as if the problem had dissolved already! I immediately felt stronger with mom on my side.”
The women thanked us for the session on this particularly sensitive topic. It was necessary, they pointed out, to educate adolescent boys and girls about the importance of informing the parents of all the problems they face because the latter are more truly concerned about their children than anybody else.
At the end of the session, presents and sweets were offered to the beneficiaries.
A women’s session: An awareness and medical support session was held in coordination with the Centre for Rural Development in the presence of the doctor. The women were welcomed and acquainted with each other. Then we told the women about the 16-day anti-GBV campaign and the reason why it was launched, telling them the story of the three girls who were victims of violence. Then the topic of the session proper—early marriage—was tackled. We distributed a questionnaire to the women with several questions related to the topic, such as: What is the appropriate age for marriage for both girls and boys? What is meant by “early marriage”? What are the negative physical and psychological effects on girls who marry under 18? Etc. Then the doctor elaborated, first on the physical consequences of early marriage in terms of health, then on its psychological consequences. Causes and factors that increase early marriage in our communities were discussed at length, as well as the appropriate solutions, using the problem/solution analysis tree.
A woman shared a personal experience: “We were in Lebanon at the time of the war. My parents worried that I could be raped because cases of rape increased tremendously at the time, so they married me off at 12. Then we returned to Syria. At 18 I had already 3 children, not knowing how to deal with them, because all my thinking was about playing and going back to school. Today I feel extremely tired, physically and psychologically. I would never let my daughter marry before she achieves all her dreams and completes her education.”
At the end of the session we thanked the women for their participation and distributed leaflets related to the subject.
A session for adolescent boys and girls: An awareness session was held on gender discrimination at school. During implementation of activities on the topic, male adolescents were favoured and encouraged to succeed, while girls were completely neglected. When asked about how they felt during the activity, the girls said they felt irritated. So, we explained the concept of gender discrimination. At that point, they opened up and told us that discrimination between males and females is deeply rooted in our communities, that society favours males because of the old customs and traditions that promote gender discrimination. To this we answered that males and females are complementary, that they play integrated roles in all spheres of life, that women are capable of success even in domains that have been socially restricted to men, that a woman is fully capable of work to secure a decent living for her children and family.
At the end of the session, we asked each of the participants to sum up the conclusions in a few words, which they did, and presents were offered to the girls!
A women’s session: The awareness session for women started with an icebreaker. Some of the participants were senior women who were willingly following literacy courses. They believed in their right to education, of which they had been deprived when still young because of the ignorance and unwillingness of their parents who would not let them complete their education simply because they were females. Then we emphasized the importance of education for girls and women’s ability to realize their ambitions, even in old age. Education was crucially important for women, not only for their personal flowering, but because it contributes to building an educated generation. Finally, we thanked the women for their perseverance and said that we were very proud of their capacities.
“I felt really ashamed when my grandson asked me to teach him and I couldn’t read the word,” said one of the senior women. “So, I inquired about literacy courses, enrolled and learned to read and write.”
The women also told us about another woman, now in her fifties, who, when she was young, was forced to quit school at grade 9 and marry. Today she married all of her children after insisting that they should all get a decent education. She, however, kept her dream alive, fully determined to realize it. So, she took the secondary school certificate exams, passed with an honorable score and went to college. Her self-confidence increased after her continuous success in realizing her ambition.
At the end of the session we thanked the women and offered them some presents.
An event at the Cultural Center: An event was carried out in Salkhad, which included a motor activity not only for the children of the CP group, but also children from the schools and kindergartens of the area. The activity consisted in rhythmic dancing to the tunes of songs about women’s rights. The event started by welcoming the participants and introducing SSSD, the Community Centre and the services offered thereat. Then the children performed a series of motor activities and a drama sketch about the rights of women, particularly women’s right to work, in front of an enthusiastic audience consisting mainly of the parents of the participating children, the local community, IDPs and school teachers. The audience’s reaction was positive after defining women’s rights through these activities.
At the conclusion of the event we thanked the audience and participants and explained the purposes for the campaign.
NB: Some activities were cancelled due to bad weather conditions, such as the football match, the afforestation activity, the sitting in silence and the candlelit march.

With a view to raising awareness about GBV-related issues, emphasizing the rejection of thisand all forms of violence, introducing the concept and types of GBV, discussing its causes and consequences, proposing solutions to reduce it, and stressing the importance of reporting in case of exposure, the Syrian Society for Social Development organized an event on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence under the slogan Safety and Equality atHome, at Work and Everywhere at the SSSD community centres in Rural Damascus (Jaramana, al-Hameh, ‘Adra Industrial Zone) and in the ‘Adra Workers’ Housing neighbourhood.

The event included activities and awareness sessions carried out within the community centres. The aim of the event was to recapitulate and highlight the awareness campaigns carried out throughout 2018 on all GBV-related topics that targeted all age groups. Several outdoor activities were also carried out, including candlelit marches in both Jaramana and al-Hameh and the distribution of leaflets on GBV-related issues.

 

1 - Jaramana

During the 16-day campaign against GBV, the SSSD team targeted women throughawareness-raising sessionson sexual harassment and abuse, early marriage and intimate partner violence,the importance of education for girls andwomen’s right to work, with a view to women’s empowermentin various aspects of life.

In addition, external activities were carried out that aimed at raising awareness among adolescent boys and girls about the concept of gender discrimination and the importance of gender equality. Such activities included a mixed-gender football match held at the Jaramana Municipal Stadium between the CC adolescentsand a similar mixed-gender basketball game played at the Jaramana Basketball Court. The two games were punctuated by several recreational activities and dances performed by the CC adolescents, awareness activities about women’s rights,with emphasis on women’s right to work and the importance of gender equality in terms of opportunities, services and available/provided resources.

With the participation of the Women’s Committees, children of the Child Protection Club and some school girls, wall paintings were executedon the wall of the Haitham Abdu-s-Salam School, expressing the rights of the child and the right of the girl to education. The first mural featured raised hands representing fundamental rights, each handrepresenting one of these rights (the rights to equality, to education, to health care, to opinion, to play, etc.). The second mural, entitled Teach them…, reflected the importance of education for children regardless of gender. The third muralfeatured the campaign’s mottoSafety and Equality at Home, at Work and Everywhere. The fourth muralrepresenteda group of children carrying their notebooks.The fifth mural was a graffiti with the slogan Education IS Safety.At the end of the activity the children distributed GBV leaflets to passers-by and all participants were thanked for their assistance.

In order to emphasize the importance of reporting GBV in case of exposure, a candlelit vigil was carried out in the vicinity of the Swords Square, Jaramana, with members of the Women’s Committees and children of the CP Club holding placards about gender equality, women’s rights, No to Violence signs and the importance of GBV reporting.

After that, the march began around the Swords Square, led by the Damascus Scouts Band, with the participation of SSSD volunteers and the CP Club, carrying placards with GBV-related slogans.At the end of the march, the Scouts performed their music in the courtyard and Women’s Committee members and female passers-by raised placardsagainst gender discrimination. Anti-GBV leaflets were distributed and a panto sketch featured a battered woman who resorted tolaw to solve her problem. “Violence against women is inadmissible,” said a man from the audience.“With determination and perseverance women can overcome violence against them,” said a woman.

After that, a drama sketch about early marriage was presented, highlighting the problems facing girls married off at an early age. The performance was an occasion to discuss the causes and consequences of GBV. “This marriage is unlawful and must be invalidated,” commented a man.

Weconcluded the activity with a final march around the Squarewith the participation of the Scouts, the CP Club and Women’s Committee members.

In order to emphasize the complementary roles of men and women, the right of women to choose the work they want and their ability to exercise all professions, one of the streets of the Karm Smadi neighbourhood was specially prepared and the CC female volunteers dressed in the outfit of occupationsusually reserved for men (wall painter,gas seller,mechanic,blacksmith, etc.). Every volunteer carried a slogan (“I can,”“We’re equal, aren’t we?”“What prevents?”) in order to emphasize gender equality. One of the women said, “There’s nothing shameful in work. It’s one of women’s rights. What you’re doing is really wonderful!” Another woman shared a personal experience. “I was truly thrilled by what I saw because I had experienced a phase in my life when I had to connect a gas cylinder, repair faucets, etc., all by myself,” she said. One woman enquired about the reason why women were dressed like that, while other womenwere surprisedthat women could exercisesuch professions. So, it was explained to them that the aim was to express the importance of women’s role in community and their ability to play it effectively.

With the participation of members of the Women’s Committee, we also heldplacards highlighting the obstacles facing women and preventing them from assuming their role in community. “Deprivation of resources and opportunities harms women and,consequently,causes social disintegration.It also leads to total marginalization of women,” said one woman.

In the meantime, one of the SSSD volunteers,dressed infolk clothes,poured Arabic coffee for passers-by. Leaflets were also distributed. At the end of the activity, CP Clubmembers presented a dabké dance.

Finally, we asked for some supportive messages, such as: “Say what’s on your mind,” “Don’t let the 16-Day event pass like that,” “Be strong,” etc.).

The event was closed at the Waqf Hall, Jaramana, with the CC children and teens performing a group dance and thanking the beneficiaries for their attendance and participation.

 

2 - Al-Hameh

During the 16-day campaign against GBV, the SSSD team targeted women throughawareness-raising sessionson sexual harassment and abuse, early marriage and intimate partner violence,the importance of education for girls andwomen’s right to work, with a view to women’s empowermentin various aspects of life.

In addition, external activities were carried out that aimed at raising awareness among adolescent boys and girls about the concept of gender discrimination and the importance of gender equality. Such activities included a mixed-gender football match held at the Jaramana Municipal Stadium between the CC adolescentsand a similar mixed-gender basketball game played at the Jaramana Basketball Court. The two games were punctuated by several recreational activities and dances performed by the CC adolescents, awareness activities about women’s rights,with emphasis on women’s right to work and the importance of gender equality in terms of opportunities, services and available/provided resources.

With the participation of the Women’s Committees, children of the Child Protection Club and some school girls, wall paintings were executedon the wall of the Haitham Abdu-s-Salam School, expressing the rights of the child and the right of the girl to education. The first mural featured raised hands representing fundamental rights, each handrepresenting one of these rights (the rights to equality, to education, to health care, to opinion, to play, etc.). The second mural, entitled Teach them…, reflected the importance of education for children regardless of gender. The third muralfeatured the campaign’s mottoSafety and Equality at Home, at Work and Everywhere. The fourth muralrepresenteda group of children carrying their notebooks.The fifth mural was a graffiti with the slogan Education IS Safety.At the end of the activity the children distributed GBV leaflets to passers-by and all participants were thanked for their assistance.

In order to emphasize the importance of reporting GBV in case of exposure, a candlelit vigil was carried out in the vicinity of the Swords Square, Jaramana, with members of the Women’s Committees and children of the CP Club holding placards about gender equality, women’s rights, No to Violence signs and the importance of GBV reporting.

After that, the march began around the Swords Square, led by the Damascus Scouts Band, with the participation of SSSD volunteers and the CP Club, carrying placards with GBV-related slogans.At the end of the march, the Scouts performed their music in the courtyard and Women’s Committee members and female passers-by raised placardsagainst gender discrimination. Anti-GBV leaflets were distributed and a panto sketch featured a battered woman who resorted tolaw to solve her problem. “Violence against women is inadmissible,” said a man from the audience.“With determination and perseverance women can overcome violence against them,” said a woman.

After that, a drama sketch about early marriage was presented, highlighting the problems facing girls married off at an early age. The performance was an occasion to discuss the causes and consequences of GBV. “This marriage is unlawful and must be invalidated,” commented a man.

Weconcluded the activity with a final march around the Squarewith the participation of the Scouts, the CP Club and Women’s Committee members.

In order to emphasize the complementary roles of men and women, the right of women to choose the work they want and their ability to exercise all professions, one of the streets of the Karm Smadi neighbourhood was specially prepared and the CC female volunteers dressed in the outfit of occupationsusually reserved for men (wall painter,gas seller,mechanic,blacksmith, etc.). Every volunteer carried a slogan (“I can,”“We’re equal, aren’t we?”“What prevents?”) in order to emphasize gender equality. One of the women said, “There’s nothing shameful in work. It’s one of women’s rights. What you’re doing is really wonderful!” Another woman shared a personal experience. “I was truly thrilled by what I saw because I had experienced a phase in my life when I had to connect a gas cylinder, repair faucets, etc., all by myself,” she said. One woman enquired about the reason why women were dressed like that, while other womenwere surprisedthat women could exercisesuch professions. So, it was explained to them that the aim was to express the importance of women’s role in community and their ability to play it effectively.

With the participation of members of the Women’s Committee, we also heldplacards highlighting the obstacles facing women and preventing them from assuming their role in community. “Deprivation of resources and opportunities harms women and,consequently,causes social disintegration.It also leads to total marginalization of women,” said one woman.

In the meantime, one of the SSSD volunteers,dressed infolk clothes,poured Arabic coffee for passers-by. Leaflets were also distributed. At the end of the activity, CP Clubmembers presented a dabké dance.

Finally, we asked for some supportive messages, such as: “Say what’s on your mind,” “Don’t let the 16-Day event pass like that,” “Be strong,” etc.).

The event was closed at the Waqf Hall, Jaramana, with the CC children and teens performing a group dance and thanking the beneficiaries for their attendance and participation.

3 - Sett Zeinab

The 16-day event to combat violence against women coincided with the opening of the Sett Zeinab Community Centre, which was an occasion to introduce the community to GBV-related topics and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

The Centrewas prepared to receive various age and community groups. The event lasted from December 1 to December 10 and included awareness sessions on various GBV-related topics, targeting various groups, as well as recreational activities and singing in whichall the CC’s children and adolescents, boys and girls alike, participated.

4 - ‘Adra

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, the SSSD team operating at the‘Adra Industrial Zone and ‘Adra Workers’Housing carried out several awareness and recreational activities.

Based on the fact that women are halfthe society and raise the other half, and sinceknowledge is our safe-conduct to the future and education is indispensable for girls, a library was designed in the form of a girl’s head and assembled at the Farah Community Centre, ‘Adra Industrial Zone. This event was part of the 16-Daysof Activism Against Gender-based Violence, in recognition of women’s right to complete their education and raise awareness against depriving the girls of their lawful right to get educated.The CC’s women arranged the books on the bookshelves and set up a mechanism to borrow books. One of them said, “You truly made my day! Even though I am old, I really want to borrow books, readand broaden my culture!”

At the end of the activity, two video clips were presented, one discussing the importance of education for girls and the other explaining the obstacles to girls’ education. Products of women who followed the vocational training courses at the CC were also exhibited.

Regarding external campaigns, several awareness sessions were held at the ‘Adra el-Balad School on GBV-related topics, in addition to recreational activities targeting children and adolescent boys and girls.

At the AbuRashed Hall, ‘Adra Workers’ Housing, various awareness-raising activities on GBV-related topics were conducted, such asan awareness presentation on reproductive health issues, in view of the absence of a nearby medical point that women can visit. Breast cancer was also focused on, with methods of self-examination presented, as well as and the importance of periodic checking at the doctor’s. Drama sketches, songs and recreational activities were also presented.

Other activities were held at al-Laith Hall, ‘Adra Industrial Zone, with awareness and recreational activities.

One of the girls: “Thanks to the Farah Centre, thanks to their support and encouragement, I returned to my school.To all who participated in such a wonderful humanitarian work I say: THANK YOU!”

The event was concluded with a promo presentation of all campaigns carried out from the beginning of the year. Thus, the women could recapitulateall the major topics discussed with them during the year, most notably the early marriage campaign, the girl’s right to education campaign and the importance of reporting GBV and intimate partner violence. The womenrecalled many of the details discussed during those campaigns and the information they hadlearned.

 

 

“Even though I am happy with my life and my husband provides me with everything I need. Due to the fact that my parents forced me into marriage at the age of 15, I find myself against the idea of child marriage,” according to a beneficiary from Aman Community Center, Zibdiyye, Aleppo. She added, “They told me my body developed to a woman’s body at a very young age and guys were after me on the streets; thus, I was forbidden from going to school.”
In cooperation with UNFPA, SSSD launched a campaign titled “Child Marriage” to raise awareness about the negative ramifications of early marriage and prevent the hazards. The campaign included several awareness activities, introductory activities to child marriage, and the distribution of gifts and print-outs illustrating the concepts of child marriage. During the campaign, the mobile team collected data about the opinions of Zibdiyye inhabitants on child marriage.
300 beneficiaries at different ages expressed their positive opinions of the campaign:
“I am against child marriage. When the girl is very young, she needs to be taught how to care for a baby or even hold a responsibility.”
“I oppose child marriage, even though people say that this generation has high levels of awareness. I still think it is not enough, awareness does not mean that the child is capable of holding up to a huge responsibility bigger than her physical and intellectual energies.”
“I am against this idea, it is unjust to the girl. Her choice might not be as proper as an adult.”