The Syrian war has been declared by the UN as the biggest humanitarian crisis of the twenty-first century. It is estimated that approximately 5.6 million Syrians have fled the country as refugees and 6.1 million have been internally displaced. The ongoing violence and political unrest have had detrimental effects on the country’s healthcare systems, educational systems and economy. These barriers have made it difficult to access preventative and emergency healthcare. Furthermore, these effects have devastating effects on the country’s most vulnerable demographic: women and girls. Here are five important things to know about women’s healthcare in Syria.

Lack of Access

Many women affected by the conflict are likely to have poor sexual and reproductive health. These problems are the leading causes of death, disease and disability among refugee women in Syria. Limited finances, lack of reliable transportation and a weakened health system have contributed to the degradation of women’s healthcare in Syria.

Lack of Awareness and Overwhelming Fear

The lack of reproductive awareness and education is a major issue in many Middle Eastern countries. Because the majority of reproductive health information is taught through a religious and cultural lens, there is often less of a scientific basis for treatment. This is particularly dangerous if a woman is facing a medical issue that needs urgent attention.

Some women face an overwhelming fear of judgment or shame that stops them from reaching out for professional healthcare. Women, particularly those who are victims of sexual assault, may not seek help for fear of being judged. Individuals may also be reluctant to acknowledge and seek help for any mental issues that they suffer from. In both cases, there is fear that needing help will inflict shame upon their family.

Married Too Young

The vast majority of Syrian refugees are adolescent women and girls who are of reproductive age. However, the rate of early and forced marriages is growing among young Syrian girls. Many refugee families marry off their young daughters with the hope that it will provide them with protection and alleviate them from poverty.

Unfortunately, forced marriages at young ages put girls at a higher rate of conceiving at an age that is too young to handle the stresses of childbirth. Girls under the age of 18 are more likely to experience complications during their pregnancy and while in labor. This can result in maternal mortality, stillbirths and gender-based violence.

Syrian women often do not get the prenatal care that they need. For example, antenatal care (ANC) visits are instrumental in reducing the chances of stillborn and maternal mortality. The WHO recommends a minimum of four visits but encourages women to attend eight if possible. In comparison to four visits, eight sessions can reduce perinatal deaths by eight per 1,000 births.

In 2009, UNICEF reported that approximately 64% of expecting Syrian women attended at least four ANC visits. By contrast, it was discovered in 2017 that only 14% achieved four visits. Despite a high birth rate, surveyed Syrian women have reported that they do not attend ANC visits due to lack of reliable transportation, lack of knowledge and high out-of-pocket costs associated with the services.

Sexual Gender-Based Violence

The displacement of Syrian women has left refugees desperate for shelter and safety. In 2013, the WHO reported that approximately 37% of women in the Eastern Mediterranean region suffered from intimate partner violence. Syria’s internal conflict has exacerbated this problem both in the country and in places of refuge.

The risk of gender-based violence such as assault, rape or coercion is particularly high in refugee camps where the majority of the inhabitants are women and children. Women are often forced to have sex for survival.

Sexual violence is a multi-pronged problem. It can put the victim at a higher risk of contracting an STD or STI which can lead to unwanted pregnancy and could lead to forced marriage or sexual slavery.

What’s Being Done

Years of conflict have weakened Syria’s healthcare system and have left many citizens in a state of vulnerability. WHO has been working within Syria to support the country through innovation, donations and training for years.

One of the biggest barriers to obtaining healthcare in Syria is the lack of safe and reliable transportation. In 2018, WHO donated eight mobile clinics, 36 ambulances and 75 mobile teams to reach the most vulnerable citizens. They also trained 30,865 people on a broad range of health issues to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.

In the fight for improving living conditions for women all around the world, WHO is working to strengthen the healthcare system’s responses to violence against women.  They are supporting healthcare professionals through training workshops to equip them with the skills they need to address not only the physical harm of the but the victim’s mental health as well.

WHO has done a lot to support Syria’s healthcare system. While there’s more work to be done, it’s a big step in the right direction to improve women’s healthcare in Syria.

–Jasmine Daniel

Photo: Flickr