Syria Crisis - Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Health - UNFPA Multi Year

September 2016 – The Syria Crisis has undermined security and stability in the Middle East and has resulted in unprecedented humanitarian needs. Now in its sixth year the conflict in Syria has led to the worst displacement crisis in the world. Millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) refugees stateless persons and asylum seekers in Syria Iraq Jordan Lebanon Egypt and Turkey are vulnerable to violence food and income insecurity health risks and sexual and gender-based violence. Canada is helping to reduce the vulnerability of millions of crisis-affected people especially women and children through a broad spectrum of humanitarian assistance activities across Syria and in refugee hosting countries. GAC’s multi-year humanitarian support to this project is contributing to address gender-based violence (GBV) and meeting the reproductive health (RH) needs of vulnerable women girls and youth in Syria. Project activities include: (1) distributing Dignity Kits and prepositioning post-rape treatment kits in health facilities; (2) providing case management services for GBV survivors; (3) establishing women-only community centres and safe spaces for women; (4) disseminating information on available GBV services; (5) expanding coordination mechanisms to improve GBV responses; (6) improving the capacity of national GBV service providers; (7) providing emergency life-saving RH services to IDPs through mobile clinics; (8) establishing and supporting including through the procurement of medical equipment RH clinics for IDPs; (9) providing RH services for youth and carrying out youth needs assessments; and (10) mapping out youth-led initiatives.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to emergency healthcare for survivors of GBV and pregnant women including IDPs youth and returnees through mobile and static clinics; (2) improved case management for survivors of GBV; (3) improved access to safe women-only spaces for vulnerable women and girls; (4) improved knowledge on GBV risk mitigation strategies and available services; (5) improved capacity of national GBV service providers; and (6) improved knowledge of youth needs and youth-led initiatives in Syria. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.