Thanks to European Union funds, INTERSOS is helping women at risk and survivors of violence in the North and South of the country
In the areas of North and South Lebanon, gender-based violence such as domestic violence, early marriage, sexual harassment and exploitation and denial of resources is a common form of violation that is frequently observed and reported. Often people we assist live in a traditional and conservative environment. In most of our awareness and psycho-social support sessions, women reported that domestic violence, in all its forms, is still socially approved. Thanks to the European Union, we provide a targeted intervention to support vulnerable women in North and South Lebanon. Here are some of their stories.
The story of Douaa
In 2012, Douaa and her family escaped the war in Syria and came to Lebanon searching for safety and a better lifer. Thanks to our intervention funded by the European Union, she is now pursuing her dream to continue her education and find a suitable job. Douaa dreams to become a lawyer and helps girls one day to gain their rights and live a life with dignity. “I want to become a lawyer to protect other girls. I do not want to see any girl suffering the way I did; because every girl should enjoy and live her rights fully.”
Douaa is 19 and lives in Hrar, in Akkar, North of Lebanon. Her family faced many obstacles such as being part of a new environment, finding a good source of income, finding a decent shelter, and most importantly ensure an education for their children. Around three years ago, her dad was diagnosed with severe diabetes; due to his illness, he is losing sight thus he can’t work and could not pay the rent. Therefore, all the children started to work to get money to survive and support their parents. Douaa continued her education until she was in the tenth grade when she was sexually harassed by boys around her school. Her father then forced her to leave the school and stay at home, claiming that it was the only way for her to be safe. To help the family, despite her father’s resistance, Douaa worked as a cleaner at her neighbors. Her father often says that girls who are uneducated are ready for marriage. She mentioned how the incidents she faced affected her mental health making her feel frustrated, depressed, and hopeless.
“I can never forget her face when I first met her, she was frustrated and had no plans for the future” said Yara the case worker and added “Such people motivate me to give my all to help them pursue their rights and live their dreams”. It all started with an outreach visit when the social workers invited her for an awareness session in the center; at the beginning she refused to attend any Psycho-social support session or being referred to any psychologist. After various awareness discussions she discovered its importance and agreed to be referred to the psychologist. Douaa is now under case management, attending Psycho-social support activities, and being followed up by a psychologist. She is provided by Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA), and Cash For Rent (CFR) which is allowing her to have enough resources to support her family and transportation to pursue her education and follow her passion to become a lawyer.
“Thanks to the financial support now my daughter is happy and continuing her education, it has been long time since I saw her that excited for anything. Having financial support such as rent is really helping us to keep our children in schools.” said Douaa’s mother Reem. Now, Douaa is back to school. “I really missed the feeling of being in a class, I want everyone to know that they have the right to dream and live their lives to the fullest,” Douaa said and added “I hope one day I can help people to understand the importance of their freedom and to enjoy their right whatever the situation was. Nothing and no one has the right to steal that from you!”
The story of Fatima
“For years, I have had frequent conflicts with my husband that, every time, ended in him beating me up. Then, INTERSOS intervened and changed my life completely.” Fatima tells us, the name is fictional. Fatima, 46 years old, is a Syrian woman who fled the war. Fatima was obliged to move with her three children from Kfarkila, in South Lebanon, to Tripoli, in the North, along with her husband and her family in 2020. After constant emotional and physical abuse, she decided to flee the house, she took her three children, two boys (10 and 5 years old) and one girl (7 Years old), with her and moved back to Kfarkila, in secrecy and without telling anybody about her whereabouts. Fatima stayed with a neighbour she had known previously in Kfarkila. She then contacted IINTERSOS, who made a quick intervention. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of INTERSOS team, their quick response and constant follow up. Because of them, I now live safely with my children.”
Fatima was referred to INTERSOS legal team in the North for legal counseling and representation to file for divorce and custody of her children. The lawyers acted fast, and she got divorced in mid-October, and took the custody of her children. Fatima is also receiving ECA and Cash for Rent to pay rent for a house where she can live with her children. Fatima was counselled to maintain a low profile so her ex-husband wouldn’t find her, because he could come and take her or her children by force. Fatima is also followed by a psychologist for individual psychological sessions after which her mental health state improved, and healthy habits were reintegrated into her daily routine. She can now take care of her children away from her abusive ex-husband.