Refugee women on Chios island help survivors of gender-based violence
Lana, an asylum-seeker from Syria, was one of the first women in the reception centre of Chios island to join the Women's Committee, a group of volunteers against gender-based violence
“Many women are afraid to talk. Or they feel that no one cares about them. But we cannot defeat gender-based violence with silence. That is why we have formed a team that stands alongside women who live in the camp and have gone through painful incidents of violence. We listen to their stories and become their voice” – Lana, 43, an asylum-seeker from Syria, speaks proudly of the Women’s Committee, a group of volunteers created by female asylum-seekers in the Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) of Chios island.
Lana was one of the first to join the group. The Women’s Committee was created almost a year ago, at the initiative of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and in collaboration with the Reception and Identification Service, to help address gender-based violence by engaging meaningfully members of the asylum-seeking and refugee community and building on their existing capacities. The group consists of nineteen women from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, DRC and Cameroon.
At the same time UNHCR helped set up a “Friendly Space” for women in the camp where female asylum-seekers can meet, engage in activities and discuss the problems they face. This is also where the members of the Women’s Committee hold their meetings.
“This space is important because women need time and they need to feel safe. You cannot share such a traumatic experience among the crowd or while standing somewhere outside, in the open, for five minutes,” Lana says.
Volunteers have attended training sessions in order to be able to provide psychological first aid to survivors and refer them for further support. The members of the Committee hold meetings, where they discuss with women and inform them about their rights, but also about where to reach out for help.
When the team receives a report, it refers the survivor to agencies that can provide support inside the RIC: such as the Reception and Identification Service, the National Public Health Organization or UNHCR.
“Some women find the courage to approach us and ask for help, but most are afraid to speak. So, we don’t wait for them to come to us. We walk around the camp, observe and talk to women. We want to be visible so that women know that we are here to help,” Lana explains.
In addition to recording incidents and empowering women, the team also aims to raise awareness among men.
“Unfortunately, in many countries violence against women is acceptable and a daily occurrence,” Lana says.
“Of course, we try to give a voice to women asylum seekers, but the behavior of men is of paramount importance. We try to change perceptions and break down stereotypes that have deep roots. It takes time and systematic work. Conditions are difficult, but we see that some men understand and embrace our message,” Lana notes.
Bernadette from Cameroon is an active member of the Women’s Committee which fights against gender-based violence at the Vial Reception and Identification Center on Chios.
Lana, an asylum-seeker from Syria, was one of the first women in the reception centre of Chios island to join the Women's Committee, a group of volunteers against gender-based violence
Lana, from Syria and Bernadette from Cameroon, are active members of the Women’s Committee which fights against gender-based violence at the Vial Reception and Identification Center on Chios.
Despite the progress that has been made, the women’s group still confronts residents with reservations about its work, or even hostile, attitudes. There are cases of men forbidding their wives to speak to the volunteers.
For Lana, this is not an unprecedented experience. She has faced similar problems in Damascus, where she and her husband had set up a team to fight violence against women and children. But her husband went missing in 2018 and she then decided to flee the country.
Lana has studied agricultural engineering and really wants to work in her field again. She hopes that she will be granted asylum soon and that she will be able to move to Athens and continue her voluntary work as an activist.
“Solidarity and empowerment. This was the essence of my work in Damascus, this is what I’m trying to do in Chios, this is what I will do in Athens or wherever I live,” Lana explains.
“Women have rights, needs and dreams for the future. As difficult as it is, they need to find the strength to report violence and protect themselves and their children. Together and united, we can do it,” Lana passionately affirms.
*The Women’s Committee was established in the framework of the regular UNHCR community-based interventions run in the Chios RIC, with the support of the European Union.
25 November is the International Day to End Violence against Women and the start of the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign running through 10 December. Echoing this year’s global theme “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” UNHCR is urging coordinated support to preserve and boost essential prevention and response services against gender-based violence, which is at heightened risk during COVID-19 pandemic.
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