U.N. official calls for future free from sexual violence in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A United Nations (U.N.) official called on Wednesday for a future free from sexual and gender-based violence in Syria.
Najat Rochdi, U.N. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, underscored the necessity of supporting Syrians and working for achieving a future free from sexual and gender-based violence in Syria.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Rochdi said via its X Platform that sexual violence is a grave violation of human rights that impacts individuals and communities.
She added that the continuation of the conflict exacerbates sexual violence and poses serious threats to safety of civilians, including vulnerable groups, like Syrian women and children.
Gender-based violence has spiked during the Syrian conflict. The deteriorating living conditions in the country, among other things, have made women an easy victim for the sexual exploitation and extortion practiced by extremist groups, as law enforcement and accountability are not present.
Detained and divorced women and girls, especially displaced ones, are often subjected to discrimination, violence, sexual exploitation and harassment. It is very common for girls to be forcibly married to military personnel under duress, and later be exposed to marital rape and abuse.
The traditions and norms of the Syrian society have reinforced this type of abuses under the pretext of ‘preserving honor and washing shame’. The discriminatory Syrian laws also added to the pain of sexual violence survivors.
“For women in Syria, it may mean they can never return home or speak about their experience. Yet, so many have had incredible courage to speak out & up & they must continue to be protected – at all costs,” the U.N. Deputy Special Envoy noted.