Syrian widows in Syria’s opposition-held camps forced to survival sex
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – In some of the remote camps named “widow camps” in northwest Syria, women and children experience “chronic and high levels of violence and depression, with some women forced to engage in survival sex,” a report released by the Non-governmental Organization World Vision said.
The report that was publicized by The Guardian said “children in such camps are severely neglected, abused and forced to work while mothers are at ‘breaking point’ psychologically.”
About 34% of children have experienced one or more forms of violence, 2% said they married young, 58% of boys and 49% of girls aged 11 or older forced to work, according to the report.
The world Vision has visited 28 camps in Syria’s northwest which are run by the Syrian opposition and the Turkish military.
“The widow camps are home to tens of thousands of single women – including those who are divorced or whose husbands are missing – and their children,” the report read.
One in four women said they had witnessed sexual abuse in the camp on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Women are not allowed to freely leave the camps, unable to seek paid employment or support their families, some find they have “no choice” but to engage in so-called survival sex with male guards and camp managers.
“Syrian widows and their children deserve the same level of empathy, compassion and commitment” Alexandra Matei, a lead author of the report and the Policy and Advocacy Officer for World Vision Brussels and EU Representation, said noting to the international solidarity with the victims of the conflict in Ukraine.