Description
The project aims at creating a system of support and help for women refugees who experienced gender-related (sexual, physical and psychological) violence in their countries of origin during the war and on their way to Poland. The project should result in developing such a system through: training of relevant services, NGO representatives dealing with counteracting violence and supporting refugees; education activities for women representing Syrian community in Poland who may become first contact persons and support group for victims; preparing and publishing information materials for services, organizations and women refugees themselves; creating databases of persons who can support services in helping women refugees who experienced violence. The project is coordinated by the Foundation Free Syria which organizes participation of Syrians; other partners enhance the quality of activities and grant logistical and promotional support.
Summary of project results
"In Poland, there has been no system of support and assistance for women refugees from Syria who experienced sexual, physical and psychological violence because of their gender in their country of origin, during the war, and on their way to Poland. The aim of the project was to create such system where the support is offered by both non-governmental organisations, representatives of institutions (Border Guards, social assistance, healthcare, refugee centres), and members of Syrian community in Poland who can become first-contact persons and support group for the victims. As a result of implementation of the project, a group of seven non-governmental organisations was created who have knowledge on both assistance for refugees and support for women who experienced violence, and in their activities a group of Syrian women and men living in Poland was included. Members of Polish institutions responsible for offering assistance were trained, and a form of the Blue Card in Arabic language was prepared. On the subject of violence and methods of helping women refugees who experienced violence, 2 trainings were organised for non-governmental organisations, 2 trainings for social assistance workers, one training for healthcare workers, two trainings for workers of refugee centres, and one training for Border Guards officers (109 persons took part in the trainings). 4 events for members of Syrian community gathered 17 persons, and intervention workshops for students in Warsaw gathered 30 school students. 3 publications were prepared addressed to receiving society on the situation of women in Syria and on violence towards women refugees, and on opportunities to give them support by Polish organisations and public institutions, as well as information materials in Arabic language for women refugees (on the phenomenon of violence and institutions offering support). A database for public institutions and non-governmental organisations was created with contact data of Syrians who want to help in supporting women refugees. The project benefited members of the Syrian community in Poland and members of Polish organisations and institutions offering support for women refugees. Six partner organisations contributed to the project with their expertise and experience in the field of gender-related violence and support for migrant women and women refugees."
Summary of bilateral results