Syria: Information on the existence of any organizations that assist abused women or women forced into marriage by family members
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SYR16139.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Syria: Information on the existence of any organizations that assist abused women or women forced into marriage by family members, 1 January 1994, SYR16139.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acb970.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
KIMSPublisher:Toronto
According to a Syrian sociologist specializing in women's issues in Syria, to her knowledge there are no organizations that assist women who are being abused or forced into marriage by family members (21 Dec. 1993). Two associations are listed in the Encyclopedia of Women's Associations Worldwide (1993, 243), the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA) and the General Union of Syrian Arab Women, but according to this source they do not deal with such issues (21 Dec. 1993).
According to a representative of the Embassy of Syria in Washington, DC, there are no centers for abused women in Syria, at least none similar to those found in North America or Europe (5 Jan. 1994). However, the representative stated that the General Union of Syrian Arab Women deals with women forced into marriage or abused women, among other issues (ibid.). Advice and access to lawyers specializing in civil rights and refuge are services offered in total confidentiality by the union (ibid.). The representative further stated that women generally do not require these services since they usually go to their family for protection (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of Syria, Washington, DC. 5 January 1994. Telephone interviews with representatives.
Encyclopedia of Women's Associations Worldwide. 1993. Edited by Jacqueline K. Barrett. Hants: Gale Research International Ltd.
Sociologist specializing in women issues in Syria, Hull. 21 December 1993. Telephone interview.
