Damascus, Syria 26 Oct. 2022 – UNFPA and the Italian Cooperation jointly support  women and their children survivors of gender-based violence, including those living with disabilities, to live free from violence.

The Italian Cooperation is providing UNFPA with $2 million for a one-year programme which will support the Family Protection Unit, the only public shelter for women survivors of gender-based violence and their children in Syria. ‘Italy is committed to working with UNFPA in Syria, as a lead agency working to respond to, and reduce gender based violence. In this sense, Italy reiterates the importance of promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as an essential pre-requisite to eradicate poverty and to lead to a society based on equal opportunities’ said Mr. Massimiliano D’Antuono, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Italian Embassy in Damascus.

Women and girls all over the world continue to be disproportionately affected by gender-based violence. Women in Syria are not an exception. The twelve-year crisis in Syria, the ongoing armed conflict in several areas, the consequent economic hardships, and the displacement of millions of Syrians have all contributed to the increase in the number of gender-based violence cases in Syria. Moreover, the discriminatory norms and associated harmful practices pervasive in some areas in Syria are one of the root causes of gender-based violence.

With Italy’s generous funding, the quality of services provided to GBV survivors will be improved to operate more efficiently and to meet the global standards of GBV shelters. The grant will also support the training of service providers at the FPU and other relevant stakeholders to enhance their capacity and ensure the sustainability of the project.

“The Italian Cooperation is glad to bring to Syria the methodology that proved to be working and properly responding to the needs of GBV survivors and their children, as occurred in another region of the Middle East. Thanks to UNFPA’s expertise and our attention to such topics, we aim to foster a society that has the tools and the necessary knowledge to prevent and respond to Gender-based Violence” said Mrs Alessandra Piermattei, AICS Director for Lebanon and Syria.

‘It is essential that survivors of gender-based violence and their children continue to have access to a free shelter to seek safety and support in Syria as well as empowering them with the right tools to shape a better future’ said Himyar Abdulmoghni, UNFPA Representative in Syria.

Together, we will work towards ending GBV in Syria