TUR IRC Protection Center for Women and Girls in Osmaniye

Turkey’s “Law on International Protection & Foreigners” of 2014 provides a legal framework for protection of refugees. There is, however, no systematic response to the gender-specific protection needs of either camp- or non-camp refugees.

Syrian female refugees in Turkey are in all evidence particularly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and the denial of rights: They are increasingly forced into polygamy, and early and forced marriages of under-age girls are of growing concern. Many of them suffer distress and violence linked to poverty, uprootedness, and exclusion. The identification of SGBV survivors, including victims of trafficking, is extremely difficult, and public services available to them are limited. In urban areas, Syrian women facing economic stress sometimes resort to negative coping mechanisms (e.g. “survival sex”). Their access to psycho-social and legal support, education and employment is limited due to language barriers and restrictive gender roles. Especially, in traditionally conservative provinces like Osmaniye, where women’s vulnerability is heightened by their isolation and restricted mobility in the male-dominated public space, the need for distinct and targeted protection services for Syrian female refugees is of high priority.

IRC’s focus group discussions in Osmaniye province demonstrated a clear need for, and an explicit demand of female refugees for such a protection space. Currently, no NGOs and UN agencies provide such a service in Osmaniye.

Syrian women and girls are safer, have improved psychosocial well-being, and self-reliance, and have greater power to protect themselves against risks in their homes and communities.

• The direct beneficiaries of the project are 2,650 Syrian refugees living in Osmaniye province. The breakdown of the direct beneficiaries by their access to center or mobile services is as below:
• 650 Syrian women and girls will directly benefit from the services provided at the center
• 2000 Syrian refugees with restricted mobility, including men and boys, will benefit from services provided by the mobile service teams.

1. Syrian women and girls show increased use of positive coping mechanisms
2. Syrian refugees, particularly women and girls, have increased knowledge of their rights and entitlements in Turkey

Expected results:  

1. Syrian women and girls in Osmaniye are provided regular psychosocial support (PSS) and recreational activities
2. Syrian women and girls in Osmaniye are provided informal education courses to improve their skills and options for the future
3. GBV case management is provided to Syrian women girls in Osmaniye
4. One-time cash-based response is provided in Osmaniye for identified emergency protection cases for whom cash is an appropriate and safe option to reduce immediate risks
5. Legal information sessions, counseling and assistance to obtain civil status documents are provided to Syrians in Osmaniye through outreach and the WGC

The legal support and awareness-raising sessions will be conducted in partnership with the American Bar Association (ABA).

IRC will implement other components of the project through its own international, Syrian and Turkish staff. (An approach based on own staffing rather than a Turkish partner organisation is necessary in order to mitigate risks linked to disparities and tensions among various political and ethnic groups at local level. There is no Turkish partner that would safeguard the neutrality of the project).

IRC maintains a strong presence in UNHCR-led coordination mechanisms and is actively involved in both the Protection and Community Services Working Group and the GBV sub-Working Group for southern Turkey.

IRC also runs ten Women and Girls Centers in northern Syria as well as a youth center in the Turkish Hatay province, and the new Osmaniye project will be an integral part of this overall protection program for women.

IRC has good working relations with the local authorities in Osmaniye and, at national level, the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs. This will assure coordination with and support of national authority.

Phase 1 01.01.2016 - 30.06.2017   (Completed)