by Sarah Birke

03 March 2009

Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic: “Youth have a responsibility to contribute to their community,” says Ola Saleh, a 23-year-old from Lattakia. She is one of many young people in Syria who is doing just that.

Ms. Saleh, a graduate from the Faculty of English at Tishreen University, serves as a UNV volunteer Community Service Clerk with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Her work starts with interviewing Iraqis seeking asylum in Syria. As part of a team of nine other UNV volunteers, Ms. Saleh provides services to meet their needs, including counselling, home visits, vulnerability assessments and education on women’s and children’s rights.

She talks to the Iraqi refugees about their rights and what they should and should not tolerate. Domestic violence is a frequent issue, she says. “Refugee communities are more vulnerable to domestic violence," she explains. "The trauma often experienced in their country of origin is one of the main factors.”

But Iraqi women themselves are now encouraging others to speak out. An outreach project aimed at mobilizing communities and empowering women finds volunteers to provide counselling and seek solutions among Iraqis themselves. Over time, Ms. Saleh and the outreach team have gained the trust of the women so that they feel at ease talking about domestic violence.

The Iraqi volunteers also refer cases to UNHCR, helping unregistered and vulnerable Iraqis to reach the office and its services. The volunteers are recruited after focus groups conducted in the target area.

“More than 65 refugee women are volunteering with the UNHCR outreach project,” says Ola Saleh. “It has improved their lives and that of their community. Women are now supporting their community in its entirety: men, women, children, youth and the elderly. They are trying to be strong and self sufficient.”

Ms. Saleh admits volunteering and working on gender issues are not always easy tasks. The family is seen as a private realm not to be interfered with, and some of the Iraqi women are reluctant to mention incidents which occur at home – which is why the ease which they now feel is such an achievement.

From an early age, Ola Saleh has been a passionate believer in women’s rights and has participated in activities in Damascus and Lattakia to raise awareness.  All her work, she says, aims to achieve the same goal.

“I want to reach a higher level of awareness on women’s rights, especially gender equality and reproductive health,” says Ola Saleh. “And I am urging women to take a greater role in their community, both within the Iraqi refugee community and the whole of Syria.”