Violence Against Refugee Women and Mitigation Programs: Highlighting the Perspectives of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Abstract

Refugee women and girls are among those most vulnerable to violence. This thesis examines how Syrian refugees view efforts to prevent and address such violence in their host community. Through interviews with both NGO staff and Syrian refugees in Lebanon in 2017, the research highlights the context of violence against refugee women, examines what refugees consider violence against women to be, outlines services available, and discusses the views of refugees hesitating in availing themselves of the services such organizations offer, focusing on cultural norms, priorities, privacy, and lack of trust of the system. Nevertheless, this research shows that despite such hesitations, participants also recognize that these organizations are providing safe spaces for women and girls and contributing to changing patriarchal attitudes which are at the root of violence against women everywhere.