LÎNA EL-XETÎB

Idlib- Women are subjected to violence in all facets of life in the city of Idlib, occupied by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. Women are subjected to all forms of violence and social pressure in the city, where the clashes continue.

Samira Al-Alavi, who lives in the Salqin town of Idlib, is one of the survivors of violence. “My husband used violence against me and my children many times. I couldn't stand it anymore and decided to leave him. I was subjected to all forms of ill-treatment by him. He told me that he used violence against me because he was jealous of me. For months, he did not allow me to go out and see my family. He also beat our children, even our one-year-old baby. I told everything to my family and left him. I found a job to earn a living for my children. I work as a cleaner now. I do not need anybody. It's time for me to live without being subjected to physical, verbal and psychological violence.”

‘I filed a criminal complaint against him’

Baraa Al-Hassan, 20, is one of the survivors of violence. She was forced into marriage by her father when she was 15. “I wanted to go to school but my father did not allow me and forced me to marry my cousin. However, my life turned into an unbearable hell. Still, many men beat their wives to discipline them. I was subjected to violence every day by him. I spent two years with him. I went to my family house to get rid of my husband; however, my father forced me to return. I was subjected to violence when I was pregnant for the first time. He beat me so much that I had a miscarriage. That time, I made a decision; I provoked him to beat me again. Then, I filed a criminal complaint against him.”

‘I realized my dream’

After Baraa Al-Hassan got divorced from her abusive husband, she began to face social pressure because she is a divorced woman. “I ignored the social pressure against me. I always wanted to be a teacher. I decided to realize my dream. I returned to school and completed my education. I realized my dream. I work as a teacher now. My ex-husband was released from prison after six months. He did everything not to allow me to have a normal life. He threatened to kill me if I marry someone else. I will never return to him and take a step back.”

She was subjected to violence by her brother

Samira Al-Khatib, 27, is a displaced woman from Aleppo living in Idlib. After her husband died, she moved to her brother’s home with her child. However, she was subjected to violence by her brother. “He used violence against me in order to please his own wife. Then, I decided to leave his house and build my own life. I rented a small house. Now, I work as an agricultural worker. Although I face difficulties, I am happy because I am not subjected to violence anymore.”

‘Free and safe shelters must be provided for survivors of violence’

 Nawal Al-Sayyid is a social worker living in the Sarmada town of Idlib. She thinks that the Syrian war led to the increase in domestic violence. “Displacement and poor living conditions increase domestic violence. All forms of violence against women are crimes against humanity. Survivors of violence mostly suffer from depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Some women cannot leave their abusive husbands due to financial problems. Free and safe shelters must be provided for survivors of violence.”