DAMASCUS, Syria July 30 (UNHCR) – Abeer smiles for the first time in years, hiding the scars of war that have plagued her life for years. A former head of the library at the University of Baghdad, she was forced to flee to Syria after her life was threatened in 2006. Like many refugees in Syria, Abeer now lives an on-going life of insecurity.

Today, however, Abeer is experiencing new hope.

With the aim of empowering refugee women, the United Nations Refugee Agency has launched a pilot project with the international organization Clowns Without Borders seeking to improve the self-confidence, relaxation techniques and communication skills of some of the neediest women. And in a few short weeks, the results are already being noticed.

"When I used to come back from work I was angry. I asked my family to just leave me in peace," said one participant. "But this course has really affected me. When I go back home after the workshop my children say 'wow, you have really changed, you smile at us, you play with us'. Even my young son is saying 'please, I want to join this course with you'".

To date over 50 Iraqi women have participated in workshops offered by the three Spanish members of Clowns without Borders, and most have expressed renewed optimism and confidence as a result of activities that involve theatre, humour and communications.

Some of the attendants say the workshops have allowed them to laugh for the first time since the beginning of the war. Others confess that their happiness is contagious and affecting all of their family, many of whom depend upon the mother for perseverance.

"I have to be strong for them all, even my husband because he has no job here and he is at home all day with the children. I am the one who has to push for them," said Abeer, expressing a commonly shared sentiment among the women who all face immense domestic pressures.

UNHCR hopes that many of these women can be used to reach out to other struggling Iraqis among the refugee community. Some have already been recruited as outreach workers, going from house to house in the refugee areas of Damascus, seeking out the most desperate. Since the role of outreach worker was created in October 2007, over 2,500 needy cases have been identified, allowing UNHCR to intervene directly.

There are over 215,000 Iraqi refugees registered with UNHCR in Syria. Of those, more than 19% suffer from severe medical conditions and 17% have special legal and physical protection needs. Additionally a large number of Iraqis have not registered, leaving their needs un-assessed. Many have resorted to prostitution and child labour as a means of survival.

"Some of the women were telling us that the class is not a normal situation for them," said Cristina Aguirre, Clowns without Borders' team leader. "Normally they are surrounded by noises, screams and people. But we want to give them the opportunity to listen to themselves, to feel themselves, in a relaxed environment. By doing this they can gain self-confidence and spread it to others around them."

In addition to the training provided to vulnerable women, Clowns Without Borders has trained three Iraqi clowns who offer daily shows for Iraqi children at the UNHCR centres in Damascus.

By Covadonga de La Campa
in Damascus, Syria

UNHCR news