Women from Turkey and Syria sing together: ‘If only life would be a feast’

* Photos and video: UN Women

Click to read the article in Turkish

Releasing a statement to mark June 20 World Refugee Day on the 10th year of the war in Syria, the United Nations (UN) Women has indicated that while the war has displaced millions of people since its outburst in 2011, Turkey is hosting over 3,5 million Syrians under temporary protection.

According to the statement of the UN Women unit, women and girls make up almost half of the Syrian population in Turkey while 60 percent of the population is under 25 years old:

"Like in all other crises and conflicts, women and girls are affected differently from the Syrian crisis than men and boys.

"70 percent of the female Syrian population in Turkey says they have little to no knowledge of the Turkish language.

"Traditionally expected responsibilities such as care and housework, as well as negative practices as child, early and forced marriages continue to limit women and girls' access to rights and services.

"Meanwhile, COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates already existing inequalities. As an increase in domestic violence is reported all around the globe under the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence emerges as a "shadow pandemic" and profoundly affects Syrian women and girls."

Song from women: 'If only life would be a feast'

As indicated by UN Women, 2020 marks the 10th year of the crisis in Syria. On the occasion of World Refugee Day on June 20, women of Turkey and Syria have sung "If only life would be a feast" – a cherished song in Turkish celebrating life and unity in diversity.

As women sing the song together, they call for an equal world and future. The video was prepared with the support of UN Women project partners Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM), Habitat Association and Refugee Support Center (MUDEM).

Shehed Msatat, a woman from Syria, says, "Women are disproportionately affected by wars and crises. A lot of women do not have anyone to share their problems, the hardships they experience or their worries.

"That is why it is extremely important for women to support each other, especially during difficult times as the COVID-19 pandemic. As the lyrics goes, there is nothing we can't overcome if we stand in solidarity. Whether life is a celebration depends on all of us. We must unite for an equal future."

Varbanova: Gender equality by 2030

On World Refugee Day, UN Women Turkey Country Director Asya Varbanova has highlighted the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic:

"As COVID-19 pandemic restricts all our lives in certain ways, it disproportionately affects refugees and migrants. Syrian women and girls, who already lack access to basic rights, services and opportunities, face further inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Incorporating the needs of refugee and migrant women into crisis management plans plays a crucial role in achieving gender equality and leaving no one behind – which are two of the fundamental principles of the Sustainable Development Goals. As UN Women, our goal is to empower women and achieve gender equality by 2030."

About UN Women

UN Women aims to increase Turkish and Syrian women's access to rights and services while supporting their social and economic empowerment.

Through women only centers in Gaziantep and İzmir, UN Women reaches over 10 thousand women, providing psychosocial support, counselling and referral services under its refugee response programme.

Financed by the European Union and the Government of Japan the programme is implemented in collaboration with local authorities and civil society organizations. As women partake in Turkish language courses, language clubs, vocational trainings and income generating opportunities, their access to labour market also increases. (TP/SD)