Syrian and Palestinian Syrian Refugees in Lebanon: the Plight of Women and Children

Introduction The Syrian humanitarian crisis is estimated by the UN to be the worst faced so far in the 21st century. As refugees flow into neighbouring Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon in unprecedented numbers, these countries struggle to cope with the newcomers. It is estimated that Syria's neighbours currently host more than 2.5 million Syrian refugees and there are over 5 million internally displaced people within Syria, and that half of the 2 million refugees who have fled Syria are less than seventeen years (UNHCR, 2013). It is further estimated that half of the 529000 Palestinians living in Syria have also fled the violence and that 90% are in need of humanitarian assistance (UNRWA, 2013). Lebanon hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees with approximately 1 million Syrians (UNHCR, 2013) and 45000 Palestinian Syrians (UNRWA, 2013), of which it is estimated that 78% are women and children. Refugees from Syria are not placed in camps, as is largely the case in Jordan, but are integrated amongst the Lebanese communities. The recent influx of refugees has now reached a point where it is equal to one quarter of Lebanon's population and is causing immense strain on its already fragile economy and social structure. Lebanon has only recently emerged from civil war along sectarian lines and is struggling to deal with the strain on its services caused by the new arrivals. The humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen as the conflict continues and the international community and NGOs also struggling to cope with the situation. While reports from international NGOs document the humanitarian crisis in general, there is a lack of academic literature about the plight of refugees in Lebanon, especially ones with a focus on women and children in the context of education and violence. This research aims to help fill that gap. This paper investigates the plight of Syrian and Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon with an emphasis on women and children. While there are many issues facing refugees in Lebanon, a thorough examination of this is beyond the scope of this paper. Therefore, an examination of the two issues that are projected to have the greatest impact for refugees -education and violence- is conducted. More specifically, the paper will expose and discuss children's access to education in Lebanon and the short and long term effect of children forgoing education for extended periods. The first section analyses the economic loss of human capital for the future of Syria, the specific effects related to females foregoing education and how education is crucial for reducing violence and promoting a gender equal society. This is followed by an analysis of the shift in the violence that women and children are exposed to through a post-structuralist lens, highlighting the increase of Gender Based Violence (GBV) that women and girls are experiencing. These forms of violence are experienced as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), early marriage, survival sex and the threat and fear of violence from the local community. Different frameworks have been chosen to analyse the subjects in order to gain an understanding of the multiple interlacing effects on individuals and society. They allow the research to connect education and violence, as in order to help build an inclusive rights respecting society in Syria, issues of gender violence must be addressed. Education Background Prior to the uprisings Syria boasted high enrolments rates for males and females and also a high literacy rate. There was 92% female primary enrolment, 97% for males, equal secondary enrolment for both genders (70%) and a 12% enrolment in tertiary education compared to 17% for males. The literacy rate was estimated to be 86% (UNDP, 2011). However, the current conflict in Syria has dramatically altered this situation. Of the Syrian child refugees in Jordan, approximately 50% of them have been able to continue their education. However, for the refugees in Lebanon, the situation is dire, with only 12% among 6 to 14 year old refugee children and 5% for secondary aged children (Watkins, 2013) attending schools. …