A Place of Strength
Two years on, refugee women in Turkey tell their stories with overcoming the impact COVID-19 left on their lives.
A Place of Strength
It has been over two years since COVID-19 hit the world. A lockdown was imposed in many countries, including Türkiye, and people were forced to stay at home. During that period, many organizations dedicated their efforts to supporting refugees’ mental health through online activities. The restrictions are lifted now but COVID-19’s impact on economy and employment continues. Refugees, who have been through displacement and difficulties caused by it, are more vulnerable in these circumstances.
According to WHO, refugees and migrants are more likely to be exposed to common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Meanwhile, many asylum seekers lack access to mental health services or face barriers in reaching them. The situation gets even more sensitive for women and young girls who can be exposed to gender-based violence.
We were suffering from stress and exhaustion because we were always haunted by what we experienced during the conflict.
Rama, a mother of three children in Şanlıurfa.
After the pandemic, our mental health was completely shattered. I feel as if I am living in a desert. I cannot find a job because I am considered too old. My two sons spend the whole day outside for work, so I have to stay at home, alone.
Selma, a mother living in Gaziantep.
Responding to women's needs
To respond to the challenges faced by refugees, the Danish Refugee Council’s team held online support sessions to reach refugee women who could not access mental health services. The sessions are part of a series of psychosocial support activities, funded by the European Union through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. They aim to promote self-awareness and self-acceptance, build a supportive social network for refugee women and help them cope with daily stressors. It is often also a chance to sensitize them to gender-based violence and discrimination.
DRC staff member is holding an online psychosocial support session for women in several provinces, The sessions aim to provide a safe space for refugee women who cannot access such sessions for different reasons.
Why were those sessions important?
In total, 12 female refugees from different provinces participated in those sessions. “It was important for those women to have their own space so they could feel safe and talk about their daily struggles,” says Mirvet, DRC’s protection assistant and the facilitator of the sessions. “We had to hold the sessions online because those women are not able to reach health services in their areas due to the language barriers and the fact that most of them have young children to take care of.”
The women were encouraged to identify the main sources of their stress, and develop their interpersonal skills. Initially, participants find it hard to express their emotions fully, but they soon learn to express their emotions effectively. “I used to scream at my children for no reason or sleep for long hours,” says Rama. “I did not know they were signs of stress until I started attending those sessions,”. Later, participants discuss ways to protect themselves against any form of abuse or psychological harm and build their own support networks.
The sessions were really useful. We are now able to identify the signs of stress and emotional exhaustion and able to deal with them.
Rama, a Syrian mother living in Gaziantep.
In the past, I was embarrassed to apologize to people who visited me with no appointment. I realized that people have to respect my time and space because my wellbeing is more important than pleasing people.
Rania, a Syrian refugee living in Gazintep.
Sena and I live in different provinces, but we found out that we have common struggles and we feel relieved when we talk to each other.
Rama, a Syrian mother living in Gaziantep.
After Sessions
The positive impact of the sessions stretches beyond their implementation period. Many women start to take on proactive, positive roles in their communities, helping to raise others’ awareness on gender issues and the importance of psychological wellbeing. Many report positive changes to their social lives and the way they are perceived both at home and among their peers, having gained the confidence to prioritize their own needs and letting their unique personalities shine through. Their experience teaches us never to underestimate the importance of psychosocial support for those who need it. Even though the world may be opening up again, we should not ignore those who have been through more difficult times. We are there to support them.
A Syrian refugee is listening to another participant in the psychosocial session. Many women need to listen to other women's experiences to know they are not alone.