Jordan is one of the countries most affected by the consequences of the exodus of Syrian refugees. To address this ongoing emergency, in December 2013 together with the Jordanian Women's Union (JWU) we launched with UNFPA support the "Hemayati!" project, a 12-month programme to assist Syrian refugee women.
In a year of working in the four JWU clinics in Amman, Zarqa, Mafrat and Ibrid, we have offered multi-sectoral services to women, prioritising reproductive health but also offering psychosocial support and prevention of gender-based violence through free legal assistance provided by a team of lawyers.
Gynaecologists, midwives, nurses, psychologists, lawyers and social workers worked together in the clinics, where information meetings on reproductive health, family planning, early marriage and women's rights were also held. Medicines and hygiene kits were also distributed here.
Finally, in a second phase, literacy, computer and handicraft courses were held, so as to create a welcoming pathway not limited to the provision of services, but able to engage women in work activities and offer them a minimum of opportunities.
In 12 months of work, we have carried out over 5,000 visits, and involved some 3,000 people in awareness-raising meetings on reproductive health and against gender-based violence.
