The Issue
The ongoing conflict in Syria has caused severe economic and social disruptions, particularly in the province of Deir-ez-Zor. Many women, especially those heading households, lack access to sustainable livelihoods. Cultural norms and limited opportunities have led to widespread gender-based violence (GBV), forced and early marriages, and economic dependency. Despite humanitarian efforts, access to empowerment programs remains limited, leaving women and girls vulnerable and marginalized.
Women in rural Deir-ez-Zor face compounded challenges due to the area’s traditional labor focus on agriculture and trades demonstrating an urgent need for vocational training tailored to the evolving needs of the labor market, particularly in non-traditional fields such as information technology (IT) and other skills not currently accessible locally. Therefore, this project addressed these gaps with the aim of empowering women economically and socially and thus reducing dependency and fostering community resilience.
The Project
The project trained 50 young women (ages 18–35) in Deir-ez-Zor, focusing on technical and vocational skills to improve their access to the labor market. Training included both traditional opportunities such as hairdressing, and non-traditional skills such as information technology, and computer and phone maintenance. The trainings were tailored to community needs identified through assessments.
The training took place at the Amal training center, which is equipped with the necessary resources, including IT tools and materials for hairdressing. Amal recruited skilled trainers and facilitated outreach to ensure community engagement and participation. By introducing non-traditional skills for women in conflict-affected areas, the project sought to enhance livelihood opportunities and address the barriers women face in pursuing income-generating activities.
The Change
The intervention aims to empower women by building their skills and boosting their economic participation. Women trained in IT, maintenance, and hairdressing will have the tools to enter the local labor market, increase household incomes, and reduce reliance on negative coping mechanisms such as early marriages.
Results include enhanced self-reliance among participants, reduced stigma around women pursuing technical careers, and improved family dynamics due to economic contributions by women. The project also aimed to shift cultural perceptions about women’s roles, paving the way for broader social transformation in the community.
The Results
50 women have completed training in their chosen fields. Many are expected to secure local employment or start small businesses, contributing to household incomes and reducing food insecurity. Success stories will demonstrate the transformative impact of non-traditional skill acquisition on women’s livelihoods and community perceptions.
Our Partner
DCA worked with our national partner Amal Organization for Relief and Development to implement the project. Amal brings extensive experience in vocational training and community engagement, with a strong presence in Deir-ez-Zor.
Our Work
DanChurchAid has been present in Syria since 2015. Implementing projects to directly target the people most in need, we identify local community groups in hard-to-reach areas to provide small, flexible grants to survivors and community-led response, and we support shelters for internally displaced people and other people affected by war. DCA also has protection teams and mine clearance teams.
About the project
Full title: Empowering Women through Non-traditional Life Skills Training at Amal TVET Centre in Deir-ez-Zor, NES
Period: July 2024 – November 2024
Partner: Amal Organization for Relief and Development
Amount: 300,000 DKK
Number of people reached by end of project: 50 women received trainings
Donor: DANIDA
