Eve in the Shadows of War
Sarah Muhammad – Tafas
The suffering of women in wars varies in terms of its nature. They may be subjected to various forms of direct violence, such as rape, displacement, murder, and detention, in addition to the burdens and responsibilities placed on them as wives and mothers.
The consequences of these wars have not been limited to the destruction of infrastructure, such as schools, which contributed to the marginalization of women, and the destruction of hospitals and medical centers, rendering them unable to receive treatment. The war has also impacted the economy, raising rates of spinsterhood and exposing women to domestic violence by their husbands or fathers. Some have been deprived of their rights, such as education and inheritance.
The suffering besieged women from all directions until it drove them to undertake new tasks, surpassing the traditional roles defined by inherited traditions. Many became providers for their families, forcing them to work in any profession that would secure their children’s livelihoods. Today, we see them as public transportation drivers, workers in cafes, agricultural projects, and construction projects. They also stand in queues for daily necessities such as bread, diesel, and gas, becoming the “ladies of difficult tasks” who meet the needs of their waiting families.
The Syrian war played the role of a storm that shook many concepts, including traditional gender roles dominating society. It imposed a change in the foundations of this concept and its application due to the urgent need for change. The need to apply this concept was not only strong but also general, encompassing all segments of society.
At the same time, the increase in women’s efforts in Syria was accompanied by an increase in the number of associations and institutions caring for women. Many women were supported with training to empower and qualify them to adapt to their new situation. Some of them launched their own projects to overcome obstacles and create a socially and economically secure environment. This helped women contain the problem, find alternative solutions, and emerge from the conflict with minimal losses.
On the other hand, the war’s hell intensified the features of the Syrian woman’s humanity and enhanced her parental role in disseminating a culture of non-violence, away from revenge and counter-violence.
Thus, the war made the Syrian woman explore herself and discover her hidden abilities, leaving behind strong women capable of preserving their social status, achieving independence, supporting each other, and becoming effective in the general Syrian scene. Instead of surrendering to the role of a victim and lamenting the remnants of the past, Syrian women have become true partners in the process of survival and suppression of the war.