Background
As a result of displacement, refugees experience a heightened risk of sexual and gender based violence [SGBV] with women and girls disproportionally affected. As the length of the stay in the country of asylum increases, the socio-economic situation of refugees deteriorates. As the Syria situation is entering its 9th year, refugees’ savings has become scarce and economic opportunities remain limited. This also affects in particular the 90,000 non-Syrian refugees who are not allowed to work in Jordan. Overall, some 85% of refugees in Jordan live below the poverty line of 3 USD per day.
In this context, the risk of harmful coping mechanisms such as survival sex and child marriage increase. Frustrations of male refugees who are unable to cover the basic needs of their families and the lack of privacy in often overcrowded shelters contribute to increasing risks of intimate partner violence. In this situation women and girls are particularly vulnerable and are often among the most difficult to reach. UNHCR Jordan is working with its partners to mitigate risks of SGBV while providing timely assistance to survivors.
Key Facts
SGBV is one of the most widespread human rights violation and a major public health problem. It is estimated that 1 out of 3 women worldwide have experienced SGBV. Due to fear of stigma and retaliation by perpetrators, SGBV is generally under-reported. Thanks to accounts shared by survivors supported by UNHCR and in consultation with refugee communities, the following issues have been identified:
- The overwhelming majority of survivors of SGBV are women and girls.
- Emotional and physical abuses by intimate partners is the main concern shared by survivors who approach UNHCR and partners for help.
- Child marriage is a major risk for girls between 15 and 17 years old.
- Sexual harassment in public spaces is perceived by communities as being one of the major risks for refugee women and girls in Jordan.
- Sexual violence is severely under-reported due to heightened stigma and risk of honor killing for survivors.
- Adult male survivors are particularly at risk of sexual violence in detention before displacement.