LÎNA EL-XETÎB

Idlib- Women struggle to survive in Idlib controlled by the Turkish state and its armed faction Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Due to the deteriorating economic situation, some women recycle war remnants and other waste materials to earn a living.

She collects all kinds of waste

 26-year-old Baraa Al-Salloum is one of them. Being displaced from the Mardikh village of Idlib, she collects all kinds of waste materials such as paper, boxes, and plastic bags and turns them into artworks. “I had nothing to do and recycling waste materials has become something important for me. I learned how to make beautiful objects by recycling waste materials. I use waste materials such as wood, cardboard, fabric scraps, beads and wool to create artworks. I make flower baskets and paintings by recycling waste materials.”

She wants to exhibit her artworks

22-year-old Abeer Al-Sabaa is a displaced woman from the city of Saraqib. Living in an IDPs camp of the Kafar Takharim town of Idlib, she began to recycle waste materials to cover her education expenses. “I am a university student and I recycle waste materials to cover my education expenses. I have been interested in art since my childhood. I want to have a space to exhibit my artworks from recycled materials.”

‘Women have the capacity to ensure peace’

33-year-old Rabiaa Al-Matar is a displaced woman from the city of Maarat al-Numan. She began to collect war remnants such as unexploded shells and shrapnel after her husband was killed by shrapnel from an artillery shell. “I collect war remnants that kill and injure people and spread terror everywhere and turn them into artworks. My artworks give the message that women have the capacity to ensure peace.”

She earns a living by making candles

“I make candles which can be used as decoration and souvenirs,” said 33-year-old Marah Al-Abdo, who is from the town of Armanaz, northwestern Syria. “Candles can be easily recycled. I sell candles to earn a living.”

‘Women recycle waste materials to earn a livelihood’

 “The art of recycling waste materials is important for displaced women to earn a livelihood,” said Aisha Haj Mustafa, a social worker in an IDPs camp. “Women earn a livelihood and reveal their creativity by recycling waste materials. Many women living in rural areas of Idlib want to learn this art. All women should work in order to earn a living.”