SOOHÊR EL-ÎDLIBÎ

Idlib-The women of Idlib face challenges in all spheres of life and they struggle for their lives. While they are struggling against the poverty and forced displacement caused by the war, they also resist patriarchal cultural norms and violence.

“I tolerated violence for my children”

Hala El-Said is a 32-year-old woman. She lives in Idlib, where women are deprived of their rights. She was subjected to violence by her husband but she didn’t file a divorce for her two children. “I tolerated violence for my children,” she said that her ex-husband increased the level of violence against her after they moved to Saqla district of Idlib province. “I tolerated the violence again but my husband married another woman and kicked me out of the house and didn’t allow me to see my children,” she told us that she had tried to file a legal complaint against her husband but the local courts ignored her. 

“I have taught many women how to sew”

Hala Al-Said thought of killing herself many times, particularly when she missed her children so much and could not bear the pain. “Our society is very cruel society; women are subjected to all kinds of torture. After being forced to leave my children, I felt sad and down, I didn’t want to eat or drink. I always cried for my two children. But then, I decided to stand on my own feet and do something good and useful to forget my pain. I learned how to sew in two months and began to sew dresses loved by everyone. I have taught many women how to sew in order to stand on their own feet,” she told us.

“My self-confidence increases after beginning to work”

Menala El-Qadir is one of the women, who learned how to sew from Hala Al-Said. “Hala Al-Said taught how to sew. I work as a tailor now. My self-confidence increased after beginning to work. Now I stand on my own feet and support my family and my disabled husband who lost his leg in the war.”