Through ECHO’s support, Acted is strengthening community-based protection and social cohesion by fostering inclusive governance structures, community participation, and mobilisation.
In IDP sites, Women and Youth Committees and protection focal points were established and empowered to design and implement community-led initiatives and addressing protection concerns.
Women and Youth Committees organise awareness programs and vocational workshops, while protection focal points support in identifying and referring protection cases.
These community-based structures represent a pivotal step towards enhancing women engagement, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and those of their children, ensuring access to essential support and assistance.
Through ECHO funding, Acted implemented the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Campaign.
The initiative began on November 25 and targeted the Youth and Women Committees, and protection focal points across four sites in Idleb Governorate and four sites in Aleppo Governorate.
Strengthening community-based protection and social cohesion through support to inclusive governance structures, community participation and mobilisation
Ola* is a 32-year-old woman who lives in an IDP site in Aleppo with her family. She was appointed as a protection focal point and supervisor for the Women’s Committee in the site.
“This role opened new horizons for me, helping me listen to the stories of women and children, provide assistance, and gather them for activities organised by Acted.”, said Ola*.
Thanks to this position, Acted provided a source of income to Ola. Currently, she is leading a literacy initiative for women, and she participated in the organisation of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV Campaign.
This campaign allowed many women to express their issues and learn how to address the violence they face.
Aseel* is a 26-year-old widow, displaced an IDP site in Aleppo with her daughter. She was appointed as a protection focal point and supervisor for the Women’s Committee.
The idea of forming community committees consisting of women is of great importance. We attended several trainings and activities, including the Wool vocational workshop and the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign. This event helped boost women's self-confidence.
The establishment of the Women Committee was warmly embraced by the site residents, providing women with the opportunity to actively engage in camp life, helping them recognise the value of their contributions and ensuring their voices were heard more effectively.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Campaign
Each camp hosted a variety of activities designed to enhance awareness, foster community engagement and empower women to take an active role in building safer environments within the sites.
Training on GBV Protection
The training familiarized committee members with the fundamentals of GBV, including safe referral mechanisms and the survivor-centered approach.
Awareness sessions on PSEA and Women’s rights
These sessions focused on identifying and addressing risks of sexual exploitation and abuse to foster a safer environment, and informed participants on women’s legal rights under local and international laws.
My Fingerprint Activity
This activity focused on current and future goals of women residents, emphasising their role in supporting families and communities.
Orange Table Activity
Participants openly discussed protection issues, shared survivors’ stories, and highlighted the benefits of seeking timely help, encouraging women to seek assistance from protection officers or safe referral points.
