By Thalia Kattoura | Staff Writer
A devastating earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6th, 2023. Thousands of people were injured and killed, and numerous buildings were destroyed. Northern Syria was already facing a multifaceted crisis – an economic collapse, a health crisis, and ongoing political unrest. The earthquake has further aggravated the situation in the region, calling for an international emergency.
Statistics released by the UNDP have demonstrated that women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die in a natural disaster. These statistics emerge from existing gender disparities, which account for an unequal distribution of resources.
Unfortunately, similar data have been observed in Syria and Turkey following the earthquake; marginalized communities have been struggling to survive amidst the chaos. Mainly, concerns pertaining to providing resources for menstruating and pregnant women have been on the rise.
Numerous organizations have taken the initiative to send aid and relief support to the affected areas in Turkey and Syria. However, menstrual products have not been adequately allocated and provided. Many factors can explain this, ranging from period taboo to lack of awareness.
Fe-Male: A Feminist Approach to the Earthquake
Fe-Male is a civil and feminist NGO based in Lebanon, with the mission of eradicating different forms of injustice and campaigning against discriminatory policies.
In response to the alarming data in Syria and Turkey, Fe-Male has collaborated with NGO Takatoat, another feminist collective located in Jordan. Their collaboration consists of organizing a feminist grassroots campaign that helps support those most affected by these series of earthquakes. They have emphasized that their limited capacity of resources and the presence of many NGOs on the ground allowed for their campaign to solely focus on the most affected women, girls, and individuals.
The approach that they have adopted is providing financial support to feminist volunteering and activist groups that are already on the ground. More specifically, their responsibilities are directed toward connecting with these groups, organizing available resources, and matching feminist groups with donors and contributors.
Fe-Male has had extensive experience in incorporating feminist responses to cases of turmoil. During the Beirut Explosion in 2020, the NGO actively advocated for the safety of women and girls. By shedding light on increasing instances of harassment and abuse, many became aware of the exploitation that marginalized communities face in times of crisis. Moreover, Fe-Male worked with civil and activist groups on the ground to ensure that there is a distribution of menstrual and hygiene products.
In an article written by Fe-Male on their website, they attest that “At Fe-Male, and as one of the main frontline local NGOs in the country, we believe in our reaching-out capacities and the accurate assessment of women and girls’ needs, in addition to our ability to prioritizing and attending to these needs accordingly, while necessarily engaging them in stress-relieving activities to alleviate the burdens, ensuring their protection and meeting all the SRH needs that severely arise during times of crises.”
The same saying applies to the ongoing crisis in Syria and Turkey, as it is essential to provide well-rounded humanitarian responses to natural disasters.
To donate and support, you can contact Fe-Male at +96181636881 and/or Takatoat at +962777668530.