Reports | 25 05 2020
Syrian women have entered the field of Civil Defense, and they have helped to save many civilians. The family of Ab Nasser, for example, survived a bombardment in Daraa because of the help of the women in the National Defense team.
“My house was bombed while my family and I were inside. The Civil Defense cars arrived within a few minutes, and were able to assist my wife and children, take them out of the area, and transfer them to a field hospital,” Abu Nasser said. “If it were not for them, we would probably have died, because the bombing intensified after we left,” he added.
Women Have no Fear
Women in the Syrian Civil Defense fear neither bombardment, nor the harsh nature of their work. They have proven that they are able to provide the aid needed, despite challenging conditions.
Enjy al-Mahameed is a volunteer with the Civil Defense in Daraa. She faced some difficulties when she first started her work. It was not easy for Enjy to get used to working in such intense and violent environments. Initially a sudden shelling of the neighborhood they worked in would scare her, and dealing with blood and body parts would disturb her, and hinder her productivity, but not anymore. She now controls her fears and continues with her work, because, as she says, the goal is to save lives.
“The tasks that women take responsibility for in the Civil Defense in Daraa are not different from those that men take responsibility for. We work on raising people’s awareness and on medical campaigns, in addition to aiding injured people. Men and women undertake these tasks together,” Enjy said. “Helping injured people and witnessing their pain and their losses are equally difficult for both men and women. All of those who work in the Civil Defense, regardless of their gender, need to be patient and hardworking. We all feel sad and angry when we witness the aftermath of a bombing, but we have learned how to keep our feelings separate from our jobs,” she added.
Women’s Goals
Althoughall women volunteering with the Civil Defense share one goal, which is to help those in need during these hard times, the extent to which they volunteer and the nature of their tasks differ from one person to another.
“I joined the Civil Defense in Daraa, because we live in very hard times, and every one of us, men and women, should contribute to helping others,” Khuloud said. Khuloud points out that she has lost her fear, and that the urgent need to save civilians who are subject to the regime’s bombardment in southern Syria makes volunteers put their fears aside.
Unforgettable Moments
Women’s tasks vary form one volunteer to another, but sharing moments with people in pain or watching the faces of those who survive are unforgettable moments that they all share.
“Volunteering in the Civil Defense puts us in very dangerous situations, but nothing stops us. We all do everything we can to save those who are targeted by the bombing,” said Fatima, a volunteer in the Civil Defense in Daraa.
Despite Fatima’s strength and determination to help her fellow citizens, there are many moments that have affected her, and that she cannot forget. “Holding a little child who has just emerged from under the ruble, alive, gives me an unforgettable feeling,” she said. “One time, a little girl, no more than eight years-old, lost her leg in a bombing. When I got closer to her, I realized that her brother was next to her, and that he had lost both of his legs. Their tears penetrated my heart, but it was his words to her that impacted me the most. He told his sister: “do not worry and do not cry. We will follow mother and father. They are waiting for us.” At that moment I realized that their parents had been killed,” Fatima added.
Despite all the dangers and challenging conditions, Syrian women continue to prove that they are strong, productive, and compassionate.
