Children and youth with disabilities in Syria face many barriers to accessing education. Among the most significant obstacles are inadequate infrastructure, as many schools lack the necessary facilities to accommodate students with disabilities, such as ramps, elevators, and appropriate sanitary facilities. Additionally, there is a shortage of trained teachers specialized in working with students with disabilities to meet their unique educational needs. The lack of inclusive curricula and programs that address these students' needs and provide them with adequate support is another major challenge. Social stigma and discrimination also impact children with disabilities, affecting their self-confidence and willingness to attend school. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict in Syria and displacement have worsened economic conditions, making it difficult for families to meet their children's basic needs, including education.

For this reason, in the framework of a project on Inclusive Education financed by the Italian Cooperation, WeWorld is working to tackle such barriers through several and intertwined activities: structural rehabilitations in schools, solar power installations to overcome the power shortages, equipment delivery and the organization of trainings for teachers. Moreover, to complete our intervention, we also conduct awareness campaigns at the school and community level on topics such as protection and hygiene, including menstrual hygiene management.

  • For many years, people with disabilities have endured exclusion and isolation, from family settings to schools and society, extending to employment opportunities. To promote equality, justice, and counter social stigma, our team has focused on inclusivity and integration by embedding these values into their activities. This includes upgrading schools to be more inclusive, training staff, promoting community awareness, and advancing vocational training for females and people with disabilities, linking them to the job market. Our goal is a better, more inclusive society for all.
    Soha Fattal WeWorld Education Coordinator in Aleppo

Here below are some of the messages and the related posters conveyed during the campaigns:

In the secondary Women’s artschool in Aleppo, the campaign targeted 225 girls. One of them was Sarah, a 15-year-old girl who shared with us that after the session dedicated to menstrual hygiene management, she now knows how to track her menstrual cycle, understands that she can shower during her period, that her height will not be affected, and that she should use a special wash for sensitive areas rather than shampoo. She also learned to change her sanitary pad every two hours. These guidelines have helped her maintain her physical health and follow correct practices during her period. The sessions addressed common misconceptions resulting from incorrect social practices regarding menstruation. Now, Sarah knows that she should not be ashamed of her menstrual cycle, that it is a natural process, and that she can attend school during her period.

The awareness is a crucial component of our intervention, through which critical messages are conveyed to targeted audiences: students, teachers, families and communities as a whole. The rehabilitation works and the trainings are therefore reinforced through the strengthening of cultural and societal change towards having inclusive educational and social communities, which can involve everyone in contributing to Syria’s early recovery.