Iraqi Refugee Women and Girls: Desperate and Alone

The Women's Refugee Commission undertook a field mission to Jordan from October 25 to November 2, 2008 to follow up on a mission in 2007 to meet with Iraqi refugee women and youth and hear their stories firsthand.

From the Field: "Few options for rape survivors" (Nov 2, 2008) Sarah Chynoweth, reproductive health program manager, and Ada Williams Prince, senior advocacy officer, write from Jordan.

Media Coverage: "Iraqi women face trials, tribulations in Jordan" (PostGlobal, Nov 26, 2008)

The war in Iraq has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. Several million people have left their homes in search of safety. Many refugees have fled to Jordan, a country with already limited resources.

There are also an estimated 2.8 million internally displaced people in Iraq, according to the International Organization for Migration. Women and children are particularly vulnerable and have been left alone because the men in the family have often been killed.

Refugees have limited access to basic health services, including reproductive health care, and they have little or no source of sustainable income. Iraqis report that women and girls have resorted to selling their bodies to support themselves and their families, and that domestic violence is a growing problem as a result of the stressful and desperate situation families find themselves in. Read our report.

Take Action

One of our priorities is to advocate for the needs of Iraqi refugee women, children and youth. The U.S. government has a special responsibility to these refugees.

Help raise awareness and resources for Iraqi refugee women, children and youth.

Reports

• Read our brief to learn more about the situation and our recommendations to the U.S. government and the international humanitarian community.
• Read our report, Iraqi Refugee Women and Youth in Jordan: Reproductive Health Findings. Also in Arabic.

Videos and Photos

The Women's Refugee Commission produced a video on gender violence against Iraqi refugee women and girls. 6 minutes.

View more short videos by the Women's Refugee Commission on this issue:

Desperate and Alone: Iraqi Refugee Women and Youth in Jordan

The Health Care Crisis for Iraqi Refugees in Jordan

Browse our photo essay on Iraqi refugees in Jordan.

From The Field

Read our diary entries to see how every day in Jordan is a fight for survival.

• Iraqi refugee women and girls in Jordan: “Few options for rape survivors” (November 2, 2008)
• "Terrible things happened to me": Violence against Iraqi women and girls (June 19, 2007)
• "Can you help us?" Iraqi Refugees in Jordan (June 15, 2007)

Voices of Iraqi Women

• Download our booklet and read firsthand: Voices of Iraqi Refugee Women and Girls in Jordan

Selected Media Coverage

• "Iraqi women face trials, tribulations in Jordan." PostGlobal (November 26, 2008)
• "Help scarce for refugee rape victims in Jordan." International Herald Tribune/AP (November 3, 2008)
• "Books, Not Bombs," The New York Times. Column by Nicholas Kristof on the need to educated Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria. (June 26, 2008)
• Iraqi Refugee Women and Youth: Sick and Suffering; U.S. and International Community Must Support Health Sector Appeal (September 24, 2007)
• "What We Owe Iraq's Refugees." The Washington Post. Megan McKenna and Sarah Chynoweth write a letter to the editor in support of an editorial about the U.S. responsibility to Iraqi refugees, especially in Jordan. (August 24, 2007)
• WBAI 99.5 FM. Wakeup Call. Megan McKenna and Sarah Chynoweth talk about the plight of Iraqi refugee women and children in Jordan. (August 9, 2007)
• Iraqi Refugees in Jordan: Humanitarian Needs Dire; U.S. and International Community Must Act Now (July 11, 2007)
• "The Hellish Situation of Iraqi Refugees." Huffingtonpost.com blog. Blog post by Megan McKenna in response to John Bolton's comment on denying responsibility for Iraqi refugees. (June 14, 2007)
• "Desperation in Amman." Huffingtonpost.com Blog. Blog post by Megan McKenna. (June 18, 2007)
• Assistance for Displaced Iraqi Women, Children and Youth Must Become a Global Priority (January 29, 2007)