Help Syrian Women Rebuild Their Lives

Dear friend,

Thank you for supporting From Absence to Presence. Your contributions helped Syrian women whose loved ones were forcibly disappeared get clear information about the legal questions they face every day.

On 19 October, women in Gaziantepe met in person for our first legal literacy session, while participants in Sanlurfa joined online. In plain language, the session covered the rights and protections available to Syrian women in Türkiye, how to access them, and how to obtain or correct essential documents such as birth and marriage records.

One of the most pressing questions was what a woman can do when her husband is missing and she needs to make decisions for her children. Participants brought real situations to the discussion, from custody and guardianship to difficulties with everyday paperwork. Several learned about rights they hadn’t known they had.

Thank you for helping create a space where these women could ask questions about their own circumstances and better understand the options available to them and their families.

With gratitude,
The Freedom Jasmine Team

Dear Valued Donor,

For women living with the disappearance of a loved one, the pressure reaches into every part of life. Your support gives them space to be heard, build confidence, and support one another.

On 13 October, 20 Syrian women gathered in Gaziantep for the second session of From Absence to Presence. Mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of the forcibly disappeared, they carry the pain of uncertainty while continuing to care for their families and serve their communities.

Thank you for helping make this session possible.

Together, participants explored the psychological, financial, and social pressures they face. They practised recognising their achievements, strengthening self-belief, and understanding that setbacks do not erase their ability to make a difference.

Working in groups, they tackled a difficult question: how can we make fair, transparent decisions when there are not enough resources to meet everyone’s needs? Their discussions created space to practise leadership through real challenges.

Stories of women who changed their societies encouraged each participant to reflect on her own capacity to create hope. A closing “gratitude box” exercise invited them to recognise both appreciation and frustration in close relationships—and approach differences with greater calm.

Your contribution supports more than a gathering. It helps women who carry years of unanswered questions invest in themselves, their relationships, and their futures.

Thank you for standing beside them. Their search for loved ones continues. With your support, so does their opportunity to learn, lead, and shape the communities around them.

With heartfelt gratitude,
The Freedom Jasmine Team