The Syrian war has denied thousands of women their right to education, with many never having had the opportunity to attend school in their childhood. This widespread illiteracy has had profound consequences, acting as a barrier to employment and support and leaving women more vulnerable to exploitation, particularly regarding legal rights and inheritance.
Since the outbreak of conflict in 2011, the hardships faced by illiterate women have intensified. Humanitarian and economic crises have compounded their challenges, and the effects of illiteracy on daily life have grown more acute. Many women are unable to benefit from support programmes or development projects, struggle to find employment, and cannot access or understand public health campaigns, all of which heighten their vulnerability under the harsh conditions imposed by war.
Illiteracy presents a major obstacle that prevents women from carrying out even basic daily activities independently, while also increasing their exposure to risks and exploitation. In the context of the ongoing conflict, these difficulties are further compounded, making literacy a matter of survival rather than personal enrichment.
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Syrian Women Between Illiteracy and Deprivation
Raqia Al-Shaer, an engineer and political activist based in Suwayda, southwestern Syria, told +963 that educational opportunities for women in Syria were already uneven before the war. Some regions suffered from near-total lack of access to schooling for women, while others had moderate to good availability. With the war’s onset, essential services deteriorated across sectors, with education, particularly for women, among the hardest hit.
Destruction of schools, displacement of populations, and family disruption led to a sharp decline in educational attainment across Syrian society, with women disproportionately affected. The absence of a safe, stable learning environment prevented many women from continuing or even beginning their education, widening the literacy gap.
Al-Shaer highlighted that the most pressing challenge for Syrian women is the scarcity of employment opportunities suited to their needs and circumstances, jobs that would enable them to achieve economic and social independence. Illiteracy remains one of the biggest barriers preventing women from understanding their rights and responsibilities, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and marginalisation in all aspects of life.
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A Painful Reality and Urgent Need for Change
The negative impact of illiteracy on women is compounded by social norms and traditions that often deny them legal rights, including inheritance, whether literate or illiterate. This perpetuates discrimination and injustice.
Al-Shaer calls on humanitarian organisations and the Syrian government to establish educational programmes, training courses, and development projects aimed at empowering illiterate women. These initiatives should help women face everyday challenges, reclaim their societal roles, and achieve equality in rights and opportunities.
According to the United Nations Population Fund’s 2024 report, over eight million women and girls in Syria require humanitarian aid, with many lacking access to education and essential services. Estimates suggest female illiteracy may exceed 30% in some rural or conflict-affected areas, especially amid displacement and the collapse of the educational system.
Civil society activist Rihab Ibrahim, based in Homs, central Syria, told +963 that the Syrian war has severely affected educational opportunities for women. Many schools have been destroyed or rendered inoperable, forcing women and girls to flee, face travel risks, and confront scarce resources, all of which has increased illiteracy rates.
Ibrahim notes that illiterate women face daily challenges, including limited access to healthcare and education, reliance on others, and few employment opportunities. Their lack of legal knowledge negatively impacts access to inheritance and essential services, restricting their ability to improve living conditions.
She adds that there are real-life examples of women unable to register their children in school or manage basic affairs due to illiteracy. Humanitarian organisations play a vital role by providing literacy programmes, life-skills training, and legal and social support. Illiteracy also limits women’s participation in development projects and aid programmes, making it difficult for them to attend meetings or complete forms independently.
Ibrahim calls on the Syrian government to support illiterate women through educational and vocational programmes, facilitate access to learning centres, provide financial and technical support, and raise awareness of their legal rights.
Across Syria, there are growing calls for literacy campaigns, offering free courses for non-literate populations with small incentives to encourage attendance. Experts stress that such initiatives go beyond basic literacy, serving as a critical entry point to improving social and economic conditions, especially when combined with training in life and professional skills that enhance employment prospects.
