Presented at the Fifth Brussels Conference, a groundbreaking study is the first to examine the intersection of livelihoods and protection risks for Syrian refugee women, shaping policies for their economic empowerment.

Background

As Syria’s crisis endures, many refugee women have joined the labour market for the first time, navigating both economic necessity and heightened protection risks. With over 60% of Syrian refugees in host communities living in poverty, women face discrimination, exploitation, and violence, particularly in female-headed households. 

Commissioned by UN Women, UNHCR, and the ILO, Triangle’s study addresses a critical knowledge gap by examining the relationship between livelihood opportunities and protection risks – particularly sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) – among Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. Conducted between September 2019 and February 2020, the research combines quantitative and qualitative data to provide actionable insights into refugee women’s economic engagement.

The Challenge

Despite growing workforce participation, Syrian refugee women face major barriers to safe employment. Lacking legal residency – only 20% of registered refugee women in Lebanon hold it – they are vulnerable to exploitation and forced dependency. Poverty, family separation, and rigid gender norms worsen these risks, while balancing caregiving with insecure work heightens stress and exposure to violence. Workplace abuse remains largely unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and weak legal protections, allowing exploitation to persist unchecked.

Our Approach

This research examined the intricate relationship between refugee women’s economic engagement and their protection risks through a multi-dimensional assessment: 

• In-Depth Data Collection: Conducted a mixed-method study, combining surveys and qualitative interviews with refugee women, local organizations, and policymakers across Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. 
• Gender Norms and Economic Disparities Analysis: Investigated the evolving household roles of refugee women and the socio-economic challenges they face in accessing safe, sustainable livelihoods. 
• Policy and Programmatic Recommendations: Provided evidence-based strategies to enhance refugee women’s access to dignified work, while integrating gender-responsive protection measures into livelihoods programming. 
• Role of Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs): Highlighted how CBIs, when paired with vocational training and psychosocial services, mitigate SGBV risks and foster long-term economic resilience for refugee women. 

Results and Impact
The findings have shaped policy conversations and intervention strategies aimed at improving economic opportunities and safeguarding refugee women: 

• Recognition of the Triple Burden: The study underscored the pressures refugee women face as they navigate both household responsibilities, labour market participation, and active membership in their communities, whilst advocating for greater gender-sensitive support in employment programs. 
• Strengthening Protection Mechanisms: Recommendations emphasized the urgent need for legal reforms, improved reporting structures, and gender-responsive workplace protections to prevent exploitation and violence. 
• Integration of Economic and Social Support: Policymakers and humanitarian actors increasingly recognize that employment alone is insufficient – livelihood initiatives must be paired with robust social protection measures. 

Looking Ahead

Ensuring displaced women’s access to safe, dignified, and sustainable employment is a crucial step toward long-term empowerment. Triangle continues to drive efforts in gender protection and economic inclusion by examining how regional policies can better support refugee women’s while addressing systemic gender-based risks. By working alongside humanitarian organizations, donors, and policymakers, Triangle aims to help build more resilient futures for displaced women across the region.