Lebanon: The situation for girls in the war

With our project in Lebanon, we create safe rooms for girls and support you in defending your rights. In the border area with Israel, Ghadir Haidar and Intissar Mokdad work for the "Female" community center in Nabadeeh. In the interview, they report on the effects of the war situation and how the well -being of the children can be secured in these difficult times.

How does the conflict influence your work in the border areas?

Ghadir Haidar: The increasing violence and the constant risk of escalation of the war have dramatically tightened the situation in the south of Lebanon. Air strikes and the destruction of infrastructure have catastrophic effects on the lives of many people. This makes our work extremely difficult, but we do everything we can to continue our programs as much as possible.

How big is your concern before another escalation?

Ghadir Haidar: The risk of another war is a constant concern, especially here near the border. We are afraid that our community and our projects could collapse through violence and destruction. The uncertainty about how long we can still work in safety is very stressful.

Is there a situation that has been particularly moving you recently?

Ghadir Haidar: A particularly moving situation was when a girl who lost her home in the border region due to the attacks asked us not to cancel the football training. She said, "If we have to die, let's die while we do what we love the most." This has touched all of us deeply and shows how important our project is for the children.

How are you in the team?

Intissar Mokdad: The burden is very high for all of us, but we try to support each other, and the small and big successes give us courage. An example: One of our colleagues has managed to organize medical aid deliveries despite the difficult circumstances that helped many women and children in the border region.

And how are the girls in the project?

Intissar Mokdad: The children suffer greatly from fear and uncertainty that the conflict and the risk of war bring with them. Many of them show signs of stress and anxiety. A girl from a village near the border told us that our football and basketball hours are the only moments when she feels safe and happy.

How can you strengthen the children in this difficult time?

Intissar Mokdad: We offer the children as much stability as possible by continuing our sports programs and offering psychosocial support. A concrete example is our football team, who continues to train regularly to enable the children to have a safe space and a carefree time.

What do you want from the people and the government in Germany?

Intissar Mokdad: We urgently need solidarity and support, both financially and politically. We hope that the German government is more committed to the end of violence and supports humanitarian aid here in the south of Lebanon.

Ghadir Haidar: It is important that the international community does not look away, but acts to relieve the suffering of children.

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Female is a civil society, feminist collective, which was founded in 2012 by young women, activists and journalists. The organization is committed to gender justice by building a young feminist movement and fighting against discriminatory norms and laws. In the south of the Lebanon, Female in particular offers girls and women safe spaces and sports offers - even under the most difficult conditions.