Healthcare Access for Syrian Refugees in Istanbul: A Gender-Sensitive Perspective

Introduction

During our research as IPC-Mercator Fellows, the issue of gender-specific barriers affecting Syrian refugee women’s access to healthcare was highlighted by many civil society organizations active in refugee support in Istanbul. As an intersection of our respective research projects,1 we organized the roundtable workshop “Healthcare Access for Syrian Refugees: A Gender-Sensitive Perspective” held at Istanbul Policy Center on May 4, 2018. The workshop brought together various stakeholders who are active, voluntarily or professionally, in support of refugee communities in Turkey. Most have extensive experience related to the healthcare system or in supporting refugees to reach healthcare services in Istanbul.

Conclusion

The workshop was an opportunity for civil society organization representatives, medical professionals, and academics to discuss the primary problems for and barriers to Syrian refugee women’s access to the healthcare system. The workshop proceedings highlighted the current positive experiences and initiatives to increase refugee womens’s access to services as well as gaps and limitations. The main problems discussed were related to registration, refugees’ reduced health literacy, or lack of knowledge of the Turkish healthcare system as well as existent gaps within the healthcare system including mental health and reproductive health provisions. A large part of the workshop was dedicated to gender-specific problems that exist within the system, with a focus on the insufficient protection for women and girls against gender-based violence. The debate resulted in concrete suggestions and recommendations on how the healthcare system overall or parts of it must be strengthened to improve reach, services, and performance.