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BackgroundThere is limited evidence regarding the ways in which displacement disrupts social norms, expectations and trajectories for adolescent girls and young women and the resulting impacts on their risks of violence. This knowledge gap is especially marked with regards to Syrian adolescent girls and young women seeking refuge in Turkey. We explored risks of gender-based violence against Syrian adolescent girls and young women in Turkey and examined how these risks were shaped by their displacement.MethodsData were collected in August 2016 in Izmir, Turkey through five sex-specific focus group discussions with Syrian adolescents and young people (aged 15-25 years) and two mixed gender focus group discussions with Syrian adults (18 years and older). Group discussions covered the issues facing Syrian adolescents and young women in Turkey, and how these were influenced by their displacement. Discussions in Arabic were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English. Data were coded inductively, and analysed thematically.ResultsSyrian adolescent girls and young women expressed an increased sense of vulnerability to violence since their displacement. Due to financial strains and limited educational opportunities, they were often encouraged by parents to work or marry, both of which they perceived to increase the risks of violence. In contrast, some adults suggested that marriage could protect adolescent girls and young women from risks of violence associated with working. Being alone outside the home was viewed as risky by all participants due to pervasive sexual, verbal and physical harassment, aggression, and even kidnapping attempts. To limit these risks, many parents reported keeping adolescent girls and young women at home, or ensuring that they were accompanied by male relatives when in public.ConclusionsSyrian adolescent girls and young women face multiple risks of violence following displacement related to altered social trajectories. Some family-based strategies to protect young women from violence could reinforce restrictive gender norms and increase risks of violence. Interventions to address violence should include providing safe spaces, access to education and safe transport for young women, and financial support for families as well as community-based interventions to address the daily risks of sexual harassment in public spaces.

Addressing gender-based violence risks among displaced adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is challenging. Delivering interventions through mobile phone platforms could help overcome challenges and tailor services, but formative research to inform their development is lacking. We explored the feasibility and acceptability of mobile phone platforms to deliver interventions such as targeted public safety and information alerts to address gender-based violence (GBV) among Syrian AGYW in Izmir, Turkey. We conducted a qualitative study in August 2016 with 29 Syrian refugees aged 15 years and older through seven focus group discussions (three with young women, two with young men, and two with adults of mixed gender). Topics covered mobile phone usage and the perceived benefits and challenges of mobile phones for delivering interventions to address GBV. Discussions were led by trained facilitators, audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically. We found that access to mobile phones among AGYW was widespread and there were gendered expectations that influenced phone use. Key concerns among AGYW included perceived personal data security risks and data privacy as phones were commonly shared with family members. Most adults were supportive of targeted public safety and information alerts to promote safety among AGYW, but wanted to be consulted about content development. Piloting a short message service (SMS)-based intervention was challenging due to national-level restrictions on accessing mass SMS delivery mechanisms in a context of political unrest. In conclusion, mobile phones would provide a feasible platform to deliver GBV prevention interventions, such as public safety & information alerts, to AGYW if strategies to protect users' privacy and minimize security risks are in place, and the community is involved in designing content. Their feasibility depends on access to mobile networks, which may be restricted in some settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]