Introduction:
Core vulnerabilities usually arise as a result of structural drivers such as political and social marginalization or injustice which, in turn, are linked to unmet basic human needs including safety, belonging, and status. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by different parties to the conflict.
The Goal of the Program:
Increasing political inclusion is a cross-cutting objective for ٍEPISA. Democracy in Syria is more likely to develop and endure when all segments of society are free to participate and influence political outcomes without suffering bias or reprisal. in many new and emerging democracies, large portions of the population are excluded from politics based on their ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or gender. EPISA will work to increase the participation of these groups so they can have a voice in the Syrian political process and achieve a greater level of equality, understanding that political participation is fundamental to democratic change in Syria.
Main Objectives:
The main objectives of the program are to:
- Introduce and enhance understanding of the key issues and rights of marginalized groups.
- Raise awareness of the importance of addressing marginalized group’s issues in Syria.
- Facilitate capacity development and identify strategies for strengthening partnerships with communities and civil society organizations (CSOs).
- Strengthen the capacity of Syrian women, youth, and marginalized groups, to participate in local decision-making institutions and processes.
- Promote women’s and youth participation and leadership in decision-making institutions and processes, including in reconciliation, peacebuilding, and stabilization efforts.
- Support women, youth, and marginalized groups to led advocacy to national and international levels.
- Advocacy for the issues of marginalized groups and pressure to draft the necessary laws to serve their rights.
Marginalized Groups We Work With:
- Women.
- Youth.
- People with Disabilities.
- Ethnic and Religious Groups.
- Returnees from the armed and violent extremist group.
Marginalization can be understood as persistent inequality and adversity resulting from discrimination, social stigma, and stereotypes. From inaccessible polling stations to information unavailable in minority languages to discriminatory laws to a lack of access to information, significant barriers to entering the political process exist for those at the margins. EPISA in partners with local groups to eliminate those barriers, change public perceptions of these groups, and support their voice in mainstream politics.