Hala and Meryem: Different Paths, Shared Strength

With the support of the European Union through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, UNHCR Türkiye and its NGO partners help ensure that refugees and asylum-seekers can access protection and specialized services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV).

For both Meryem and Hala, the first step toward safety and justice began with UNHCR’s Counselling Line. Both were navigating divorce, threats, and uncertainty while trying to keep their children safe and their lives on track, and both found in the Counselling Line a lifeline that connected them to protection, legal support, and psychosocial assistance.

Hala came to Türkiye from Syria in 2019 with her husband and three children. When her marriage reached a breaking point, she filed for divorce in 2022. She started her first job, rented her own place, but her husband prevented the children from living with their mother. She didn’t surrender, and used this time to build financial stability for a better future together. However, when he resorted to threats and violence, a friend advised her to call UNHCR’s Counselling Line. The trained and multilingual counselors provided her with relevant information and referred her to UNHCR’s NGO partner, SGDD-ASAM, where she was provided with legal counselling and the support of a lawyer.

The situation became even harder when her husband tried to keep the children away from her, but Hala did not give up. With her SGDD-ASAM lawyer’s guidance, she obtained a restraining order and pursued her case until it was finalized. “The support I received at every stage was crucial,” she says. “It helped me claim my rights legally and avoid mistakes that could have harmed my case.”

Today she is living with her children in a peaceful home and tells other women: “Stay strong and love yourself. Listen to your mind, and close your ears to social pressures.”

UNHCR

Meryem, a refugee from Aleppo, arrived in Türkiye in 2015 with her three daughters and then-husband. When she began experiencing violence from her husband, she called UNHCR’s Counselling Line. Through the line, her case was referred to UNHCR’s protection unit and then to SGDD-ASAM, where she was provided with legal support and psychosocial assistance.

At first, fear of detention or deportation made her hesitate to go to the police. Before filing her complaint, she called the line again and shared her concerns. The operator reassured her that she was not alone and even offered to stay on the line during her visit to the police station. “The fact that they were willing to stay on the line gave me courage,” she says.

With this support, Meryem filed her petition, the police issued a restraining order, and in the end, she obtained a divorce with full custody of her children. Today she continues her life with greater safety and confidence. “I think everyone should know this service exists,” she says. “I am very grateful for the support I received and the kindness I was shown.”

With the support of reliable donors, including the European Union, UNHCR Türkiye and its partners continue to empower displaced women and girls by facilitating access to protection services, legal aid and counselling, psychosocial assistance, and reliable information. These efforts not only help survivors of gender-based violence but also strengthen the resilience of entire communities, enabling refugees and asylum-seekers to build safer and more dignified lives.

UNHCR Türkiye’s Counselling Line provides refugees and asylum-seekers with counselling in 15 languages, regarding procedures, rights, available services, and individual guidance. By connecting people with the assistance they require, the Counselling Line helps ensure that displaced individuals and families can make informed decisions and actively participate in their new communities.

To reach UNHCR Türkiye’s Counselling Line, please call: 444 48 68