How Saudi- and UN-led initiatives are putting rural women at the heart of Syria’s recovery
LONDON: Across Syria’s war-scarred landscape, reconstruction efforts have largely centered on shattered cities and critical infrastructure, even as other initiatives aim to extend recovery beyond urban areas.
One such effort, led by Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the UN Development Programme, is shifting attention to the countryside, where empowering rural women is emerging as a cornerstone of long-term recovery.
The initiative centers on food-processing hubs, renewable energy projects and business training to create income opportunities for women in some of Syria’s most neglected areas.
But beyond livelihoods, the program tests whether economic inclusion can help rebuild resilience after more than a decade of conflict. That shift reflects a broader rethink among economists and development experts.
