Girls Who Chose Life and Refused to Give Up

“I remember the silence after the earthquake — it felt like the world had stopped,” says Diya, 16 about the moment her life changed. The February 2023 earthquakes tore through her home, leaving her and her siblings trapped under rubble. Already displaced from Syria and grieving her father’s death in the conflict, Diya also lost her mother in the disaster. After weeks of recovery, the children were relocated to Istanbul to live with their grandmother.

“I want to help people heal — not just their bodies, but their hearts,” Diya says. “School is where I start building that future. I study hard, I read every day, and I’m even learning French online.”

Diya’s path back to education was made possible with support from the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. UNICEF with its partner provides individualized support to children facing displacement, trauma, and documentation barriers. In Diya’s case, her hearing impairment and lack of local registration made school access difficult. The UNICEF project worked closely with local authorities to resolve these issues, ensuring she could continue her education.

By tailoring assistance to each child’s situation, UNICEF ensures that education is not just a possibility, but a promise — especially for girls who face compounded vulnerabilities in post-disaster settings.

Aye, 17, had always dreamed of becoming a hairdresser. Through UNICEF and its partner SGDD-ASAM, Aye was introduced to vocational education opportunities. With guidance and counselling, she enrolled in a vocational training centre and began studying hairdressing — a profession she now excels in.

“One day, I’ll open a beauty salon where every woman leaves feeling strong and beautiful,” she says. “Or maybe I’ll study law and defend women like my mother — she’s my hero.”

UNICEF doesn’t just bring children back to school — it helps them rebuild confidence and agency. For girls like Aye, vocational pathways offer a chance to lead, contribute, and inspire others. The project also helps reduce risks such as child labour and early marriage by offering safe, meaningful alternatives.

Fourteen-year-old Selam lives in Hatay with her mother and siblings. After her father returned to Syria, the family struggled to make ends meet. School seemed like a luxury they couldn’t afford.

“When we didn’t have money for school materials or transport, my parents thought I should stop studying,” Selam says. “But I want to be a heart surgeon. I’ve wanted that since I was five.”

With UNICEF support, teams from its partner ASAM met Selam’s family and worked closely with her mother to explain the importance of continuing education. They helped complete her registration and provided learning materials to support her transition back to school.

Selam now attends ninth grade and is thriving. “I study hard because I know my future depends on it — and maybe someone else’s life too,” she says.

Girls like Selam often face gender-specific challenges — caregiving responsibilities, safety concerns, and pressure to marry early. UNICEF’s work addresses these barriers by engaging caregivers and promoting safe, inclusive learning environments.