ABSTRACT
In examining the Syrian refugee crisis from a gendered perspective it is important to begin with an understanding of the Syrian conflict and the ways in which this has impacted on men, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and their forced migrations and displacement. There have been many reports of violence against Syrian refugees, both inside and outside of refugee camps, as well as exploitation in the labour market, gender-based violence and forced marriages. A further threat to the security of young women and girls is posed by the practice of early or forced marriage which, reports have shown, is common in Syrian refugee camps across the region. In 2015 over 1 million refugees arrived in Europe, seeking protection from armed conflict and violence in Syria and other countries of origin. Gender was for a long time invisible in academic research on forced migration and refugees.
