Syria

Maternal Health

In general, health care in Syria has improved over the past three decades. Reproductive health care for women also follows this trend. Such improvements have translated into 84 percent of women with access to antenatal coverage care, 93 percent with access to skilled birth attendants, and 70 percent with access to institutional deliveries. Fertility rates have also dropped considerably: in 1970, fertility rates were 7.6, decreasing to 5.5 in 1990, and dropping to 3.2 in 2006. Such improved access to reproductive health services has also improved the maternal mortality ratio; as of 2006, 65 deaths were reported per 100,000 live births, though that number rises to 130 per 100,000 when adjusted. Over her lifetime, a Syrian mother has a 1 in 210 risk of maternal mortality. Due to the phenomenon of early marriage in Syria, 2.6 percent of women become pregnant before the age of 15. Additionally, 5.4 percent of pregnant women are at risk for abuse during their first pregnancy, which may increase to 9 percent during their final pregnancy.

Cultural Influences

Islam is the religion of the majority in Syria, and it is within this context that childbearing and marriage are seen as the most important display of one's faith. The family is considered the nucleus of Syrian society, and a married woman's value is often placed on her ability to produce children. The use of contraception within Syria is only allowed within the context of marriage. The contraceptive prevalence rate for married women aged 15–49 is at 58 percent. The government provides direct support regarding contraception. Abortion is legal only to save the life of the mother.

Mothers in Syria are not allowed to pass their Syrian citizenship on to their offspring should their spouses be non-Syrian. Likewise, a woman is not able [Page 1190]to pass her citizenship on to her spouse. Many children born to Syrian mothers and non-Syrian fathers find themselves in a legal limbo with regard to their citizenship and identity should they choose to live in Syria. As of 2003, over 1 million Iraqi refugees have fled into Syria, many of whom are women and their children. It is reported that many women and girls have turned to desperate measures to support their families, including child labor and sex work.