The war in Syria is entering its fifth year. According to the UN, almost half of Syria’s population has been forced to flee since the conflict that began in 2011, and now 1 in 4 of these refugee households is headed by a woman. Women are tasked with seeing the survival of their families. Mandana Hendesssi is the Regional Director for the Middle East and European Operations at Women for Women International. The organization women for women helps marginalized women in countries affected by war and conflict. They’re supporting a program to help Syrian women in the Kawergosk refugee camp in Irbil, Iraq. There, women are receiving counseling and business skills training. They’ve started their own businesses in the camps to meet the market needs, everything from selling clothes to offering haircuts. Mandana Hendessi tells us more about the project. PHOTO: A group of WEO business program participants receive the a stipend that they will use to continue funding their small business shops. (Courtesy of Women for Women International)