Amina Ossi: shared vision of women is a decentralized system

In an interview with ANHA agency, Amina Ossi, the spokesperson for the Committee on Alliances and Diplomatic Relations of Kongra Star, discussed the current situation in Syria, the status of women, and the kind of Syria that women aspire to build.

Ossi explained that after the fall of the central, dictatorial Ba’ath regime which lasted 54 years and was incompatible with Syria’s diverse social reality the Syrian people rose up demanding radical change. A new authority emerged, and there was hope for the establishment of a democratic Syria.

She stated: “The level of democracy in any country is reflected in how it handles the issue of women. The more democratic standards and laws protecting women's rights are guaranteed, the more democratic that country becomes.”

She added: “Unfortunately, the authorities have dealt with women through a nationally chauvinistic and religiously extremist mindset. The laws implemented particularly in Idlib and surrounding areas intervened in every detail of women’s lives, causing serious concern. Now, they seek to impose the same model on other provinces in Syria.”

Ossi highlighted the historic struggle of Syrian women against the previous regime, noting that all women in Syria are striving to establish a democratic foundation and secure their rights in the Syrian constitution.

“Kurdish women, in particular, have built their own social system through continuous struggle in North and East Syria over the past 14 years. Women manage themselves and make their own decisions,” she said.

She stressed that women in North and East Syria play a key role in politics and governance.

“These achievements were strengthened in 2021, when women’s rights were enshrined in many articles of the Social Contract. The co-presidency system, gender equality, and guaranteed participation in all areas of life and women’s institutions have granted women the right to organize themselves across all domains,” she explained.

Ossi warned that this system must be protected especially from the Damascus-based transitional government, which, she noted, has not made even minimal acknowledgment of women’s rights in its constitutional declaration.

She stated that Kongra Star has taken on a historic responsibility they consider a duty, and that they are now working closely with all Syrian women to safeguard the social system that empowers women, so they can participate in legal and constitutional changes in Syria.

“This is evident in the initiatives and activities we lead, along with our shared vision of a decentralized Syria that safeguards the rights of all communities and women,” she noted.

Amina Ossi further stated that they do not merely consider the system in North and East Syria as a model, but view it as the most successful and representative of Syria’s true reality.

“This system has prevented civil war, and has enabled the region to be protected, administered, and organized socially, politically, and militarily. Given Syria’s pluralistic and diverse reality, the Autonomous Administration model is the most appropriate,” she asserted.

She acknowledged that the road to democracy remains difficult and painful, especially in light of the prevailing mindset, but affirmed that the progress women are making is enduring and long-lasting.

“We are at a stage where Syrian women must unite their full strength to take responsibility for democratic transformation in Syria. This requires alliances, dialogue, and women’s solidarity networks both inside and outside the country,” she said.

She called for the formation of joint women’s networks and cooperation with all women’s organizations to draw international attention to the importance of “our independent project.”

“We must work diligently on both the political and diplomatic fronts to ensure that women’s aspirations are achieved within a decentralized and pluralistic system,” she said.

Finally, Ossi attributed the main obstacles facing the aspirations of the people and women in Syria to foreign interventions, which prevent Syrians from making their own decisions.

“All external actors are pursuing their own interests, and this is a major problem,” she said, concluding with a call for Syrian women to deeply and accurately evaluate their historical journey and make the right decisions based on that understanding.

ANHA