At women's dialogue seminar: No just peace without women's participation in decision-making

The Women's Office of the Syrian Homeland Party organized a dialogue seminar entitled "Women's Role in Building the New Syria and Prospects for a Solution." The seminar was held at the party's headquarters in Hasaka city in Cizira Canton. A number of representatives from women's organizations participated, along with Janda Mohammed, the co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council.

The seminar included two main topics, as Janda Mohammed, the co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council, presented the first topic which addressed the role of women in the process of rebuilding Syria from the outbreak of the revolution to the present day.

Janda Mohammed emphasized the importance of discussing the country's reality and current trends, as well as examining the status of women across Syria and their role in the process of peace and rebuilding the future. She added that the currently overlooked role of Syrian women extends throughout history in various forms of struggle and community work.

She noted that women have been strongly present since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, participating in the demands for freedom and dignity, bearing heavy burdens, and being forced to confront killing and violations throughout the years of conflict, while striving to create a real space for participation in various fields.

Janda Mohammed also criticized the exclusion of women from political participation after the fall of the Ba'athist regime, noting that the transitional government in Damascus excluded women from the reconstruction process, amid the ongoing violations targeting them in the coastal areas and Sweida. moreover, she called for transitional justice and accountability for those responsible for crimes committed against all components of the Syrian people.

At the end of the session, she emphasized the need to empower women to play a fundamental role in rebuilding Syria and establishing peace, ensuring their presence in decision-making positions, and protecting their rights constitutionally. She called on women, political, and social movements to intensify their efforts within the framework of a women's alliance that protects women's rights and enhances their role in the country's future.

The second session, titled "Challenges and Prospects for a Solution," was presented by Shaima al-Khalaf, a member of the Central Council of the Syrian Homeland Party. She criticized the transitional government in Damascus for marginalizing women and excluding them from participating in shaping Syria's future, considering it to be one of the most prominent current challenges.

Shaima al-Khalaf confirmed that the reconstruction of Syria is not limited to building homes and repairing roads, but begins with establishing a new society based on justice and equality, pointing out that women, who have faced war and cared for their families, cannot be excluded from this phase.

She concluded, "a new Syria will only be built through the combined efforts of men and women. A just peace and a just state cannot be achieved while women are excluded from decision-making."

The dialogue seminar concluded with a series of recommendations that emphasized "the political empowerment of women and ensuring their participation in drafting the new constitution, strengthening the role of women in societal reconciliation, civil peace, in addition to spreading the culture of dialogue; empowering women economically by providing job opportunities and supporting small businesses, especially for women in rural areas; reinforcing the political and media presence of Syrian women, and supporting the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes by providing security and basic needs."

J.J

ANHA