Civil Activist warns of risks to Syrian Women’s hard-won rights

Lawyer and civil activist Shorouk Abu Zeidan evaluated the situation of Syrian women as International Women’s Day (March 8) approaches, noting that this day carries special and complex meanings for Syrian women after many years of war and social and political transformations.

Abu Zeidan said: “In my opinion, having a specific day for women is, in itself, a confirmation of the discrimination they face. However, this day has taken on a special and complex character given the years of challenges and major transformations that Syria has gone through. Syrian women have faced—and in some places still face—a complex struggle between a war that lasted for years, issues of asylum, forced displacement, loss, and all of this within a context of social and cultural changes.”

She added: “In light of these circumstances, International Women’s Day becomes an opportunity to highlight the enormous sacrifices made by Syrian women, whether inside the country or in refugee-hosting countries. Therefore, for Syrian women this day is not only about celebrating their successes and achievements, but also a reminder of the continued need for more work and attention at all levels to achieve justice and equality.”

 Complex Reality for Syrian Women

The civil activist believes that the reality of Syrian women today reflects a mixture of deep challenges and limited opportunities amid the ongoing conflict and difficult economic and social conditions.

She said: “The reality of Syrian women today is a combination of profound challenges and limited opportunities, forming a complex picture, especially within the context of the continuing conflict and the difficult social and economic conditions they live under. Despite the significant role women have played in Syrian society, both before and during the war, their current situation is still far from the aspirations that women had previously worked toward.”

She added that women’s legal rights already lacked sufficient guarantees even before the war, noting that these rights deteriorated further as institutions were destroyed during the years of conflict.

She said: “In terms of rights, Syrian women’s legal rights lacked many guarantees even before the war, particularly regarding issues such as economic empowerment, personal rights, and family rights. With the outbreak of the war and the destruction of institutional systems, these rights deteriorated even further and legal discrimination against women increased rather than decreased.”

Symbolic Representation in Decision-Making Positions

Shorouk Abu Zeidan stressed that the biggest challenge facing Syrian women today is the lack of genuine representation in political life and decision-making positions.

She said: “In terms of representation and public participation, the greatest challenge Syrian women face today is real representation in political life and decision-making centers. Even after the change of the system, women have been represented in only one ministry and remain absent from most other administrations and institutions. Even in the parliamentary elections, women did not have a noticeable presence and their participation did not reach a level close to fairness.”

She added: “Therefore, until now, it can be said that the presence of Syrian women in decision-making centers remains largely symbolic.”

Forms of Exclusion

Abu Zeidan also spoke about various forms of exclusion that women face in political and administrative fields. She explained that women are excluded from political decision-making and from key ministerial portfolios. The government includes only one female minister, who was assigned a portfolio that has traditionally been reserved for women for decades.

She considered that the government has settled for this single minister simply to meet certain formal requirements without having to increase the representation of women or other components.

She added that women are still excluded from several administrative and judicial positions, including Sharia courts, transitional justice bodies, and the Missing Persons Commission, which was appointed through decrees at the beginning of 2025.

Multidimensional Challenges

Shorouk Abu Zeidan believes that the challenges facing Syrian women are not limited to a single aspect; rather, they are a combination of social, political, legal, and economic challenges, each of which deeply affects women’s lives.

She explained that social customs, gender-based discrimination, domestic violence, and pressures related to traditional roles form an important part of these challenges.

She also pointed out that the economic challenge is among the most prominent obstacles limiting women’s participation in public life.

Gap Between Aspirations and Reality

She stressed that there is a clear gap between the aspirations of young Syrian women and the reality imposed on them.

She said:“It is a deep and complex gap that includes social, economic, legal, political, personal, and security aspects. Young women live with continuous challenges due to traditions and societal pressures, but at the same time they carry great hopes and ambitions that could bring about change if they are given the opportunity and support.”

Fears of Losing Achievements

Shorouk Abu Zeidan expressed concern that women may lose the gains achieved over past decades, especially in light of current practices and the absence of legislation protecting women’s rights.

She said: “In light of what is happening and the current practices of the authorities, I fear that women may indeed lose any achievements they have gained during previous periods.”

Message to Society

The activist addressed a message to those trying to reduce the role of women in society, stressing that excluding women represents a loss for society as a whole.

She said: “Women are not an ‘addition’ or a secondary part of any society. They are a foundation and a pillar of it. Excluding women or limiting their roles based on outdated perceptions or narrow beliefs ultimately means marginalizing a huge social energy that could contribute to rebuilding the entire society.”

Syria’s Future and Women’s Participation

She emphasized that women’s participation in shaping Syria’s political future is an essential necessity to achieve stability, peace, and the rebuilding of the state on fair, strong, stable, and sustainable foundations.

Message to Syrian Women

At the end of her remarks, the civil activist addressed a message to Syrian women inside the country and in the diaspora, calling on them to continue their struggle for justice and equality.

She said: “You are strong. You exist. You must continue your struggle to achieve justice, equality, peace, and safety. You are an essential part of change and a key pillar of the future. Each of us contributes to change from our place, in different ways and forms. It is enough that we, as women, believe in the importance and necessity of our role.”

ANHA