Female candidates excluded from directorate positions in Hasakah despite their experience

In recent months, the cities of Hasakah and Damascus have witnessed meetings between representatives of the Autonomous Administration’s bodies and officials from the ministries of the Syrian interim government. These discussions aimed to reach consensus on appointing heads of directorates and other administrative positions in Hasakah, within the framework of implementing the provisions of the January 29 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim government.

The mechanism for selecting candidates relies on each party proposing three nominees for each position, in order to agree on one name based on two main criteria: that the candidate is from the region and possesses the required specialization, competence, and experience.

Recently, officials were appointed to both the Health Directorate and the Education Directorate. However, female candidates previously nominated by the Autonomous Administration for these positions were excluded, despite their high qualifications and notable experience.

In this context, Ilham Ahmad, Co-Chair of the Department of External Relations, confirmed that women’s representation and agency remain an issue. In a previous statement to ANHA agency, she said: “A large number of women work within the Autonomous Administration. Structurally, there are some similarities between the institutions of the Autonomous Administration and the government, but at the level of managing directorates, there are differences.”

She added: “Within the framework of integration, names of both women and men are proposed for appointments. However, so far, the directors of health and education have been appointed from among men only. Therefore, women’s participation must be treated as a priority and given an important role, as there are serious challenges and obstacles in this file.”

According to observers, the current appointments once again highlight the limited presence of women within the structure of the Syrian interim government since its establishment. At that time, women’s roles were limited to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor—a portfolio that observers believe diminishes the value of women and links their role solely to domestic and family affairs—while their representation in parliament did not exceed 4 percent.

Observers also pointed to clear marginalization and deliberate exclusion of women from leadership positions in state institutions. This aligns with remarks reportedly made by al-Sharaa during a meeting with the Syrian diaspora, where he stated that they avoid selecting women, adding: “If I nominate women, they will accuse me of being a womanizer.” 

A-H 

ANHA