For Feminism” Organization: women’s participation in transitional Govt. remains limited

Women’s participation in the institutions of Syria’s transitional government and decision-making centers faces major challenges, including token appointments and weak substantive representation in positions of responsibility, at a time when the country needs genuine and effective women’s participation in political life and public institutions.

Women’s representation in government positions and institutions does not exceed 10%, a very limited percentage compared with the qualifications and experience possessed by Syrian women, according to women’s institutions and organizations.

Commenting on the issue, Executive Director of the “For Feminism” Organization, Zahra Ahmad al-Fareej, said that there is virtually no presence of Syrian women in the institutions of Syria’s transitional government, stressing that such representation does not correspond to the size and role of women in Syrian society, nor to their capabilities and experience.

Speaking to ANHA's agency, Zahra al-Fareej described women’s participation in decision-making positions today as largely “limited and symbolic.”

Zahra said that, to date, there is no clear and practical plan to involve qualified Syrian women in institutions and in the process of building society. She attributed the weak representation of women in governing institutions, political bodies, and decision-making positions to stereotypical perceptions of women and a lack of confidence in their abilities and experience, in addition to the policies being followed and the reliance primarily on favoritism and personal connections rather than qualifications and experience.

The Executive Director of the “For Feminism” Organization also pointed out that women’s organizations are not consulted when decisions concerning the future of women in Syria are made. She noted that meetings and conferences attended by women’s organizations remain merely formal, serving primarily to present a media image of women’s participation.

She stressed that pressure on women’s participation has increased during the current period, causing women to become increasingly withdrawn from public life due to hate speech and the intensity of rhetoric that targets most segments of society, which in turn limits women’s participation despite the clear presence of strong determination and resolve.

Regarding what Syrian women need to reach decision-making positions beyond token appointments, Zahra al-Fareej, Executive Director of the “For Feminism” Organization, concluded by saying:

“Syrian women need a constitution that includes provisions ensuring their participation in building society, as well as effective laws that give them a genuine opportunity to obtain employment commensurate with their education and abilities and that contribute to their reaching decision-making positions.

ANHA