Forum emphasizes importance of women's role in shaping Syria's future

The General Women's Council of the Future Syria Party in Raqqa canton, in North and East Syria, held a panel discussion entitled "The Syrian Women's Struggle and the Experience of Building Peace and a Democratic Society in North and East Syria," at the party's headquarters in Raqqa canton.

The panel was attended by members of the Zenobia Women's Gathering, the Women's Council of North and East Syria, and the Women's Council of the Martyrs' Families Council, along with the head of the Women's Committee in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Adalat Omer, the head of the Women's Office in the Syrian Democratic Council, Jihan Khedro, members of the Women's Protection Units, and representatives from various civil institutions.

The panel, which was held at the level of Raqqa, Tabqa, and Jazira provinces, began with holding a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs. This was followed by the presentation of the first axis by the spokesperson for the General Women's Council of the Future Syria Party, Fatima al-Ali, who stated, "The experience of North and East Syria constitutes a practical model for building an inclusive democratic society," explaining that "the past ten years of the Syrian crisis have burdened society, but women in this region have been able to transform suffering into a force for change, proving that true peace begins with the empowerment of women." She noted that "more than 45% of the members of local councils in North and East Syria are women, which is the highest representation of women in conflict zones in the Middle East."

Fatima al-Ali pointed out that "the project of a democratic nation and the establishment of the Autonomous Administration have given women a safe space to play their leading role at various levels, through laws and the co-chairmanship system which has strengthened their position in society," stressing that any peacebuilding process in Syria without the participation of women is incomplete, and that a new Syria cannot be democratic and just unless women's rights and their participation in decision-making are guaranteed.

She concluded her remarks by addressing the political experiences in Damascus after the fall of the previous regime, noting that "the steps taken, including conferences, constitutional declarations, and elections, marginalized Syrian women despite a nominal parliamentary representation rate of 20%," emphasizing that the actual experience that should be emulated is the experience of women in the Autonomous Administration, which has become the hope of Syrian women inside the country. This was followed by opening the way for discussions before the attendees.

For her part, the co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council, Jihan Khedro, said that "the experience of women in North and East Syria represents a model for Syrian women and a project for building real peace and stability."

She indicated that "the participation of women in the Autonomous Administration's institutions has proven that a political solution in Syria cannot be achieved without the presence of women as effective partners in drafting the constitution and making decisions."

She affirmed that "any marginalization of the role of women in the new Syria is unacceptable."

For her part, Khadija al-Jerf, the spokesperson for the Women's Council in the Future Syria Party in Raqqa province, said that "women still suffer in areas inside Syria, especially in Sweida and the coastal region, as a result of their absence from the key positions of the state and the Transitional Government, which has led to their continued marginalization and exclusion," calling for the drafting of a constitution that guarantees women's rights and limits violence against them.

She affirmed that "there is no justice in Syria without fair representation of women in all branches of the state."

For her part, Nour al-Huda, the member of the Zenobia Women's Gathering Council in Raqqa province, stressed "the necessity of women's participation in various political, social, and economic fields, and that defending women's rights and achievements is the way to achieve the desired success and build a balanced and democratic future."

J.J

ANHA