Ilham Ahmed: DAA's vision of governance is based on decentralization, pluralism, democracy

The Zenobia Women's Gathering Council organized a bigger women's gathering in Raqqa canton, North and East Syria. The meeting was part of a campaign launched by the Gathering in cooperation with the Kongra Star under the theme "With an Alliance of Women, We Will Build a Free, Democratic, and Decentralized Syria." The meeting encompassed all women's committees of civil society organizations, members of the Internal Security Forces - Women, Afrin League members, and representatives of political parties.

The conference, being held in the sports hall of the city stadium in Raqqa, started off with a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs. This was followed by Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department, describing the political situation at the time. She underscored the fact that "the current phase Syria is going through is one of significant significance in its political and social life. It is necessary to secure the rights of every ethnic and religious component and reach a democratic political solution that brings in the principle of decentralization and achieves social justice and equality."

She reaffirmed that "decentralization is not a project of division, as it has been peddled, but rather a technique for unifying ranks and ensuring a good representation of all Syrian components." She explained that international experiences with federal and confederal frameworks have shown that decentralization is the way to achieving real development and political and economic stability.

She stated that "decentralization involves equal women's representation in the decision-making positions, equal wealth distribution between governorates, balanced economic development, and preservation of the rich cultural diversity in the Syrian texture." She continued stating that it is mistaken to view decentralization as a model of separation, but a model of unification and integration.

Ilham Ahmed also referred to women's issues in the framework of organized media campaign on social media, taking into account that so-called "electronic flies" are waging a psychological war against women with the aim of undermining their will and belittling their successes.

She said, "These assaults on the honor of women and their families are a moral downfall and a step to bring an end to the wheel of emancipation which women are moving on towards. But we, conscious women, will continue our struggle and confront these tactics with greater awareness and determination."

Within the context of her address, Ilham Ahmed explained that the talks ongoing in Damascus among representatives of the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces on one side, and the transitional Syrian government on the other, are taking place in good spirits and that the objective is to attain genuine understandings regarding Syria's future and its administrative and military establishments, with an effective participation by all its components.

She explained that the process to incorporate the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army has already been initiated as a first step towards the establishment of a complete national army that protects all Syrians without discrimination. She reaffirmed that North and East Syria must have effective representation in governmental institutions and political decision-making processes.

Ilham Ahmed also referred to the return of displaced people and refugees, emphasizing that their return must be followed by security guarantees that will guarantee their property and lives. She condemned Turkish policies in occupied areas such as Afrin, Shahba, Serekaniye, and Gire Spi, Turkification, and fait accompli that are continuous.

She added, "We are willing to enter into a dialogue with Turkey if its intentions are sincere for achieving peace. We emphasize again that stability in Syria is stability in Turkey and the wider region. We aspire to peaceful good neighborly relations, not occupation or exclusion."

Ilham Ahmed noted that the over-centralization by the transitional government hinders development and creates economic imbalances between governorates. She called for powers to be shared and decentralization permitted to provide greater roles for local administrations in decision-making, the provision of services, and jobs.

Ilham Ahmed, Foreign Relations Department co-chair, concluded her speech by saying that Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria's vision is based on the building of a democratic, decentralized, pluralist Syria that protects the rights of women and all ethnic groups. She continued, "We believe that a just peace is the way to end Syrians' calamity, especially women, who have most suffered from wars. Women, however, remain the most willing to build peace and ensure a better future for all Syrians."

ANHA