Kolan Suleiman: Syrian women demand equal representation

In an exclusive interview with ANHA  agency, Kolan Suleiman, the member of the General Coordination Committee of the Syrian Women’s Council, outlined the Council’s recent activities and its vision for the country’s governance. Describing the current phase in Syria as “critical,” Suleiman emphasized that the Council has been working to coordinate efforts across all regions, aiming to reach Syrian women both inside the country and abroad. This objective has been central to the Council’s strategy since its founding.

 “We sought to expand our scope of work, strengthen our networks, and engage with various women’s movements, organizations, and independent female leaders. We have taken significant steps in this regard, organizing consultative forums in key Syrian cities, including Aleppo and Damascus ” Suleiman said

She also stressed the importance of mobilizing women from all Syrian communities and incorporating them into the Council to ensure their voices are heard. Suleiman revealed that numerous women's organizations have recently reached out to collaborate, exchange perspectives, and operate under the Council’s umbrella.

Ensuring Women’s Participation

Suleiman pointed out that, prior to the collapse of the Ba'athist regime on December 8, 2024, the government had actively restricted their ability to operate freely. However, despite these challenges, she noted: “We continued our efforts to organize women inside Syria, educating them about their rights and fostering their political engagement.”

Regarding the current interim government, she expressed concern that no concrete guarantees had been made to safeguard women’s rights or ensure their equitable representation: “Women have sacrificed for this revolution. They have faced arrest, torture, and abduction. These sacrifices must be acknowledged through genuine representation in government.”

She further warned that the marginalization of women in governance today could be a troubling indicator for the future:

 “At this stage, women's roles are being sidelined. This suggests that in the coming government, women may either be completely excluded or only granted token representation.”

The Syrian Women’s Council is closely monitoring statements from Damascus’ transitional authorities regarding women's participation in institutions such as the judiciary. Suleiman issued a firm stance: “We will not accept any exclusion of women in the future. After all the sacrifices made, we demand full participation. This issue was at the core of recent discussions, focusing on how to institutionalize women's rights in Syria’s next phase.”

Preparations for a Syrian National Women’s Conference

Reaffirming the Council’s insistence on women’s presence in decision-making roles, Suleiman highlighted their ongoing efforts to organize a Syrian National Women’s Conference. This initiative includes a series of meetings in various cities to ensure broad participation from women across all regions and communities.

 “We are preparing for a National Women’s Conference that guarantees representation for women of all backgrounds. Syrian women will participate in their full diversity, bringing their perspectives and agency to the table. The conference will produce recommendations to be presented at the General National Conference, ensuring that women’s demands are included in the national agenda," Suleiman added.

A Model for Women's Revolution

Suleiman also pointed to the women's revolution in North and East Syria as a model for women’s empowerment, stating:“This movement is the culmination of years of women’s struggle, leading to tangible progress in governance through mechanisms such as the co-presidency system and participation in drafting the social contract with fixed quotas for women’s representation.”

Suleiman reflected on Syria’s historical diversity and its ongoing conflicts: “Syria has always been a mosaic of cultures and communities. However, despite the fall of the Ba'athist regime, conflict persists in several areas, such as Tishrin Dam in North and East Syria.”

She highlighted the country’s deep-seated infrastructure and social challenges, arguing that with the fall of the regime, Syrians must now move beyond the era of single-party rule and centralized decision-making. “The future Syria must be decentralized, embracing pluralism and democracy under a unified national identity—a Republic for all Syrians. The country should not be defined by one religion or one identity, but rather built on inclusive governance that addresses the root causes of conflict.”

a.k

ANHA