Meeting in Jal Agha stresses need to strengthen women's organization, role in next phase

The Women’s Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) held an expanded meeting on Monday for women from the town of Jal Agha in the Jazira region to discuss the latest political developments in Syria, the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Interim Government, as well as the role of women in the next phase and the challenges facing their political and organizational participation.

The meeting was attended by members of the communes, representatives of the PYD Women’s Office, members of the city council, and representatives of civil and service institutions in the town.

The meeting began with holding a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs, followed by a presentation by Horiya Shamdin, an administrator at the PYD Women’s Council, who reviewed the political developments taking place in Syria and the Middle East, as well as the ongoing political and economic transformations across the region.

Horiya Shamdin also addressed the integration process between the SDF and the Interim Government, saying that the 29 January agreement had helped halt military confrontations and usher in a new phase based on dialogue and peace. She stressed that the success of this phase and the preservation of stability require the active participation of women.

She added that, alongside the integration process, women are facing what she described as a "special campaign" aimed at weakening their role and casting doubt on their achievements through the spread of rumors claiming that women's institutions will lose their status and may not be recognized in the future. She called on women to raise their level of awareness and not to be influenced by such claims.

She further stressed that the current phase requires strengthening women's organization and ensuring their continued participation in political, social, and economic life in order to preserve the gains achieved over the past years and prevent the marginalization of their role in building a new Syria.

Horiya Shamdin also stressed the importance of continuing the campaign in support of the YPJ, calling for their recognition as a women’s defense force within Syria’s Ministry of Defense. She argued that their presence constitutes an important safeguard for protecting women under the current circumstances facing the country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the floor was opened for discussion, during which participants addressed the situation of women in light of the current political phase, the integration process, and ways to strengthen women's representation in decision-making institutions.

The participants emphasized the importance of raising awareness and strengthening organization among women, as well as expanding their participation in public life. They stressed that safeguarding women's rights and achievements, and ensuring their meaningful representation in shaping Syria's future and participating in key national decisions, are essential to achieving justice and equality.

The meeting concluded with participants chanting the slogan, "Woman, Life, Freedom."

ANHA