Politics: Any constitution that excludes women is completely unacceptable

Naima Hassan, an administrator in the Women's Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), spoke to ANHA's agency about the "constitutional declaration" of the Damascus government and its incompatibility with the aspirations of the Syrian people, particularly with women's struggle.

In this context, Naima Hassan said, "We first remember all the martyrs, men and women, who made great efforts and sacrificed themselves to build a new, pluralistic, democratic Syria, not for a constitution that is disappointing and worse than the Ba'ath Party's constitution, which ruled the country for 60 years with a dictatorial regime based on exclusion and marginalization."

She added, "The new constitutional declaration is tantamount to granting the interim government absolute powers, which takes the country back to square one." She noted that it completely contradicts the principles of citizenship, perpetuates discrimination between Syrian communities on ethnic and religious grounds, and reinforces the prospects of building an unjust and incomprehensive Syria.

Exclusion of Women After 14 Years of Struggle

Naima Hassan explained that Syrian women had hoped that the "interim government" would have a new democratic direction, but the "declared constitution" was disappointing, as it excluded all communities, did not grant Kurds their rights, and completely excluded women.

She pointed out that women made great sacrifices during the war, were subjected to various forms of oppression and torture, and fought for freedom until they reached the level of martyrdom. Yet, a government like al-Julani's today comes to completely exclude women, restricting their role to the home.

She emphasized that this is completely unacceptable, saying, "After all these sacrifices, we will not accept the imposition of a fait accompli that would return women to the status quo they were before." It entrenches a new authoritarian regime.

Naima believes that the "constitutional declaration" of the Damascus government does not build a democratic state, but rather entrenches an authoritarian regime worse than the Ba'ath regime. Women's participation is minimal and does not represent Syrian women. Instead, it reflects an image of women imposed by a male-dominated mentality.

She noted that the experience of women in North and East Syria has become a model to be emulated, as they have proven themselves in all fields, become pioneers in the revolution, and have achieved significant accomplishments, particularly through the co-chairs system.

A Call to Unify the Efforts of Syrian Women

At the end of her speech, Naima Hassan called on Syrian women and civil society to struggle for a democratic constitution that is inclusive of all components, guarantees justice and equality, and preserves women's political, cultural, and social rights. This is to ensure the construction of a free, democratic Syria, to demand their rights, to reject the imposed reality, and to reject the marginalization and exclusion imposed by the Damascus government.

She stressed that women inside and outside Syria must unite to fight for their rights and ensure the building of a just society that excludes no one.

T/S

ANHA