SDC emphasis importance of women's participation in Syrian political process 

The Syrian Democratic Council issued a statement on the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8, affirming that Syrian women continue their struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice, more than fourteen years after the start of the popular uprising in Syria.

The statement read:

This year, International Women's Day, March 8, arrives as Syrian women continue their ongoing struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice, more than fourteen years after the start of the popular uprising that spread throughout Syria and marked the beginning of a historic phase in the Syrian people's journey toward change and the building of a just state. Syrian women have played a pivotal role in this uprising, standing shoulder to shoulder with their fellow citizens at every stage.

From the very beginning, Syrian women were at the heart of this movement, contributing to social, political, and humanitarian work, and standing alongside their fellow citizens in the face of tyranny, violence, and the wars that ravaged Syria. They did not merely witness events, but were active and proactive, contributing to the organization of social and humanitarian initiatives and to maintaining the cohesion of Syrian society despite all the challenges.

During the years of the Syrian revolution, Syrian women paid a heavy price, suffering thousands of violations, including arbitrary arrest, kidnapping, and enforced disappearance, in addition to various forms of violence and abuses targeting their dignity and fundamental rights in many parts of Syria. Despite this, women remained steadfast, clinging to their role in defending the values ​​of freedom, justice, and equality.

After the fall of the regime, it was expected that Syrian women would have a genuine and fundamental role in the new political phase, commensurate with the magnitude of the sacrifices they made during the years of the revolution. However, what we have witnessed in many subsequent political steps has been a clear marginalization of the role of Syrian women and their exclusion from decision-making positions, with limited representation in some political frameworks that does not reflect their role and sacrifices. We in the Syrian Democratic Council unequivocally reject any merely formal or symbolic presence of women, and we emphasize that genuine participation of women is a fundamental condition for any political process that seeks to build a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria

On this occasion, the Syrian Democratic Council believes that building a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria cannot be achieved without the active and genuine participation of women in all political and administrative decision-making positions at all levels. Empowering women is not a symbolic or formal demand, but a fundamental necessity for ensuring a stable and democratic future for Syria.

We also emphasize the necessity of clearly and explicitly including women's rights in any future Syrian constitution, guaranteeing full equality between women and men in rights and duties, ensuring their equitable participation in political, economic, and social life, and establishing legal safeguards to protect them from all forms of discrimination and violence.

On International Women's Day, we salute all Syrian women who have struggled in all regions, and all those who have faced oppression, arrest, displacement, and violence, yet have not relinquished their belief in a free, democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria where justice and equality prevail.

The future of Syria cannot be built without women, and achieving lasting peace and stability requires full recognition of their pioneering role and ensuring their genuine participation in building the state and society

Sh-S

ANHA