Syrian activist urges unified women’s voice for rights

Ster Qasim, activist and member of the Women’s Council in North and East Syria, spoke to our agency about Syrian women’s rights and the importance of their participation in drafting the new constitution.

She stressed that the new Syrian constitution must respect ethnic, racial, national, and social diversity, stating:

“Women are part of society, and constitutional provisions should be clear to guarantee women’s rights while aligning with international laws and norms.”

Political Participation

Qasim highlighted Syrian women’s demands:

“Women must participate in decision-making bodies, legislative councils, and all economic activities. They should also be part of the recovery phase and the revitalization of the country’s economy.”

She explained that every constitution has laws and executive regulations, and implementing its provisions requires courts that protect constitutional principles. The new Syrian constitution must provide this protection, with its provisions translated into enforceable laws and subject to supervision to ensure they do not remain mere formalities.

Qasim also emphasized fair representation of women in the constitutional drafting committee, reflecting their historical struggle and sacrifices in the Syrian revolution. She called for a quota system to ensure no group loses its rights, whether based on social, ethnic, or religious grounds.

She stressed the importance of real guarantees for women’s rights and participation proportional to their population, along with a safe environment that allows them to exercise political rights in all fields.

Qasim warned that the absence of clear constitutional guarantees for women’s rights would have “catastrophic” consequences, noting:

“We see that the constitutional declaration does not guarantee women’s rights in any of its articles. Decrees issued by the interim government discriminate against them, alongside ongoing violations in various regions without accountability, which makes the consequences catastrophic.

Ongoing Struggle

She added that Syrian women need a state governed by a national constitution and the rule of law, where laws are applied to everyone without exception, enabling women to play a more effective role in society, free from oppression, exclusion, and marginalization.

Despite 14 years of displacement, destruction, and migration, women’s rights must reflect their historical struggle. Qasim emphasized that women continue their work without pause to secure these rights.

Concluding her remarks, she said:

“In this sensitive stage that Syria—and especially women—are going through, we hope to change a reality that sidelines and marginalizes them in unprecedented ways. We call on Syrian women in all regions to unify their voices. The issue is one: women’s rights are part of democracy and human rights, and any state or constitution that does not guarantee women’s rights cannot be considered democratic or national.”

ANHA