Syrian Activist warns of women's marginalization, calls for greater role in decision-making

Speaking to ANHA, Khalil said the interim government had failed to fulfill its promises of building a state based on partnership and equality among all Syrians.

She described the marginalization of women in Syria as "clear," noting that women's representation in state institutions and decision-making bodies remains far below the level warranted by the sacrifices they made throughout the years of the Syrian revolution and war.

Khalil added that Syrian women no longer accept exclusion from political life after playing leading roles in social, political, and humanitarian work, while also contributing to the defense of society over the past years. She said women have become increasingly aware of their rights and of the need to play an active role in shaping the country's future.

She argued that current policies reflect what she described as a "patriarchal mentality" aimed at limiting women's presence in public life, saying there are attempts to confine their role to narrow social and religious frameworks—a course she said is rejected by broad segments of Syrian women.

Khalil also said women continue to face multiple violations, including abduction, killings, and sexual violence, in addition to exclusion from decision-making positions. She noted that these issues are consistently raised during meetings bringing together women's organizations, associations, and movements, which are calling for constitutional guarantees of women's rights, direct participation in drafting Syria's constitution, and increased representation in parliament and government.

She said discussions among women across different parts of Syria have revealed a growing convergence of views, noting that women in Damascus and North and East Syria are exchanging perspectives on the country's future and the need to defend women's gains. They are also calling for the recognition of women's military forces within the structure of the Syrian army, arguing that strengthening women's role in military institutions would enhance their political and social protection.

Khalil further stressed that women have assumed a leading role in advancing political and societal initiatives aimed at building a new Syria, emphasizing that no project to establish a democratic and stable society can succeed without women's meaningful participation.

In the same context, she said she had heard testimonies from women released from the interim government's prisons, who recounted being subjected to torture and abuse, according to their accounts. She called on women's organizations to take urgent action to demand the release of all detained women and hold those responsible for the violations accountable.

Khalil concluded by stressing that the current phase requires strengthening women's organization and unity to confront violence and abuses while protecting the gains achieved through immense sacrifices. She added that all components of Syrian society have come to recognize the importance of women's role and that building a Syria free from violence and founded on justice and equality depends on women's genuine and effective participation.

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ANHA