Syrian human rights organizations: Let March 8 be beacon of peace

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, the Syrian Federation of Human Rights Organizations, along with a large number of Syrian human rights and civil organizations, issued a joint statement expressing full solidarity with women in Syria and calling for the occasion to become a permanent beacon for establishing the values of peace and building a democratic future that respects human rights.

The statement noted that the signatory organizations salute the struggles of the women’s movement in Syria and around the world, reaffirming their support for Syrian women in their pursuit of full rights and the removal of all forms of discrimination and violence they have faced during the years of crisis.

It added that the celebration of International Women’s Day in 2026 comes at a time when Syria is, according to the statement, moving toward “relative calm” after many years of war and violence since 2011, which led to a severe deterioration in the human rights system and resulted in large numbers of victims, wounded people, displaced persons, and refugees, in addition to widespread destruction of social and economic structures.

The organizations emphasized that Syrian women have been among the groups most affected by these conditions, having suffered serious violations including killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture, and forced displacement, in addition to physical and psychological violence and exploitation in conditions of displacement and refuge.

The statement explained that Syrian women carried the heaviest burden during the years of crisis, facing poverty, displacement, and loss of security, which requires stronger national and international efforts to support and empower them.

“Giving for Gain” Campaign

The organizations also announced their support for the “Giving for Gain” campaign, which has been adopted as the theme of International Women’s Day 2026. The campaign promotes a culture of cooperation and solidarity among individuals, institutions, and communities to support and empower women.

According to the global campaign program, supporting women, whether through donations, knowledge, training, or resources, is not a loss but rather an investment in society as a whole, because when women thrive, the entire community progresses.

Call for Greater Cooperation Among Organizations

The rights groups stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between women’s organizations and human rights organizations in Syria and to work jointly to develop human rights and democratic activities that contribute to supporting the transition toward a state based on the rule of law and institutions.

They also expressed condolences to the families of Syrian victims and affirmed solidarity with all women who have been subjected to detention, abduction, violence, or displacement, as well as with the families of those who lost their lives due to violence and violations.

Calls for Peace and a Political Solution

The organizations called on all Syrian parties to take practical steps to achieve peace and stability, including:

forming a national constituent assembly representing various political and social components to draft a new constitution; holding legislative and presidential elections within a democratic political process; ending military operations across Syrian territory and beginning a comprehensive peaceful political solution; collecting uncontrolled weapons and placing them under the authority of state institutions; strengthening humanitarian efforts to meet the needs of affected people, the displaced, and refugees; promoting a culture of citizenship, tolerance, and social peace among Syrians; revealing the fate of the missing and abducted and ensuring justice for victims; and working toward transitional justice and accountability for those responsible for serious violations.

Empowering Women in the Next Phase

The statement emphasized the need to ensure women’s participation in political life, decision-making, and reconstruction and development efforts, as well as to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.

It also stressed the importance of amending Syrian laws in line with international conventions on women’s rights, incorporating the principle of non-discrimination against women into the Syrian constitution, adopting strict legislation to combat domestic violence and gender-based violence, strengthening women’s participation in public and political life, supporting education, training, and employment opportunities for women, and combating poverty and illiteracy among them.

In conclusion, the signatory organizations affirmed that building Syria’s future requires consolidating the values of democracy, human rights, and equality among all citizens, men and women, and working together to achieve peace, justice, and human dignity for all Syrians.

A-H

ANHA