Syrian women lose leadership roles amid gender inequality

In Damascus, following the rise of a new authority after the fall of the Baath regime on December 8, 2024, Syrian women are threatened with the reimposition of the same restrictive policies, but in a harsher form. 

Instead of assuming leadership roles after years of struggle and marginalization, women have lost high-ranking positions such as Vice President, several ministerial posts, and leadership roles in the People’s Assembly and public administration. Today, it is rare for a woman to serve as a Director General or Deputy Minister, due to the absence of institutional and legislative support that would ensure their active participation in public life.

The Central Bureau of Statistics estimates that Syria had approximately 11.88 million women in 2024. Following the fall of the regime, male dominance in the political scene has intensified, raising concerns over women’s exclusion and the increased burdens placed on them without any support.

This has caused division among women: some have gained limited representation through the so-called “Women’s Affairs Office” at 5.28%, while activists and writers quietly call for protection against abduction, violence, and humiliation, fearing backlash.

Others quietly advocate for the implementation of a “women’s quota” to ensure fair representation, while some activists note that the stereotyping of women’s roles continues even after the regime’s fall.

These indicators reflect weak female representation in the transitional government, where only one minister, Hind Qabawat, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, holds a ministerial position among 22 men—meaning women make up only 5% of the cabinet. Globally, women’s quotas typically require no less than 30% representation.

This situation demonstrates ongoing structural challenges to empowering Syrian women, the reproduction of marginalization and discrimination patterns, and a further drift away from equality and justice. According to statistics, women’s life expectancy has fallen from 82 to 77 years due to the psychological pressures of years of war, and may decline further if marginalization and deprivation continue amid a youth deficit caused by the conflict.

Social expert Suha emphasizes that Syrian women, having waged significant struggle, possess social legitimacy to lead the country. She asserts that overcoming this reality requires genuine political and legislative will to restore women’s rights and roles.

a.k

ANHA