Syrian women's role, rights discussed at women's council forum

On Tuesday, the Women's Council of the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) organized the Syrian Women and Future-Making Forum under the title "Women: The Pillar of Peace, the Guarantee of Rights, and the Makers of Civilization."

The forum, held at Lux Cafeteria in the al-Siyahi District of Qamishlo, was attended by women activists, politicians, representatives of various women's institutions and movements, and the Women's Protection Units (YPJ).

The forum began with holding a minute of silence, followed by an opening speech delivered by the co-chair of the Democratic Society Movement, Ramziya Mohammed, who said that "women have been the safety valve of the revolution and the land, and that the gains they have achieved during the years of the revolution have become a model and an identity followed by women in the region."

Ramziya Mohammed highlighted the importance of holding the forum, which focuses on women's role in drafting the constitution, protecting their rights, and strengthening their presence in institutions and various fields of life. She added: "Through women's determination, the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) were established, thousands of women were liberated, and women played the leading role in saving the people during the Shengal massacre."

The forum's program included three main axes:

First axis: Women and civil peace

Avin Jumaa, an administrator at the Human Rights Organization, presented the first axis, discussing the key role played by Syrian women in achieving stability through their membership in local reconciliation committees, fact-finding mechanisms, and efforts to reduce societal violence. She also reviewed ways to strengthen the protection of women's and children's rights as part of building lasting and comprehensive peace.

Second axis: Legal and constitutional protection

The second axis was presented by Khanem Ayo, co-chair of the Lawyers' Union in Jazira. She focused on the importance of legal and legislative frameworks that ensure women's effective participation in political, military, judicial, and administrative positions. She also discussed ways to activate international agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325, as well as how to align them with future Syrian legislation to ensure genuine and equitable justice.

Third axis: Soft power and women's role

The third axis was presented by Afaf Haski, a member of the Women's Council of the Democratic Society Movement. She highlighted women's influence in shaping collective awareness through culture, literature, art, and media. She also discussed how soft power can help reshape the modern Syrian identity, serve as a bridge for communication among the different segments of society, and contribute to building a prosperous future that respects diversity and differences.

As part of the discussions on the three axes, participants were invited to share their views. They stressed that 14 years of struggle had achieved gains in women's and societal freedoms and made the experience of Rojava a model to be emulated. However, they emphasized the need to continue working to address shortcomings and avoid mistakes in order to ensure the sustainability of these freedoms.

Recommendations

The forum concluded with a final statement outlining the key recommendations, including:

Conducting a comprehensive constitutional review and calling for clear constitutional provisions guaranteeing full equality between men and women in rights and responsibilities.

Enacting legislation to ensure women's effective participation in decision-making positions and establishing quotas for women's representation in civil, military, and diplomatic institutions, while ensuring representation of all Syrian components.

Activating relevant international conventions on women's rights and aligning them with future Syrian legislation.

Adopting laws criminalizing digital violence and online harassment, while establishing mechanisms for reporting and providing security, psychological, and legal support to targeted women.

Strengthening women's role in local reconciliation committees, fact-finding mechanisms, and efforts to reduce societal violence.

Integrating women into peacebuilding and community security strategies.

Recognizing culture as part of sustainable development and peacebuilding plans, and allocating adequate budgets to support the cultural sector. Protecting languages and cultural diversity in Syria, while encouraging literary, artistic, and media production, and supporting cultural, literary, theatrical, cinematic, and musical festivals.

Supporting the participation of Syrian women artists and creators in international forums to promote Syria's humanitarian image.

At the conclusion of the forum, the participants jointly chanted the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom."

ANHA