Women activists refuse to confine their role in specific fields 

Activists and politicians from As-Suwayda spoke to ANHA's agency about the role and shape of women in building the future of Syria, and directed numerous messages to Syrian women urging them to enhance their presence and participation in political arenas to build the new Syria.

 Media activist Manal Kanaan pointed to the administration of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, which took over the interim governance in Damascus after the fall of the Ba'ath regime on December 8, 2024. She mentioned that so far, they have taken some steps, but there is concern about the upcoming phase, especially after the unjust statements regarding women.

 Manal addressed the statements made by Aisha al-Dabbas, head of the Women's Affairs Office in the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham administration, and noted, saying: "We strive for a civil secular state, and Aisha al-Dabbas's statements about Syrian women cannot be accepted, for these women have forged glory throughout history and have a lasting imprint in the history of Syria."

 The Syrian poet and critic, member of the political bureau of the National Democratic Action Committee of As-Suwayda Movement, and member of the Syrian Feminist Movement, Ghada al-Shaarani, commented on Aisha al-Dabbas's statements, saying: "I believe that Aisha al-Dabbas represents herself and does not represent any Syrian woman, regardless of the different backgrounds, sects, religions, or even ways of thinking and affiliations to organizations of Syrian women."

 Ghada explained, "Through feminist political organizations, we condemned the statements made by Aisha al-Dabbas. She does not want a civil or secular state and seeks a state with some degree of Islamization, aiming to revert women to the pre-Islamic era."

 Ghada rejected Aisha al-Dabbas's statements, saying: "We strongly reject and condemn what she said, as she represents the woman who does not rely on political maturity. This is how she expressed herself, and she represents only herself."

 Ghada highlighted the role of women in the North and East Syria region, noting: "I see that women are fulfilling their roles perfectly in North and East Syria, with women's participation exceeding 50 percent. This indicator is very important for women to perform their duties, understanding their rights, and their strong desire to take the lead, especially in the political scene."

 For her part, activist in the movement and the Teachers' Union in As-Suwayda, Ilham Ridan, said: "We women are against sectarianism and against the marginalization of women who play an active role in society, as in North and East Syria and all over Syria."

 Ilham hopes that the new regime will review its responsibilities towards Syrian women and not seek to marginalize them as the previous regime did. She sent a message to Syrian women not to abandon their political role in building Syria.

 T/ Satt.

ANHA