Women of Gerke Legê: women's rights key to democratic Syria

As discussions continue over drafting Syria's new constitution, there is growing emphasis on the need to include constitutional provisions that guarantee women's rights and protect their achievements, in recognition of the role women have played in political, social, and military spheres over the past years.

In this context, ANHA agency conducted interviews with several women from the city of Gerke Legê in the Jazira region. They emphasized that the next phase should result in a constitution that clearly guarantees women's participation and rights.

Citizen Salama Mohammed said: "The Rojava Revolution is a women's revolution. Women have achieved remarkable accomplishments, stood at the forefront of the struggle, and many of them sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom and dignity."

She added: "If women's rights are not enshrined in Syria's new constitution, it would mean disregarding all the sacrifices women have made over the past years." She stressed that women have proven their competence and capabilities in every field, and therefore their rights must be clearly protected in the constitution. She also called for genuine equality between women and men, noting that Syrian women have endured immense hardship yet have succeeded in establishing their rightful place despite all circumstances.

She also called for the official recognition of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) in Syria's new constitution, emphasizing that these forces played a prominent role in protecting society and combating terrorism. She said that their sacrifices deserve constitutional recognition commensurate with what they have contributed.

For her part, citizen Samar Abdo said: "Women are demanding that their rights be officially guaranteed, rather than being limited to slogans or promises." She emphasized that women continue to face significant challenges because of a patriarchal mindset that refuses to grant them their full rights.

She called for women's rights to become a fundamental part of Syria's new constitution and for official recognition of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ), which fought against ISIS mercenaries, defended the land, and protected women and society. She said: "These sacrifices must be translated into official recognition and constitutional guarantees, rather than remaining mere words."

She affirmed that women will continue their struggle and defend the rights they have secured through their sacrifices, and that they will not retreat from their demands until women's rights are clearly enshrined in Syria's new constitution.

Meanwhile, citizen Ghalia Ibrahim explained that Syrian women have paid a heavy price throughout the years of war and crisis, bearing enormous burdens on every level. Therefore, she said, the coming phase must consolidate women's rights and prevent any return to policies of marginalization and exclusion.

She added: "We will not accept women being forced to relive their past suffering. Their rights must be explicitly and unequivocally guaranteed in Syria's new constitution, because women have become genuine partners in building society."

The women concluded by stressing that the drafting of a new constitution for Syria must be based on the principles of justice and equality, while clearly guaranteeing women's participation and rights in order to safeguard their achievements and lay the foundation for a future in which everyone participates with transparency.

ANHA