Women: Self-defense is existential necessity

 Recently, images and videos circulating on social media showed women from Suwayda carrying weapons to defend their land against attacks on the city. These attacks were carried out by armed groups linked to Syria’s transitional government this month. This scene of resistance recalls the experience of women in NE Syria, who fought a similar struggle, achieving progress, success, and vital gains while facing challenges.

Self-Defense: Necessity to Protect Existence

 In the context of self-defense to safeguard their existence and prove their strength against a mentality that targets women first in wars, women from Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and displaced women from Afrin in Aleppo stressed the importance of women in Suwayda organizing and committing to the struggle. They urged adopting a defensive stance to counter attacks and violations targeting their land and identity. Earlier, ANHA Agency published a list of about 70 women, young girls, and children who went missing or were kidnapped in Suwayda, though field sources suggest the actual number is much higher amid unclear security conditions.

Salva Mohammed Hammo emphasized that women bear the brunt of harm and violations during wars and conflicts, placing the responsibility on them to defend their existence and dignity by uniting and organizing. She pointed to the experience of women in northern and eastern Syria, which became a “women’s revolution” due to their pioneering and effective role in struggle, management, and organization. Salva called for replicating this experience in Suwayda, which is witnessing military escalation, saying: “Today, under various pretexts, women are targeted by the authoritarian patriarchal mentality in Syria. If a woman does not defend herself and her community, she faces an existential catastrophe and certain annihilation.”

Salva affirmed that women have the power to dismantle the mentality that views them as inferior through their awareness, organization, and free will.

She added: “If a woman wills it, she can achieve it. She has enough strength to reform and manage society. She is not weak and must prove it through action.”

 For her part, Mazkin Manan Bakr expressed support for Suwayda women’s participation in protecting their city by carrying weapons, stating: “Women must play an active role. No success or victory can be achieved without women’s participation.”

No Peace Without Women

 Rankin Mohammed condemned the violations against women in Suwayda by the patriarchal mentality, stressing the need for self-defense and adopting the experience of women in NE Syria to secure their future and preserve their identity.

She added: “Without women, peace cannot be achieved, and without their contribution to revolutions, success is impossible. Women must rise to the historic role they bear and meet the demands of this phase by engaging in the struggle and protecting their feminist identity. They must reject attempts to erase or enslave them.”

a.k

ANHA