Women’s forum discusses women’s rights, Syrian constitution

A women’s dialogue forum was held at Azadi Park Hall in the city of Qamishlo, with the participation of female politicians, human rights advocates, intellectuals, representatives of civil society organizations and families of martyrs, in addition to fighters from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and members of the Internal Security Forces.

The forum opened with a minute of silence, followed by an opening speech delivered by Sima Bakdash, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Office of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). She stressed the importance of women’s and societal organization in safeguarding gains achieved over years of the revolution in Rojava.

Bakdash said women had played a central role in the course of the revolution, underlining the need to confront what she described as a resurgence of patriarchal discourse, and to defend a democratic and pluralistic Syria that ensures the participation of all communities. She called on Syrian women to uphold their rights and demand an active role in the upcoming political phase.

During the forum, participants discussed two main topics. The first addressed the role of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and their future, presented by YPJ spokesperson Roxan Mohammed, who praised the sacrifices of female fighters and martyrs, stressing that the women’s experience in Rojava is the result of years of organization and struggle for freedom and equality.

Roxan Mohammed stated that women have endured decades of exclusion, marginalization and denial policies; however, through organization and collective awareness, they have been able to build a force capable of contributing to social and democratic change.

She noted that Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) fighters were a fundamental part of the Rojava Revolution, as they represent the same society they are fighting for, stressing that mothers played a pivotal role in instilling values of responsibility, awareness and confidence.

Mohammed added that the units, despite their limited resources in the early stages, succeeded in demonstrating women’s presence in organization, administration, strategic planning and military work, emphasizing that the women’s experience has proven their ability to lead and make decisions across various fields.

She pointed out that the struggle of the YPJ was not limited to the military sphere, but also extended to intellectual, social and organizational domains. She stressed that different phases of the revolution were marked by significant challenges, which women were able to overcome through determination and commitment.

She added that community support and the embrace of female fighters were key factors in strengthening the presence of the YPJ, turning it into an influential experience in Rojava and the Middle East. She concluded that building the character of the free woman capable of making decisions was one of the core objectives of this process.

She affirmed that, after years of work and struggle, the units seek to safeguard the gains that have been achieved, stressing the importance of women’s participation in Syria’s future political and constitutional process, and the need to ensure their presence across all institutions.

Regarding the future of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) within any upcoming military and constitutional arrangements, Roxan Mohammed said that the presence of women within military institutions represents a guarantee for the participation of all components of society, adding that recognition of the role of the units should be part of any project to build a new Syria.

She stressed that calls to ensure the continued existence of the YPJ are not merely symbolic, but are directly linked to protecting women’s rights and strengthening their participation in public life, noting that the coming phase requires genuine partnership for women in political, social and military spheres.

Mohammed concluded by reaffirming that the Women’s Protection Units will continue to play their role in defending women’s and societal gains and preserving what has been achieved over years of struggle, while continuing efforts to consolidate women’s rights and ensure their presence across all areas of life.

The second session, which addressed women’s rights in the constitution, was chaired by Perwin Youssef, co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). She stressed that the current phase requires enshrining women’s gains within a constitutional framework and ensuring equality between men and women, as well as among all components of Syrian society.

Youssef pointed out that the experience of the Autonomous Administration over recent years has become a model for women’s participation, calling for women’s issues to be an essential part of Syria’s political and social transformation process.

In addition, participants presented a number of proposals and interventions, emphasizing the need to consolidate the principles of equality and justice, and to ensure women’s representation in political, military and legal institutions.

They also called for the repeal of any constitutional or legal provisions that discriminate against women, the adoption of the co-chair system as a mechanism to ensure balanced representation, and the enactment of legislation protecting women’s rights within military institutions, while criminalizing all forms of discrimination and harassment.

The forum concluded with a set of recommendations read by Horiyya Shamdin, spokesperson of the Women’s Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). The recommendations were as follows:

1. Emphasizing the need to protect women’s gains and prevent any rollback under any political or legal circumstances.

2. Supporting the official recognition of the role of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) and ensuring their continuation as an organized defensive force.

3. Guaranteeing the effective and equal participation of women in all stages of Syria’s political and transitional process.

4. Working to enshrine women’s rights and the principle of full equality in any future Syrian constitution.

5. Strengthening coordination and joint action between Syrian women’s organizations, parties, and movements to unify efforts and visions.

6. Rejecting all forms of discrimination and exclusion against women in political and social life.

7. Affirming that building a democratic and stable Syria requires women’s participation as a fundamental partner in decision-making and shaping the country’s future.

ANHA