Women's Office head in SDC evaluates Syrian scene after toppling Ba'ath

A year after the fall of the Ba'ath regime, which ruled the country for more than five decades, and the beginning of the transitional phase that the Syrians had high hopes for, the political and social scene in Syria still swings between the desire for change and transitional institutions that have not fully succeeded in turning this desire into tangible reality.

In this context, the head of the Women's Office in the Syrian Democratic Council, Jihan Khadro, spoke to ANHA agency and provided a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the transitional government, the status of women, and the challenges facing the construction of the future Syria.

Jihan Khodro explained that "the first year of the transitional phase has revealed the extent of the complexity that Syria is experiencing, despite the great hopes that accompanied the fall of the regime," clarifying that "the overall scene still lacks a political and institutional structure capable of accommodating the required transformation."

She pointed out that "the promises made at the beginning of the transitional phase were not translated into sufficient practical steps."

She continued: "The political change that has occurred has not yet reached the depths of society; some old practices continue to be repeated, albeit with new faces. There is a clear gap between the slogans raised during the formation of the transitional government and the actions on the ground."

Women... weak presence and unfulfilled expectations

Jihan Khadro pointed out that "this phase was supposed to be an opportunity to enhance the presence of Syrian women in political and social work, but the result was disappointing."

She added: "Despite the openness for discussion and expression, the actual participation of women in the transitional government institutions remained very weak; most of the time, the female presence was absent or ineffective."

The head of the Women's Office in the Syrian Democratic Council believes that "the persistence of the traditional mentality that considers women as secondary elements is what lies behind this regression, and that the fall of the Ba'ath regime did not end the culture that had been entrenched for decades."

The absence of a vision for protecting women

The head of the Women's Office also criticized the lack of a clear vision to ensure women's rights constitutionally and legally, affirming that the transitional government has not taken any serious steps to protect women from violence or to ensure their participation in decision-making. She also pointed out the lack of supportive economic programs for women.

She explained: "Basic services are managed with the same centralized mentality that does not take into account the differing needs of communities, nor the specific needs of women for sustainable support mechanisms."

Jihan Khadro identifies the main challenges facing women at the present stage thru three key axes: political exclusion and the continued weak representation of women, the absence of fair laws that protect women from discrimination and violence, and the difficult economic reality that drives many women to work in unsafe conditions without legal protection.

Partnership with women... a prerequisite for building the future of Syria

Jihan Khadro emphasized that women's participation is not secondary, but a fundamental condition for the success of rebuilding Syria. She said, "Women are not just carriers of change, but makers of it. They have proven their ability to lead, organize, and bear responsibility during the years of war and community work."

She called for full participation of women in drafting the constitution, managing institutions, and formulating economic and social policies, and pointed out that "rebuilding Syria requires a new collective mindset and genuine partnership among all components of society, with women at the forefront."

She demanded clear constitutional guaranties that ensure women's rights, and laws that protect them from discrimination and guaranty their actual presence in decision-making positions, emphasizing that any transitional formula that reproduces exclusion or reduces the role of women to mere political decoration, which does not reflect their reality and strength on the ground, is a formula rejected by women.

She emphasized that "the current phase requires political courage in decision-making, a vision based on justice, equality, and participation, and genuine will, to ensure the establishment of a fair democratic state for all Syrians."

The head of the Women's Office in the Syrian Democratic Council, Jihan Khadro, concluded her speech by emphasizing that the future of Syria will not be built without fair and balanced representation for women, adding, "The Syrian woman has paid a great price, and she has the right today to be at the forefront of writing the page of Syria's future. Without strong and conscious participation from women, the change will remain incomplete."

ANHA