Women’s Rights Advocates: Women’s representation in decision-making is essential for justice

Human rights advocate Rojin Abdulbaqi Khasho spoke about the importance of women’s presence in decision-making centers at all levels, emphasizing that such participation strengthens the principle of equality, enhances the legitimacy of institutions, and brings key issues—such as education, healthcare, and social justice—into the core of policymaking.

In a statement to ANHA agency, she added that women’s participation contributes to diversifying perspectives, improving resource distribution, and supporting sustainable development through women’s empowerment. She noted that decisions shaped with the participation of all segments of society are more balanced and equitable.

Genuine Representation Is Key to Fair and Effective Policies

Khasho underscored that women’s representation in decision-making positions must be real rather than merely symbolic, as it is essential for achieving fairer and more efficient policies. She affirmed that empowering women in leading the state and society is not a demand or an option, but a cornerstone for building a just and strong state.

She pointed to the challenges hindering women’s access to decision-making roles and their effective participation, including social constraints, weak political support, and the absence of effective legislation that guarantees fair participation.

She also highlighted the negative impact of women’s absence from decision-making centers, which leads to less equitable policies in vital sectors such as education, healthcare, and social justice.

Concluding her remarks, Khasho stressed that marginalizing and excluding women in a “new Syria” does not only sideline women themselves, but also marginalizes the needs of society as a whole. She argued that women’s participation in decision-making and leadership would help reshape policy priorities to become more inclusive and just.

Call to Review Current Policies Toward Women

For her part, human rights advocate Roweida Bahlo noted that women’s participation in decision-making—and its subsequent implementation—ensures that it becomes meaningful rather than merely formal. She explained that such participation stems from women’s lived experiences of struggle within society, giving them deeper insight and a stronger commitment to achieving tangible results.

She emphasized women’s competence and ability to navigate various circumstances, stating: “Syrian women possess extensive experience across all fields, enabling them to assume any position without difficulty.”

Bahlo argued that societal norms and the lack of acceptance of women’s leadership are among the main obstacles preventing women from reaching decision-making positions and activating their roles. She added that stereotypical portrayals of women as incapable of making decisions that serve society further reinforce this challenge, noting that society’s perception of women directly affects their presence and participation in decision-making roles.

She also stressed that the absence of women from sectors such as education negatively impacts children’s upbringing, attributing this to the difference between women’s and men’s educational perspectives. She said this makes women’s participation essential for complementing child-rearing approaches, adding: “Women are the ones who nurture and educate; they are the foundation of both the individual and society.”

Bahlo described the representation and participation of women in decision-making institutions within Syria’s interim government as “very weak, and where it exists, largely symbolic.” She called for a comprehensive review and reassessment of these policies. Referring to the experience of the Autonomous Administration, she said: “Women’s representation and participation rates in decision-making centers there constitute a successful model that can be relied upon.”

She concluded by warning that sidelining and marginalizing women negatively affects the trajectory of Syrian women’s struggle over the years of war, making it appear as though they had never fought. At the same time, she stressed the need for women to continue their struggle and resistance in order to achieve their goals and secure their rights in a manner commensurate with their sacrifices.

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ANHA