The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) held a consultative meeting with women from the eastern region as part of preparations by the National Dialogue Committee’s for holding “an inclusive national dialogue.”
The meeting, which was chaired by SOC’s President Nasr Al-Hariri, brought together Vice-presidents Oqab Yahya and Ruba Habboush, Secretary-General Abdelbaset Abdullatif, Coordinator of the National Dialogue Committee Salem Al-Meslet, and members of the Committee Abdul Ilah al-Fahd, Bahjat Al-Atassi, Ahmed Tomeh, and Muhammad Qaddah.
Participants discussed the role of women and its importance as they looked into ways of cooperation to support the role of Syrian women in the political process and societal life as well as to ensure that they obtain their full rights.
Participants highlighted the crimes and violations being committed by the PKK terrorist organization and its offshoot in Syria the PYD militia against women in the areas east of the Euphrates River, most notably enforced disappearances and forced recruitment of girls into their militias.
Al-Hariri emphasized that Syrian women constitute more than half of society. He said: “We are seeking to empower Syrian women to assume their role in decision-making, the opposition’s institutions, the political process, and in the future of Syria. We also hope we will see Syrian women in the army and security apparatuses.”
Al-Hariri gave an explanation of the SOC’s vision for the eastern region, stressing that it is an integral part of Syria. He also said that solving the region’s problems will be part of the comprehensive political solution outlined in UN Security Council resolutions, most notably resolution 2254.
Vice-president Oqab Yahya talked about the Al-Jazira and Euphrates Committee’s efforts to reach out to the people of the region, the United Nations, and major actors in order to highlight the PYD’s crimes against the people of the region.
Vice-president Ruba Habboush talked about the importance of opening the Women’s Office in the liberated areas and its plan of action to communicate with institutions and organizations concerned with women affairs. She stressed that the SOC attaches great importance to women and their vital role in society.
For their part, women from the eastern region stressed the need for the SOC to take more practical, effective action towards the people of the eastern region; pay more attention to their problems; and help them form bodies that represent them and their demands before the United Nations and the major actors.
They also stressed that no one has the right to give up an inch of Syrian territory or the demands of the Syrian people for freedom and dignity. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
