The Syrian Women’s Commission organized a focus group discussion under the title “Syrian Women in the Revolutionary and Political Context” in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. Participants included SOC’s Vice President and Head of the Commission Ruba Habboush and women activists operating in the liberated areas and in Turkey. The discussion came as part of the Commission’s activities in cooperation with the Stabilization Support Unit.
The discussions began with an overview on the political activity of Syrian women before the revolution, highlighting the Baath Party’s framing of women’s activities, its phony representation of women and robbing them of their true status, excluding the highly qualified women, and placing restrictions that prevent their development and participation in building society.
The discussions also addressed the role of women in the revolution and their most prominent symbols, their standing alongside men in the peaceful movement, as well as the arrests, harassment, murder and displacement that they are enduring.
Participants pointed out that the Syrian women continue to express their voice despite the tremendous suffering they are enduring and the heavy burdens they bear for the sake of building a state of justice, citizenship and rights.
Participants discussed in detail the current situation of women, as well as the difficulties and obstacles to reaching decision-making positions.
Participants put forth a set of recommendations for networking and increasing communication between women activists and actors, in addition to networking with civil society organizations to build and maintain alliances with the aim of promoting the presence of women in the institutions of the revolution and the opposition.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
