Barjam Judy

Kobani – After Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) extended its influence, it worked to spread its extremist ideology and entrench patterns of male dominance, continuously reproducing authoritarian structures. This has led to a significant increase in violence against women in Syria.

Over the past year, HTS has tried through various practices to consolidate its system based on religious extremism in Syria. This mentality, and the forced social proximity it imposes, has directly affected women, making this year especially harsh, with violence against them escalating dangerously.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Majda Hassoun, Chairperson of the Women’s Authority in the Euphrates Region of northern and eastern Syria, assessed the situation of women, emphasizing that they have raised the level of struggle and protest against violence.

Majda Hassoun, who described November as the “month of struggle against killing and violence,” said, “We are in a month of resistance, raising women’s voices against violence, killing, and denial of their existence. Through this month, we recall the Mirabal sisters, who left a great legacy for women.”

“The Syrian regime’s mentality reveals women’s future”

Majda Hassoun, addressing women’s conditions in Syria, explained: “If we look today at Syria, the changing system of governance, and the position of women within it, we reach the same conclusion. From the moment the Syrian regime began to change, marginalization and rejection targeted at women appeared immediately, clarifying women’s future in this country. This stance paved the way for the spread and escalation of all forms of violence in Syria.”

“Addressing forms of violence requires solutions”

Majda Hassoun drew attention to the situation in northern and eastern Syria: “Despite the presence of support, organization, laws, and mechanisms to protect women from violence, we still see women suffering. Violence is somewhat practiced in northern and eastern Syria, but it is met with solutions, and institutions defend women and children.”

She emphasized that protecting women fundamentally means protecting children and all members of society: “The situation in Syria is worsening. The current government, with its mentality and positions, legitimizes violence and enables its spread through multiple means. In a country where women are marginalized and their rights are not constitutionally or legally recognized, there can be no safe future. Protecting women ensures the protection of children and Syrian society as a whole and guarantees their rights.”

“Contradictory and dangerous conditions are imposed on women in Syria”

She asked: “How can someone like Ahmad al-Shara’, known for his history, provide a dignified life for women? Today, women are again forced to live under a dark veil. While women in northern and eastern Syria have freed themselves from this darkness, Syrian women are being forced back into it. This is a contradictory and dangerous situation that requires serious discussion and confrontation.”

“Who will protect women from killers?”

Majda Hassoun pointed to the escalating violence against women in Syria: “Since the beginning of the year, we have been monitoring the situation of women with concern, seeing that violence has reached limitless levels. Women are forced to flee every day and face torture, killing, and rape. But who will hold the perpetrators accountable? Who will protect the women killed in northern and eastern Syria while those responsible occupy high government positions today?”

“November 25 should be an occasion for collective struggle”

The Chairperson concluded by calling for unity and raising the level of resistance: “For us, November 25 is an occasion to unite Syrian women and raise their voices against the jihadist mentality, the patriarchal system, and the killing of women. We must all say: Enough. This call is addressed to all women to fight together against this deadly mentality