Qamishlo – Amid the profound transformations reshaping Syria, the need for a unified women’s voice has never been more urgent — a voice capable of shaping a just future rooted in freedom and equality. Driven by the will of Syrian women to resist, rebuild, and lead, two women’s organizations from North and East Syria — Kongra Star and the Zenobia Women’s Gathering — have launched a nationwide campaign titled “Through the Women’s Alliance, We Will Build a Free, Democratic, Decentralized Syria.”

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, October 12, the two organizations announced the start of this campaign, emphasizing that Syria stands at a critical crossroads — a moment where hopes for transformation collide with attempts at exclusion. Despite renewed peace initiatives, women’s representation in decision-making remains marginalized, while violence and patriarchal systems persist.

“We see a pressing need to unite the free voices of women,” the statement declared, “and to transform their collective energy into a political force capable of shaping a just and democratic future for our country.”

The campaign is also a tribute to the legacy of Hevrin Khalaf, a symbol of courageous leadership and coexistence, who embodied the principle that there can be no peace without women’s freedom, and no democracy without their active participation.

Emerging from the Syrian Women’s Conference held in al-Hasakah on September 20, 2025, under the auspices of Kongra Star and the Zenobia Women’s Gathering — and attended by over 600 women from diverse ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds — the campaign reflects a growing conviction that Syrian women are no longer followers; they are leaders shaping history itself.

The initiative stands as a collective act of resistance against exclusionary politics, the rollback of women’s achievements, and efforts to reimpose patriarchal domination.

Goals of the Campaign
The campaign seeks to:
- Unite Syrian women from all communities into a national women’s alliance capable of influencing policy and governance.
- Advocate for a democratic constitution that guarantees women’s rights and equality.
- Defend the hard-won gains of women in North and East Syria.
- Promote self-protection mechanisms against gender-based violence.
- Secure no less than 50% representation for women in state institutions.
- Build an international solidarity network to amplify Syrian women’s voices worldwide.

Phases of the Campaign
Running from October 12 to November 12, the campaign unfolds in three interconnected phases:

Phase One – “A Call from Syria” (October 12):
Official launch events in Qamishlo and Raqqa, accompanied by an open call to women in Syria and around the world to unite around the demands of Syrian women. Activists and women’s groups are invited to share video messages and statements of solidarity collected by Kongra Star and the Zenobia Women’s Gathering.

Phase Two – “Women’s Mobilization” (October 19):
A series of activities including global messages of support from women’s movements worldwide, women’s dialogue forums discussing Syria’s current realities, the role of different communities, and the concept of women’s self-defense from a Jineology perspective and the experience of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
This phase will also explore the democratic social model of North and East Syria as an emancipatory example, and share comparative experiences of women in Palestine, Balochistan, India, and Latin America in their struggles for freedom and peace.

Phase Three – “Final Presentation” (November 12):
A comprehensive closing event presenting all campaign materials — videos, statements, photos, and articles — which will be sent to international organizations, parliaments, UN agencies, and human rights bodies to call for support of the Syrian women’s project for a just, democratic homeland.