Sirin Mohammed

Aleppo – The marginalization Syrian women face today echoes what they endured under the Baath regime, as the same mentality and mindset return in new forms, with different names and faces. Women still lack a real, effective role in the Syrian public sphere across all sectors.

As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women approaches on November 25, Maha Haj Ali, a legal expert in the Syrian Women’s Council in Aleppo, spoke about the violence and marginalization women continue to experience. She noted a recent decline in the number of women employed in institutions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government—both in the public and private sectors—as well as a shrinking role for women in elections for the Syrian Parliament.

Erasing Women’s Identity

She pointed out that the marginalization and repression women face lead to the erasure of their identity, history, and culture. Culturally, women have been denied the freedom to choose their own clothing, and have instead had outfits imposed on them that do not reflect their personality or mindset. This, she explained, is an insult to women’s individuality and existence, and a violation of their right to choose.

Women Are Capable of Leading Society

Politically, there is no fair representation of women in political and civil parties. Most leadership positions go to men because society assumes men are more capable of administration, work, and leadership—while women are perceived as less competent. “This idea is entirely false,” she stressed, “because women can be leaders, pioneers, and decision-makers equal to, if not more capable than, men.”

Haj Ali emphasized the stark difference between regions formerly under the Baath regime and those under the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. In the Autonomous Administration, women have taken their full role, with a 50% representation rate across all fields, including co-chair positions in administrative, service, and media institutions. This marks a historic milestone in women’s struggle. “Women there have achieved the status they deserve, while in the Baath-controlled areas, they suffered from exclusion and marginalization.”

Women’s Struggle

She stressed the necessity of implementing 50% women’s participation across all Syrian cities. “As legal and women’s rights committees, we demand that the new Syrian system ensures equality between men and women in rights, duties, and active participation in parliament and legislative and executive councils, following the model of the Autonomous Administration.”

She also called on women to support and empower one another across all fields and communities, challenging claims that women cannot be leaders or innovators. This solidarity strengthens bonds among women and builds social cohesion.

Withdrawal of Female Candidates Under Pressure

Shahd Tabsho, a member of the organizational committee of the Syrian Women’s Council in Aleppo, highlighted ongoing practices that contribute to women’s marginalization. “In the recent parliamentary elections, women’s seats were drastically reduced. The Women’s Council directly contacted women who withdrew their candidacy.”

She confirmed that their withdrawal was the result of pressure, not personal choice—evidence that authorities continue to practice exclusion and repression against women. She also noted that the constitutional declaration issued by the Interim Government was no different from the previous Baath constitution, which deprived women of effective political participation in all councils and positions.

‘We Reject Any Exclusion or Marginalization’

Tabsho pointed to the current violations women face in Syria, including killing, kidnapping, rape, and enslavement. She emphasized the importance of women’s participation in political life, noting that women in North and East Syria have proven their ability to excel in every field—military, political, economic, and social. “As Syrian women, we refuse any form of exclusion or marginalization.”

She concluded: “Women must stand hand in hand, struggle, and continue their fight to achieve the participation they deserve and to reach justice and equality between the sexes