HADEEL AL-OMAR

Idlib- Women’s status and role in society are determined by “traditions” in Idlib, a city controlled by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The current laws cannot protect women, causing women to be oppressed even more.

Many human rights organizations call for enactment of laws protecting women; however, current conditions do not allow this.

‘I have lost custody of my children’

Sare Al-Dudi decided to get a divorce after being subjected to violence for years. “Laws are against women,” she said while talking about the divorce case. “I have lost custody of my children because laws are always in favor of men. I feel lost without my children.”

 She was married off at 15

Leyla Al Awis was married off by her parents when she was only 15. “The laws see women only as tools to meet men's desires,” she told NuJINHA. “I dream of a day when girls can live freely without facing any restrictions. I was subjected to violence by my husband; however, domestic violence is ignored in our society. I mostly felt trapped in my life.”

She was not allowed to inherit

After her husband died in the war, Leyla Al Awis wanted to benefit from her right to inheritance; however, the law did not grant her any right over the property of her husband.

Her father-in-law got her husband's inheritance. “I am not financially independent now. Women have to take permission from their husbands or male relatives to make any decisions about their lives.”

Call on international community

Nur Hritani (34) used to work at a health center in Idlib. “After I got married, my husband told me that I had to quit my job. Sometimes I feel like I have no rights. When I gave birth to my child, I thought I would at least have the right to make a decision about her name.”

However, Nur Hritani could not even choose her daughter’s name. “I felt helpless and started to understand how mothers’ rights are ignored due to traditions and customs.”

Nur Hritani called on the international community and human rights organizations to provide more support to women. “Women are deprived of their basic rights. They need support to learn their rights.”