Syria: Have women gained or lost rights since Assad’s fall? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Post-Assad Syria: The political and social landscape in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
• Women's Political Participation: The extent to which women are involved in and represented within the political structures of Syria.
• Gender Inequality: Disparities between men and women in various aspects of life, including political representation, safety, and legal rights.
• Feminist Visions: Ideologies and approaches focused on achieving gender equality and empowering women.
• Secular Democracy: A form of government that separates religious institutions from state power and upholds democratic principles.
• Personal Status Laws: Laws governing family matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance, often influenced by religious interpretations.
• Citizenship Rights: The right of women to pass their citizenship to their children.
• Lobbying: The act of influencing government officials and decision-makers.

Women's Political Underrepresentation in Post-Assad Syria

A year after the fall of the Assad regime, women continue to hold a significantly low number of seats in Syria's newly elected parliament. This underrepresentation is decried by women's rights activists as a manifestation of male dominance in the country's political life. Activists are committed to advocating for change, not only within the halls of power but also through public mobilization on the streets.

The Electoral Landscape and Disappointment

Angela Huri, a dentist, viewed the fall of the Assad regime as an opportunity for women to claim their rightful place in the political arena. She was among dozens of women who contested Syria's indirect parliamentary elections held in September. Despite the increased participation of women in the electoral process, the outcome was disappointing. Out of 119 seats in the main parliamentary stage, only six were secured by women. Angela Huri herself was not among the elected.

She described the discussions with her family regarding her candidacy, highlighting their concerns about her ability to balance her professional commitments as a dentist and her work with the dentist association with the demands of political life. Angela noted a paradoxical sentiment surrounding women's presence on electoral lists: "Women's presence on the electoral lists was accepted, but somehow rejected at the same time. Men didn't vote for women." This suggests a disconnect between the acceptance of women's participation in principle and their actual support at the ballot box.

Growing Gender Inequality and Safety Concerns

Beyond election results, women's rights activists like Musna Durid have raised alarms about increasing gender inequality across all facets of life since the regime's collapse. Musna, who returned from Canada, co-organized a conference on women's political participation in Syria. She characterized women's participation as "timid" and noted a prevailing "hostility towards women's participation" in the current phase. However, she emphasized that this should serve as a motivator rather than a deterrent, stressing the importance of building "political alliances, to build political diversity, and to build a political organization based on feminist visions."

The fall of the Assad regime has also coincided with heightened concerns for women's safety. Dozens of women have reportedly been kidnapped amidst sectarian clashes. The transitional government has faced strong criticism for its perceived insufficient response to these acts of violence. Angela Huri highlighted how these safety issues create an additional barrier to female political engagement, stating that some women's groups refuse to participate to avoid legitimizing the current reality. She, however, represents a segment of women determined to be part of the decision-making process.

Demanding Representation and Action

Angela Huri remains undeterred in her pursuit of political influence. She aims to be among the 70 individuals to be appointed by the transitional president, Ahmed, to supplement the elected parliamentary seats. Her stance is clear: "Women shouldn't be like roses placed as decoration. We don't want to be decorations and that's why we demand numbers. When there are two or three women, we can create an alliance which over time leads to political action." This highlights a strategic approach to achieving political impact through collective action and increased representation. The struggle for Syrian women extends beyond parliamentary seats to encompass survival, safety, and securing a future where their voices are genuinely heard.

Advocating for Secular Democracy and Equal Rights

Rafi Sharij Jati, Vice President of the Syrian Liberal Party, shared her perspective on the post-Assad transition, advocating for secular democracy from Damascus. She concurred with Angela and Musna, stating that women have "lost opportunities" since Assad's fall and emphasizing the urgent need to "create space for women to be represented at the political and other spheres of life."

Strategies for Women's Empowerment

Rafi outlined several strategies employed by women's groups to achieve greater representation and equal rights. These include:

• Advocacy for Election Law Drafts: The Syrian Liberal Party is preparing and sharing drafts of election laws with the government.
• International Pressure: Advocating for international strategic partners to exert pressure on the transitional government.
• Public Mobilization: Encouraging more women to speak up and form public bodies that denounce gender-based discrimination.
• Lobbying Government Representatives: Utilizing both formal and informal contacts to lobby officials and make their claims known.

Rafi underscored the significance of women's role in society, representing "more than half of society," and their "tremendous role in the revolution." She asserted that after 14 years of working for equal rights, it is time to make this a reality.

Reforming Personal Status Laws

A key area of focus for reform is family law, which is identified as a source of discrimination. Rafi and other activists are proposing changes to personal status laws, including:

• Citizenship Rights: Granting women the right to pass their Syrian citizenship to their children.
• Inheritance Laws: Reforming existing inheritance laws.
• Separation of Religion and State: The Syrian Liberal Party specifically advocates for a separation between religion and the state, aiming to reform laws that are influenced by religious interpretations.

Rafi acknowledged that these reforms present an "uphill battle" but expressed determination to initiate and complete this fight.

Countering Islamist Influence and Avoiding an Afghanistan Scenario

Addressing concerns about Islamist factions seeking to erode women's gains, Rafi proposed a strategy of "dialogue, through proving what women have done, through discussions, through exposure." She believes that increased visibility of women in various aspects of life can influence more conservative factions. She also stressed the importance of continued lobbying to ensure officials understand women's presence and demands for full rights as equal citizens.

When asked about the possibility of a rollback of women's rights akin to Afghanistan, Rafi expressed strong disagreement. She stated, "I don't think it'll go Afghanistan style. I know that many Western media like to compare us to Afghanistan. I don't see that happening at all. I think Syrians for the most part would reject anything Afghanistan style." While acknowledging the right to religious practice, she believes that "full control over women's rights is not in the future here."

Synthesis and Conclusion

The transcript highlights a critical juncture for women in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. Despite the initial hopes for greater political inclusion, women face significant underrepresentation in parliament and a rise in gender inequality. Activists are actively engaged in multifaceted efforts, including electoral reform advocacy, public mobilization, and lobbying, to secure women's rights and ensure their meaningful participation in shaping the country's future. While challenges persist, particularly from conservative elements and safety concerns, there is a strong determination among Syrian women to fight for their equality and prevent a regression of their rights, rejecting comparisons to scenarios like Afghanistan. The push for secular democracy and the reform of discriminatory personal status laws are central to their agenda.