Syrian Women Concerned About Uncertainty of Their Rights After Government Change

Sosan Zakzak, a member of the Leadership Council of the Syrian Women's Association, expressed deep concern over the lack of assurance for women's rights in the country, stating that the new ruling body has not provided any explanation regarding the future, and its leaders' statements are accompanied by "great ambiguity." In an interview with Radio Farda, Ms. Zakzak noted that without explanations, it is impossible to have any notion of Syria's future. She emphasized that after the fall of the Assad regime, which has brought deep joy and satisfaction to the people, Syrian women will no longer accept being returned to their "traditional position." Activists from Syrian civil society, including women, held a rally in Damascus last Thursday, demanding guarantees for individual rights and freedoms, especially for women. They described their gathering as a preventive measure to avert any attempts to establish a strict conservative religious government in Syria. Protesters in Umayyad Square in Damascus chanted for a democratic government rather than a religious state, stressing that a nation without its free women is not a free nation. This rally came shortly after Obaida Arnaout, spokesperson for the interim ruling body, stated that women's capabilities for certain management roles are "limited." Sosan Zakzak told Radio Farda that Ahmad Dalati, a commander of the opposition military operations room, also mentioned in a meeting with her that the eight-year rule of "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" in Idlib province would serve as a model for Syria where women studied and worked. Ms. Zakzak said that even before the statements from the interim ruling body, which have "multiplied concerns," Syrian women had called for a protest. She added that Al-Jolani has not specified who will be members of the commissions that will be formed to make important decisions and how they will be constituted. Ms. Zakzak expressed concern that these commissions might consist of only one spectrum. The member of the Leadership Council of the Syrian Women's Association also stated that women do not accept the new rulers' statements regarding the "Idlib model" for women's rights but demand that all women, with their diverse ideologies, beliefs, and intellectual backgrounds, be included in governance. According to Ms. Zakzak, women have paid a heavy price in the Syrian crisis and have faced severe pressures and discrimination from both the Assad regime and the opposition, with some being subjected to sexual assault and abduction. Recently, "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" dissolved its guerrilla forces based on a directive from Ahmad Shar' and introduced defense and foreign ministers for the interim government from among the affiliates of these forces, but no women have been seen among the close associates and political activists of this group. Sosan Zakzak stated that women have not been invited to any meetings with the new rulers, but in recent days, they have met with Western officials who traveled to the country, such as a representative from the European Union and a U.S. State Department delegation, raising their concerns and demands from the new government. She stated that the proportion of women's participation in governance should not be less than 30 percent, this participation should be real and in decision-making areas, women should be involved in drafting the constitution and other laws, discrimination against women should be criminalized, sufficient laws should be enacted to ensure protection for women against violence, existing laws should be amended, and religious centrality should be eliminated. According to Ms. Zakzak, during the 54 years of Hafiz and Bashar Assad's rule, the country's laws were civil, but the private rights law had a religious basis, and everything related to women fell under the authority of religious leaders. This women's rights activist emphasized that in the absence of willingness or invitation from the new rulers for meetings and discussions, Syrian women will use the available opportunity to hold sit-ins and non-provocative protests to emphasize monitoring the situation. Unlike "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and other militias opposing Bashar Assad, where women had no role, Kurdish women in northern and northeastern Syria are present in leadership positions of militias such as the "Syrian Democratic Forces" and "People's Protection Units" and also hold managerial roles in these areas, which constitute one-third of Syrian territory. Ahmad al-Shar' (also known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani), the commander of the Syrian rebels whose forces in the "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" managed to reach Damascus in 11 days and take control of the central government, stated in a recent interview with the BBC that it will take time before a governmental system can be discussed. Ahmad Shar' also mentioned that he is not allowed to discuss certain topics because legal commissions must first be formed and make decisions, which will obligate the rulers. Mr. Shar' is now regarded by many governments and the United Nations as the de facto leader of Syria, and delegations from the U.S., European countries, and regional governments have recently met with him in separate visits to Damascus. The latest of these meetings took place on Friday between a delegation of American diplomats led by Barbara Leaf, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs, and him. The Washington government has emphasized that discussions were held with Ahmad Shar' regarding values approved by the U.S.