The Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) released a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Remarking that November 25th carries significant meaning in the global women's struggle for freedom, dignity, and equality, MSD pointed out that this year’s commemoration comes amidst the rise of systematic violence and gender-based discrimination in various regions around the world.
The statement also shed light on the plight of Syrian women who, it said, are enduring highly complex conditions due to the ongoing war since 2011. “The war has exacerbated various forms of violence and discrimination, including poverty, marginalization, severe abuses such as torture, killing, and enforced disappearance. These conditions are particularly dire in areas under Turkish occupation and its affiliated mercenaries, where severe violations against women are systematically committed.”
The MSD attributed the rise in violence against Syrian women to the dominant patriarchal culture, discriminatory laws, and the devastating consequences of the bloody conflict. It stressed that this painful reality "requires a serious stance from all of us to struggle for change and promote equality."
In the context of women's struggle against all forms of violence, the MSD saluted the resilience of Syrian women and their continuous fight for freedom and democratic change. It stressed that empowering women and guaranteeing their rights is not only a humanitarian issue but also a fundamental condition for achieving peace and sustainable development in Syria.
The MSD called on the international community, human rights organizations, and feminist movements to intensify their efforts to support Syrian women and expose the practices and violations they face, whether by oppressive regimes or occupying forces.
The MSD also urged all Syrian women to unite and work together to align their visions and goals, collaborating to end the violence practiced against them. The MSD stressed that women's participation in the political process and decision-making is not a secondary demand but a necessity for the success of any sustainable political solution in Syria.
The MSD reiterated that "women's freedom is the key to the freedom of society as a whole, and the struggle to end violence and discrimination against them is an inseparable part of our fight to achieve justice and dignity for all Syrians."