Layla Qaraman, Co-chairwoman of the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD), underscored the importance of the workshop on women’s political empowerment as part of the national strategy for the years 2024-2025. The aim was to strengthen women’s role in decision-making and effective participation in political, administrative, and economic matters. This will enable Syrian women to become key actors in achieving sustainable development and ensure that they enjoy all their rights constitutionally and legally.

Qaraman delivered an opening speech at the first workshop held by the Women’s Association of MSD on Monday. The workshop was part of the national strategy for the empowerment and leadership of Syrian women for 2024-2025. It was held under the slogan “Syrian Women Advocate Security and Guarantee of a New Syria”.

Qaraman welcomed all women representatives of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), women’s organizations, and independent women’s figures attending the workshop.

The workshop shed light on the most important priorities for change and the pillars of sustainable development, namely strengthening the political participation of Syrian women. Qaraman also commemorated the female martyrs who sacrificed their lives for a safe and dignified life for the people of the region.

Additionally, she praised the struggle of Syrian women who had the courage to join the struggle for freedom throughout history. She stated that despite attempts to exclude and marginalize women, they have not surrendered. On the contrary, they have continued to struggle to play their effective role in society.

She noted that the Syrian crisis is still ongoing. Also, she pointed out that the long-term conflict in Syria has claimed countless lives and caused the displacement of millions both inside and outside the country for 13 years. International efforts made and political paths to a political solution have also faltered due to the actions of the tyrannical regime in Damascus, the reliance of some opposition groups on foreign support, and the escalation of terrorist activities that have fueled the fragmentation, division, and devastation of Syria.

She noted that the main reasons for the failure of the negotiations are the parties’ lack of effective solutions to the Syrian crisis, excluding democratic powers and the genuine role of the opposition, and the failure to activate a national women’s role in the negotiation process.

She noted that one of the most important issues that must be resolved is the issue of women, whose status and rights continue to be undermined. The reasons behind this are due to the dominance of patriarchal ideology and some outdated customs and traditions that contribute to the lack of women’s political participation, leading to prevent them from playing effective roles in all fields.

“Therefore, we must work together to ensure women’s rights now and in the future that must be free from violence and discrimination. This will be achieved through the path of women’s political empowerment at all levels. Political empowerment is not just a matter of concern and demand for women alone, but rather a necessity for all Syrians to build a cohesive country,” Qaraman stated.

She reiterated the national strategy for the empowerment and leadership of Syrian women for 2024-2025. The strategy was announced by the MSD’s Women’s Association on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, in the city of Aleppo under the slogan “Syrian Women Advocate Security and Guarantee of a New Syria”.

She stated that the strategy was part of women’s national efforts and opportunities resulted from women’s struggle. That contributed to the political awareness for women to continue the struggle and participate in unifying women’s efforts through national mechanisms and programs for effective women’s participation.

“This strategy is a significant step towards enhancing women’s role in decision-making and effective participation in political, administrative, and economic matters,” Qaraman emphasized.

She noted that the national strategy aims to make Syrian women key actors in achieving sustainable development in the future and to ensure that they enjoy all their rights constitutionally and legally.

This will encourage women to take on their leadership roles in decision-making, protect them from gender-based violence, and raise awareness of the importance of their role in leading and developing society.

It will also remove barriers to their participation in all fields, enabling them to be active and pioneering actors in sustainable development.

It will preserve achievements made and gains to maintain the fabric of society and its cohesion. This should be achieved through the integration of roles of women and men to build a cohesive society capable of keeping pace with new changes, and to develop the pioneering roles and responsibility among women.

“Therefore, we have gathered today to reaffirm our efforts through continuous work to move forward towards achieving our goals. We should benefit from our personal, organizational, social, and political experiences. It is worth mentioning that the project of the AANES represents the hopes and aspirations of Syrian women,” Qaraman stated.

At the conclusion of her speech, Qaraman noted the fact that the MSD has affirmed in its political document and roadmap that women’s freedom is the foundation and guarantee of all freedoms. It also considers women’s participation in the political process to be an essential condition for the success of the negotiation process. The MSD believes that stability, peace, and progress will not be achieved in Syria except through ensuring the active and genuine participation of women in all aspects of the national agenda.