SILVA EL-IBRAHIM

Hesekê – On September 20, in the city of Hesekê in North and East Syria, a large-scale conference was held under the slogan “Women’s Unity: The Basis for Building Justice and Democracy in a United and Decentralized Syria.” The event, organized by Kongra Star and the Zenubya Women’s Community, brought together 600 women from different regions of Syria. For security reasons, invitees from coastal regions and Sweida could not attend in person but joined the conference online.

The conference is a clear message to patriarchal and jihadist systems

Alif Hamo, a member of the Coordination Committee of the Conference “Women’s Unity: The Basis for Building Justice and Democracy in a United and Decentralized Syria,” shared her evaluation with our agency on the importance of the conference. Hamo stressed that the event took place at a very critical time for Syria, noting that many Syrian communities—particularly women—have been subjected to severe violations by  jihadist structures such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which impose centralization and deny women’s rights. For this reason, she emphasized, the conference not only represents the voice of women but also embodies a stance against the oppressive mentality imposed by the so-called interim government. "This conference aims to unite women’s voices and present a common stance against the jihadist mindset," said Alif Hamo.

Hamo underlined that all the messages emerging from the conference clearly rejected the centralized system, declaring that they do not accept a government that legally refuses to recognize women’s rights. She stressed the need to establish a united and decentralized form of governance that guarantees the rights of all communities. Drawing attention to the violations committed by HTS jihadists against women, Hamo recalled the kidnapping of two young women on the Raqqa-Aleppo road, adding that similar incidents have taken place in Syria’s coastal areas, Damascus, Aleppo, and Afrin. Hamo said: “This conference is an open message against the current government, which excludes women, operates with a patriarchal and extremist religious mindset, and practices ethnic discrimination.”

Women Are Partners in Syria with a 50 Percent Quota in Every Field

Hamo also stated that the conference rejected the current 20 percent quota for women’s representation in elections, stressing that women should hold at least 50 percent representation not only in elections but in all institutions and decision-making mechanisms. Highlighting the importance of ensuring the safe return of those forcibly displaced from their lands, she announced that a comprehensive women’s conference will be organized across Syria in the future. Campaigns will be carried out to make women’s voices heard by human rights organizations, relevant authorities, and the public. “We will accept a democratic system that guarantees our rights legally and at every level,” said Alif Hamo.

Those Who Fight Against ISIS Can Bring Democracy

Amira Muhammed, one of the commanders of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), emphasized that the conference represented the unity and will of women despite their different ethnic and religious backgrounds, and demonstrated that women are capable of making decisions and guiding Syria toward democracy. Pointing out that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) succeeded in protecting the region from the threat of ISIS terror, Muhammed highlighted the critical roles women play in security, governance, and social organization.

“Today, women are participating in decision-making processes in political, economic, military, and diplomatic fields. With their struggle and sacrifices, they will take part in building the new Syria and contribute to the drafting of the constitution,” said Amira Muhammed, stressing that the interim government has created grounds for severe violations against women by dividing communities. She concluded by saying that the conference is living proof of women’s power to unite their ranks, asking in her final words: “Where is women’s freedom, violated every day with impunity?”