SHERINE MOHAMMED

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- Syrian women’s participation in all facets of life, including politics, military and social life, is possible when they build strong women's alliances in order to overcome the challenges faced by them and build a new Syria based on equality, democracy and justice, said Derya Remezan, a member of the Syrian Democratic Council Diplomacy Committee, stressing that real change “does not start in a system ignoring women but in a system including women in decision-making positions as equal partners.”

 In an interview with NuJINHA, she criticized the execution of women in decision-making positions in Syria. “The ongoing violations in Damascus, Sweida and coastal areas show that women are still executed.”

Jihadist mindset, missing women

Derya Remezan pointed to the violations against women in the areas controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and said, “Dozens of Alawite women were kidnapped in Syria’s coastal areas and more than 70 women were kidnapped in Syria’s Sweida city. They are still missing. The ongoing international silence reveals that the tragedy faced by women is still ignored.”

Despite all the challenges, women have achieved significant gains in North and East Syria, Derya Remezan stressed. “Women resisted and built a concrete model of change. The resistance of the YPJ (Women's Defense Units) against ISIS shows the resistance of women and their leading role. Women have become the voice of Syria in international platforms. This is a success that cannot be ignored.”

Following the fall of the Baathist regime, Syrian women hoped to have an equal country; however, the formation of Syria’s interim government led by HTS dashed their hope, said Derya Remezan. “The marginalization pursued by the interim government leaves women disappointed. Since the so-called ‘Syrian Revolution Victory Conference’, no one in Syria, especially women, has played a role in shaping the country’s future. Even the constitutional declaration approved by the interim government ignores women.”

Stressing that women in the government should represent women, Derya Remezan criticized Aisha al-Dibs, the head of the Women's Affairs Office in the Syrian interim government. “She holds a position allowing her to defend women's rights; however, she causes these rights to regress. Syrian women need a reform in the Personal Status Law. This law does not allow women to play their roles in society or participate in decision-making positions.”

Derya Remezan thinks that the system of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) serves as a good model for the rest of the country. “The co-presidential system implemented in North and East Syria promotes women’s participation in all decision-making positions. In the region, women and men have the same rights. The region’s Social Contract guarantees women's rights and gives them the opportunity to make their voices heard.”

Derya Remezan called on all women in Syria to unite. “We must discuss our legal rights and what we should do for constitutional entrenchment of women's rights. Women’s participation in decision-making positions in Syria is a must. Today, women's unity is more important than ever. Women must participate in all decision-making positions to build a free, equal, democratic and fair Syria. As women in Syria, we must build strong women’s alliances to support each other and make our voice heard.”