ROCHELLE JUNIOR

Sweida-The peaceful protests erupted at the Karama Square in the Druze majority city of Sweida over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria on August 17, 2023 continue. Since the protests erupted in Syria emerging from the 2011 Arab uprisings, the country has been suffering from political, economic and social instability.

Syrian women will form a network for common struggle soon, reported Iman Abu Assaf, a human rights defender in Sweida.

‘Women are determined to make their voices heard by holding peaceful protests’

Reminding that women led the protests that erupted in Syria, Iman Abu Assaf said, “In 2011, women took to the streets because they were discontent with all kinds of oppression faced by them. Since they knew what people demanded, they led the protests to express their demands and the demands of the people.” Speaking about the ongoing peaceful protests in Sweida, she said, “The women of Sweida have made their voices and the voices of Syrian women heard. They have shown that their demands are legitimate demands. They demand freedom, a life with dignity and equal citizenship. The women keep leading the protests. They are determined to make their voices heard by holding peaceful protests.”

 ‘All women should struggle’

Iman Abu Assaf criticizes women’s movements in Syria for not being united. “There are many movements having different views. Unfortunately, we have not yet formed a united network to wage a common struggle. What gives hope is the women’s struggle. We believe that women will unite and form a network to wage a common struggle soon. All women should struggle for their rights, equality and build a democratic Syria. Without women, stability cannot be achieved in Syria. More awareness-raising activities should be carried out for women so that they can believe in themselves more.”