Aleppo- Following the fall of Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, the jihadist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) formed an interim government, starting a new process in Syria. The Future Syria Party organized a consultation workshop in Syria’s Aleppo on February 3 to discuss the role of women in the new Syria, with the participation of 200 representatives from 18 parties, movements, political organizations, sects, NGOs and the Future Syria Party.

At the workshop, participants drew attention to the new process in Syria and discussed the situation of women and their participation in politics and decision-making positions. A free and democratic Syria must be built so that all ethnic and religious identities have a free life without policies of destruction and genocide, the women attending the workshop said. At the end of the workshop, the participants decided to form a committee to work together for building a new Syria.

‘We want women and young people to play an active role’

“I hope the new Syria will be a country of all ethnic and religious identities,” said Semîra Selîm, a chemistry teacher attending the workshop. “Syria is known for its different ethnic and religious groups, having intellectuals, scholars and historians. In the new Syria, the role of women and young people is very important and they should express themselves freely. We want women and young people to play an active role in the new Syria. Meetings, workshops and forums must be organized to guarantee women’s rights. Women are mothers, teachers, sisters, wives and raise generations. Despite their important roles, they are always underestimated and confined to homes.”

“People should have a life with their color, culture, existence and language’

Semîra Selîm also wants the new Syria to be a peaceful and free country. “We demand the end of violence and attacks against women in the new Syria. If Syria embraces its ethnic and religious identities, it will be a democratic and free country. In Syria, people should have a life with their own color, culture, existence and language,” said Semîra Selîm, drawing attention to the school curriculum. “I think religion should not be taught in schools. Students need an educational and scientific curriculum. An educational and scientific curriculum can eliminate violence.”

‘We must first build our unity’

Semar El Elî, an Arab woman attending the workshop, thinks the new Syria must be decentralized. “As the Syrian people, we have suffered from the war, clashes and massacres. We must first build our unity before building a new Syria. We also demand gender equality be ensured. Women’s participation in politics and decision-making positions must be guaranteed in Syria.”

Semar El Elî commemorated Hevrin Khalaf, the Secretary General of the Future Syria Party who was executed by Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sharqiya fighters on November 12, 2019. “Hevrin Khalaf struggled for women’s freedom and to ensure equality in society. I call on all Syrian women not to remain silent against injustice. Women are fighters in all facets of life. They have the power to fight for their rights.”