HADİL AL-OMAR

Idlib- Women living in Idlib province, controlled by the Turkish state and its armed faction Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have to struggle to obtain their rights. Driving a car is an important step for them to break gender stereotypes and actively participate in all facets of life. Women living in areas occupied by Turkish-backed factions are often arrested, even sometimes killed while demanding their rights. Despite all the challenges, women keep struggling to obtain their rights.

The Syrian Salvation Government of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib bans women from getting a driver's license. Hala Celal(29) decided to learn how to drive a car after finding a job 30 kilometers away from Qah, a village of Idlib.

When she began to learn how to drive a car, she faced a lot of criticism from people, who called her “Male Fatma”, which is used to define women who try to imitate men. These criticisms did not prevent her from learning how to drive a car because she thinks that women have the right to drive.

She overcame obstacles that prevented her from realizing her dream

Maram Al Shardoub told NuJINHA her first driving experience as follows: “When I drove, children were gathering to see me driving. I faced transportation problems due to the distance between my home and my workplace. Despite social pressure, I learned how to drive. I overcame obstacles that prevented me from realizing my dream.”

Maram Al Shardoub is still subjected to criticisms and accusations by male drivers although she follows the traffic rules. “All the criticism I have been subjected to are because of the patriarchal mindset in society; men say that women are incapable of being leaders and taking responsibilities.”

Maram Al Sardoub believes that she overcame all the obstacles that prevented her from realizing her dream by breaking gender stereotypes.

She works as a taxi driver

Salma Al-Dalu(37) has been interested in driving a car since her childhood. She learned how to drive and then became a taxi driver. “Women are afraid of traveling with male drivers because they think that they can be harassed or kidnapped when they are alone. When they travel with female drivers, they feel safe. I work as a taxi driver to earn a living for my family.”

‘Women should attend a driving course’

The number of women who learn how to drive increases because they want to go to work without using a taxi or public transportations, said Nazira Al-Hason(40), who teaches women how to drive in Idlib.

“Today, women do not need someone who will support them to make a decision and encourage them to take their steps. Women are capable of driving but they should first attend a driving course to gain experience.”