YUSRA AL-EHMED

Raqqa- The crisis that started in the Middle East and Syria causes millions to suffer and pay a high price. Syria has been suffering from clashes, war and conflict. In an interview with NuJINHA, İtemad El Ahmed, member of the Syrian Women’s Council, commented on the revolution that started in North and East Syria on July 19, 2012 and the Syrian crisis that started 13 years ago. “Since the crisis started, women have suffered and paid a high price,” said İtemad El Ahmed. “Women have played a leading role in all facets of life since the women’s revolution in Rojava. As Syrian Women’s Council, we aim to unite with all women in Syria to ensure security and stability in Syria.”

The importance of co-presidency system

Speaking about the Social Contract that was approved by the General Council of the Autonomous Administration of North on December 12, 2023, İtemad El Ahmed said, “24 Article of the Social Contract is based on the principle of equal representation between the sexes. The importance of the co-presidency system is emphasized. The contract empowers women’s political and diplomatic role in facets of life. As the council, we hold seminars and forums to empower women’s participation in finding a solution to the Syrian crisis. We make great efforts to increase women’s participation in local and international dialogue platforms.”

‘Let’s solve the Syrian crisis together’

The Syrian Women’s Council participates in the decision-making process for the resolution of the Syrian crisis. “We make great efforts to strengthen relationships with local and international women's organizations and activists in Syria but we still have a long way to go. Syrian women have many tasks to do and we should reach all women to empower their roles. All women in Syria should work, join hands and unite in accordance with the social contract. I call on all women in Syria to solve the Syrian crisis and build the future of Syria together.”

‘Women have played a leading role’

“Women in northeastern Syria have played a leading role in all facets of life, including politics,” said Samira Al-Aziz, Spokesperson of the Future Syria Party Women’s Council. “Women contribute to the efforts for building a democratic, pluralistic and decentralized Syria. One of the most important principles of our party is to make women indispensable members in all political offices and councils. The Future Syria Party aims to reach women from various regions of Syria and other countries by establishing diplomatic relations, empowering women and raising women’s intellectual awareness.”

‘Our aim is to empower women’s political participation’

Women are first targeted in wars, conflicts and clashes, said Samira Al-Aziz, recalling Hevrin Khalaf, the Secretary General of the Future Syria Party, who was murdered in North and East Syria on October 12, 2019. “The Turkish state targets women demanding democracy. In Afrin, the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions sentenced two women to death and eight more to life imprisonment. The silence of the international community shows that it approves the violations and brutal crimes committed against civilians, especially women, by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions. Therefore, our duty is to protect our gains. Our aim is to empower women’s political participation. We call on all women to unite so that we can build a democratic, pluralistic and decentralized Syria.”