MSDThe Women’s Office of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), in coordination with the Shawishka Association, held on April 30 a workshop titled “The CEDAW Convention Regarding Reservations and Implementation”. The workshop included a participation by women activists and human rights advocates, including women IDPs from occupied areas. The event took place in Qamishli city at the headquarters of the Shawishka Association.
During the workshop, Raniya Suleiman, a member of the SDC’s Women’s Office, addressed the ongoing conflict and war in Syria. She highlighted the multifaceted impacts on women, emphasizing the negative consequences and dimensions affecting their situation.
She noted that despite thirteen years have passed since the Syrian crisis, the suffering of Syrian women persists. They continue to face significant obstacles, including undermining their roles, suppression of their freedoms in all fields of life through personal status laws, and the marginalization of their legitimate rights.
The first theme of the event focused on the provisions of the CEDAW Convention, as well as reservations made by some countries, including Syria’s reservations to certain articles. Also, the applicable provisions of the Convention in northeastern Syria were addressed.
Additionally, the workshop reviewed the implementation of what the CEDAW Convention has stipulated, along with international resolutions aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence. Syrian women are called upon to continue their struggle, unity, and concerted efforts.
The workshop was concluded with several recommendations, including enhancing and empowering women’s roles in decision-making and political participation, challenging stereotypical views of women, raising awareness about women’s rights, and promoting the implementation of the CEDAW Convention. Efforts by women’s organizations are crucial to work towards the elimination of Syria’s reservations to the Convention.
