MSDOn the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the rights of Syrian women. The SDC is dedicated to safeguarding the political and social gains women have achieved over the years. These accomplishments were not handed down as favors; they are the result of a long struggle and tremendous sacrifices. They represent a fundamental part of the democratic project that we aim to establish in a future Syria.
This day comes at a critical moment for the country. The developments following December 8, 2024, have led to significant changes in governance and representation. The practices of the transitional government in Damascus increasingly demonstrate a tendency to marginalize women and exclude them from decision-making roles. Women are often reduced to symbolic positions, which do not reflect their genuine contributions or the responsibilities they have carried under extremely challenging circumstances. The results of recent elections illustrate this trend, revealing weak representation for women that is disproportionate to their actual presence and influence within society.
The continuation of this policy perpetuates patterns of authoritarianism that Syrians have long endured. It places women once again in extremely difficult circumstances, whether politically, economically, or socially. Hundreds of women remain kidnapped or forcibly disappeared, while many others face daily violence, coercion, and discrimination—all in the absence of effective protection and accountability mechanisms.
Excluding women from positions of influence not only diminishes their presence but also weakens both the state and society, reducing the prospects for overcoming the crisis. The process of rebuilding and restoring stability cannot succeed without the full participation of women. Similarly, no political pathway can be considered successful while women remain marginalized or are treated merely as symbolic actors.
Building on this, the SDC calls for the following:
• An immediate end to all forms of violence against women, with clear accountability mechanisms to ensure perpetrators do not escape punishment.
• The preservation of the gains achieved by women over recent years, without any regression under political or administrative pretexts.
• Effective representation of women in decision-making positions, and within political and administrative institutions, supported by explicit legal and constitutional provisions.
• The meaningful involvement of women’s organizations and community groups in discussions and policy-making related to the political solution, constitution drafting, and reconstruction plans.
• The adoption of clear national policies to protect women’s rights and strengthen their participation in public life.
The future of Syria cannot be stable or democratic without women as full partners in decision-making and governance. Empowering women is not merely a slogan or a rights-based demand—it is an essential condition for building a just and democratic state founded on pluralism and decentralization.
Syrian Democratic Council
November 25, 2025
