The Women’s Movement and Joint Action Platform of North and East Syria launched a campaign on July 3, 2025, entitled “Solidarity with Women in Suwayda Against Massacre.” The campaign continued with various events and ended with a forum held on August 5.
Canda Mihemed, Deputy Co-Chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD), drew attention to the exclusion of women from political processes in Syria and the increasing incidents of violence, emphasizing the need for all women’s movements to engage in joint struggle. Speaking to ANF, Mihemed stated that the interim Damascus government systematically excludes women from decision-making processes.
Canda Mihemed stated that developments over the past nine months since the overthrow of the Baath regime and the establishment of the interim government have had a serious impact on Syrian women, saying: “Women from all political and social circles have been excluded from the ‘National Dialogue Congress’ organized by the interim government. The announced provisions of the new Syrian Constitution do not include women’s rights. The constitution, prepared by a committee, has not been transformed into a democratic text in line with the demands of the people. To date, women have not been able to secure their rightful place in decision-making processes.”
The MSD Deputy Co-Chair emphasized that the violence in southern Syria and Suwayda has directly targeted women. Highlighting the increase in crimes against women in these areas, she said, “There have been, and continue to be, mass killings, murders, and forced abductions of women in Suwayda. Syrian women have been resisting for 14 years and played an important role in the overthrow of the Baath regime. Today, however, women are systematically excluded from every step taken by the interim government. At the same time, attacks, oppression, and practices against women are increasing.”
Referring to the campaign launched to support women in Suwayda, Canda Mihemed said that women’s movements must organize together and develop a common stance against crimes. She continued, “Our goal in this forum was to support the women of Suwayda, who have managed to stand strong with a strong will in spite of all the pressure and attacks. However, what is expected of us today is to establish women’s unity. This way, all women’s movements and women’s organizations can act together and coordinate their efforts.”
The MSD Deputy Co-Chair pointed out that women should not only take an active role against violence, but also in the political arena, and concluded her remarks as follows: “All Syrian women must take a united stance and work together to find solutions to all issues affecting them. They must expose crimes committed against women, demand that those responsible be held accountable, defend their legitimate rights, and take their place in decision-making processes.”
Source: ANF News
