New law aimed at protecting women in North and East Syria to take effect starting January 2022

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria confirmed that it had begun enacting a “women’s law” in its regions after the demands of several women’s associations with the aim of protecting women from violence and to elevate their voice in society.

The head of the Women’s Authority of the DAA, Jihan Khidro, said on 2 December 2022 that the DAA would draft a law for women in response to feminist groups’ demand that actions be taken to more effectively protect women from violence and ensure that their voice be heard in society.

She noted that in the near future, awareness projects in the field of women’s protection will be launched, including the opening of facilities specifically for the protection of battered women. Ten percent of the DAA budget will be allocated to these projects in various regions of North and East Syria.

Khidro noted that the Women’s Authority is working on studying the issue from a legal point of view and that steps will be taken with the participation of all women’s organizations to form a committee and unify the internal system which deals with women’s protection.

She also touched on the difficulty of changing established societal patterns and getting the populace to accept such a law, as patriarchal elements currently dominate and define the role of women in society. She indicated that this can only be overcome by the establishment of awareness programs about the importance of women’s role in society and the importance of women’s access to their rights.

Several days ago, North and East Syria witnessed marches, activities, and dialogues marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.