Women’s Coordination in North and East Syria reflects on achievements and challenges during annual meeting

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The annual gathering of the Women’s Coordination in North and East Syria convened in Raqqa to assess the accomplishments of the past year and address the ongoing challenges faced by women in the region.

Participants in the meeting included women’s coordinators from the Autonomous and Civil Administration in the seven provinces, along with representatives from women’s committees, offices, and movements in the North and East Syria Region.

In comments to SyriacPress, Ilham Matli, an official of the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU), highlighted a notable advancement in the status of women despite the challenging circumstances arising from Turkish attacks. Matli emphasized that women have demonstrated their presence across various spheres, citing the establishment of kindergartens, elderly homes, small projects, factories, and initiatives to bolster their own economy.

Matli acknowledged that women encounter difficulties in administrative roles due to entrenched masculine mentalities and resistance from certain segments of society against women entering the labor market. Despite these challenges, Matli expressed resilience and announced the imminent opening of an advanced hospital for women this year. She also outlined plans for intensified meetings in the current year, particularly following the approval of the new Social Contract.

Discussing the broader difficulties facing the Autonomous Administration in the North and East region, Matli underscored the multifaceted challenges, including external threats posed by the Turkish occupation aiming to undermine the Autonomous Administration project. Nevertheless, she commended the region’s people for their cohesive response to these challenges.

Rokn Mulla Ibrahim, Co-Chair of the Women’s Authority in North and East Syria, characterized the past year to SyriacPress as one replete with difficulties and challenges for women in the region.

Ibrahim highlighted the extensive efforts made during the year, including dialogue seminars and workshops focused on approving the Family Law, in addition to the successful implementation of various projects.

She went on to recount the array of challenges faced by women over the past year, encompassing natural disasters like the earthquake in February and the recurrent bombing operations by Turkish forces. Ibrahim also drew attention to the specific challenges posed by a targeted war against women in the region.

The annual meeting served as a platform for a comprehensive reflection on the achievements and obstacles encountered by women in North and East Syria, fostering a collective commitment to advancing women’s rights and addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the region.