23/01/2025

Council of Religions and Beliefs Women’s Coordination advocates for equality and inclusion in new Syrian constitution

HASAKAH, North and East Syria — The Women’s Coordination of the Council of Religions and Beliefs in North and East Syria organized a landmark forum in Hasakah under the theme, In a Democratic Syria, Every Woman has the Right to Live Freely According to her Religion and Belief. Held at the Mashwar Park Hall, the event brought together dozens of women from diverse faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Yezidism, Alawism, and Ismailism, alongside leaders from women’s unions, councils, and humanitarian organizations.

Participants stressed the urgency of preserving women’s rights, eradicating injustice, and ensuring their active inclusion in drafting Syria’s new constitution.



Highlighting the Role of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) Women

Maryam Lahdo, a representative of the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU), emphasized the resilience of Christian Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women, reflecting on their endurance through the 1915 Sayfo Genocide and subsequent systemic oppression under previous regimes.

“Syriac women have fought many battles and deserve the right to participate in all spheres of life, including economics, politics, science, and society,” Lahdo said. She called for recognition of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) culture and language as integral to Syria’s identity, reminding attendees that the nation’s name itself originates from the Syriacs, a foundational part of its history.

Advocating for a New Social Framework

Katya Rizqallah Heloun of the Christian Churches Council in Hasakah highlighted the forum’s significance in combating violence and fostering unity in Syria’s diverse society. She called for a constitution that ensures women’s representation in foreign policy, guarantees their right to education, and abolishes violence against women, including honor killings.

Heloun also stressed the need for educational reform to eliminate hate speech against any religion or sect, promoting mutual respect and tolerance.



A Nation for All Its People

Heloun reaffirmed the deep-rooted presence of Christians in Syria, stating, “Christians are not guests in this land — they are its true children. Syria belongs to all Syrians.”

The forum concluded with unified calls for a constitution that guarantees equality, protects cultural diversity, and empowers women to shape the nation’s future. Participants voiced hope for a democratic Syria where women’s voices are integral to its governance and social fabric.