Surayto Women’s Council visits Mor Aho Church, emphasizing women’s role in society and the preservation of identity

DEMKHIYA, North and East Syria — A delegation from the Surayto Women’s Council (SWC) visited Mor Aho Church in the village of Demkhiya, Zalin (Qamishli) countryside, as part of the activities of the SWC aimed at promoting the role and status of Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) women in society. Father Habib Issa, priest of Mor Aho Church, welcomed the delegation warmly, praised the efforts made in organizing the conference, and emphasized the importance of dialogue on the role of Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramaic) women within the family, religion, and society. 

The meeting, held in a constructive and engaging atmosphere, focused on the challenges women face in securing their rights and strengthening their presence in public life. The participants stressed that the SWC seeks to highlight the historical significance of Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) women, reinforce their role in contemporary society, empower them across various fields, safeguard their identity, language, and culture, and build bridges of cooperation between religious, social, and cultural institutions. 

Father Issa noted that women have always been a cornerstone in building families and true partners in societal development. He emphasized that their participation in church life reflects both spiritual and humanitarian commitment and underlined that the church supports initiatives granting women broader opportunities for expression and engagement. “Empowering women necessarily means empowering society as a whole,” he said. 

The meeting concluded with a renewed understanding between the SWC delegation and the church on the importance of continuing collaboration to translate the SWC’s objectives into tangible actions, contributing to enhancing the presence of Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) women across social, cultural, and religious spheres.

The SWC continued its regional presence through visits to Iraq and Syria, where it met representatives of various Christian parties, institutions, and churches, emphasizing the importance of unity and addressing common challenges. During these visits, the SWC stressed the need to preserve the authentic Christian presence in the region, support the rights of the Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramaic) people, and link their concerns to a broader national project aimed at achieving justice and stability. 

This activity comes amid growing local and regional initiatives to redefine the role of women in the ongoing process of societal reconstruction, amid increasing political and security challenges.