First Woman Appointed in New Syrian Administration
The Syrian Interim Government’s Political Affairs Department announced on Friday the appointment of Aisha Aldebes as the head of the Women’s Affairs Office, marking her as the first woman to officially hold a position in the new administration.
The department shared a photo of Aldebes on their ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account, along with her contact number, inviting communication with “the Women’s Affairs Office in the Political Affairs Department, which focuses on the legal, social, cultural, and political domains affecting Syrian women.”
This move comes after Syrian women activists expressed concerns about the future of women’s
roles in Syria, especially following statements by Obaida Arnaout, the official spokesperson for
the political administration. In an interview with Lebanese Al-Jadeed TV, Arnaout stated that
“ministerial or parliamentary representation for women… is premature,” arguing that women
have “a biological and psychological nature, and a unique composition that must match certain
roles.”
These comments sparked widespread controversy within Syrian society, particularly among
women activists who criticized his remarks as belittling the capabilities and significant roles
Syrian women have played both during the revolution and throughout history.
Syrian women have long been active in political, social, and economic spheres in their country. Historically, the representation of women in parliament and successive governments has ranged between 20 and 30 percent.
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