Syrian Women’s Political Movement Issues First Damascus Statement
The Syrian Women’s Political Movement issued its first statement from Damascus after the
overthrow of the previous regime on December 8th of last year.
Roula Al-Rakbi, a founding member of the movement, stated that the movement’s goal is now to
start working from within Syria, after years of operating in exile.
The movement was established in Paris in 2017 with the hope of representing Syrian women and
framing their efforts towards building a democratic Syria.
Al-Rakbi explained that the movement’s first statement from Syria carries symbolic importance,
aiming to reclaim the public sphere in the country after it was seized, and to assert that Syrian
women have the right to speak, express themselves, and engage in political work.
She emphasized that the goal of building a democratic Syria cannot be achieved without the
active participation of women in public life.
The movement identifies itself as representing Syrian feminist politicians, both men and women,
who fight against authoritarianism, demand freedom, justice, and dignity for every citizen in
Syria, and advocate for women’s rights in their homeland.
During a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Alma Salem, the executive
director of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, stressed the urgent priority of ensuring equal
political participation of women at decision-making tables and in democratic life in Syria.
A Democratic National Path
The movement outlined a set of priorities that must be focused on to ensure the success of the
transitional process and to realize the aspirations of Syrian men and women in building a stable,
democratic, civil state of citizenship.
The Syrian Women’s Political Movement believes that a caretaker government should begin
preparing for and calling a comprehensive conference for all segments and components of the
Syrian people without any exclusion.
It also called for forming a fully empowered transitional governing body representing all
segments of the Syrian people, where the proportion of women’s representation should not fall
below what is stipulated by international protocols, making the conference the first step in a
comprehensive national reconciliation process.
The Syrian Women’s Political Movement sees that Syrians are now united in facing the challenges
of this critical phase, which does not only involve a democratic transition by establishing a
representative political system but also includes national reconciliation involving accountability
and constitutional justice for war criminals, rebuilding infrastructure and damaged cities,
unifying the country by integrating regions into building one state, and working on economic
recovery to bring back refugees and expatriates. The movement believes all this requires
comprehensive and bold approaches to ensure peaceful transition and achieve justice and
stability.
Syria Calls for Complete Lifting of Sanctions After the Cause for Their Imposition Has Ceased
The International Red Cross Unveils Upcoming Plans for Syria
