Syrian Feminist Perspectives During the Transition of President al-Assad's 54-Year Regime
Following the fall of the al-Assad regime in late 2024 and the rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a dominant force in Syria, the state of women’s rights has become uncertain and concerning.
Key points on the current situation include:
* Statements from new authorities indicate a restrictive approach toward women’s roles. Obaida Arnaout, a spokesperson for the Military Operations Department, claimed women's "biological and psychological nature" made them incompatible with certain positions such as in the Ministry of Defense. Aisha al-Dibs, head of the Women's Affairs Office, announced plans to shape women’s roles strictly according to Islamic Sharia, explicitly rejecting foreign frameworks and support, which she framed as ideologically harmful. She emphasized a vision for Syrian women that excludes external influence. * There is apprehension among activists and observers about potential rollbacks on women’s freedoms, echoing fears based on conditions previously seen in Idlib under HTS control, known for harsh restrictions on women. Civic voices like Salma Sayyad have expressed worry that the initial joy at the end of Assad’s regime is tempered by these emerging restrictions under HTS and allied extremist factions. * The new government formed after Assad’s departure is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, a conservative Islamist group historically opposed to secular governance in Syria. The Brotherhood is known for conservative views on women’s rights. * Despite these challenges, civil society activists continue to advocate for women’s participation and rights. For example, Amneh Khoulani of the Adalaty Centre urged the UN Security Council to support full and safe participation of women from all backgrounds in political processes during Syria’s transitional phase. She underscored the importance of transitional justice and inclusive governance as foundations for sustainable peace, indirectly highlighting women's rights as part of this agenda. * There are ongoing campaigns by Syrian women advocating for equal citizenship rights, such as the right for Syrian women to confer nationality to their children on an equal basis with men, challenging restrictive laws like Decree 276. These campaigns push for legal reforms and interim policies to secure rights for affected families.
In summary, the rise of HTS and Islamist-oriented governance has led to the emergence of restrictive policies and rhetoric toward women’s roles, raising fears of diminished freedoms. However, active civil society groups and international actors still call for inclusive, equitable participation of women in Syria’s transitional process, and grassroots campaigns persist in demanding legal equality and protection of women’s rights.
[1] Source: Various news articles and reports by human rights organisations. [2] Source: BBC News, "Who are Syria's Muslim Brotherhood?" [3] Source: UN Women, "Syria: Women's Participation in the Transitional Process." [4] Source: Amnesty International, "Syria: Women's Rights Under Threat." [5] Source: Human Rights Watch, "Syria: Women's Rights Under Threat."
- The new government's conservative approach, as indicated by Obaida Arnaout and Aisha al-Dibs, could potentially lead to a transformation in women’s health-and-wellness and womens-health, with the possibility of stricter adherence to Islamic Sharia laws.
- Given the history of harsh restrictions under HTS control in Idlib and the Islamic-oriented governance, science, politics, and general-news may witness rollbacks on women’s freedoms, causing concern among activists and observers.
- Despite the challenges, Syrian women continue to fight for their rights, advocating for women's participation in politics, equal citizenship rights, and legal reforms, which are crucial for ensuring a sustainable peace and promoting transitional justice, as underscored by Amneh Khoulani.
