A conference titled “Women’s Unity is the Foundation for Building Justice and Democracy in a Decentralized and United Syria” is being held in the city of Hesekê in Rojava.
The conference, organized by women’s organizations Kongra Star and Zenûbya Women’s Community, sees the participation of around 700 delegates, including politicians, lawyers, intellectuals, and representatives of Arab tribes from North-East Syria, Aleppo, Damascus, and the Alawite-dominated west coast. Women from the Suwayda are participating via Zoom.
Rîhan Loqo: We are the power of united women
Kongra Star spokesperson Rîhan Loqo delivered the opening speech of the conference, which began with a moment of silence.
“We are the power of united women; we have the will for change and have gathered with hopes for building the Syria of the future,” said Rîhan Loqo, remarking that the conference is a strategic platform that unites women’s vision for a Syria that is democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized, based on the free will of the peoples, and that defends the rights of women and all components.
Rîhan Loqo emphasized that Syrian women continued their struggle for participation in social and political spheres despite all assimilation and suppression efforts during the Baath regime. Syria entered a new era after the fall of the Baath regime, but pressure and violence against women still continue, she added.
Drawing attention to the massacres in Suwayda and Syria’s coastal region, Rihan Loqo said that the current regime views women merely as bodies and commodities to be bought and sold. “We do not accept a regime that oppresses us in the name of religion and kills us in the name of power,” she said.
Rîhan Loqo stated that this congress was held for the freedom of women, which forms the basis of society’s freedom. She emphasized that the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” [Woman, Life, Freedom] is not a slogan, but rather a concrete reality that has enabled thousands of women to play an active role in politics, administration, defense, and the economy, and to achieve historic successes in the Middle East.
Loqo stressed that the Syria of the future must be a democratic, decentralized, and multicolored country; that it must be built on the basis of the free will of all components and women. She added that a constitution written without the participation of women is not legitimate and peace cannot be achieved without the voice of women.
Rîhan Loqo outlined Kongra Star’s objectives as follows:
– Establishing a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria that secures the rights of women and all components.
– Ensuring that women are represented by at least 50 percent in all state institutions and local councils.
– Drafting a new constitution that guarantees women’s rights, ensures their role as key actors, and establishes the separation of religion and state.
-Organizing a national conference with broad participation of Syrian women to consolidate women’s views.
– Ensuring women’s representation in justice reform and investigation committees.
– Repealing all laws that discriminate against women and enacting laws that protect women.
– Protecting the gains of the North-East Syria Revolution and supporting the Democratic Autonomous Administration.
– Strengthening national identity based on cultural and religious pluralism.
– Building a democratic, free, and ecological society based on the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî.”
– Rejecting all forms of occupation and foreign intervention, particularly by Turkey, and of support for jihadist groups.
Xod El Elî: Syrian women fought heroically
Zenûbiya Women’s Community spokesperson, Xod El Elî, drew attention to the crimes committed against women by ISIS and said, “Syrian women did not surrender. They took their places in the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) and fought heroically against the mercenaries.”
“The Syria of the future must guarantee justice and equality for women, protect them from violence and discrimination, and ensure that women are represented in all areas and decision-making mechanisms,” she underlined.
Xod El Elî called on all women to work together for a better future.
Foza Yusif: Peace begins with dialogue and the recognition of all voices
Co-Chair of the Negotiation Committee for North and East Syria and Member of the Presidential Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Foza Yusif, criticized the current Syrian transitional government, whose draft constitution, she said, did not take sufficient account of women’s rights and excluded large sections of society.
“Peace based on violence is not peace. Peace begins with dialogue and the recognition of all voices—especially those of women,” said Yûsif and spoke out in favor of constitutional reform in the spirit of a “women’s constitution.”
Yûsif went on to refer to the role of the YPJ fighters, who carried out a “heroic defense of life” in the resistance against ISIS and warned that political participation was not a privilege but a fundamental right.
Yûsif also pointed to repression against female activists, journalists, and politicians, which originated from both “official” government forces and Islamist groups close to Damascus. At the same time, she called on the Syrian opposition to take a clear stand against foreign intervention and occupation.
“Today, we are writing the social contract of the future—and it begins with women. Without their freedom, any constitution remains empty. The experiences of North-East Syria show that a democratic Syria is possible through self-administration, equal rights, and a collective rejection of violence.”
Anahîd Qesabiyan: We will work shoulder to shoulder with women from other communities
Speaking on behalf of the Armenian Women’s Union, Anahîd Qesabiyan cited examples from the experiences of Armenian women who endured massacres and forced displacement. Stating that the suffering endured must be transformed into the building of peace and democracy, Anahîd Qesabiyan said, “We will work shoulder to shoulder with women from other communities for a democratic, multi-colored, and decentralized Syria that protects the honor of women and guarantees the rights of all peoples.”
Ebîr Selman: Abdullah Öcalan supported women’s liberation the most
Speaking on behalf of Alawite women, Dr. Ebîr Selman emphasized the importance of women’s movements and stated that Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan was the thinker who supported women’s liberation the most.
The conference continues with contributions from women from different communities.