Initiative to Promote Women’s Participation in Decision-Making

Who We Are

We are a group of Syrian entities and organizations, activists and actors from civil, political, legal/human rights, community, and media backgrounds, united by our belief in the principle of equal citizenship as the foundation for building a state based on genuine participation and inclusive pluralism, free from marginalization and discrimination.

General Objective

This initiative aims to enhance women’s participation in decision-making roles, especially during the transitional phase. Specifically, it seeks to guarantee at least 30% representation of women in state institutions and all relevant bodies and entities. The initiative also aims to build a strong advocacy coalition through awareness campaigns, media pressure, networking with political actors, and leveraging existing tools and relationships to reach this goal.

Direct Objective

The People’s Assembly, or legislative council, is a key pillar in shaping the political and legislative life of any country. Its importance is even greater in transitional contexts, such as Syria, where the need for representative institutions that reflect societal diversity and address people’s priorities is especially urgent. As a legislative and oversight body, the Assembly’s role extends beyond drafting laws; it also serves as a platform for expressing the hopes of all segments of society and helps promote justice, accountability, and inclusive participation.

In this context, representing women and marginalized groups in the People’s Assembly is crucial, not only from a rights-based and equality perspective but also to ensure the Assembly’s effectiveness and ability to legislate fairly. Excluding women or settling for token representation leads to the marginalization of a significant part of society, weakens political life, and undermines the legitimacy of institutions and their decisions. Syrian women, who have lived through war, displacement, and violations, offer essential perspectives for shaping the country’s future, drafting laws, and contributing to peacebuilding efforts.

Therefore, this initiative aims to increase women’s participation by at least 30% in the upcoming People’s Assembly. It also advocates for the adoption of transparent, fair, and inclusive criteria in the nomination and selection of council and committee members, ensuring genuine representation of women that reflects their diversity, expertise, and needs.

Demands and Recommendations

We, the undersigned entities, organizations, and individuals involved in this initiative, urge the following:

1. Transparency

• The process of forming the People’s Assembly must be clear and transparent, with official statements from the relevant authorities outlining the steps taken and the criteria used to select committees and Assembly members.

2. Participation Quota

• Women must make up at least 30% of all committees involved in the process, as well as the People’s Assembly itself.

3- Selection Criteria

• Women should be included on committees that select representatives from each region. They should be residents of the region and have a thorough understanding of its challenges and needs.
• Representation in the People’s Assembly, especially for women, must reflect the political, social, religious, sectarian, ethnic, and regional diversity of Syrian society. It should encompass all intellectual and political perspectives, based on the principle that everyone has the right to participate in decision-making.
• Ensure the representation of women survivors of detention, victims of violations, and families of victims and missing persons.
• Representation should include women who explicitly support the values of equality and justice.

Signatories

1. Media for women
2. The Syrian Women’s Political Movement
3. Syrian Forum
4. The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO)
5. Hauran Women’s Gathering
6. Dawlaty
7. Snack Syrian
8. Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)
9. Akhbarna Network
10. Syrian Women’s Network
11. Peace She-Leaders Network
12. Change Makers
13. Blue Team
14. El Warsha Team
15. A Amal Initiative
16. Center for Equal Citizenship
17. ADAD Center
18. Omran Center for Strategic Studies
19. Shams Cultural and Legal Forum
20. Justice for Life (JFL)
21. ORCID Organization
22. Shams Organisation
23. Mosawat Organization
24. Citizens for Syria
25. Mauj
26. The Day After
27. Taa Mabsouta
28. Hayat Institution
29. Midmak
30. Local Awareness and Community Unity (LACU)
31. Women Support Unit