A conference held on Saturday in Qamishli (Qamişlo), North and East Syria, highlighted the urgent need for a women’s rights charter to secure the roles of women in Syria’s emerging political system. The Rojava Kurdish Unity and Common Stance Conference, attended by 400 delegates from Kurdish regions in Syria, Iraq and Turkey, built on prior efforts to foster Kurdish political unity and advocate for a decentralised, democratic Syria.
The Syria Future Party’s Sîham Dawûd stressed the need for a women’s charter, stating, “A women’s agreement is vital to ensure women’s participation in state institutions and establish co-presidency systems.” She pointed out that the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), a Kurdish-led governance system, provides a model for women’s leadership, which should influence Syria’s new political framework. Dawûd also called for a “women’s network” to strengthen women’s roles across Syria, noting that the cabinet of the Syrian interim government includes only one woman.
The conference addressed the broader need for inclusive governance, rejecting centralised models in favour of a federal or decentralised system that protects the rights of all ethnic and religious groups. “The conference showed an ethical, inclusive society is achievable,” said Dawûd, referring to discussions on safeguarding the rights of diverse communities.
The event follows the fall of Syria’s Baath regime on 8 December 2024, which created both opportunities and challenges for Kurds. The new government, led by the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has excluded the AANES from national dialogue, prompting Kurdish leaders to push for constitutional guarantees. The AANES, established in 2012, governs a multi-ethnic region of Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians, serving as a blueprint for the vision of the conference.
Evîn Siwêd, co-chair of the AANES Executive Council, highighted the role of the conference in unifying Kurds. “This conference strengthens Kurdish unity, crucial for securing our gains in Syria’s future,” she stated, saying that the outcomes of the event pave the way for a Kurdish National Congress.
The conference also recognised the sacrifices of over 13,000 fighters in Syria’s conflict, invoking the spirit of the Kobanê Resistance. By prioritising women’s rights and inclusive governance, delegates aim to shape a democratic Syria during the country’s ongoing transition.
