A year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, women have won only six of the 119 seats in the newly elected Syrian Parliament. Founded by activists abroad in 2017, during the civil war, the “Feminist Political Movement” promises to fight for change.
Dentist Angela Khoury, who remained in the country during the conflict, applied unsuccessfully for one of the vacant positions. “The presence of women was accepted. But, in a way, rejected at the same time. Women were on the electoral lists, but men did not vote for them,” explains Khoury.
Since Assad’s fall, dozens of women have been kidnapped amid sectarian clashes. Feminist Mozna Duraid says the country is going through a phase in which there is almost “hostility” towards female participation.
For the activist, we must “strengthen the instruments” of protection: “We are in a period of transition, and periods of transition are difficult, chaotic and fragile.” DW’s Rama Jarmakani reports from Damascus.
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