Recognizing the pivotal role women can play in shaping Syria’s political landscape and acknowledging the historical underrepresentation of women in this realm, we conducted a sequence of training workshops.
In Northern Syria, our first training session within this empowerment program aimed to equip women with the legal knowledge essential for their active engagement in political life. The sessions covered fundamental concepts related to human rights, an overview of international humanitarian law, and the introduction of accountability mechanisms specific to the Syrian context.
The training sessions provided a platform for women to enhance their critical thinking abilities and to discuss how to translate human rights principles into the fabric of social, economic, cultural, and political reality. This interactive environment encouraged participants to generate recommendations and innovative ideas aimed at reducing violations related to international humanitarian law and human rights.
From a practical perspective, the training also emphasized the importance of applying human rights standards during investigative interviews, understanding procedural safeguards to prevent torture and ill-treatment, and best practices for treating survivors and the families of missing persons.
In Turkey, the participants embarked on a similar journey, beginning with a legal perspective on human rights, their different types, and their interconnectedness. The training covered the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), aiming to eradicate gender inequality. It proceeded with the exploration of concepts related to gender, equality, and women’s rights, focusing on the notion of equality, the elimination of discrimination, and the pressing issue of addressing gender-based violence.
The trainees delved into the intricacies of political participation, its various levels, and its profound significance. They also delved into the historical context of Syrian women’s political involvement. Importantly, the training sessions addressed the obstacles hindering women’s broader participation in the political arena and encouraged participants to devise strategies for increasing women’s presence in key decision-making positions within Syria.
