Hundreds tell the UN that women must be the driving force of new Syria

More than 335 feminist leaders, lawyers, humanitarians, artists and Syrian citizens sent an open letter to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations today, urging the UN to act and ensure Syria’s people “be served by an inclusive government that stands for civic liberty and democracy”.

Amidst anger that the UN is failing again to include Syrian women in key discussions about the future of the country and due to the deeply worrying absence of women in the HTS-appointed governing body, hundreds have signed a letter calling for fair and transparent governance.

“Syrian women and our allies have been pivotal in upholding our vision for a free, dignified and democratic future for Syria and ensuring that a strong powerful civil society holds authorities and the international community to account for over a decade of violations,” says the letter.

“We have a small window now to do this right. There is a rare opportunity to truly represent Syrians in all our diversity. This will require including representatives from all communities in the discussions about Syria’s future. We all know that the route forward cannot be held by armed groups or foreign powers.”

Signatories include Syrian feminist legal advisor Joumana Seif, Syrian writer Rasha Omran, Syrian actor and activist Fares Helou, Syrian feminist leader Ghalia Rahhal, alongside English actress Lena Heady.

Read the full letter here.

Note: Syria has been a member of the United Nations since 1945, and pursuant to Decree-Law No. 330 of 25 September 2002, the Syrian Arab Republic ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).