Syrian women are critical for democracy and peace

Syria is at a decisive moment! The fall of the Bashar al-Assad’s regime has created a critical moment and an opportunity for Syrians to build a future free from violence and oppression. A new social contract is right now being debated and laid out, which will be the foundation of the new society, and the cornerstone of the constitution on which the new state will be based.

Despite the committed horrific atrocities and persecution; civil society, women and feminist organisations and groups and women’s activists have relentlessly found ways to challenge the regime and not give up on Syria. Their contributions are vital in shaping a future based on equality, democracy, justice, and accountability.

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation stands in solidarity with them, saluting Syrian women and Syrian women’s rights, feminist, and human rights organisations tremendous work and leadership over the past decades. We also stand in solidarity with the broader Syrian civil society for their unwavering dedication and achievements.

During this transitional time, it is essential that the international community supports Syrian civil society, especially women rights organisations and women-led organisations. Their inclusion in all processes is critical for sustainable peace and democratic development.

To ensure justice for all of those who have and are suffering from the atrocities it is urgent to uncover the truth and hence to protect detention centers, preserve evidence, and provide support to victims, especially women and children. Efforts must also focus on fostering an inclusive, gender-sensitive justice process, activating UN Security Council Resolution 2254 reiterating that the only pathway to sustainable peace is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process and ensuring transparent national dialogue. Sustained, flexible funding and strengthened support for women rights and women-led organizations, groups and initiatives and independent media are vital to advancing equality and stability in Syria.

Kvinna till Kvinna has been in the MENA region for over two decades supporting and working in close partnership with women’s rights activists and organisations. We urge the international community to support the following priorities which underscore the commitment to rebuilding Syria on principles of equality, human rights, and inclusive participation for all its citizens:

Uncovering truth and supporting victims

• Protect detention centers and mass graves, preserve evidence, and provide financial, psychological, and legal support for families, focusing on women and children.
• Build an inclusive, victim-centered, gender-sensitive transitional justice process, ensuring equal participation of men and women.
• Syrian led and grounded awareness campaigns and visions for transitional justice, reconciliation and accountability.

Inclusive national dialogue and governance

• Activate UN Resolution 2254 and organise a national dialogue conference with transparent, representative participation.
• Ensure fair representation of all groups, including women, youth, and victims, with consultations at local and diaspora levels.
• Strengthen police security institutions to enhance public safety and civil peace.

Supporting civil society and local economy

• Provide sustainable support for civil society organizations to enhance their role in building peace and citizenship.
• Review international sanctions to reduce civilian impact while enabling civic action.
• Promote collective action and development by funding projects tied to transitional justice for economic stability.
• Increase funding and technical support for women-led organisations and initiatives that safeguard women journalists and WHRDs.
• Support independent media with a focus on ethical, inclusive, and gender-sensitive journalism.

Women’s participation and leadership

• Advocate for policies that ensure women’s participation in peacebuilding and transitional justice processes.
• Amplify women’s voices and sustain international attention to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Syria.
• Create a national debate on women’s role and their right to their own bodies and seek recognition of women worthy of full human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights and of equal representation.

Syrian organizations in transition

• Support local women’s and women-led organisations across Syria to ensure their ownership of the future—recognizing their long and persistent struggle for peace by providing flexible support and avoiding undue pressure through grants and partnerships with entities that lack deep contextual knowledge.

Funding and support initiatives

• Advocate for long-term, flexible funding to sustain women-led organisations and their core operations.
• Facilitate direct cash support to women-led groups in financially restricted contexts.
• Strengthen global feminist solidarity for resource sharing and advocacy.
• Invest in feminist mental health and psychosocial services as key recovery tools.

Protecting Freedom of Expression and Advancing Independent Media

• Strengthening Free and Independent Media that can support efforts to counter misinformation and ensure accurate, unbiased reporting.
• Promote ethical reporting and journalistic integrity in post-conflict and transitional contexts.
• Uphold freedom of expression as essential to democratic processes in Syria.

“Post-liberation Syria represents an opportunity for us Syrians to stand together—men and women—not just in rhetoric but in reality. The future of Syria can be shaped by women just as much as by men, across all social, political, economic, and scientific fields.” — Syrian Civil Activist

—The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation