Future of Syria: Women's participation is not an option
2023-06-09T11:30:00Z - 2023-06-09T15:00:00Z
Brussels, Belgium
Today, EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI) and Syria Gender Advocacy Group (GAG) co-organised a side-event in the run-up of the Brussels Conference on Syria and the region. EFI Co-President, Lilian Halls-French, introduced and moderated this event. She highlighted the importance of the role of Syrian women’s rights organisations in the discussion on the future of their country with a concrete and major objective: their consistent presence and role in all decision-making processes at all levels, from education to politics, from legislation to peace building and transition processes.
Christoffer Burnett-Cargill (Counsellor, Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden in Beirut, Embassy of Sweden in Damascus) gave the opening remarks: “It is more important than ever to hear women’s voices”, he said.
Members from Syria Gender Advocacy Group: Wejdan Nassif (Member, Syrian Feminist Lobby), Nour Burhan (Coordinator, I am She Network); Thuraya Hijazi (Executive Director, Release Me Organisation) conveyed strong messages to decision-makers: Syrian women’s rights organisations have a role to play in shaping the future of Syria in all fields of society.
Dimiter Chalev (Head of Office, UN Human Rights Office for Syria) gave the final remarks: “Despite all the challenges, Syrian women are indispensable in the effort of peacebuilding of Syria”.
This event is supported by the Swedish International Development Agency.