Syria : The struggle for gender equality in a post-Assad era

Following the fall of the al-Assad regime, a new transitional government has been formed, and Aïcha al-Debs is the only female voice in it. She has been appointed as the president of the Women's Affairs Office in Damascus. While she has expressed her commitment to establishing a model tailored to Syrian society, emphasizing that it is Syrian women who will bring this vision to life, she also stressed that all Syrian women are equal. However, she urged women "not to override the priorities of their God-given nature," particularly their "educational role within the family," remarks which sparked strong reactions.

Some feminist organizations, such as Kongra Star, have raised concerns about the methods used by HTS (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) in the Idlib region, where the group has held control for approximately 10 years. The organization noted that "women could be targeted in public for criticism of their dress and appearance."

Moreover, several women have testified that the political and social realities have shifted since the arrival of the new government. While there is no legal mandate to wear the veil, posters in Homs are advising female students to wear the full veil and avoid wearing perfume. Additionally, the new government has removed certain scientific content, arguing that it "clashes with religion," and has eliminated subjects such as philosophy and sculpture. Historical figures like Nazik Al-Abid, a 19th-century Syrian feminist, have also been removed from teaching materials.

Sources : Capire, L’Orient-Le-Jour, Kongra Star, The Conversation