Qamishlo – Participants affirmed the importance of the political and social role of women and the necessity of activating their constitutional rights as a fundamental condition for building a democratic and just future in Syria, in addition to ensuring women's participation in decision-making.

The Star Congress held a conference today, Tuesday, March 17, under the slogan "Together to Guarantee Women's Rights in the Syrian Constitution," in a step that reflects the steadfast determination and will of women in Rojava, aiming to affirm women's role and status in shaping a constitutional future that establishes the principles of justice and equality.

The conference witnessed a wide attendance of Star Congress members, alongside representatives from various women's institutions, local councils concerned with women's rights, and the Women's Protection Forces. With participation from different community components, it included 400 women. The Women's Protection Forces also took part, reflecting the unity of women's ranks and the integration of their roles between civil, political, and military work. It affirmed that the women's issue has become a unifying cause for all components without exception, making it a vital platform to unify women's voices and demand the protection of their rights from any marginalization or violation.

The conference opened with an introductory speech delivered by the Spokesperson for the Star Congress, Rihan Louqo, in which she commemorated the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom and democracy, and hailed the will of women and their ongoing struggle to gain their rights. She affirmed that women's struggle in Rojava was not merely a transitional phase but an extension of a long history of resistance and sacrifices, and that women today continue this path with determination and resolve to enforce their rights in all fields: "The gains achieved did not come easily, but were the fruit of a long struggle, which necessitates protecting and strengthening them in any upcoming constitutional process."

The conference includes two main sessions discussing four fundamental axes that highlight the dimensions of the women's issue and their role in building society. The first axis is dedicated to the political aspect, where Janda Mohammed will present an intervention on the role of women in political life, the mechanisms for their effective participation in shaping the constitution and decision-making, in addition to the challenges they face and ways to overcome them.

The second axis is presented by Georgette Barsoum, official of the Syriac Union Party, and addresses the role of community components and the importance of partnership in guaranteeing women's rights, emphasizing the necessity of representing all components in the political and constitutional process to achieve the principles of justice and equality.

The third axis, presented by Sarya Afrin, leader in the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) and official of the Women's Protection Forces, focuses on the role of women in the defense and military field, and how they have managed to prove their presence as an active force in protecting society and defending its gains, alongside highlighting the importance of this role in consolidating women's position in various fields of life.

The fourth axis, presented by Fawza Yusuf, member of the Presidential Body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), addresses the topic of integration, shedding light on the importance of enhancing social cohesion and the role of women in building a democratic, pluralistic society based on coexistence, in addition to presenting practical visions and proposals to ensure the explicit inclusion of women's rights in the Syrian constitution.

The conference will include a series of discussions focusing on guaranteeing women's political, social, and legal rights, reviewing practical experiences of women's institutions and councils in supporting and empowering women, in addition to developing practical proposals to clearly ensure women's rights in the Syrian constitution, reflecting women's aspirations and will to build a just democratic system.

The convening of the conference comes amidst ongoing attempts by the Syrian regime to limit women's participation in political and social life and prevent them from contributing effectively to decision-making, making this initiative more important and strategic than ever. Organizing and launching the conference with this strength reflects women's determination and resolve to confront all policies aimed at marginalizing them or reducing their role in society, and affirms that women today no longer accept being on the sidelines of the scene but rather seek to be at its core and the maker of its decisions.

The conference affirms that the women in Rojava will not only demand rights but will continue to provide practical models of leadership and participation, adhere to their constitutional and social rights, and demonstrate their ability to influence all aspects of political life.

The convening of the conference also emphasizes that women's commitment to equality and justice is no longer a theoretical slogan but has become a tangible reality embodied in practical steps and effective initiatives, placing their rights at the core of any constitutional process or political reform. It constitutes a clear message to the regime and all concerned parties that women's voices will not be silenced, that women will not back down from defending their gains and protecting their rights from any attempt at violation or neglect, and that any project for the future of Syria cannot succeed without the active and fundamental participation of women.