NAGHAM JAJAN

Qamishlo_A group or women Lawyers in the city of Qamishlo, Rojava, founded the “Khatwat Al-Nisa” (Wonen’s Steps) Associationin 2025, driven by their belief in the importance of women’s awareness of their rights and defending them. The association seeks to provide a safe space for women, a platform to protect their rights, and a path to strengthen their presence and role in society.

The founding of “Khatwat Al-Nisa” came in response to the need to spread legal and rights awareness, support women in facing problems that hinder their access to rights, and work toward developing a culture based ON justice, equality, and respect for human dignity.

Regarding the association's objectives, activities, and work, its president, Shukriya Youssef, said: "The association is women-only, social, legal, voluntary, and independent."

Explaining the reasons behind choosing the name "Khatwat Al-Nisa" (Women's Steps), she said: "We chose this name to be linked to women and progress. We are moving toward a new Syria after 15 years of the Rojava revolution, so that we can take steps toward women's rights in a new and democratic Syria."

Shukriya Youssef explained that as lawyers, they work continuously for women's rights and presence. "We meet often to discuss the situation women are living in and how far their conditions have progressed. Since we are part of this society, we feel its pain and rejoice in its successes. For this reason, we have always focused in our meetings on women's rights and presence. And since we are going through radical changes, there was a need for such an association."

She considered that Rojava's women have established a political and organizational model, and therefore "our mission as lawyers is to enable women in all regions of Syria to benefit from this model."

She added: "Our goals in this association are divided into two parts: one concerns women, and the other concerns the law. We want women to be strong and confident, and for that, they must reach the highest level of awareness of their rights."

At the same time, lawyer Shukriya Youssef affirms that the goal is to "spread community awareness. Our fundamental goal is for all components living in Syria to live in peace and stability. Therefore, every person should consider themselves responsible for serving this country. Since we are a legal association, one of our goals is to work toward incorporating social justice and transitional justice into the Syrian constitution and their application in society."

Legal and Rights Support for Every Woman Subjected to Violence

Shukriya Youssef affirmed that awareness campaigns must reach villages. "Half of this association's work concerns women, and the other half concerns society, because women represent half of society, and they also nurture the other half. We can provide legal awareness to women, and we will also defend through the law the right of every woman subjected to violence." She noted that "a few months ago, we organized awareness campaigns in villages and met many women who had been subjected to various forms of torture and violence, and they did not know that the law could protect their rights."

Supporting Recent Graduates

Shukriya Youssef highlighted the role of women in laws. "Many women did not know they had a right to inheritance. That's why we highlighted this issue during awareness campaigns."

She affirmed that the "Khatwat Al-Nisa" Association is open to women, particularly recently graduated women lawyers, to enable them to practice the profession. It is open to every woman lawyer who wishes to develop herself, enhance her capabilities, and increase her knowledge of the laws. "We want to build equality in rights and duties."

The Association's Demands

The association's demands, according to President Shukriya Youssef, include facilitating the opening of offices for the association in all regions of Syria. "There are many obstacles in our society. We are working on opening association offices in all regions of Syria. It is necessary for the Syrian people in general to know the value of women's rights."