RÎM MIHEMED

Raqqa- The changes and developments in recent years pave the way for Arab states to take constructive measures in order to increase women’s participation in their justice systems. While women have taken part in all spheres of life in North and East Syria after the revolution, some works have been carried out to increase women’s participation particularly in the judiciary system. Women judges play an important role in the fight against gender-based violence by ruling landmark decisions in gender-based violence cases.

She learned legal gaps

“Everything should not be controlled by men,” Xedîce El-Bedawî, a human rights defender in the city of Raqqa, said that women and men should be equal in every sphere of life. “I studied law and learned the history of Syrian law. The legal system of the Ottoman Empire was foundational to the Syrian legal system. I also studied the Personal status laws in Egypt during my four-year education at university and I learned the legal gaps in Syrian laws.”

Indicating that her parents did not want her to study law, Xedîce El-Bedawî said, “They just told me to study at the institute for two years or study in comfortable departments like literature and art because they were afraid of the department of law.” Xedîce El-Bedawî also stated that after the revolution in Rojava, their society has become more conscious thanks to the works of women. “The years under the control of ISIS were dark years because women were deprived of their rights. But today, I hold an important position that has not been held by women in many countries. The Autonomous Administration project encourages women to achieve women's rights and to participate in every part of life and administration.”

The social contract was written by women

Emphasizing that the percentage of women’s participation in the NE Syrian legislative assemblies is 50%, Xedîce El-Bedawî said, “The legislative assemblies make decisions. There is a social contract and the presence of women in this contract is very high. The Social contract includes many articles finding solutions to the problems faced by women. This contract was written by women and it supported and will support women.” Drawing attention to the role of women's organizations in the judiciary system, she said that women’s organizations have been carrying out awareness-raising activities and campaigns about women’s rights.”

Call on women: Participate in every sphere of life

Underlining that the colonial states see the youth and women as weak and therefore target them, Xedîce El-Bedewî pointed out that when women get weaker, a weak generation is created. Emphasizing that all women in northeastern Syria, particularly Arab women, should be role models for the women all around the world, Xedîce El-Bedewî said, “Always work together and participate in every sphere of life.”