ROJ HOZAN

Qamishlo – The Syrian Women’s Council carried out many significant projects in 2021 to empower women’s participation in politics, economy, social life, and NGOs. The council is an umbrella organization for the unity of Syrian women. Lina Berekat, coordinating member of the council, spoke to NuJINHA about their projects in 2021 and their plans for 2022. “Our main goal is to increase women’s participation in politics and in resolution talks for the Syrian crisis,” she told us.

“We made women’s voice heard all around the world”

Noting that the council supported women and made their voice heard all around the world in 2021, Lina Berekat said, “We held workshops to increase women’s participation in every part of life. We had stronger cooperation with women’s organizations both in Syria and other countries. We carried out a project with women’s organizations for women living in the al-Hol Refugee Camp. We tried to save the women and children who were under the influence of ISIS. We held a cultural workshop for women. We also held an international workshop in the Cizre Region. During the workshop, women shared their experiences and strengthened their solidarity with each other. We also carried out works on women’s laws. We held workshops on the Syrian Constitution, which should include women.”

Online meetings

Speaking about the activities and actions of the council, Lina Berekat said, “We worked with many women’s organizations of NE Syria. We attended the congress held by the Syrian National Assembly in Damascus. We held many meetings with the constitutional commission to discuss the constitution. We also attended the second Middle East Women's Conference held in Lebanon. We held a seminar at the conference. We supported the initiative combating violence against women. We held many online meetings with international women’s organizations. We were invited to the Brussels Conference on the Syrian crisis. We organized many activities and actions as part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. All activities we organized aimed to raise awareness of women about their rights and against gender-based violence.”

“2022 will be the year of solidarity”

Speaking about their plans for 2022, Lina Berekat said, “We want to hold the second congress of the council in 2022. We will strengthen our relations with women's organizations and female politicians. We have several programs to carry out in the al-Hol Refugee Camp. We have projects for refugee camps in Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. We will get in touch with women from other countries to make Syrian women’s voices heard more all around the world. We want to build strong women. We hope that 2022 will be the year of peace and solidarity in order to live together in a free Syria.”