The Syrian Women’s Political Movement held an event on the sidelines of the Eighth Brussels Conference titled “Syrian Women’s Perspectives on the Future Shape of the Syrian State: Challenges and Aspirations” on Monday, April 29, 2024.

The event was officially included as an aside event of the conference. It was attended by individuals and stakeholders from the Syrian and international communities, as well as diplomatic and political entities. The session was moderated by Hind Kabawat, a founding member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, with speakers including founding members of the movement and members of the National Consultation team: Sabiha Khalil, Wejdan Nassif, and Rwaida Kanaan.

This event served as the launch for two new policy papers focusing on Syrian women’s perspectives on the future of the Syrian state and on the relationship between the state and religion, as well as between the centre and the periphery, titled:

– “Syrian Women’s Perspective on the Relationship between the State and Religion: Challenges and Aspirations”

– “The Shape of the Syrian State and Syrian Women’s Vision of the Relationship between the Center and the Periphery.”

These papers result from intensive consultations within the National Consultation program with diverse groups of Syrian women across the country throughout 2023. They aim to identify the key priorities and challenges faced by Syrian women, as well as to explore their perspectives and aspirations for the future shape of Syria.

The session began with an introduction to the National Consultation program, with speakers primarily highlighting the perspectives of Syrian women who participated in the program, focusing on their recommendations outlined in the papers regarding the future of the Syrian state. The main topics addressed during the event included:

– The relationship between the state and religion, with discussions on the challenges and aspirations of Syrian women.

– The relationship between the central government and regional areas (the periphery), with a focus on decentralization and local governance.

– Aspirations for the shape of a future Syrian state that aligns with the needs and rights of women.

This was followed by an open Q&A session where attendees had the opportunity to interact with the speakers and ask questions about the topics discussed. The session concluded with a reception providing further opportunity for interaction and communication among attendees in the event’s themes.

To attend the event via YouTube, click