During Women, Peace, and Security Week, the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, in cooperation with the Afghan Women’s Organization and Hope Window Foundation, organized an event titled “Gender and Peace Talks.” This event took place on October 23, 2024, at the European Union Mission in New York, with sponsorship from eight international missions: the European Union, Germany, Belgium, France, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Afghan speakers included Hassina Jalal, Mariam Safi, and Nejina Yari, while Syrian speakers included members of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, namely Alise Mofrej, Sabiha Khalil, and Hind Kabawat, with Arwa Damon facilitating the event.

The event aimed to amplify Afghan and Syrian women’s voices, advocate for their increased involvement in peace processes, and combat gender-based oppression. It underscored the need for international support to end the exclusion of women from decision-making processes, highlighting the crucial roles of female activists and politicians in peace and leadership across both countries.

The speakers discussed the escalating limitations on women’s political participation worldwide, particularly the intense gender-based oppression in Afghanistan, and the Syrian women’s resistance to various oppressive regimes in Syria. Afghan women are deprived of basic rights and systematically excluded from public life, while Syrian women demand a greater role in peace talks and political decision-making spaces.

Alice Mufrej, a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, stated, “We are a unique feminist political movement in the Middle East, uniting women politicians from diverse political backgrounds. What binds us is our desire for a political solution based on international resolutions, and we approach political transition with a gender-sensitive perspective that addresses Syrian issues.” She added, “Our priorities today, in discussing women’s participation, are to confront the reality that a comprehensive ceasefire is needed in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. We seek the safe return of displaced persons and refugees to their original homes and the delivery of urgent aid, as the right to life is paramount. We also continually advocate for the plight of detainees, as this is a priority; women’s suffering is doubled both in detention and for their families enduring the ongoing hardship.” She emphasized, “While we pursue a synchronized political path, our ultimate goal remains a comprehensive political solution.”

During Women, Peace, and Security Week, the delegation from the Syrian Women’s Political Movement met with a number of international ambassadors and envoys. The delegation members included Alise Mofrej, Sabiha Khalil, Samira Zair, Lina Wafai, Mariam Jalabi, and Hind Kabawat.

(Photo: SWPM delegation with Canada’s Women, Peace, and Security Ambassador, Jacqueline O’Neill)

On the first day of the visit, Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the delegation met with Canada’s Women, Peace, and Security Ambassador Jacqueline O’Neill and Iraqi Deputy Ambassador Abbas Obaid Al-Fatlawi.

(Photo: SWPM delegation with netherlands Deputy Ambassador Bahia Tahzib-Lie)

On the second day, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the delegation met with Netherlands Deputy Ambassador Bahia Tahzib-Lie, Sophie Dikar from The Hague, who oversees Middle Eastern Affairs, and Muriel Matab from the Dutch Mission in New York.

(Photo: SWPM delegation with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen)

On the third and final day, Thursday, October 24, 2024, the delegation met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, Hend Abdel Ghani from the UN Secretary-General’s Office, Amanda Roberts from the Office of Political Affairs, and Gal, the Director of the Special Envoy’s Office. The delegation also met with Norway’s Women, Peace, and Security Ambassador, Signe Gylin, along with Anne Hvan and Siri Birkeland  from the Norwegian delegation, focusing on Syria’s political and humanitarian issues. Another meeting with Slovenia’s Deputy Ambassador Ondina Blokar-Drovič was held.

(Photo: SWPM delegation with Denmark’s Ambassador Kristina Lassen)

Further meetings on the final day included discussions with Seema Saleem, Head of Human Rights and Women, Peace, and Security at Pakistan’s Mission, and Denmark’s Ambassador Kristina Lassen. The delegation met with Khaled Khairy, Assistant Deputy Secretary-General for Middle Eastern Political Affairs, at the United Nations. In their last meeting, the delegation met with U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea.

(Photo: SWPM delegation meeting with U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea)

Throughout these meetings, the delegation introduced the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, its key programs, and initiatives to convey Syrian women’s voices to international decision-makers. They emphasised significant issues concerning Syria and the impact of recent regional developments on Syrian civilians and neighbouring countries. The delegation advocated for advancing the political process to achieve a solution in line with Resolution 2254, asserting that a military solution is not viable, and that only a political solution can end Syria’s conflict. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of Syrian women’s roles in all stages of the political process and underscored the need for women to be recognized as politicians and decision-makers.