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Khadija Nasr Mansour holds a law degree from Damascus University and has been practicing law for twenty-five years. She lives in the city of Tartus, where she moved before 2011 and has remained ever since. Khadija is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Khadija was not detached from engaging in the Syrian revolution,…

Nour Salam, a human rights activist and defender of women’s rights, from AL-Sweida Governorate. Nour was born in Damascus in 1990, has a degree in French literature from the University of Damascus, where her studies were part of her journey in seeking knowledge and change. She moved to live in As-Suwayda in 2013 and previously…

Amal Naem, a lawyer and passionate feminist activist, graduated with a law degree from Damascus University. She is actively involved in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement and the Syrian Democratic Alliance, serving as the political committee coordinator. Currently residing in the Netherlands, Amal originates from the Syrian city of As-Suwayda, where she cherished her dreams…

  Wassim Hassan, a consulting civil engineer born in 1964 in the Rukn al-Din neighborhood of Damascus, worked as a partner and executive director of the East Engineering Consulting Company in Damascus. He joined the civil political movement ‘Mwatana’ since its establishment in 2011, volunteering in the fields of media and culture as the director…

  Hanan (full name not mentioned for security reasons) is a lawyer from the city of Damascus who studied law and specializes in international law. She resides in Damascus and has never left it even after the start of the Syrian revolution. She is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Hanan says, “I…

Samiha Nader holds a degree in education and psychology, specializing in early childhood education and speech therapy for individuals with special needs. She joined the Communist Party in 1986 and currently resides in Germany. Samiha  talks about the city of Homs, a city she became attached to after her marriage, considering it her stable home.…

  Wadha Alothman has a degree in Mathematics from the Faculty of Science, Aleppo University. A former member of the admin team at Al-Nour Private School in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, she is currently the Manager of Rifkan, a women’s organization focusing on training, especially in the field of women’s empowerment. She also works…

“My mother Houriya told me that giving birth to me was easy, and that I was a quiet baby, hence my name Rowaida, which means calmness and tenderness. But I was an angry teenager most of the time because I always felt that my dignity was being infringed upon. I love watching football and I…

  Hala Alnaser comes from the city of Raqqa. Currently working as a researcher in oral history, she resides in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. She is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Born in Raqqa, which she describes as ‘the crown jewel of the Euphrates River’, Hala carries a huge reservoir of…

  Ghaythaa Asaad Dali is a trainer in socio-psychological support and mental health at Tastakel organization, facilitator and member of the General Committee of Darb organization, member of the network of Refugee Network in MENA, and a recognized trainer with the Swedish Board for Sustainable Development. She has been active in the field of women’s…

  Kibriya Al-Saour has a Bachelor’s degree and a PG Diploma in Sociology from the Faculty of Humanities, Damascus University. Between the years 1993–2014, she worked at the Ministry of Education, Educational Research Unit, and as a social counsellor. “I was always obsessed with spreading a new culture in education based on respect for learners…

Born in the countryside of the city of Salamiya, in the Governorate of Hama, Sahar Hawija lived in Salamiya until she finished secondary school. In the 1980s, she moved to Damascus to study and work. She settled in the Taqaddum neighborhood, which is adjacent to the Yarmouk Camp. The area where she settled was a…

Hiyam Al-Shairout was born in the city of Ma‘arrat al-Nu‘man in Idlib. She is a graduate of Arabic Literature from Damascus University. She also studied Education and Psychology at Vestfold University, Norway. Having finished her studies in Religion as well as family education for newcomers to Norway, she currently teaches Arabic and Norwegian. She is…

Nibal Zeitouneh was born in 1962 in the city of Suwayda in southern Syria, and has been living in Vienna, Austria since 2018. She holds a BA in Arabic from the Faculty of Letter, Damascus University. Her career covered various jobs like working at the Arab Encyclopaedia project as an editor, and at the Archeological…

Born in Damascus, Amal Al-Salamat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Damascus University. She was internally displaced several times before moving to Turkey where she currently lives. For seven years, she worked as a social adviser in secondary schools. Amal considers this job her greatest career achievement as it allowed her to be in…

Born in the city of Rastan near Homs, Hiba Saadeddine studied at the Faculty of Education to become a class teacher. After graduation, she worked as a primary school teacher in Key Stage 1.  In 2018, she left the Northern Countryside of Homs in the mass exodus of forced displacement. She lived in several areas…

Nidal Joujak graduated with a BA in English Literature from Aleppo University, after which she worked as an English language teacher for many years in Aleppo. Nidal currently lives in Finland where she works part-time in a primary school. She is also the manager of a women’s organization focusing on the Kurdish language and on…

Born in the city of Saraqib in the eastern countryside of Idlib, Ghada Abdullah Bakeer studied Social Counselling at the International University in Ma‘arat Al-Nu‘man in Idlib, then pursued a career in teaching. Currently living in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. Ghada started off the interview by remembering Saraqib, her home town. “What connects me…

Maisaa Al-Mahmoud was born and raised in the city of Aleppo. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Education, specialising as a class teacher, she worked as a teacher in Aleppo. Before the Syrian revolution in 2011, her life was focused on her family, she says. Her contact with the outside world was…

Thuraya Hejazi is from Damascus countryside (Rif Dimashq) and lives in France. She holds a master’s degree in finance management, and currently works with several organizations as an economic consultant and a project coordinator. She is a member of the Syrian Women Political Movement. Thuraya is from Damascus countryside (Rif Dimashq). She moved to France…

Abeer Hussein lived in the city of Damascus until 2015 when she moved to live in the countryside of Aleppo. She holds a master’s degree in Political Thought and is a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science in the Liberated Aleppo University. She holds three “Train the Trainer” certificates from UN organizations which qualified…

Alia Ahmad was born in the western countryside of Aleppo. She studied economics in Aleppo University and got her diploma in computer sciences. She worked in the banking sector and in export and import in Aleppo. After the eruption of the Syrian revolution in 2011, she got involved in humanitarian assistance. Right now, she works…

A large part of Syrians has been absented from continuing the causes they believe in because of hard living conditions imposed upon them. We cannot give up now, we want to work for each other and to empower and support those who need to continue.

I dream of an institution-based country which respects all citizens, a country ruled only by law.

Osama Aghi comes from the city of Deir Ezzor. He studied at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering in Aleppo University. Currently living in Turkey, he is active in the field of media and is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement.   Originally from the city of Deir Ezzor, Osama Aghi studied at the…

Despite being far away from the people protesting on the streets of Syria, I felt empowered by them.

Born in Aleppo, Suzan Khawatmi is a Syrian writer and journalist who previously worked in Kuwaiti newspapers and currently lives in Turkey. She is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. In addition to Suzan Khawatmi’s membership in the SWPM, she is also a member of the executive committee of the Syrian Writers Association,…

I hope that the SWPM will pay attention to Kurdish women who have suffered multiple persecutions because they are women first and Kurds second.

Shams Antar from Al-Qamishli, BA in Education, a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, worked in teaching, now is devoted to creative writing and journalism. Shams Antar was born in the city of Amouda and lived in the city of Al-Qamishli for more than 25 years. She studied in teachers the institute in Al-Qamishli,…

I dream of a free and secure Syria, when the country is free, the result will be a safe and stable life.

Dalal Al-Bish, born in Jabel Al Zawiya, Idlib, founder of “Zumurdah Centre” women empowerment and childcare centre and a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Dalal began her career as a hairstylist in Damascus where she lived in 2004. “Since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, my family and I decided to go back…

Mayada Qaddour, is from Saraqeb in Idlib. She holds a degree in English Literature from Aleppo University. She worked as a teacher before and during the revolution. Currently, she has a capacity building center, and she is a member of SWPM. Mayada says that because Saraqeb was a conservative community, she didn’t take part in…

Fatima Hamid, from Ma`rat al-Numan, Idlib, lives in Turkey. She holds a BA in Arabic from the University of Aleppo, active and advocate for women against gender-based violence. Member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Fatima says, I recently moved to Turkey, I was living in the town of Kfaruma until recently. I taught and…

To continue defending our revolution and our cause, the Syrian people must have the will and determination and work hand in hand again.

I dream of a free Syria for all Syrians, all segments of society, all religions and sects, Syria of Citizenship, I hope that one day every Syrian will feel that Syria is his/ her homeland.

Frial Hussein was born in Latakia, residing now in Germany, graduated from the Teachers’ academy and worked as a teacher for the primary stage, in addition to her interest in political and social work. Frial is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Frial worked as an elementary school teacher after graduating from the…

The political representation for women should rise from 30% to 50%, and overcome obstacles for Syrians to run for any political position, starting with the presidency of the republic.

Anas Tello, from Damascus, studied architecture at the University of Damascus and is currently completing a master’s degree in Beirut, a member of the Syrian Woman’s Political Movement, and he works with Women Now for Development. After finishing architecture, Anas chose to study a master’s degree in Beirut with a specialization called (city socio-anthropology) or…

Joining the Movement happened due to my belief in this political body led by women with the participation of supportive men.

If we agree to go back to the main demand of the revolution, which was Freedom, we would achieve all our goals. All practices and demands that will help improve our situation as Syrians revolve around this key concept.

Mona Bakkoor is from Idlib. She is a journalist working for Watan FM radio and Start Point organization. She is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement.   Mona Bakkoor was born in Idlib in northern Syria. During her school years, she moved between the cities of Tabqa and Deir Ezzor. She currently resides…

All civil and political institutions should unify their efforts to communicate a unified Syrian civil voice, continue to put pressure on the international community and push for the implementation of the demands of the revolution since its eruption.

Dima al-Sayed is originally from Homs; she was born in Damascus and she is a graduate of the Institute of Musical Education. She left Syria in 2012 and stayed in Turkey. She works as a journalist and correspondent, interested in women issues and a member of SWPM. Dima was involved early in the revolution by…

It is a necessary condition for correcting the path of the Syrian political opposition is to return to the basic principles of the revolution.

Malek Alhafez was born in Damascus and he currently lives in Amman, Jordan. With an MA in Media, he specializes in political journalism and Middle East studies. He is currently a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement. Malek Alhafez was born in Damascus and he currently lives in Amman, Jordan. With an MA in…

Political performance without fair female representation is imperfect, and its outcome will inevitably be imperfect.

Yakeen Bido, known as Mirna al-Hassan, from Idlib, is a freelance journalist and member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement.   Yakeen Bido is known as Mirna al-Hassan and this became the name she is known with over media outlets, and the name she introduces herself with. She was born in the city of Idlib.…

Nivin al-Hotary comes from Eastern Ghouta, in Damascus Countryside. She was forcibly displaced to the northern countryside of Aleppo. She studied and practiced Business Management before becoming the chair of the board in the Women Empowerment and Support Unit. She is a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement.   Nivin al-Hotary studied Business Management…

It gives me great pleasure and I feel really accomplished to see women being active in society, especially because I have interacted with these women and contributed to their support and empowerment.

Until very recently, it was socially-unacceptable for a woman to express her political views or show an interest in studying something like political science.

Doured Jabbour is from Latakia city. He studied medicine and graduated from Cuba. He worked for 27 years as a gynecologist in Syria. He moved to Sweden in 2015 and he is a member of SWPM. One of the people who declared their position in Latakia early in 2011, Doured hosted in his house in…

I joined SWPM because I believed in its goals and principles, and because it could represent a party that is missing from the political arena in Syria, especially on the opposition side.

The presence of politically well-versed, educated and ambitious women in SWPM motivated me to be among them.

No one other than Syrians will change the reality of Syria, therefore we need to continue defending our goals and principles that we stand for.

Yasser was born in Chicago in the United States of America, but he had gone to Syria and studied up till the high school, then he returned to the USA to continue his university studies there. He worked after graduation in a non-profit organization that works on migrants’ affairs in the USA. He focused in…

At the beginning of the revolution in 2011, Ziva was still a university student. She says that her participation in the beginning was limited because she was a transgender activist, so she was subject to harassment by her community, in addition to the military and security suppression because of her gender identity. She says that…

Qutaiba believes his contribution to the revolution began in 2003, when he used to distribute weekly essays and pamphlets in his area in Damascus, and to commercial shops owners. Those essays and pamphlets were written by Syrian writers addressing specific issues and incidents related to Syria and the region because he wanted people to interact…

I found in SWPM a reflection of my ambitions and goals as a Syrian woman and it is a nucleus of change for the future of Syrian women in general.

Ghalia participation in the revolution started with relief work; she used to go to the cities of al-Thawra and Raqqa after coordinating and communicating with activists there, to bring medicines. After the regime and its militia set up checkpoints in the area and it became difficult for activists to go to Raqqa in order to get medicines, because…

Since the very beginning of the revolution, Saba, with a group of pharmacists, doctors and university students, formed what they called the national gathering of youths and intellectuals. It staged and participated in demonstrations and sit-ins that took place at the beginning of the revolution. The gathering organized a campaign to support Homs when it…

Samira Zair left Syria in 1990s because she came under a lot of harassment and was wanted by the security apparatus, so she had to leave for Sweden after a hard journey, as a last resort. The revolution was the dream of change that Samira has waited for so long, so since the beginning of…

In 2011, when the revolution started, Hanada al-Refai was living in Damascus with her husband and children. At the time, her father was living alone in Daraa, and he was suffering from a cardio problem. When the city came under siege, Hanada was very worried about her father’s health, especially that all communications with Daraa were severed. At that…

Hunada al-Rifaee, was born in Daraa and lived in Damascus. She is a graduate of English literature from Damascus University, and she holds a bachelor’s degree of literature from Pakistan. She worked as a teacher in the Pakistani school in Damascus, and now she is working in the same domain with refugees in Austria. She…

I hope the struggle of SWPM to be fruitful and it manages to build future Syria with all Syrians, and be an influential voice in the Syrian political arena.

Maen al-Safadi participated early in the demonstrations of pro-Arab spring revolutions staged in front of the embassies of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in Syria, which were faced with strong repression by the regime. Then he participated in the protests that were staged in demand of freedom and the fall of the regime in 2011, in…

Soad dreams of a free, safe and democratic Syria, where there is no fear of expressing one’s opinion or saying the truth.

Before the revolution, Soad Al-Aswad was a housewife, completely dedicated to raising her six children, but with the beginning of the revolution, she decided to work as living conditions became difficult and because she wanted to help other widows in need of work. So she wanted to share her experience with them and teach them…

Usama Ashour is born in 1960 in Aleppo. He is an agricultural engineer and has a diploma in food industry from the Aleppo University. He worked as a quality manager in Golf Muller, a Syrian-Turkish company headquartered in Aleppo. Currently, he lives in Germany and works with the German Red Cross for helping Syrian and…

Kholoud Ahmad al-Asrawi, was among the first participants in the peaceful demonstrations in Damascus and Damascus countryside, especially in al-Qaboun, Barzeh, al-Mazzeh, Rukn Eddin, Midan and other areas in 2011. When locals from Douma, Dumeir, Hosh al-Fara, Saqba and Hammoria started to seek refuge in Daraa al-Ommaliya area Kholoud managed with a group of female…

Sana Mustafajoined the demonstrations that were staged in Damascus at the start of the revolution in 2011. She also participated in relief efforts to help the displaced from different areas of Damascus countryside, in addition to her political and awareness-raising activities. Alongside her sister Wafa, the political activist, she worked with the coordination committees and youth…

Dima Moussa was a practicing lawyer in the United States of America, when the revolution started in Syria. She decided, after the revolution, to leave her work to dedicate her efforts for the Syrian issue, as she was working with activists in Syria. In late 2012, as the political and civil activity increased significantly in Turkey, Dima…

Ayat Ahmad participated in the demonstrations early in the revolution, which met an old desire she had for revolting against the corrupt and oppressive regime, after her first experience of detention when she was still very young. She was a college student in 2009 when she was arrested by the Assad regime, accusing her with…

Mariam Jalabi was born in Damascus, her father is a writer, a political and social activist. He was detained by the regime several times and was subject to torture, so he had to leave Syria with Mariam’s mother in 1970s and lived in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and then Canada. Before joining her parents, Mariam lived…

Roula al-Roukbi grew up in a family that was interested in politics and public affairs from before the revolution. She was one of the first girls to go out in the first protest in Hama in rejection of annexing Gaza and the West Bank to Israel. Then when the revolution started in 2011, she immediately…

Roula says that the challenge facing political work in Syria is the repressive regime, which only accepts the single party policy that dominates everything.

Muzna participated in the revolution since the beginning, as her uncles and cousins were detained during the Syrian Anger Day demonstration on 15 March 2011. Muzna only knew about their arrest through a video published by the United Nations documenting the moment of their arrest. Since then, she started to communicate with organizations and to…

Khawla was among the first to join the revolution since its beginning, as she was from a generation that was interested in political action in Syria even before the revolution. Her detention experience in 1990s created a desire and a motive to rebel against the tyrannical and dictatorial regime. “The revolution was what I have…

Joumana’s interest in public affairs and political activity started with the beginning of Damascus Spring in 2000, especially with the activities of the forums, specifically the national dialogue forum which was held in her father’s house, Riad Seif, regularly. After the detention of her father along with the leaders of Damascus Spring in 2001, she…

Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution in 2011, Shiyam Ghalyoun started voluntary work with a group of Syrian young female and male activists living in the united states, when she was still a university student at the time. In 2013, she decided with a group of activists to raise funds and go to Syria…

Sarah Hunaidi was a high school (11th grade) student when the revolution started in 2011. Her participation in the revolution began with writing anti-regime posts on her Facebook account, using her explicit name, which was the reason for receiving many threats later. She also participated and coordinated flash protests that were staged in Suwaida and its…

Hanan Ahmad, says that at the beginning of the revolution in 2011, there was no revolutionary action in her area, so she didn’t participate much in the revolution. Her participation was more focused on helping families who were displaced from Deir Ezzor, the city of Homs and other areas to their area. Her support of…

Ahed Festuk participated in the peaceful demonstrations in Aleppo city right from the beginning; she doesn’t remember precisely whether she participated in the third or fourth demonstration in her city. With the name of Ahed al-Horiayeh, she joined the coordination committees of Aleppo city where she met her female activist friends. Since the beginning of…

“After we had eaten some food to break our Ramadan fast, two missiles hit the street we lived in. I saw shrapnel flying around my children like knives. Moments later, when I realised we had all survived, I decided to leave my town, despite refusing to do so before. “We headed to Kafar Karmen. A friend’s…

“When my family and I were displaced from Barzeh neighborhood in Damascus to Maarat Masreen in Idib, we rarely went out as we knew no one in this city. The distance between areas and our economic situation after the displacement didn’t make things easier. After a while, I met a group of women and we…

“We won’t reduce elimination of violence against women to one day; we should be doing that everyday. Let’s recall the crimes Assad regime has committed against women in prisons & elsewhere in Syria, & remember women’s sacrifices.” “As long as there’s violence against women, humanity & society won’t progress. NO to violence against women, be…

What do you want and what do you need here?“I want baby milk and diapers for my son”“I want clothes for my children, because when we came from our home we couldn’t take our clothes from the shelling, it was cold back then and they were wearing winter clothes, the weather has changed and it…