Peace Will Prevail at Syrian Women Hands

Sama Matar (a pseudonym) is from al-Suwaida
Governorate. A graduate of English Literature from Damascus University. She
left Syria before the revolution to an Arab country and she has been working in
journalism since 2012. She is living in Turkey and she is a member of SWPM.

Sama was residing in an Arab country when the
revolution started in 2011, so she didn’t participate in the revolution inside
Syria, apart from her participation in a sit-in staged by lawyers of al-Suwaida
during her visit to Syria. She says that it was one of the most beautiful
moments she had because she chanted loudly against the regime, although she got
scared because the sit-in turned to a demonstration after it had been attacked
by security forces. Therefore, her participation in the revolution was limited
to writing, editing and translating the news of revolution, in addition to her
work with a group of young men and women for fundraising and sending the money
they collect to the afflicted areas inside Syria. “I didn’t have actual participation
in the revolution, but I can say that I was wholeheartedly with the idea of the
revolution even before its eruption, because I have always dreamed of changing
the dictatorial corrupt regime in Syria that oppresses freedoms, and keeps the
people under harsh economic conditions, although Syria is rich in wealth and
natural resources.” Sama said.

The bad economic conditions and her inability
to find a good job made her decide to travel abroad after graduation. In the
diaspora she worked in sales because it paid well, but at the same time she
volunteered without any financial return with Ara News website, where she
worked as an editor, language reviser and translator of all news and articles
related to the revolution. That was the beginning of her love of journalism.

‘‘I believe that the collaboration of efforts of all political bodies is very important because no party can work singlehandedly. So, I think that the ego of individuals must be abandoned for the benefit of cooperation and joint action between all parties aspiring to make change in Syria at large and for Syrian women in specific, especially following the fragmentation that characterized the revolution.’’

Sama was interested in politics since she was a
college student but she never practiced it. She was not affiliated with any
party, although she was invited to join certain parties, but she had always
refused. She believes that the lack of political awareness is one of the
biggest challenges that faced the political activity in Syria, due to the
repression policy pursued by the regime for decades against the Syrian people. After
the eruption of the revolution, new armed factions were formed and other
parties that imposed their ideologies on the areas they controlled, so that
didn’t generate an appropriate environment for political work as well. As for
the challenges facing women in politics in specific, Sama says that they are
plenty, but the most prominent ones is the large percentage of women who are not
educated and didn’t have a chance to learn what is the meaning of politics, or
that practicing politics is a right for them as citizens, so how would they
practice that right if they didn’t know that it is a right. The second key challenge
is the pressure of society and the community perception of women in general,
not only politically active women, which is a frustrating perception and questioning
women capabilities.

‘‘You are great in every sense of the word; I hope peace will prevail at your hands and due to your great efforts and belief.’’

Sama joined SWPM out of her desire to change
the reality of Syrian women, that she describes as being vulnerable by all
means. Because SWPM focuses on the principle of equality between women and men and
because of her belief that women in SWPM are capable of bringing about such a
change and creating a better future for Syrian women, in addition to the fact
that the goals and principles of SWPM are in line with Sama’s vision about the
future of Syrian women. Sama says that SWPM is playing an important role in
raising women awareness about their rights and is working towards changing a
lot of laws in favor of women where they can be equal with men. However, to
realize these goals and major demands such as the issue of detainees and the
implementation of transitional justice, Sama believes that the collaboration of
efforts of all political bodies is very important because no party can work
singlehandedly. So, she thinks that the ego of individuals must be abandoned
for the benefit of cooperation and joint action between all parties aspiring to
make change in Syria at large and for Syrian women in specific, especially
following the fragmentation that characterized the revolution.

Hope in the change and rejection of surrender
is the motive that keeps Sama going on in her work in the public sphere and
realizing the dream to see Syria free, safe and democratic where all its
citizens are equal before the law and women are respected and have all their
rights.

Sama says to the women of Syria “You are great
in every sense of the word; I hope peace will prevail at your hands and due to
your great efforts and belief. You should achieve economic independence, to be
free and wait no support from anyone. Have self-confidence because if you don’t
support yourselves, no one will.”