Darav ala
As Syria’s transitional authorities begin their work at a critical period of the country’s history, the role of women in the political arena has come under scrutiny. The transitional government has emphasised its commitment to including all segments of society to build more inclusive and balanced institutions that reflect the diversity of Syrian society.
Yet, so far, women’s representation remains very limited within the government. Despite official pledges to enhance female participation, key portfolios – such as Interior, Defence, and Foreign Affairs – have predominantly been assigned to men. This restricts women’s influence over major strategic and political decisions and highlights the gap between declared commitments and the practical reality of meaningful participation. Implementation remains under careful observation.
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Limited Representation and the Call for Genuine Female Participation
Dr. Ola Shahoud, a professor at the Institute of Oriental Studies in Moscow, told +963 that “female representation in the transitional authority is inadequate. The presence of a single woman in the ministerial lineup does not reflect Syrian society, which has long relied on women in diverse political roles; from parliament to ministries, and even advisory positions and vice-presidency.”
She adds that “Syrian society at this difficult stage needs women present across all state institutions,” urging the revitalisation of the Women’s Union as a key platform for female empowerment.
Shahoud stresses that women’s roles in the new government must be substantive and influential in political and administrative decision-making, rejecting “merely symbolic or media-driven representation.” She emphasises the importance of providing women with real positions within state institutions to ensure practical, not just visible, participation.
One of the main obstacles, she points out, is “the lack of genuine political will to appoint women to sensitive posts,” compounded by a shortage of female professionals due to war-time displacement, despite a significant number of qualified Syrian women capable of leadership.
Shahoud also notes that the unstable security situation limits women’s ability to engage fully in public life. She insists that government pledges will only be credible when translated into concrete actions: “Syrian women do not need statements and declarations, they need tangible progress they can see and feel on the ground.”
She concludes that the transitional phase presents an opportunity to empower women in decision-making, even if their influence is initially limited, provided there is a genuine will to open opportunities across state institutions.
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Symbolic Participation and the Lack of Serious Commitment
While Shahoud sees the potential for promises to translate into opportunity, Asala Mohammed Aslan, spokesperson for the Women’s Office in Suwayda, is more critical, describing women’s current participation in the new government as “purely symbolic.” She notes that “despite official talk of women as a fundamental component of society, their role is entirely marginalised.”
Speaking to +963, Aslan says: “The reality does not reflect the slogans being promoted. The single ministerial post assigned to a woman holds little influence, while key portfolios remain the exclusive domain of men.”
She adds that government pledges to enhance female participation “remain at the mercy of political will,” highlighting a lack of serious commitment to ensuring representation for all segments of Syrian society, including women.
Aslan concludes that female participation at this stage is largely tokenistic, and that women’s actual role remains absent from Syria’s transitional political landscape.
