The Syrian Women's Association held their founding conference in the town of Ma'arat al-Nu'man in northern Idlib province this week including 35 women representing various women's centers operating in the province.
During the conference, an Association president, deputy president, Association secretary and communication officer were elected. In addition, different Association members were assigned to offices with different areas of specialization including medical, legal, projects, developmental, rehabilitation and training, media, and cultural.
Speaking to Zaman al-Wasl, Huda Sarjawi, the head of the Association said that she had communicated with women's centers in the cities of Idlib, Jisr al-Shughur, Ariha, Sarqab, Maarat al-Nu'man, Khan Shaykhun and other areas for them to participate in the conference. She explained that everyone welcomed the idea of the Association which includes more than 60 women representing several women's centers in Idlib and its countryside.
Sarjawi said that the founding conference outlined a preliminary internal system to clarify the philosophy and objectives of the Association, which can be summarized as “organizing women's energies and efforts in the unified collective action, increase awareness among women, expand their cultural horizons, and develop their skills to enable them to contribute effectively to cultural, economic, social and political life. The Association maintains that women’s contributions will help establish a just and balanced society in terms of rights and duties. The Association will work to provide the necessary services for women to be reassured at home and at work. The Association seeks the advancement of women by influencing policies and legislation, and providing services and programs that offer women security, and familial and social safety in accordance with the integrated human rights system.”
In her statement, Sarjawi explained that the Association would establish a service office composed of Association members and women who are currently running development projects for women. The office is expected to accommodate as many women as possible in addition to being a space for campaigns and seminars to raise awareness. The Association is currently communicating with organizations and charities to gain funding for projects proposed by Association members.
The Association president highlighted members’ skills, their active roles and enhanced participation in society as they contribute to preparing and training women for their role in protecting their families, raising the next generation and building society. Association members however do not stop there as they work to empower women economically and socially. The Syrian Women’s Association seeks to bring to light Syrian women’s problems, find solutions and ensure that the Association is the primary institution in Syria meeting women’s needs. The Association will also represent Syrian women in international conferences concerning the Syrian affair and aims to undertake studies and research on women to produce accurate data to guide projects and policies.
Concluding her talk with Zaman al-Wasl, Sarjawi explained that the Association is not affiliated with any associations or organizations and it does not receive any financial or technical support from any organizations with the exception of the conference which was made possible due to funding from the Syrian Human Rights Network
