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Women in power: One Syrian town’s struggle for change

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Women in power: One Syrian town’s struggle for change

Source: Women's international league for peace and freedom

In spite of the powerful deterrents of Russian fighter jets, Assad regime barrel bombs and the extreme social politics of many radical militias, the women of Western Aleppo have fought their own battle for freedom, for women’s right to equality, and for the right to hold positions of power.

In its long and diverse history, the people of Syria has rarely witnessed true democratic elections, let alone meaningful participation of women in political life. Women were only permitted to vote in the 1950’s, and as recently as 1971 only four women held seats in parliament.

Under the rule of the Assad dynasty, few Syrians enjoyed political freedom or voted in anything other than a rigged ‘referendum’. Women who were appointed to a high office were, like many of their male counterparts, tokens with little genuine power to influence events.

Click here to read the full article published by CNN on 6 November 2020.

Focus areas

In spite of the powerful deterrents of Russian fighter jets, Assad regime barrel bombs and the extreme social politics of many radical militias, the women of Western Aleppo have fought their own battle for freedom, for women’s right to equality, and for the right to hold positions of power.

In its long and diverse history, the people of Syria has rarely witnessed true democratic elections, let alone meaningful participation of women in political life. Women were only permitted to vote in the 1950’s, and as recently as 1971 only four women held seats in parliament.

Under the rule of the Assad dynasty, few Syrians enjoyed political freedom or voted in anything other than a rigged ‘referendum’. Women who were appointed to a high office were, like many of their male counterparts, tokens with little genuine power to influence events.

Click here to read the full article published by CNN on 6 November 2020.

Focus areas