Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi, in a briefing from Damascus, called for a renewed commitment to women’s participation in the country’s political transition, saying their exclusion risks undermining hard-won progress.
Place at the table
“Syrian women have the right to participate fully and meaningfully in determining the future of the country,“, she said. “They have led and sacrificed for survival, justice and equality during more than a decade of conflict.”
She noted that although six women were elected to the 119 contested seats in the new Transitional People’s Assembly, “the share of women is incompatible with the societal and political role that Syrian women have long played,” according to the Supreme Elections Committee.
She urged authorities to “design future electoral processes to protect their legitimate right to participate and maximize opportunities for representation.”
Women’s participation is not symbolic but “a precondition for the rule of law and equality” in any post-conflict situationunderlined Ms. Rochdi.
Wider political situation
Turning to the broader political landscape, the Deputy Special Envoy described the October 5 indirect elections for the transitional legislature as “broadly peaceful,” although marred by underrepresentation of women and minorities and reports of opaque procedures.
She said the UN had not been involved but had “stressed the importance of transparency and inclusiveness”.
She also called for the lifting of economic sanctions “at a larger and faster scale to give this transition a chance to succeed“, asserting that “monumental levels of tangible support will be needed from the international community.”
Humanitarian crisis
On the humanitarian front, Ramesh Rajasingham from the UN aid coordination office, said More than 70 percent of Syrians still need help, with the U.N. response plan only 19 percent funded – one of the lowest among major global appeals.
Without additional funding, agencies will have to reduce staff numbers by January, he warned, noting that more than 340 health facilities have already suspended services, cutting off access to more than seven million people.
Mr Rajasingham called on ambassadors and the international community at large to act urgently.
“Syria has a viable path forward to Syrian-led recovery, supported by development partners,” he said. “But achieving this will require decisive and sustained action from the international community, including maintaining the flow of essential humanitarian assistance as these efforts progress.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
