The Syrian Women's Forum, organized by the General Women's Union, was launched on Sunday.
Issues related to the effective and influential position which women enjoy in Syria, and their indispensable role in the political, cultural, media, legal, health, economic, education and social fields will figure prominently in the course of discussions at the forum, which comes one day after Mothers’ Day was celebrated in Syria.
Most of the speeches delivered at the forum’s opening ceremony highlighted the heavy toll which the terrorism crisis in the country has taken on women, with many of losing loved ones on the battlefield against terrorists or in terrorist attacks, while others have been driven out of their homes and had to work to provide for their families.
Another aspect of the crisis’ impact on women in Syria is that of women falling victim in areas under terrorist control; through murder, rape, being taken as sex slaves or recruited to take up arms and fight on behalf of these organizations.
Minister of Social Affairs Kinda al-Shammat affirmed in her speech that Syrian women have suffered dramatically since the beginning of the crisis in 2011, as they were often pioneers in many key decision-making positions.
Yet, the Syrian women have proved defiant enough and stood side-by-side with men to confront the terrorist war on Syria, sacrificing their sons in its defense – and in many cases, fighting on the ground along with the army members – in addition to being committed to their work and responsibilities in all positions, and against all odds, added Shammat.
While women were the hardest hit by the terrorist acts in the country, they are still strongly standing their ground and utilizing their potentials and abilities in various fields to contribute to helping the homeland get on its feet again, said chairperson of the General Women Union Majida Qteit.
The opening of the forum, which will produce a set of recommendations and proposals tomorrow, was attended by ministers of Justice, Higher Education, Education and Health, MPs, figures from the Baath Arab Socialist Party and representatives of popular and vocational organizations.
