Protection and the principles of humanitarian work and the national strategy for protecting women and children figured prominently in the discussions of a conference held on Sunday in Damascus.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs, centered on issues related to the protection of women and children against abuses in wartime.
Prime Minister Wael al-Halki highlighted in his address that women in Syria have always enjoyed a high rank in society, illustrating that Syrian women play a key role in the decision-making process and are part of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities.
“One of the Syrian government’s top priorities is providing protection to women and children," Halki said, adding that Syria has achieved major strides in eliminating violence and sexual abuse against women and children.
He cited laws on combating rape, honor killing and human trafficking crimes, pointing out that Syria is a member of international treaties on women’s rights and combating discrimination.
He said the government is going ahead with building an effective social protection system that will mainly include women and children and setting up mechanisms to empower them in the post-war stage.
For her part, Minister of Social Affairs Kinda al-Shammat revealed that the ministry will open a unit for protection of women and children tomorrow in cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Chief of the UNHCR mission in Syria, Tarek al-Kurdi, underscored the importance of prioritizing issues of protection in the humanitarian response plan signed with the Syrian government.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
