Femena supports the demands of feminist organizations and women’s movements in Amuda, in Syria’s Hasakah Governorate, for the protection of Kurdish linguistic and cultural rights. These groups have called for constitutional recognition of the Kurdish language and guarantees for education in Kurdish, rejecting restrictions that would limit its teaching to only a small number of hours. Their demands raise a fundamental question about the transition: how will Syria’s new institutions translate recognition of the country’s diversity into enforceable rights and protections?
Decisions about language and education affect communities’ ability to preserve their identities, pass on their cultures, and participate equally in public life. Building trust in state institutions requires giving those affected by these decisions a meaningful role in shaping them and ensuring that constitutional arrangements protect their rights against marginalization or rollback.
The initiative by women’s organizations in Amuda demonstrates the breadth of women’s advocacy, encompassing gender equality, cultural rights, the organization of the state, and the future of education. Kurdish women, alongside women from all of Syria’s communities, must be equal partners in setting these priorities and shaping the policies that affect their communities.
For Femena, respect for linguistic and cultural rights and women’s equal participation are essential to building sustainable peace in Syria. A commitment to pluralism must be reflected in laws, curricula, and institutions. It must also ensure that women and historically marginalized communities can meaningfully influence the decisions that shape their future.