The protracted fighting has claimed countless lives, displaced millions at home and abroad, and left much of the country’s infrastructure in tatters. The failure of international efforts to make much progress has been attributed to a lack of understanding by official mediators of the real situation in local communities.
This is where Syrian women became famous. Most women involved in local mediation have some connection to the dispute and are considered trustworthy and trustworthy by the disputing parties. As “internal mediators,” they exhibit two consistent strengths: the ability to build or foster relationships and possess detailed knowledge of the conflict and its parties.
An example of this power appeared early in the war, in the Zabadani district, northwest of Damascus. When the county began to fall under the control of opposition forces, it was besieged by the government. Authorities asked the men to surrender their weapons and surrender, meaning only women could safely move across the line of control.
Reversal of roles
While, before the war, Zabadani women were often expected to focus on family responsibilities, the new constraints and risks faced by men unexpectedly made it possible for women to accept — and even necessary — for women to participate in negotiations with government forces.
Quickly entering this new role, a group of women in Zabadani assembled and began the reconciliation process with besieged forces to negotiate an end to the siege and a possible ceasefire.
“Most of these women joined because their husbands were involved with the opposition and wanted by the government,” said Sameh Awad, *a peace-building expert familiar with the case. “Women themselves are mostly housewives and have no formal role in the community, but they are important because they want to protect their husbands.”
Although the ceasefire later collapsed, due to the changing political landscape, for a time the women were still able to ensure that civilians were protected and evacuated.
In another example, in the northwestern city of Idlib, informal women’s groups were able to save the lives of a group of detainees. After hearing rumors that they were about to be killed by soldiers, a group of female teachers worked to convince a broader group of women, including the mothers of the captives, to approach the battalion commander’s headquarters. The meeting ended with the faction leader agreeing to speak to the military council and a month later the detainees were released as part of an exchange agreement.
Syrian women have also led reconciliation efforts with government forces to resolve security and service delivery issues in areas formerly controlled by the opposition. MS explains: “The government emphasizes that men need to fulfill their military service, and this makes many young people afraid to appear in public. Oh my God. “So the women have engaged in going out and exploring the possibilities of discussions with the new administration in the region. During these negotiations, they discussed early recovery in their regions.”
Fixing social cohesion
Several years after the start of the conflict, Mobaderoon, a women-led civil society organization in Damascus, noted an increase in local violence against internally displaced persons (IDPs) arriving in the capital. To address this violence, the organization has established local committees consisting of community leaders and local authorities, other influential community members such as teachers, social activists, etc. civil society and ordinary residents. They set up neutral spaces where people can meet and discuss issues affecting their neighborhood and where they can build confidence and skills to deal with those issues. this.
After a while, the women-led organization expanded its operations to Tartus, a coastal city in western Syria, and partnered with another women-led organization with community ties to the country. community and strong presence in the region.
Farah Hasan*, a member of Mobaderoon said: “Due to the war and the influx of IDP there is no service or not enough service. “Local youth accuse IDPs of being responsible for the war, because they come from areas under opposition control, and they have carried out violent attacks against them in the past. nearby camps.”
This violence is creating considerable instability in the region, so the head of Tartus met with influential community members and local businesses, to convince them that the IDP camp should be integrated. as part of the community, so that the IDP can participate in the local economy.
Attitudes gradually changed, and the targeted neighborhoods in Tartus saw notable differences in the treatment of IDPs: they reported less harassment and violence by host community members. accept more children in school and more economic opportunities.
Learn more about the ways women are involved in peace and security issues here.
* Name changed to protect privacy
