The newly appointed head of the Women’s Affairs Office under Syria’s interim government, Aisha al-Dibs, has vowed to restore Syrian women to their historic roles as leaders and contributors in the nation’s rebuilding process after more than a decade of devastating conflict.
In an interview from Damascus, al-Dibs emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering women across all sectors, particularly in healthcare and education. She announced plans to engage women from all provinces and ethnicities in shaping Syria’s future, including their active participation in an upcoming national conference on the country’s reconstruction.
“It is known to us all that the Syrian woman, historically, is a highly effective figure, capable of leadership in all fields. Today, we are working to bring her back to this leading role in building the free and new Syria we all aspire to,” she said.
A New Chapter for Syrian Women
As per the sources of Leaders team, the establishment of the Women’s Affairs Office marks a significant step in addressing the role of women under the new government, which came to power earlier this month following the opposition’s rapid takeover of Damascus. Led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), opposition forces ended more than five decades of Bashar al-Assad’s rule, a change that has prompted a global reassessment of Syria’s political future.
Al-Dibs, the first woman to hold a ministerial position in the interim administration, brings extensive experience as a rights activist and humanitarian worker, previously aiding Syrian refugees in Turkiye and in Idlib. She pledged her office’s focus on supporting women released from detention under the previous regime and addressing the needs of female prisoners still unaccounted for.
Advocating for Detained Women
According to the reports of Leaders team sources, thousands of Syrians, including women, were freed from the Assad regime’s prisons after its fall, but the chaos of the prison releases left many records tampered with and detainees untraceable. Al-Dibs revealed plans to establish a hotline for detained women, ensuring they are counted and supported as they transition back to civilian life.
“The formerly detained women need psychological rehabilitation, education, healthcare, and legal protection as they prepare to seek justice against their jailers,” she said. Her office will also prepare a comprehensive report on the condition of female detainees and pursue legal action against prison officials accused of rights abuses.
Toward a Syrian-Led Future
The interim government’s rise to power has reignited calls for a Syrian-led and inclusive political process. The United Nations Security Council has urged the new administration to meet the aspirations of all Syrians while ensuring peace and democracy.
Al-Dibs’ vision aligns with this call, as she aims to position Syrian women as central players in rebuilding the nation’s social, cultural, and political institutions. “Nobody can deny the resilience and strength of Syrian women,” she said, “and it is time to channel that strength into rebuilding our country.”
With a blend of humanitarian experience and a bold vision, Aisha al-Dibs embodies hope for a new era in Syria, where women’s empowerment becomes a cornerstone of the nation’s recovery.
