During the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York this March, Rajaa Altalli, co-founder of the Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD), joined the delegation of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement in a series of high-level events and strategic meetings aimed at advancing the rights and political participation of Syrian women.
Altalli participated in a series of high-level meetings alongside SWPM representatives with key international stakeholders, including the Deputy of the UN Special Envoy, the UN Women, the Arab League, and diplomatic missions to the UN from France, the United States, Ireland, and Belgium.
In connection with this year’s CSW theme—strengthening access to justice for all women and girls—Rajaa Altalli, was one of the four Syrian women speakers at the side event organized by the Syrian Women’s Political Movement (SWPM), and co-sponsored by CCSD among other Syrian, international, and diplomatic missions. The event titled “Protection of Women, Access to Justice, and Political Participation.” The session brought together Syrian women leaders, international experts, and representatives from international governments to connect global gender equality priorities with the lived realities of women in conflict-affected contexts.
The discussion highlighted the complex and intersecting challenges Syrian women continue to face, including various forms of violence, discriminatory legal frameworks, and limited access to justice systems. Speakers emphasized that these barriers not only undermine women’s safety and rights but also restrict their meaningful participation in political and public life.
In her address, Altalli drew on personal experience, calling for clear, non-negotiable commitments to end arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance in Syria. She stressed the importance of transparency, access to information, and robust documentation of human rights violations. She called for the development of a national action plan on Women, Peace, and Security, while urging for stronger institutional representation of women, and greater alignment between international commitments and realities on the ground to support a credible and inclusive transition.
These discussions focused on concrete policy priorities for Syria, including:
- Support the Women Advisory Board for the office of the UN special envoy to support the implementation of the spirit of SCR 2254 and SCR 1325.
- Support the Syrian Women’s Political Movement in their biannual missions to the UN to bring the voices of Syrian women into the discussion on Syria.
- Support the monthly brief of Syrian women representing civil society to the Security Council, along with the UN brief.
- Developing and adopting a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)
- Establishing a dedicated Syrian ministry for women’s affairs
- Aligning Syrian national frameworks with international human rights conventions
- Ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) without reservations
- Support the Syrian Civil Society Organization, especially women’s organizations, in continuing their constructive engagement with their local communities.
- While the vision is building a democratic State, the Syrian government should support civil society and respond to public criticism as a pathway toward inclusive governance and democratic reform
The partnership between CCSD and SWPM emphasized that civil society organizations can contribute to the institutional reform and democratic transition, yet the political will is required to center women’s voices in decision-making processes. CCSD engagement at CSW70 builds on ongoing efforts by Syrian women leaders to shape policy conversations at both national and international levels. By bringing forward context-specific recommendations and advocating for rights-based approaches, these engagements contribute to broader global efforts to advance Women’s Rights and access to justice.
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