We are excited to resume the Voices for Change series this year with a critical conversation on the status of women in Syria. Our opening session features two distinguished speakers: Rajaa Altalli, co-founder of the Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD) and a leading advocate for women’s participation in peace and political processes, and Monica McWilliams, peace negotiator, former MLA, and a signatory of the Good Friday Agreement.
This session will assess the status of women in Syria through four key dimensions:
- Legal Frameworks and Rights – examining women’s access to justice, discriminatory laws, and efforts to align national frameworks with international human rights conventions.
- Security and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – exploring the challenges women face in conflict and post-conflict settings, including safety, protection, and survivor-centered justice approaches.
- Political Participation – analyzing women’s representation in decision-making, peace processes, and institutional leadership.
- Economic Participation – discussing women’s access to economic opportunities, livelihoods, and empowerment initiatives.
🗓 Date: April 8, 2026
🕓 Time: 10:00–11:30 AM EDT | 5:00–6:30 PM Damascus | 4:00–5:30 PM CET
🔗 Register here: Zoom Link
Join us for this vital discussion and be part of shaping a more just, inclusive, and equitable future for Syrian women.
Speakers
Rajaa Altalli:
Rajaa Altalli is the co-founder of the Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD), where she has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s strategic vision, identifying growth opportunities,
and spearheading impactful programming. With over 15 years of expertise in peace, democracy, and security, Rajaa specializes in organizational development within conflict zones and the design of frameworks to enhance institutional productivity. Through her leadership at CCSD, she has consistently championed the participation of women and civil society in political negotiations at both the national and community levels. As a leading strategist in good governance and peacebuilding, Rajaa works closely with the humanitarian and development sectors to drive systemic change. A prominent advocate for inclusive diplomacy, she was a founding member of the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board to the UN Office of the Special Envoy. Her global influence is further reflected in her membership in the Global Peace Builders Summit and the BMW Foundation’s Responsible Leaders Network, where she co-leads the Resource Mobilization Group. An accomplished academic, she holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics from Northeastern University, earned with a Fulbright Scholarship.
Monica McWilliams
Monica McWilliams is a peace negotiator, academic, and leading advocate for women’s rights and transitional justice in Northern Ireland. She co-founded the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition in 1996 and was elected to the multi-party peace talks that led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, of which she is a signatory. She later served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly (1998–2003) and as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission until 2010, where she contributed to shaping human rights protections, including work on a Bill of Rights. Currently, she is a Commissioner on the Independent Reporting Commission overseeing the disbandment of paramilitary organizations. An Emeritus Professor at Ulster University’s Transitional Justice Institute and a member of the Royal Irish Academy, McWilliams has published extensively on domestic violence and the impact of conflict on women. Her memoir, Stand Up, Speak Out, reflects her lifelong commitment to peace, equality, and justice.