Introduction:
In the post-conflict phase, countries emerging from war face profound structural challenges that require rebuilding institutions, restoring the economy, and formulating a new social contract.
In this context, women’s economic empowerment emerges as one of the most important pillars of sustainable development, not only as a human rights requirement, but also as a strategic necessity for rebuilding societies on more just and stable foundations.
Syria, which has witnessed a decade of armed conflict, today stands before a historic opportunity to redefine the role of women in the national economy, particularly in liberated areas that have begun to witness tangible social and economic transformations.
Women’s Economic Empowerment as a Gateway to Sustainable Development:
Development literature indicates that women’s economic empowerment is directly linked to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty eradication, economic growth, and gender equality. According to a World Bank report (2022), increasing women’s participation in the labor market can increase GDP by up to 30% in some developing countries. Moreover, women breadwinners constitute a large percentage of poor households, and their economic empowerment directly impacts improving family and community conditions.
In the Syrian context, the war has reshaped the social structure, forcing thousands of women to assume new economic roles as a result of the absence of breadwinners, displacement, or the loss of traditional sources of income.
This transformation, although forced at first, opens the way for reshaping women’s role in the Syrian economy in a more inclusive and sustainable manner.
The Syrian Reality After Liberation – Challenges and Opportunities:
In post-liberation Syria, women’s economic empowerment faces several structural challenges, most notably:
- Weak economic infrastructure: Most areas outside the control of the former regime, for example, lack transportation, energy, and communications networks, limiting women’s ability to access markets or establish businesses.
- Lack of public policies targeting women: There is still no clear national strategy for women’s economic empowerment, whether in terms of vocational education, financing, or legal protection.
- Social and Cultural Restrictions: Despite the changes imposed by the war, some communities still view women’s work outside the home with suspicion, requiring long-term awareness-raising and educational interventions.
However, there are positive indicators worth building upon. A report published by Syria Direct (2024) highlighted a women’s initiative in the city of Azaz, where a group of women established a cooperative to produce natural soap and were able to export it to Turkey, establishing a successful model of local empowerment linked to the regional market.
A previous Human Rights Watch report (2023) indicated that Syrian women in areas outside regime control face multiple challenges in accessing employment opportunities, but they have demonstrated a high capacity for adaptation and innovation, particularly in home-based and educational projects. Lessons learned from Asian experiences – Singapore and Malaysia as models:
In Singapore, empowerment through education and technology has been a clear policy. Since its independence in the 1960s, Singapore has adopted a comprehensive development policy, one of the most prominent pillars of which has been the empowerment of women through technical education. According to a report by the Singapore Ministry of Social Development (2022), the percentage of women working in the technology sector has exceeded 40%, thanks to vocational training programs, government incentives, and institutional support for working mothers.
Singapore has not only empowered women in traditional sectors, but has also pushed them towards entrepreneurship by launching microfinance platforms, providing business incubators, and connecting women to local and global market networks. This model could be emulated in Syria by developing vocational training centers specifically for women and linking them to online marketing platforms, especially given the widespread use of smartphones even in rural areas.
In Malaysia, empowerment was achieved through community partnerships, focusing on empowering rural women through small-scale production programs, such as “Productive Rural Women,” which provided training in handicrafts and agriculture and connected women to local and global markets. According to a report by the Malaysian Ministry of Women’s Development (2021), these programs contributed to reducing poverty rates among women by 18% over five years.
What distinguishes the Malaysian model is the involvement of religious and community organizations in supporting empowerment, which has strengthened societal acceptance of women’s economic role.
In the Syrian context, this model could be adapted by engaging local councils and moderate Sharia bodies in supporting women’s projects and providing a safe and socially acceptable work environment.
Towards a Unique Syrian Model:
Instead of replicating existing models, Syria can develop its own model, based on its cultural and social specificities and drawing on international experiences. Ideas that could be adopted include:
- Establishing mini-women’s economic zones: These are spaces dedicated to women, including production workshops, training centers, and business incubators, providing a safe working environment, especially in areas experiencing fragile security.
- Launching community-based funding funds: These funds are managed locally and financed by international entities or expatriates, and are dedicated to supporting small women’s projects, with community oversight to ensure transparency and sustainability.
- Developing digital platforms for productive women: These platforms connect women in liberated areas to local and international markets, providing them with training, marketing, and electronic payment, leveraging the widespread availability of the internet and smartphones.
- Integrating empowerment into educational curricula: By introducing the concepts of entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and equality into school curricula, they create a new awareness among future generations.
Based on the Syrian reality and international experiences, the Economic Office of the Syrian Future Movement offers the following recommendations: - Local authorities and international organizations should be flexible and adaptable to local contexts.
- Establish vocational training centers for women in liberated areas, in partnership with municipalities and universities, with a focus on digital skills, light industries, and educational services.
- Establish microfinance funds targeted at women, managed transparently and linked to online marketing platforms, while providing administrative and legal support for startups.
- Launch media campaigns to change stereotypes about working women, through local media and community influencers, with a focus on local success stories.
- Engage local councils and moderate religious authorities in supporting women’s projects to ensure community acceptance and sustainability, and avoid cultural clashes.Drafting a national strategy for women’s economic empowerment, in cooperation between the various agencies.
Conclusion:
Women’s economic empowerment in post-liberation Syria is not merely a legal requirement, but a strategic necessity for rebuilding a more just and resilient society. International experiences, from Singapore to Malaysia, demonstrate that success comes not only from policies, but also from community will, innovation, and partnership. If the energies of Syrian women are properly harnessed, they can be the cornerstone of building a new Syria, not only as workers or entrepreneurs, but also as future builders.
