Feminism: Role and Importance

Introduction:

Feminism is a social and political movement that seeks to achieve gender equality in all aspects of life, from political and economic rights to social and cultural opportunities. Feminism calls for changing traditional gender roles, challenging stereotypes about women and men, and putting an end to discrimination and violence against women.

The history of feminism is long and complex, and it can be divided into several waves:

1. First Wave: Beginning in the 19th century and continuing into the early 20th century, this wave focused on basic women’s rights, such as voting, political participation, property rights, and education.
2. Second Wave: Starting in the mid-20th century and lasting until the 1970s, this wave expanded demands to include workplace equality, redefining gender roles, and addressing violence against women.
3. Third Wave: Beginning in the 1980s and continuing to the present day, this wave is characterized by diversity and inclusivity, addressing issues such as gender identity, race, social class, and sexual orientation.

For this reason, these waves have had achievements, such as the right to vote. Many countries granted women the right to vote, although it came after a long struggle.

Opportunities for women in education at all levels also increased. Women also made notable progress in the labor market, but there are still significant wage and promotion gaps.

In addition, laws have been enacted to protect women from violence and to raise awareness of it. Women also made progress in their reproductive rights, such as birth control and abortion.

Thus, feminism is a fundamental movement to achieve a more just and equal world. It primarily has a Western origin and seeks to empower women to realize their full potential and provide equal opportunities for all. Feminism also contributes to building more inclusive and tolerant societies.

It is worth noting that feminism is not a unified movement but includes a variety of ideas and opinions. Feminism is not limited to women; it also includes men who believe in gender equality. Furthermore, it must be stated that feminism is not against men but seeks to liberate both women and men from traditional gender roles.

In Syria:
Feminism in Syria is going through a very complex and challenging phase and is heavily affected by the ongoing Syrian crisis.

On the one hand, the crisis pushed Syrian women to the forefront, where they were among the first protesters and activists, bearing the greatest burden in providing care for their families and communities.

On the other hand, the crisis intensified violations against women, such as gender-based violence, early marriage, and human trafficking.

Challenges Facing Feminism in Syria:

1. War and Displacement: The war has led to the destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of millions, exacerbating the social and economic issues faced by women.
2. Gender-Based Violence: The rates of violence against women have increased significantly, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and honor killings.
3. Early Marriage: The prevalence of early marriage has increased, especially among displaced and refugee girls, depriving them of education and work opportunities.
4. Cultural Bias: There are still customs and traditions that restrict women’s roles and limit their rights.
5. Lack of Political Stability: The absence of political stability affects the ability of feminist organizations to work effectively.

Achievements of Syrian Feminism:

1. Civil Activism: Many Syrian female activists emerged, playing a decisive role in the Syrian revolution and in humanitarian and relief efforts.
2. Women’s Organization: Many feminist organizations were established to support women survivors of violence, enhance their capacities, and advocate for their rights.
3. Awareness: Awareness of women’s issues and their rights has increased, particularly concerning gender-based violence.
4. Political Participation: Syrian women have started to participate more in political life, demanding greater representation in official institutions.

Despite the immense challenges, there is hope for a better future for Syrian women. They have proven their ability to endure and resist, and they are determined to build a better future for their country, their generation of women, and future generations.

Positives of Feminism:

Feminism is a global movement, as mentioned earlier, that seeks to achieve gender equality and grant women their full rights in all areas. Despite facing numerous challenges, this movement has achieved significant successes and contributed to a radical transformation in societies.

Positives of Feminism on a Global Level:

1. Expanding Women’s Political and Social Participation: Feminism has greatly impacted the increased representation of women in parliaments and governments, leading to the formulation of more inclusive policies that reflect the needs of women.
2. Improving Educational and Employment Opportunities: The feminist movement has helped raise awareness of the importance of girls’ education and economic empowerment, leading to greater female participation in the workforce and narrowing the gender wage gap.
3. Combating Violence Against Women: By raising awareness of gender-based violence, feminism has contributed to the enactment of stricter laws to protect women and provide support for survivors of violence.
4. Challenging Gender Roles: Feminism has contributed to challenging traditional gender roles, providing both women and men with greater opportunities to choose their life paths.
5. Promoting Human Rights: Feminism is an integral part of the human rights movement, striving for social justice and equality for all.

Regarding the Positives of Feminism in Syria, despite the difficulties faced by Syrian women, the feminist movement in Syria has achieved important successes, which we believe are reflected in:

1. Raising Awareness of Women’s Rights: Syrian activists have contributed to raising awareness of women’s rights and issues, creating a new generation of women who are conscious of their rights.
2. Economic and Social Empowerment of Women: Many feminist organizations have established small economic projects to support women and provided safe spaces for them to express themselves and exchange experiences.
3. Participation in Political Life: Syrian women played a prominent role in the Syrian revolution and participated in political negotiations, increasing their representation in political life.
4. Community Building: Syrian women contributed to building more resilient and sustainable communities by offering psychological and social support to communities affected by the war.
5. Changing Societal Views of Women: The feminist movement has contributed to changing the societal perception of women, increasing the appreciation of their role in society.

Thus, feminism in Syria, as around the world, is a vibrant movement striving to build a more just and equal future. Despite the significant challenges, the determination of Syrian women to achieve their rights is an inspiration to women everywhere.

Critiques of Feminism: A Balanced Perspective
The feminist movement has long been a subject of debate and discussion, and despite its significant achievements in gender equality, it also faces criticism and accusations of having certain negatives.

Criticisms Directed at the Feminist Movement in General:

1. Extremism and Rigorism: Some feminist movements may adopt extreme positions that reject any differences or diversity, seeking to impose a rigid feminist agenda on everyone.
2. Gender Conflict: An excessive focus on women’s rights may lead to a gender conflict, rather than focusing on achieving cooperation and equality between both genders.
3. Ignoring Cultural and Religious Differences: Some feminist movements may ignore cultural and religious differences, imposing Western values on other societies, leading to social conflicts.
4. Overemphasis on Gender Identity: An excessive focus on gender identity may neglect other important social issues, such as poverty, injustice, and racism.
5. Exaggeration of Issues: Some feminists may tend to exaggerate the problems women face, presenting a very negative image of society.

Regarding the Criticisms of the Feminist Movement in Syria Specifically:

Impact of the Conflict: The feminist movement in Syria may be greatly affected by the ongoing conflict, leading to a scattering of efforts and reducing its impact.

1. Cultural and Religious Bias: The feminist movement in Syria may face strong resistance from conservative religious factions, who believe that feminism contradicts religious values and principles.
2. Focus on Security Issues: The emphasis on security and humanitarian issues arising from the war may overshadow feminist concerns.
3. Difficulty in Organizing: Feminist organizations in Syria may face significant difficulties in organizing and operating due to the challenging security conditions.

We emphasize that feminism is not a homogeneous movement; there are many feminist currents, each with its own vision and goals. Furthermore, the criticisms directed at feminism do not negate its achievements, but we must view feminism critically, without denying its significant role in improving women’s conditions! Therefore, the solution lies in dialogue and cooperation, and feminists should work with men and women from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds to reach consensual solutions to the issues facing society.

It is important to recognize that feminism is a dynamic movement that constantly evolves, and it is not without its flaws. However, its fundamental goals of achieving gender equality and empowering women remain noble objectives that deserve support and advocacy.

Empowering the Positives and Overcoming the Negatives:

The feminist movement in Syria is considered a driving force for positive change. To enhance its role and overcome the negatives, the following measures can be taken:

1. Building Strong Partnerships:
   • A. Cooperation with International Organizations: Collaborate with international human rights and women’s organizations to secure financial and technical support.
   • B. Partnership with Local Organizations: Strengthen cooperation between various feminist organizations to share expertise and resources.
   • C. Engaging Men: Mobilize support from men and youth to work together for gender equality.
2. Focusing on Urgent Issues:
   • A. Combating Violence Against Women: Provide psychological and social support services for survivors of violence, and work on enacting stricter laws to protect women.
   • B. Promoting Education and Economic Empowerment: Offer educational and vocational programs for women, and support women-owned and women-led economic projects.
   • C. Political Participation: Encourage women to engage in political and civic life, and train them in leadership skills.
3. Developing an Inclusive Feminist Discourse:
   • A. Avoiding Extremism: Avoid extreme positions that could lead to the polarization of society.
   • B. Respecting Diversity: Acknowledge the cultural and religious diversity of Syrian society, and build a feminist discourse that aligns with this diversity.
   • C. Focusing on Common Ground: Focus on shared values that unite women and men, such as justice, equality, and dignity.
4. Addressing Challenges:
   • A. Addressing Cultural Discrimination: Work on changing negative societal perceptions of women and challenge customs and traditions that restrict their rights.
   • B. Building Trust: Build trust between women and feminist organizations, and provide safe spaces for expressing opinions and needs.
   • C. Adapting to Changes: Adapt to the changing conditions in Syria and develop new strategies to address challenges.
5. Role of the International Community:
   • A. Financial and Logistical Support: Provide financial and logistical support to feminist organizations working in Syria.
   • B. Ensuring Protection: Work to ensure the protection of women and activists from violence and violations.
   • C. Supporting Reconstruction Efforts: Ensure the active participation of women in the process of rebuilding Syria.

By following these measures, we believe that the feminist movement in Syria can play a decisive role in building a more just and equal society, where women have their full rights and participate actively in public life. Additionally, the security of activists and feminist organizations must be ensured, and the necessary protection must be provided to them. Strong partnerships should be built with all components of civil society, including youth and human rights organizations. Furthermore, international experiences in empowering women should be utilized and adapted to the Syrian context.

Conclusion:

The issue of women worldwide, especially in conflict zones like Syria, still requires more effort and work. The journey towards achieving gender equality is long and arduous, requiring collective efforts and a radical change in cultures and institutions. We all must work together to build more just and equal societies, where women enjoy their full rights and actively participate in decision-making.

Feminism is not just a social movement, but a revolution against injustice and oppression; it represents hope for a better future, where women and men can live a dignified life free from discrimination and violence. Through our support for feminism, we are supporting noble human values such as freedom, justice, and equality. This is what we strive to do in the Syrian Future Movement, especially through the Family Affairs Office.

Although the feminist movement faces many challenges, the future is promising. The youth and the new generation of women and men carry more progressive and open values, and they are more aware of women’s rights. By working together, we can build more just and equal societies, where women have the same opportunities as men.

Feminism is not just an idea, but a call to action. We all must take responsibility in supporting this movement, whether through participating in feminist activities, raising awareness about the importance of gender equality, or supporting policies that enhance women’s rights.

As it is said in Syria, “Women are half of society, and when women progress, society progresses.” We say, “You cannot build a just society without achieving gender equality.”

Finally, we encourage Syrians to take practical steps to support women’s issues, making the feminist movement in Syria, as in the whole world, a spark of hope in a world today suffering under the weight of injustice and inequality. Syrian women have proven to the world their ability to endure and challenge, and their active contribution to building their society. Through our support for them, we are supporting a just cause and building a better future for our coming generations. Gender equality is not just a slogan we raise, but a fundamental right for every human being, for which we strive and work to achieve.

Presidency office
Dr. Zaher Ihssan Baadarani
Article
Syrian Future Movement (SFM)