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Women on Syria Part I: Greatest Fears

In June 2013, the death toll in Syria reportedly rose to more than 100,000. The conflict began with non-violent protests in March 2011, but quickly turned violent after harsh regime crackdowns. Twelve women from seven Arab countries, from Bahrain to Egypt and Syria, were asked what they feared most about the conflict.

Image removed.      In June 2013, the death toll in Syria reportedly rose to more than 100,000. The conflict began with non-violent protests in March 2011 but quickly turned violent after harsh government crackdowns. Observers have increasingly called it a civil war. Twelve women from seven Arab countries, from Bahrain to Egypt and Syria, were asked what they feared most about the conflict. Most were concerned that Syria may break up along sectarian lines. Some were worried about spillover violence. Two women feared that foreign powers may interfere to serve their own interests at the expense of the Syrian people. The following are the women’s responses arranged by country.  

Syria

Mouna Ghanem, Deputy President of Building the Syrian State movement

            My greatest fear about the Syrian conflict is that the parties will fail to reach a political compromise. A transition process needs to ensure that all groups within Syrian society retain their rights and dignity. Without a compromise, the militias will only gain more power and tear the country apart.

Bahrain

Mariam al Rowaie, Women's rights activist, Former President of the Bahrain Women Union

            My greatest fear about the Syrian conflict is that the state will fragment due to deepening sectarian and ethnic rifts, similar to what happened in Iraq.

Egypt

Howaida Nagy, Grant Coordinator at CARE International

            I fear that the Syrian conflict has turned into a battle between Sunnis and Shiites. The role of Hezbollah and Iran cannot be ignored. Hezbollah divides the people of the region into two broad groups. The first includes believers in the guardianship of the jurist, or wilayat al faqih, the principle behind Iran’s Shiite theocracy. Hezbollah seems to consider all others as non-believers including allies of America and Israel. Hezbollah’s defense of President Bashar Assad's regime has damaged its image not only in Lebanon, but across the Arab world. Many had supported the party for its role in fighting Israel in 2006.

Rowida Omar, Executive Manager of the Egyptian Democratic Academy

            My greatest fear about Syria is that it will splinter along ethnic or religious lines. The fragmentation of Syria, which is strategically placed in the center of the region, would be a blow to Arab nationalism. I also fear that the huge number of weapons and militants flowing into Syria will cause instability. Terrorist groups may find a welcoming environment in the chaos.  

Iraq

Hana’a Hamood Abbas, President of Rafidain Women’s Coalition

            My greatest fear is that the sectarian conflict will spread to neighboring Arab countries. Most of them are supporting one of the sides already. Iraq will be the most vulnerable to sectarian violence. The heaviest clashes between Sunnis and Shiites calmed down in 2005, but tensions erupt periodically.

Dr. Amira Albaldawi, Chair of Um al Yateem Foundation

           My greatest fear is that armed groups will take the reins of power. Many more innocent civilians would get caught in the crossfire between rival groups. The displaced would face harsh conditions in neighboring countries. Armed militants could also destabilize other countries, especially Iraq – which has already suffered from an uptick in terrorist attacks as the Syrian conflict has worsened.

Shatha al Obosi,President of Iraq Foundation for Development and Human Rights

          My greatest fear about the Syrian conflict is that it has turned into a civil war. Daily killings and the deteriorating situation of refugees outside the country are especially worrisome.

Hala al Saraf, Director of Iraq Health Access Program

            I am concerned that sectarianism will spread across the region. The segregation of the Syrian society into Sunni and Shiite groups is part of a destructive plan nurtured by external powers helping both the Assad regime and the rebels. The media’s constant labeling of events and people has exacerbated this problem. Sectarianism helps politically driven movements to recruit innocent people to fight in Syria. My ultimate fear is that the country will be divided and run by small groups backed by different external powers. A fragmented Syria could destabilize the whole region.

Shatha Naji Hussein, Women for Peace Organization

            I fear that the Syrian conflict will expand into a full-scale civil war subject to the will of international powers – in which the Syrian people will be the biggest losers.

Jordan

Wafaa Bani Mustafa, Member of Parliament

            My biggest concern is that the constant stream of sectarian killings and targeting of civilians will drag on, just like what is happening in Iraq. I also fear that Syria may be divided into small states based on ethnicity and religion. 

Lebanon

Tima Khalil, Producer/Journalist at Positive Change Production

            My greatest fear is that the victims of violence will become numbers, merely a minor calculation for regional and world players, and the seemingly helpless United Nations. No sincere effort to end the bloodshed and destruction has been launched. The various players are focusing on short-term gains with little to no regard for the impact on ordinary civilians – or Syria’s viability as a state after Assad goes. I went to Syria several times last year, and I follow the developments closely. As a survivor of Lebanon’s civil war, I see many parallels, and I fear the worst for Syria.

Morocco

Hasnaa Chehabi, Chair of the Women, Water and Environment Society

            The massacre in Syria broadcast on the news every day is painful to watch. Syria’s problems are rooted in despotism and corruption. I fear that only the law of the jungle applies and that human rights have been thrown out. The government and president are not with the people. Syrian journalists have asked for political asylum in France due to the pressures they face from the regime.

Photo credit: Voice of America News: Scott Bob report from Azaz, Syria. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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