Syrian Kurdistan grants equal rights to women

QAMISHLO, Syrian Kurdistan,— The local government in Syrian Kurdistan region, known as Rojava, has enacted a new decree that grants women equal rights, a move that has been hailed by some as a challenge to the discriminatory practices of Islamist jihadist groups.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), this decree is seen as an affront to the laws enforced by groups like the Islamic State (IS), which have long been oppressive toward women.

The decree, published Wednesday on the local government’s official Facebook page, states that men and women are entitled to “equality in all aspects of public and private life.” It was passed by the leadership of the Al-Jazeera canton, which includes Hasaka province, an area where Kurds make up the majority.

The new law applies to all ethnic groups in the self-governing areas, which also include Arabs and Assyrians.

Among the key points outlined in the decree are protections for women’s labor rights, including equal pay for equal work.

Kurdish YPJ female fighter Asia Ramazan Antar known as 'Angelina Jolie' — Kurdish YPJ female fighter Asia Ramazan Antar known as ‘Angelina Jolie’ in Syrian Kurdistan. photo: Courtesy of kurdishstruggle/flickr

The law also raises the legal age of marriage to 18, prohibiting forced marriages and mandating that women must give their consent. The decree further bans polygamy, a practice allowed under traditional Islamic law, where men can have up to four wives.

Women are also granted equal inheritance rights, as well as the right to testify in court, an area where they often face discrimination under Islamic law.

The new regulations also address the issue of “honor killings,” banning such acts and other forms of violence and discrimination against women. Additionally, the decree ensures that women are entitled to paid maternity leave for up to three children.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that this decree represents a significant step for the region. “While the Kurds continue to fight against jihadists, they are also sending a message to the international community that they are committed to democracy and civil rights,” he said.

The Kurdish region has been battling against the forces of IS for control of strategic areas, including the Kurdish town of Kobani on the border with Turkey.

Supported by US-led coalition forces, Syrian Kurdish fighters have managed to hold off the jihadist group for months, despite heavy casualties.

Over 1,000 people, mostly IS fighters, have been killed in the fighting, and most of Kobani’s residents have fled. The town has come to symbolize the resistance against IS.

This decree is seen by many as a direct challenge to the traditional tribal society in the region, which has long been governed by conservative social values.

Damascus, however, does not recognize the Kurdish self-rule established in 2013, further complicating the political landscape in Syria.

The new law in Rojava marks a historic shift for women’s rights in the region, showing a progressive stance in the face of ongoing conflict and societal pressure.

In 2013, the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), the political arm of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), established three autonomous cantons—Jazeera, Kobani, and Afrin—creating a Kurdish government across Syrian Kurdistan.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)