After 8 years of harsh, bloody and intense military conflicts in Syria, negotiations between various political powers invoking “reconciliation” and “justice” appear tense and complex. It is clear so far, despite women’s important social and political involvement within Syrian civil society, Syrian women’s specific roles, positionalities and experiences have not yet been entirely taken into account when thinking of a future Syria. The international discourse focus on issues of “sexual violence” and “honor killings” in the frame of programs supposed to tackle gender specific violence appear at odds with the everyday realities of Syrian women and girls. Moreover, while attention has been drawn to rape and sexual violence, women’s voices, activist-based and grassroots initiatives regarding crucial issues such as the proliferation of weapons, as well as household survival, political and social equity are not given adequate attention and consideration.

To this end, and through consultations with Syrian women and female human rights defenders, this paper aims at documenting and analyzing Syrian women’s various experiences and understandings notions of justice, peace, equity and social stability.