<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The foreign ministers of Albania, Germany, Andorra, Australia, Slovenia, Spain, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Mongolia, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden, grouped in the so-called Feminist Foreign Policy Network, have called for the “full, equal, significant and safe participation of women” in the political transition in Syria.</strong></h4> In a joint statement released by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers reaffirmed this Saturday their “willingness to support an inclusive and representative, non-sectarian, Syrian-led and controlled political transition process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom, security and prosperity.” “With the liberation of the Assad regime, Syria has entered a new political era,” the text continues. “For the first time in 14 years, a political solution to the situation in Syria is within reach” and this “political solution requires the leadership and meaningful participation of Syrian women,” it added. “Syrian women, who have borne a disproportionate burden of the conflict, can greatly contribute to the development of the new Syria and must be given an equal place in the political transition process,” the ministers warn. “The full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in national and local politics, administration and the judiciary, the economy, the media and in all other areas of public life is essential to achieving peaceful and sustainable development,” the joint statement continued. “The Syrian National Dialogue Conference announced by the transitional government is a key element of this inclusive and peaceful transition process” and should therefore “be convened as soon as possible and reflect Syrian society in its diversity and integrity, including Syrian women, whose visible and relevant participation will be decisive for the credibility and success of this conference,” the ministers continued. “We are therefore pleased that two women have been appointed to the preparatory committee for the National Dialogue: this is a step in the right direction,” they stressed. “Experience shows that crimes and atrocities committed during conflicts, including those committed against women, generate prolonged instability if they are not addressed in an integrative and comprehensive manner,” the statement continued. “We therefore call on the new Syrian leadership, the Syrian people and all other actors to engage in a process of transitional justice, reconciliation and peace-building, which also includes the perspective and experience of Syrian women, who can act as drivers of positive change and can significantly contribute to Syria’s security, stability and prosperity,” it concludes.
