The political situation in Syria is poised for dramatic changes as the Al-Assad regime appears to be collapsing and is expected to be succeeded by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While HTS has expressed intentions to promote education and involve women more actively in governance, worries about their commitment to genuine reform linger due to their controversial history.
Founded initially as Jabhat al-Nusra, HTS distanced itself from its extremist origins to become more focused on local governance. Despite this rebranding, its past policies have been marked by stringent restrictions on women, including mandatory dress codes, limitations on movement, and violence against women. Forced marriages were common, creating a hostile atmosphere for female autonomy. Recently, though, HTS's leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has attempted to project a more moderate image, claiming there are currently more women attending universities than ever before. Reports indicate over 60% of university students in Idlib, HTS's stronghold, are women.
This statement is, of course, met with skepticism, particularly following al-Jolani's recent actions which led one woman to cover her hair before taking her photo. While he justified this as his personal preference, many critics took it as evidence of HTS's plans to impose stricter religious regulations on women. Al-Jolani defended his behavior by stating, "I didn’t force her. This is my personal freedom; I prefer to take photos in a waythat suits me."
Still, HTS's position on women’s political participation raises eyebrows. Spokesperson Ubaida Arnaout suggested women are "unsuitable" for certain key roles within the government, which highlights the group's conservative stance on gender roles. Through such remarks, doubts grow about whether HTS can be trusted to genuinely champion women’s rights or simply pays lip service to the idea.
Political analyst Rabie Sha’ar suggests much of the media skepticism about HTS is unwarranted, arising from fear-mongering campaigns highlighting the new regime's reputed extremism. Instead, he argues HTS is adapting more pragmatically to societal needs, maintaining women’s involvement not only as students but also as increasingly active participants in local governance.
Despite this, civil activist Najla Temo of the Komela Şawîşka Organization emphasizes the diverse realities faced by women across different ethnic and religious communities, cautioning against taking HTS’s inclusivity at face value. Under the former Al-Assad regime, women experienced only superficial liberties, with systemic barriers remaining firmly in place.
Temo argues, "While women engaged through education and small employment sectors, they encountered extensive obstacles posed by patriarchal laws governing inheritance and family matters." This continued oppression reveals the limits of women’s empowerment over several decades.
The future remains tenuous. Some activists are advocating for women's representation across all governmental levels, hoping for positions previously occupied exclusively by men. Shams Antar, another advocate, notes, "Women are working to secure representation in the next government… They aspire to hold positions including the presidency, previously reserved for men under the old constitution." There seems to be room for optimism as more women participate actively both politically and socially, breaking long-held barriers post-Assad.
Feminist activist Mona Abdul Salam highlights how women have historically engaged with the revolution, stating, "Women-led protests joined civil society initiatives, and raised awareness about human and women’s rights." Many women risked everything, from their safety to their lives, to challenge oppressive regimes.
Yet, hopes for meaningful change come with considerable caution. HTS's recent declarations around educational opportunities and increased governance participation temper aspirations with fears of past behavioral patterns resurfacing.
While the transition from the Assad regime may pave the way for improvements on women's issues, the ultimate outcome for gender equality and broad participation remains uncertain. The struggle for women's rights is likely to be among the most poignant tests for HTS's governance, determining whether it can shed its oppressive past or revert to old habits of exclusion as it consolidates power.
