Based on our belief that sustainable peace and inclusive development can only be achieved through the equal and effective participation of women and men in decision-making, we address you with this memorandum on behalf of women peacebuilders in Lebanon and Syria, affirming the importance of ensuring women’s participation in the various joint frameworks and bodies that are being established or activated between the two countries.
Women in Lebanon and Syria have demonstrated throughout ancient and modern history their pivotal role in peacebuilding, promoting dialogue, social cohesion, and responding to humanitarian, economic, and security crises. They have also contributed to recovery and reconstruction efforts, the protection of local communities, and strengthening their resilience in the face of successive challenges. Accordingly, the inclusion of women in decision-making processes is not merely a legitimate entitlement, but a national and developmental necessity that contributes to improving the quality of policies, enhancing stability, achieving social equity, and promoting sustainable development.
In this context, women peacebuilders in Lebanon and Syria have previously called for ensuring the effective participation of women in Lebanese-Syrian negotiations concerning shared humanitarian and security issues, stemming from the firm conviction that women’s participation in negotiation and decision-making processes leads to more inclusive and sustainable solutions and strengthens trust among different parties.
Today, with the move toward establishing the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Business Council and activating the Joint Higher Committee between the Lebanese Republic and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as any sectoral, technical, advisory, and negotiating committees and bodies that may emerge from them, we emphasize that the principle of participation that we advocate for in political and negotiation tracks should also extend to economic, educational, and development tracks. Women are partners in peacebuilding just as they are partners in building the economy, shaping public policies, and defining the future of relations between the two countries.
Any joint bodies or committees established to manage relations between the two countries, address shared issues, or develop future visions and policies should reflect the principle of equality and equal partnership and benefit from the expertise and competencies of women specialized in negotiation, advocacy, mediation, reconciliation, and peacebuilding.
These demands are based on the constitutional and legal principles and the national and international commitments undertaken by both Lebanon and Syria, which affirm the importance of equality, equal opportunities, and participation in public life and decision-making. They are also based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality, in addition to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and subsequent related resolutions, all of which affirm the necessity of the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes and in recovery, reconstruction, sustainable development, and peacebuilding efforts.
Accordingly, we look forward to:
– Ensuring effective and influential representation of women in the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Business Council, guaranteeing women’s participation in shaping common directions and policies.
– Ensuring the participation of women in the Joint Higher Committee between Lebanon and Syria and in all sectoral, technical, advisory, and negotiating committees emanating from it.
– Adopting the principle of balanced gender representation in all current and future joint councils, committees, and bodies.
– Working progressively towards achieving a representation rate of no less than 50% as a minimum, in line with international standards and the objectives of balanced participation in decision-making positions.
Any joint framework between Lebanon and Syria will not achieve its full developmental, economic, and social potential unless it ensures the participation of women as full partners with equal rights and authority in decision-making.
“There is no sustainable peace without the participation of women, and no inclusive development without their presence in decision-making positions.”
On behalf of Lebanon
Women Peacebuilding Network in Lebanon
On behalf of Syria
Space for Collaboration