National Commission for Transitional Justice, UN Women and Hawiati Lead Discussions on Women’s Equal Nationality Rights in Syria
Date:
Damascus, 30 March 2026 – Members of parliament, government representatives, legal experts, representatives of affected communities, and civil society organizations convened on 30 March 2026 in Damascus to discuss “Gaps within Syria’s Nationality Law: Achieving Gender Equality.” The conference was organized by the National Commission for Transitional Justice, in partnership with UN Women and Hawiati (MENA Statelessness Network).
Held at Damascus University, the conference brought together over 100 key stakeholders to examine the impact of Syria’s nationality law, which restricts women’s ability to confer nationality to their children, and to explore legal pathways for reform.
Discussions focused on discrimination in law and practice as a key driver of statelessness, the different groups affected, and the resulting barriers to accessing essential services such as education and healthcare. Participants also highlighted the broader social and economic consequences, exacerbated by over a decade of conflict.
“This is not simply a legal issue; it is a question of dignity, belonging, and the relationship between citizen and state. Reforming discriminatory laws is not only a matter of justice for women and children. It is a foundational step in rebuilding a social contract based on equal citizenship,” said Ajay Madiwale, Syria Coordinator at UN Women.
He added:
“Globally, this is a path many countries have taken. Sixty-five years ago, most states did not grant women equal nationality rights. Today, only 24 countries remain, from the Bahamas to Brunei, where this equality has not yet been achieved. Syria is among them, but it is also at a moment of transition, with a real opportunity to address this legacy and its compounded impacts as a result of the conflict.”
Grounded in both legal expertise and lived experience, the discussions identified:
Priority legal and policy entry points to advance equal nationality rights.
Actionable recommendations aligned with international standards and constitutional frameworks
Regional evidence and reform models to inform context-specific solutions in Syria.
Women directly affected by these legal gaps, including participants from across the country and the diaspora, played a central role in shaping the discussions, ensuring that proposed reforms reflect lived realities.
The conference followed a one-day capacity development workshop with women and men parliamentarians, which explored legal frameworks, international standards, and potential legislative entry points for reform.
As Syria navigates a critical phase of transition, the conference contributes to building consensus around policy options to advance equality before the law, strengthen citizenship rights, and support an inclusive and sustainable recovery, grounded in the principles of non-recurrence and reparations for victims.