Syria’s first conference of the Women-Led Organization Platform sets direction for inclusive recovery

Bringing together over 150 organizations from across Syria, the Women-Led Organization Platform’s inaugural conference marked a key step in strengthening women’s leadership, coordination, and participation in the country recovery. 

Women-led organizations from across Syria convened on 12–13 April 2026 for the launch of the Syrian WLOs Platform, establishing a space for collaboration and innovation to strengthen women-led initiatives and advance women’s participation in public affairs. 

The conference brought  members from across the country together to define a shared strategic direction and action plan while reinforcing coordination, trust, and collaboration among organizations operating in diverse and often challenging contexts.

“This conference marked a turning point bringing women-led organizations together to shape not only their shared priorities, but the future of Syria’s recovery through inclusive and accountable leadership,” said Ajay Madiwale, Syria Coordinator at UN Women.

The gathering took place against a backdrop of significant and persistent humanitarian needs. Across Syria, 7.9 million women and girls require life-saving assistance, with 4.3 million targeted in the most affected areas. Women continue to face disproportionate challenges, particularly in food security, where only 12 per cent of female-headed households are food secure, compared to 18.5 per cent of male-headed households contributing to risks such as school dropout among girls and rising child marriage.  

Displacement remains a defining feature of women’s experiences. On average, women displaced within Syria have been uprooted three times, often fleeing hostilities, bombing, and fear of detention. Even when conditions allow for return, many women face ongoing barriers: more than one-third report they are unable to return due to insecurity, while others encounter challenges related to property rights and community tensions.

At the household level, women also carry a disproportionate burden of unpaid care. They serve as primary caregivers in over 95 per cent of households, with many spending between two and six hours daily on care responsibilities limiting their mobility, income opportunities, and overall wellbeing.

Against this backdrop, the WLO Platform has emerged as a critical mechanism for collective action. Established in 2024, it has grown into a nationwide network of more than 150 organizations working across humanitarian response, early recovery, and community empowerment.

Consultations leading up to the conference highlighted key priorities for strengthening the platform’s impact. These included expanding in-person engagement to build trust and coordination, advocating for sustained donor support, particularly for women’s political participation,  and strengthening partnerships across UN agencies to promote integrated programming. Participants also emphasized the need to continuously adapt to women’s evolving needs and to ensure that child-friendly spaces are embedded across programme design.

The platform operates with a clear vision of empowered Syrian women contributing to community development at local and international levels, and a mission focused on strengthening women’s leadership and ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Through its work, it has sought to expand women’s engagement with key stakeholders, secure their participation in national and international forums, and advocate for policies that support women in leadership roles.

Its governance structure, comprising a General Assembly, Steering Committee, and specialized committees, has been designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective representation, enabling women-led organizations to strengthen their collective voice within humanitarian and development efforts.

The April 2026 launching workshop of the Syrian WLOs Platform marked a pivotal moment for its members, establishing a dedicated space for collaboration and innovation. By bringing together women-led organizations from across Syria, it laid the foundation for stronger coordination and for advancing women’s meaningful participation in public affairs. 

As Syria continues to navigate a complex transition, ensuring that women are not only represented but actively shaping decisions will remain essential to building a sustainable and equitable future.