Spotlight on Syria: A gender perspective on the status of the political process

As the Syrian conflict entered its twelve years, prospects for peace seem to be still far away.
The humanitarian cost of the war is immense. According to the U.N., more than 6 million are internally displaced and another 6.8 million are refugees or asylum-seekers abroad. As of today, 14.6 million people are currently in need of humanitarian and protection assistance among which half million children who are chronically malnourished. Yet, as the crisis continues, the international community, together with the general public opinion, seems having lost hope and concern in contributing to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, especially after the Ukrainian war’s outbreak.

Through this webinar, the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network (MWMN) wants to return the Syrian crisis to the forefront of international community and public opinion back by both analysing the state of play of the peace process and providing a direct and extensive account about life in Syria. A key issue that will be thoroughly addressed deals with the past and current challenges faced by Syrian women. The webinar will also be a chance for presenting the final recommendations of the initiative "The role of women in developing durable solutions to the Syrian crisis" launched by the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network in collaboration with Search for Common Ground with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

Programme

Opening remarks
Loredana Teodorescu, Head of Mediterranean Women Mediators Network (MWMN) Secretariat

Keynote speech
Stefano Ravagnan, Special Envoy for Syria, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Panel discussion
Rajaa al Talli, Co-founder, Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria (ccsds) and Member of the Women Advisory Board

Nivin al Hotary, Chair of the Board, Women Empowerment and Support Unit

Huda Sarjaw, Head, Gathering of Syrian Women Association

Rim al Jabi, Regional Gender Advisor for MENA, Search for Common Ground

Chair
Francesca Caruso, MWMN Policy and Mediation Expert and IAI Researcher

Q&A

Working Languages: English and Arabic (simultaneous translation)