Syrian Turkmen Women's Union

On February 24, 2024, a women's union was established, bringing together Turkmen women from various regions of Syria and across different age groups. This union is the first Turkmen women’s organization dedicated to advocating for democracy, justice, and equality, while also striving to protect women’s rights, motherhood, and child welfare.

Turkmen Women's Union: This organization aims to support and empower Turkmen women in the political, social, and cultural spheres. The Union's headquarters is located in Al Rai (Çobanbey), with the potential to open branches in liberated areas of Syria and various cities in Turkey.

Vision: To ensure that Syrian Turkmen women actively participate in the country’s development and decision-making processes.

Mission: To strengthen the political role of Syrian Turkmen women, increase their active participation in political structures and decision-making centers, and emphasize their partnership with other Syrian components in building Syria’s future during the ongoing transformation.

Objectives:

1. Create a safe space for Syrian Turkmen women involved in public and political life.
2. Deepen the political knowledge of Syrian Turkmen women and empower them through informed participation and practice.
3. Strengthen communication with the Syrian Turkmen Women's Council and other institutions representing Syrian Turkmen women to ensure their political participation at the governmental and parliamentary levels in Syria’s future.
4. Ensure that women are represented by at least 30% in all societal and state institutions, including the Syrian Turkmen Council.
5. Increase awareness of women's issues in society and work to eliminate thoughts and practices that hinder women's political participation in public life.
6. Reject all forms of violence against women and children and abolish punitive laws in Syria that harm the dignity and honor of women and children or promote violence and oppression.
7. Enact special legislation that criminalizes all forms of violence against women.
8. Support Turkmen women’s efforts in combating poverty, ignorance, violence, and underdevelopment at the regional and international levels.
9. Pay special attention to the needs of Turkmen rural and working women, treat them in accordance with labor laws, protect their dignity, and strengthen their rights, particularly by providing economic support for vocational training and rural projects.
10. Contribute to studies that scientifically examine the multifaceted situation of Turkmen women in Syrian society and collaborate with the Syrian Turkmen Council and relevant humanitarian and civil society organizations to meet the needs of Syrian Turkmen women, especially in areas related to motherhood and childhood.

Principles:

• Seek consensus in decision-making processes that strengthen team spirit, ensure acceptance of others, non-discrimination, trust, respect for differences, cooperation, and mutual understanding to achieve solutions that benefit all parties.
• Take responsibility for fulfilling duties and responsibilities.
• Possess knowledge of the Syrian context and the specific needs of the Turkmen component, along with the necessary tools and experience.
• Strive to ensure no one is excluded.
• Uphold justice, honesty, and equality to achieve equal opportunities and fair distribution of tasks and roles.

Membership: Membership in the Syrian Turkmen Women's Union is open to all Syrian Turkmen women living in Syria or abroad who are involved in public and political life. Individuals who meet the membership criteria can apply. Applications are officially submitted to the Syrian Turkmen Women's Union and are reviewed and decided upon by the Executive Office.

Member Rights and Duties:

• A member has the right to vote and be elected to all committees within the Union.
• A member should contribute to determining and discussing the Union's work program and activities and provide suggestions to improve the Union's operations.
• A member should participate in committee meetings, attend public events, and strive to expand the Union's membership.

Membership Criteria:

1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Be of Syrian Turkmen origin; dual citizenship is not a barrier.
3. Accept the internal regulations of the Syrian Turkmen Women's Union and embrace its principles and goals.
4. Applications are accepted from women who are members of parties, organizations, institutions, and associations, but membership is based on their personal capacity. These individuals do not have the right to represent their respective organizations or run for presidency or council membership within the Union.
5. Be active and effective in public affairs and support women’s political participation.
6. Have a clean record and not have been convicted by a court, except for arrests related to political activities or rulings under laws targeting regime opponents.
7. Priority is given to candidates with experience in social and political work, supported by relevant documents. At least one document should be from the Syrian Turkmen Council or a reputable institution within the Turkmen community.
8. The Membership Committee must evaluate the criteria mentioned in Articles 5 and 7 on a case-by-case basis for each application.
9. The Membership Committee will assess how the criteria in Articles 5 and 7 are met based on the specific circumstances of each case.

Membership Termination:

1. Death.
2. Resignation.
3. Conduct contrary to the principles and goals of the Union.
4. Absence from three official meetings without a valid excuse.
5. If a member is convicted of insult or slander against the Union or its members, and is subsequently referred to the oversight and accountability committee.
6. Membership termination is carried out with the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee members. The terminated member has the right to appeal to the General Assembly, and the decision of the appeal is final.