SYA Consultation: The perception of young men and women on gender equality, women’s rights, and women’s participation.

In 2015, the landmark UNSCR 2250 on youth, peace and security (YPS) was adopted – 15 years after UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace, and security (WPS) – marking a fundamental shift in acknowledging the positive role young women and men play in peace and security as well as the importance of their meaningful participation in decision-making at all levels. Yet, in Syria, like in many other conflict-affected contexts, young people feel disillusioned by political processes despite the active contributions of young women and men to peacebuilding and other efforts.

From 2 to 4 November 2022, the Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA) conducted a consultation on the interlinkages between the YPS and WPS agendas with 80 participants (47.5% women, 51.2% men, and 1.3% prefer not to say) across Syria and among the diaspora. The consultation consisted of three days: the first day focused on the overall challenges faced by young women and men in Syria, including in terms of gender equality and women’s rights; the second day covered political participation and peacebuilding; the last day of the consultation focused on recommendations to the international community. 

The aim of the consultation was to give young people to discuss gender equality and women’s rights issues, convey recommendations to UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations, and, based on reflections, contribute to designing proposals that better respond to the needs of young Syrian women and men. 

Consultation short report: Here

Consultation full report: Here