In an exclusive interview with Medya News, Khoud Al-Issa, spokesperson of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering in North and East Syria, outlines the current attacks against women in Syria and explains why the recent decision of the Syrian interim government to remove Queen Zenobia’s name from the national curriculum must be seen as an attempt to erase the history of Syrian women.
One month after the fall of the Assad regime and the takeover of the government by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), Syria is standing at a crossroads. The fall of the Assad regime was celebrated in Syria and all over the world, but doubts remain over whether the new regime will be more progressive, with many pointing to the fact that HTS is a successor to the jihadist Al-Nusra Front, which is known for its crimes and violence against women and minorities.
The decision by the new interim government to remove Queen Zenobia’s name from the country’s national curriculum has exacerbated the concerns of many women in Syria, who feel the role and importance of women in the history of Syria will be made invisible and that the violence and oppression against them will continue.
Medya News conducted an exclusive interview with Khoud Al-Issa, spokesperson of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering, which is an independent women’s organisation working in Raqqa, Manbij (Minbîc), Tabqa (Tebqa), Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor) and other areas liberated from ISIS in North and East Syria. The organisation is named after Queen Zenobia, the third-century ruler of the Palmyrene Empire, which Al-Issa describes as a “model for Syrian women who are able to achieve the impossible and lead their society towards progress and prosperity.”
Khoud Al-Issa highlighted that in today’s context, Zenobia’s legacy “challenges stereotypes that try to limit the role of women, and encourages women to claim their rights and actively participate in building Syria’s future.” Outlining the current situation of women in Syria, she explained that women are “greatly affected by the ongoing wars and conflicts”, as they are exposed to “physical and sexual violence, forced displacement, loss of loved ones, extreme poverty, and denial of education and healthcare,” while also caring for their families under these difficult circumstances.
The Zenobia Women’s Gathering has also faced immense challenges since the escalation of the war in Syria. Recently, three of its members—Qamar al-Sud, Aisha Abdul Qader and a woman known only as Iman were killed in Turkish-led attacks on the town of Manbij. Karam Ehmed Al-Shehab Al-Hemed was killed in a Turkish drone strike targeting a civilian car convoy en route to a demonstration at the Tishreen Dam [on 10 January, 2025]. Their martyrdom highlights the sacrifices women continue to make in the region, both for their rights and for the preservation of their legacy.
Enjoy reading the full interview, originally conducted in Arabic, translated and slightly edited by Medya News:
Can you introduce your organisation and its main activities?
We are Zenobia Women’s Gathering, an independent women’s organisation working in Raqqa, Manbij, Tabqa, Deir ez-Zor and other areas liberated from ISIS. Our main goal is to empower Syrian women in all aspects of life, whether social, economic or political. We believe that women are the foundation of society and an active element in building the future of Syria.
Our main activities include:
- Awareness and education programmes: We provide workshops and trainings on women’s rights, reproductive health, gender equality, combating gender-based violence, and other important topics.
- Psychosocial Support: We provide psychosocial support services for women affected by war and conflict, including individual and group support sessions.
- Economic Empowerment: We offer vocational training programmes and microenterprise projects to help women gain new skills and become economically self-reliant.
- Advocacy: We work to raise women’s voices and advocate for their causes in local and international forums, and seek to change discriminatory laws and practices against women.
- Cultural Activities: We organise cultural and artistic events aimed at enhancing the role of women in society and highlighting their historical and cultural contributions.
Why did you decide to name your organisation Zenobia?
We chose the name Zenobia in honour of Queen Zenobia, a symbol of strength, determination and will. Zenobia was the Queen of Palmyra, who ruled a powerful kingdom in the region. She was a strong and courageous woman who led her own armies and worked to develop her kingdom in various fields. Zenobia is a model for Syrian women who are able to achieve the impossible and lead their society towards progress and prosperity.
What historical importance does Zenobia hold for Syrian women, and what is her legacy in today’s context?
Zenobia is a great source of inspiration for Syrian women. She reminds us that Syrian women have always been able to be leaders and influencers in their society. Zenobia’s legacy represents the power of women and their ability to challenge and change, a vital legacy that we must preserve and pass on to future generations. In today’s context, Zenobia’s legacy challenges stereotypes that try to limit the role of women, and encourages women to claim their rights and actively participate in building Syria’s future.
How do you interpret the removal of Zenobia’s name from the new school curriculum?
Removing Zenobia’s name from the new curriculum is an attempt to obliterate women’s history and their role in building Syrian civilisation. This measure reflects a narrow and biased view of history and aims to marginalise and exclude women from the public sphere. We consider this measure to be a serious setback in the march of development and progress, and we will work hard to restore Zenobia’s name to the school curricula to be a source of inspiration for future generations.
In light of recent curriculum changes, how does your organisation plan to preserve the legacy of Zenobia and advocate for women’s historical contributions?
Despite the proposed curriculum changes, we will not stop working to preserve the memory of Zenobia and the role of women in history. Our plans include:
- Organising cultural events: We will hold seminars, conferences and workshops to talk about the life and achievements of Zenobia and other prominent Syrian women.
- Production of educational materials: We will develop alternative educational materials (books, films, multimedia) on the life of Zenobia and the role of women in Syrian history.
- Using media and social media: We will work to disseminate the stories of inspirational women through various media platforms to promote awareness of their role in society.
- Cooperation with other organisations: We will cooperate with other feminist and cultural organisations to unite efforts in preserving women’s memory.
How are women impacted by the ongoing wars and conflicts in Syria?
Women in Syria are greatly affected by the ongoing wars and conflicts. They are exposed to physical and sexual violence, forced displacement, loss of loved ones, extreme poverty, and denial of education and healthcare. Women face additional challenges in conflict zones, such as restrictions on movement and expression, and discrimination in accessing humanitarian aid. In addition, women bear additional burdens in caring for their families under difficult circumstances.
What message would you like to send to the international community about the challenges facing women in Syria?
Our message to the international community is to take serious and urgent steps to protect and empower women in Syria. We call on the international community to:
- Provide humanitarian support: Provide humanitarian assistance to women affected by the conflict, focusing on their specific needs.
- Combat sexual violence: Support efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence.
- Supporting education and economic empowerment: Providing education and vocational training opportunities for women and girls.
- Political Participation: Support women’s participation in the political process and decision-making.
- Accountability and justice: Hold perpetrators of sexual violence and human rights violations accountable and provide support to victims.
- Not giving up on Syria: Continue to support the Syrian people and seek a just and inclusive political solution that guarantees the rights of all Syrians, including women.
We believe that Syrian women are capable of building a better future for Syria. We, in the Zenobia Women’s Gathering, will continue to work hard to achieve this goal.
