Syria's transitional government appointed its first female governor for the southern province of Suwaida on Tuesday, following the recent appointment of several women to prominent positions.
Muhsina al-Mahithawi, a member of Syria’s Druze minority, was selected to lead her home province, according to state news agency Sana.
Al-Mahithawi is the third woman to hold an official position under the new government, which emerged after rebel forces ended more than five decades of Assad family rule on 8 December.
The move has sparked discussions on the significance of female representation in politics following the overthrow of the Assad regime.
Aiham al-Schufi, an activist from the region, told German news agency dpa that al-Mahithawi had been a prominent figure in the peaceful protests against Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
She was one of the first women to join the peaceful movement in Suwaida against the government, al-Schufi said, adding that she had faced harassment from the authorities.
Al-Mahithawi's appointment could signal a step forward for the war-torn country, especially given the recent appointments of former deputy governor of Syria’s central bank, Maysaa Sabrine, to lead the institution, and Aisha al-Dibs as head of the Women’s Affairs Office in the interim government.
However, concerns remain among Syrians about the marginalisation of minorities and women under the new administration.
Al-Dibs's controversial remarks on the role of feminist organisations have sparked public outrage, with many fearing that the new government may limit women’s participation in public life.
In response, Syria’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani assured the public on social media that his government would "stand by" women and "fully support their rights."
He expressed confidence in the active role of women in society, stating, "We believe in the active role of women within society, and we have confidence in their capacities."
Meanwhile, Obeida Arnaout, spokesperson for Syria’s new authorities, faced widespread criticism after making sexist remarks about women's roles in a televised interview.
His comments were met with anger and mockery from Syrian women and were condemned by Rafif Jouejati, Vice President of the Syrian Liberal Party, who previously told °®Âþµº that they reflected "utter ignorance" about the role Syrian women play in society.
Jouejati further criticised Arnaout’s statement, saying: "Syrian women did not fight in our revolution for freedom, democracy, and equality for over 13 years to have him issue a statement that contradicts the spirit and the goals of the revolution."
The new administration has also faced backlash for reportedly incorporating foreign fighters, including Uyghurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk, into Syria’s armed forces.
This move has raised concerns among foreign governments and Syrians about the intentions of the new government, despite its pledges to rule with tolerance towards the country’s diverse communities.
Amid these developments, Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with senior Christian clerics on Tuesday, reaffirming his self-proclaimed commitment to safeguarding the rights of Syria’s diverse communities.