General Union of Syrian Women

The General Union of Syrian Women (GUSW) was founded in 1967 with Saud al Abdallah serving as the original president.^[1] It aimed to mobilize women while developing their education, political activism, and skills that helped women become more effective members in socio-economic settings.^[2] While Syrian women have historically held more rights when compared to the rest of the Arab world, the GUSW is working to put an end the isolation and marginalization of Syrian women as well as involve women to become more of an effective population in society.^[3] This movement was born out of the unification of various welfare associations, volunteer organizations, and welfare groups caused by various political shifts in Syria.^[2]

The women of Syria first gained the right to vote in 1953,^[4] but they were still not able to pass their citizenship to their children like the men Syria.^[1] In 1973, the Ba'ath Regime of Syria pursued equality for women in Syria by amending an article that created equality for all genders, thus removing all barriers to women's advancements.^[4] Although the regime expanded its control on freedom in Syria, it still did not encourage more female participation in the political spectrum. Article 25 of the Constitution states, "all the opportunities that enable them to participate fully and effectively in political, social, cultural, and economic life. The state works to remove the restrictions that prevent women's development and their participation in building socialist Arab society."^[4] The GUSW has since then successfully built an organization that pushes for the inclusion of women in Arab society.