The Syrian Initiative to Combat Statelessness
34
any restrictions on women’s movement in the cities of Raqqa and al-Bab.
However, fear of the arrest campaigns carried out by the regime in addition
to the constant bombing and battles in the aforementioned areas affected
their movement somewhat. The control of ISIS over the cities of Al-Bab
and Al-Raqqa is the stage of transformation for the freedom of Syrian
women, as the organization imposed many restrictions on women, including not moving in the city without a male companion “Forbidden”22 or
within a group of women, as it was impossible for women to travel alone
outside the city. There have been many cases of arrests of girls and their
parents in “Al-Hisbah”23,and cases of flogging. As for the liberation of the
two cities from the control of the organization and the control of the opposition forces over them, matters returned to their state before the occupation
of the organization. Also, women’s awareness of their rights and duties was
increased which helped them exercise their freedom more than before the
revolution. The increase in the number of displaced people within the city
of Al-Bab in particular has contributed to increasing integration between
families and getting acquainted with the cultures of the other Syrian cities.
While in Raqqa there are no longer restrictions on freedom of movement
for women, the large number of military checkpoints on the roads is an
obstacle for all, not just women.
Freedom of movement
1 = Very Bad
5 = Very Good
Before the revolution
During the revolution
Al-Bab
During ISIS
After ISIS
Al-Raqqa
| Freedom to dress
The issue of dressing for women in most Syrian cities is linked to customs and traditions. There was no specific custom for dressing before and
22
Forbidden: the adult male companion, and he must be a first-degree female relative (husband, father, nephew, grandson).
23
Hisbah: Islamic Police.
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