The recent announcement that Syrian tertiary institutes will not allow women into some courses has triggered debate. Critics worry it may be a sign that the new Syrian government is restricting women's rights.
This is focused on two new universities which require military service as part of the programs they offer, and as such preclude women. It sounds like mostly a nothing burger (it does suck and I’m not trying to defend it, but it’s not the worst thing women have to deal with and similar bans are relatively common all over the place- I can’t really fault Syria for being 20-30 years behind much of the west in their attitudes towards gender and military service). But then you get to this:
Besides the military college bans, there were also other, possibly even more disturbing aspects to the new admissions rules. Restrictions on female students were also applied at a railways institute in Aleppo, oil and gas training organizations in Rmeilan, Homs, Deir el-Zour and Baniyas, and a radio and television course in Idlib. Elsewhere men were barred from kindergarten and nursing school training and midwifery courses. These were to be women-only.
Cool cool cool, why can’t women study radio and why can’t men study nursing? I know, I know, it’s because women’s sexy voices are too distracting and men can’t be nurturing (I am curious about the trains thing- is it sexism about driving? Maybe Syria is different, but I’m guessing that one was 95% men anyway). I’ve really been holding out hope for Al-Jolani to be a great leader who unites Syria and builds it back up, but it’s looking less likely every day.
This is focused on two new universities which require military service as part of the programs they offer, and as such preclude women. It sounds like mostly a nothing burger (it does suck and I’m not trying to defend it, but it’s not the worst thing women have to deal with and similar bans are relatively common all over the place- I can’t really fault Syria for being 20-30 years behind much of the west in their attitudes towards gender and military service). But then you get to this:
Cool cool cool, why can’t women study radio and why can’t men study nursing? I know, I know, it’s because women’s sexy voices are too distracting and men can’t be nurturing (I am curious about the trains thing- is it sexism about driving? Maybe Syria is different, but I’m guessing that one was 95% men anyway). I’ve really been holding out hope for Al-Jolani to be a great leader who unites Syria and builds it back up, but it’s looking less likely every day.
I always lose my cool when I’m treating/manhandling (which ever term you prefer of course) my patients and a female voice comes on the radio. ALWAYS
It’s a common problem and I’m very happy this well thought over solution is being brought up.