Embassy of South Africa in Damascus celebrates National Women’s Day,  highlights challenges facing women in the business world

On August 9th, 2023, the Embassy of South Africa in Syria hosted a webinar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus as part of its celebration of the National Women’s Day.

The event was held under the title: “Women’s Social and Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Better for Improving Women’s Resilience” with the participation of a number of Syrian businesswomen as well as women from the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA) who shared the experiences of women-owned SMMEs in South Africa in using technology and social media to grow businesses.

His Excellency, Mr. Barry Gilder, the Ambassador of South Africa to Syria, told reporters that the event is important to highlight the challenges that women face in the business world and to share lessons learned from their experiences while seeking solutions.

Mrs. Reneva Fourie, the wife of South Africa Ambassador, told the “Syria Times”: “By celebrating South Africa’s National Women’s Day, we celebrate the contribution of women to our struggle for liberation, and in Syria, it was a very empowering experience.”

“More than 30 Syrian women leaders predominantly in the field of business gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel to participate in a hybrid webinar. The webinar unveiled the resilience and power of women, as Members of the Business Women Association of South Africa shared their experiences of building entrepreneurship after an era in which black women were completely excluded from ownership of the economy during apartheid.” Mrs. Reneva added.

“The Syrian women through the Chamber of Commerce, Syrian Business Council and the Syria Trust for Development outlined their determination to contribute to the rebuilding of the economy, regardless of the illegal sanctions and continued foreign aggression.”

“Hearing about the equally devastating impact of sanctions on Venezuela reminded us that despite our ailing Syrian economy, we are not alone and we took courage from the fact that a new, multipolar world order is close to be born. It was indeed inspiring to be surrounded by so many great women. Our Embassy is committed to building on today’s introductory initiative,” she said.

For her part, Mrs. Sonia Khanji, the head of the Businesswomen’s Committee at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce told Syria Times that Women in South Africa have been able to work, advance and achieve. Likewise, Syrian women have also been able to face challenges with their will, love, and belonging to their homeland. Despite all the difficult circumstances, Syrian women started again with advancement, urbanization of development projects of the actual economy at the Syrian level.

Engineer, Mrs. Maria Saadeh, the Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the “Here is My Identity”, Development Foundation, said to Syria Times: “the Syrian women constitute 75% of the society working in the economic field, and therefore they must be empowered and developed due to the need of the society “.

Mrs. Shukria Al- Mikdad, the wife of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal Al-Mikdad, said to Syria Times: “today is a special day for women in general in the world and in both countries south Africa and Syria in particular. The woman has to be empowered to be able to participate in all aspects of economic, political and social life.”

“Inthis event, businesswomen from South African share experiences with Syrian women on how they empowered themselves to be able to participate in raising the level of their societies in all aspects of life”.

She added that the Syrian womrn have been distinguished and active throughout history; as the country has provided women with all the opportunities that enable them to participate effectively in the political, economic, social, and cultural life” Mrs. Shukria said.

Mrs. Gessica Gonzalez, the wife of the Venezuelan ambassador, talked about the impact of sanctions on the establishment of bilateral relations between Syria and Venezuela, saying: “All these measures of pressure and persecution have generated various difficulties for the strengthening of relations between Syria and Venezuela especially economically. “However thanks to the iron will of our peoples and governments, important steps have been taken to overcome these obstacles, such as the reactivation of the Caracas-Damascus flight which will contribute to the strengthening of relations between the two nations “.

Reported by: Nada Haj Khidr

Photos: Mahfoud Abou Hadeer