Civil Society Organizations in Southern Syria… Why Have They Become a Necessity?

Civil Society Organizations in Southern Syria… Why Have They Become a Necessity?

Ahmad Fares – Naseeb

Societal violence in southern Syria has been on the rise since 2019, and many attribute it to the withdrawal of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, in addition to the formal return of Syrian regime institutions and the reinstatement of its security grip.

In the second half of 2014, local civil society organizations began to emerge in southern Syria with the assistance of non-governmental organizations, providing services across borders. The activities of these organizations gradually expanded until they gained recognition and community support.

These organizations played a crucial role in raising awareness and implementing advocacy campaigns in areas such as women’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the elderly, youth rights, the right to social protection, healthcare, housing, education, and the right to access public services.

They provided a suitable space for volunteer and collective work for various age groups, offering opportunities for those with innovative ideas to implement their ideas and work towards achieving their goals in serving the community. These organizations were a fundamental pillar of civil society working to bring about change in various aspects of public life.

Civil society organizations in southern Syria contributed to supporting local councils with the concepts of governance and sound administration, providing services to the local community to the best of their ability. Local councils transformed from tribal-based entities to councils that could be described as technocratic. Committees emerged from these councils, tasked with holding meetings with the local community to discuss and address various issues and problems related to the council’s work.

These committees were associated with the Reform Commission, an entity composed of influential figures from various villages in southern Syria working to peacefully resolve problems and issues among individuals or groups living in the same geographic area.

Therefore, the reactivation of the role of civil society organizations in southern Syria today is an urgent necessity to promote a culture of non-violence, especially in the absence of government efforts to combat the prevalent culture of violence among the youth, particularly with the spread of drugs and indiscriminate weapons.

There can be a clear social impact through forming partnerships with schools, mosques, influential figures in the community, and various youth forums. Civil society organizations can play a leading role in this direction by integrating youth into cultural, sports, and social activities that stimulate their positive energies, absorb their negative energies, and channel their efforts into creativity, construction, and contribution.