Human Rights Watch has urged Syrian authorities to remove gender-based admission restrictions at two new state universities specializing in defence and security before applications close on October 19.
The group says the National University for Defence Sciences limits programmes including law, economics, administration and social sciences to men. At the Syrian University for Security Sciences, women may apply only to cybersecurity programmes.
HRW argues that these restrictions breach Syria’s international obligations and its constitutional commitments to equality. It says women’s participation in rebuilding military and security institutions requires access to training and professional pathways.
In earlier comments to Syria TV, Higher Education Ministry student-affairs director Nour Habboub said the defence and interior ministries had established the criteria in coordination with her ministry, based on the programmes and graduates’ future duties. She said some sex-specific admission rules predated the new universities.
HRW called for a review of the restrictions and equal educational and employment opportunities.
Sources: Syria TV; Human Rights Watch
A press conference announcing the National University for Defence Sciences. Photo: Rami Al Sayed / NurPhoto via AP, via Human Rights Watch and Syria TV.
