Under Pretext of "Preventing Mixing"... Female Lawyers Banned from Entering Central Civil Registry in Damascus
The policy of gender segregation in service institutions reveals a serious regression in the concept of equal citizenship and a restriction of professional freedoms that should be guaranteed in a civi
April 15, 2025, 10:55 pm

Lawyer Fawaz Bahaa El-Din Al-Khoja denounced a sudden decision preventing female lawyers from entering the Central Civil Registry on Thawra Street in Damascus, in a move he described as unacceptable and contrary to legal and professional norms.

In a post on his personal account, Al-Khoja addressed what he called "the concerned authority," expressing surprise at the justification of "preventing mixing" that was used to ban female lawyers from performing their professional duties, questioning the nature of the alleged mixing and how it affects the professional relationship between a lawyer and their client.

The lawyer expressed concern about the impact of these decisions on the course of justice and citizens' legal rights, affirming that lawyers, regardless of gender, have the right to follow up on their clients' affairs and perform their professional duties without discriminatory obstacles or restrictions.

Al-Khoja pointed out that such practices contradict the principles of progress and development, calling on officials to reconsider these decisions that affect the independence of the legal profession and citizens' right to appropriate legal representation.

Observers view these measures as reflecting a concerning trend in the policies of Syria's interim caretaker government, which appear contradictory to the civil values that Syrian society has been accustomed to, especially in the capital Damascus, which has historically been characterized by its open civil character.

Legal sources indicate that imposing restrictions on female lawyers' work strikes at the core of the principle of judicial independence and legal professions, and creates obstacles for citizens seeking legal services, especially women who may prefer to deal with female lawyers.

Experts confirm that these practices highlight the need to adopt an inclusive system in Syria's future that ensures respect for each region's specificities and culture, while preserving the civil and professional gains achieved by Syrian society over decades, instead of attempting to impose a unilateral vision that contradicts the cultural and social diversity that characterizes the Syrian fabric.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.