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History of GUSW
The Syrian Women's Movement has had a long road on the path to equality. Syrian women have historically held more rights when compared to the rest of the Arab world. The Syrian Women’s Union was founded in 1967 and aimed to mobilize women while developing their education, political activism, and skills that helped women become more effective members in socio-economic settings. According to the President of GUSW, "[It] has 14 branches in different governorates, 114 associations and 1850 centers. ... Some 280,000 or 60% of total Syrian housewives are affiliated to the Union." The union is working to end the isolation and marginalization of Syrian women as well as involve women to be an effective population in society ." This movement was born out of the union of various welfare associations, volunteer organizations, and welfare groups . The rise for the General Union of Syrian Women was built on various political shifts in Syria.

The women of Syria first gained the right to vote in 1953. This right still did not grant women the ability to pass their citizenship to their children, as a man can in Syria. Still, the right to vote was followed by another major milestone for women in the 1960s. The General Union/Federation of Syrian Women was created in 1967 with Saud al Abdallah serving as president. The movement gained political support as a new regime was established. In 1973, the Ba'ath Regime of Syria pursued equality for women in Syria by amending an article that created equality for all genders, thus removing all barriers to women's advancements. Although the regime expanded its' control on freedom in Syria, it still did not encourage more female participation in the political spectrum. Article 25 of the Constitution states, "all the opportunities that enable them to participate fully and effectively in political, social, cultural, and economic life. The state works to remove the restrictions that prevent women's development and their participation in building socialist Arab society ." The General Union of Syrian Women has successfully built a organization that pushes for the inclusion of women in Arab society.