Syria bans women from defense and security university courses

Syria has introduced new university admission rules that limit women’s access to courses at the National University of Defense Sciences and the Syrian University for Security Sciences. Lin Najab, a 23-year-old mechatronics engineering student in Damascus, faces having to abandon her master’s degree plans due to these restrictions. While women can still study at these institutes at generalist universities elsewhere, moving away from family brings significant social and logistical challenges, including parental opposition and uncomfortable dormitory conditions. The ban has drawn controversy, with activists arguing that ability defines academic success rather than gender, while some mothers justify the restrictions citing the need for physical strength and long field work. A closer examination reveals these rules may serve to keep women out of the military, requiring service commitments for graduates. Human Rights Watch has criticized the discriminatory policies as violations of international obligations and part of a pattern restricting women’s roles in state institutions. Additional restrictions have also been applied to institutions in Aleppo, Rmeilan, Homs, Deir el-Zour, Baniyas, and Idlib, alongside bans on men from women-only fields like nursing and midwifery.