Public sector makeup ban stirs criticism in Syria's Latakia

A decision by local authorities in Syria's Latakia to ban female public sector employees from wearing makeup triggered new concerns Wednesday over a crackdown on personal freedoms.

Syria's new Islamist authorities have not officially imposed restrictions on public behaviour since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024.

But some incidents have sparked concern about creeping social conservatism.

Users on social media shared a copy of a circular from the Latakia province which ordered public institutions to "inform all your female workers not to wear any makeup during their shift."

It launched a fierce debate, with some Syrians taking to social media to question the decision, and others defending it, saying it falls under the existing dress code.

Reem Turk, a Syrian activist, wondered on Facebook: "How do you intend to hold the employee accountable, under what article of what law, for wearing makeup?"

"You guys are so funny, it's almost sad," she added.

Following the backlash, the province clarified in a statement that the decision "did not intend to... infringe on personal freedoms."

It said it was focused on "regulating professional appearance and avoiding excessive use of cosmetics."

Jaber Qassem, another Facebook user, asked rhetorically: "Did you solve all of Latakia's problems and only had women's makeup left?"

Latakia, the heartland of Syria's Alawite religious minority and Assad's home province, has witnessed sectarian violence that killed hundreds of members of the minority community.

Residents and rights groups have reported kidnappings and murders in the area.

The international community has urged Damascus to respect freedoms, protect minorities and involve all components of Syrian society, including women, during the country's delicate transition.

The ban is one of a series of incidents that have worried the country's diverse population.

Among them was a decision on Saturday in the town of al-Tal in the Damascus province to forbid men from working in women's clothing stores.

Last year, authorities enforced full body swimwear in public beaches, and a deadly attack on a Damascus nightclub in May further exacerbated people's concerns.

Facebook user Dima Khshef argued the significance of the Latakia ban goes beyond provincial regulation and represents "a direct interference with personal freedom, primarily with women's freedom."