Adiba Tawoos moved from Aleppo to Qamishlo [Qamişlo / Qamishli / Al-Qamishli] seven years ago, and now she works in Şilêr Co-operative [pronounced Shi-lair]. We had an interview with her, she said, “We didn’t have work, but since the Rojava revolution we’ve been getting work opportunities to provide us with our daily bread.”
Fifty-four year old Adiba moved to Rojava with her family of twelve just after the first sparks of the conflict in Aleppo. Her main destination was Qamishlo, and she has been living there with her son since getting divorced.
She started working at Şilêr Co-operative. She works from 6 am to 3:25 pm, selling yogurt, milk, cheese, and other products of the co-operative.
Adiba managed to solve her family’s problem of income by working in the co-operative. She said, “Without the system of co-operative societies, it would have been very hard for me to make a living, and I would have been facing great hardship. The co-operative societies opened the door of opportunities for a lot of women like myself.”
Adiba also said, “Before the Rojava revolution we couldn’t work. During the rule of the Baath Party, women were in a position where they couldn’t do anything, but after the Rojava revolution women broke their shackles. I work in this co-operative with great enthusiasm, and I do my work the best I can. This freedom and trust that we have gained came because of the Rojava revolution.”
At the end of the interview, Adiba said, “I have promised to continue to work, and I want all women to be confident of their power and solve their own problems. These days will bring us many opportunities, and we have to work hard.”
Şilêr Co-operative Society was opened by women from Qamishlo ten months ago.
