Women occupy a central role in the political project of « democratic autonomy » defended by the Kurdish liberation movement for the past fifteen years. We often hear talk of the parity practiced in all its institutions and of the male-female co-presidencies. But the accomplishments and the strength of the women’s movement go well beyond that and manage to unite a great number of women.
Mala Jin (Women’s House, a kind of women’s shelter) was first opened in Qamishlo. Now, it has 62 branches across northeastern Syria. It has become a space of hope and solution for women in the region and a role model for the whole world.
Hesna Îsa has planted seeds in her seedbed for 15 years. “Not everyone can work in agriculture. This business requires great effort. Everyone should plant trees in their land,” she said.
Seven women work in the Fırat Water Treatment Plant opened in Raqqa. Stating that they shoulder many tasks at the plant, they drew attention to the economic problems faced by them.
This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the revolution in Rojava, in North and East Syria. This revolution has become an inspiration and hope worldwide, giving strength to many movements and struggles. It has managed to build a democratic, feminist and ecological self-government project as a social alternative. It has managed to find answers to the deepening crises of the patriarchal system and at the same time to build a common basis of life for the local people with all its diversity.
We call up on you to defend Rojava! We call you to raise your voices and actions, to organize and to connect with each other. We call up on you to support us in solidarity and spread the word.
Let’s build an international front fighting for climate-justice! Rojava can be a role model for humanity to save mother earth. Let’s stand up for it together!
History of the Revolution: Much Achieved, Still Much to be Done.
One of the achievements of the Rojava revolution is the establishment of a democratic and multilingual school system. While teaching the Kurdish language was forbidden before the revolution, children in northern and eastern Syria can now be taught in their own mother tongue. The Academy of Democratic Modernity spoke with Nisrîn Reşik, spokesperson for the Association of Teachers in Northern and Eastern Syria, on the tenth anniversary of the Rojava Revolution.
There is an extreme water shortage in northern and eastern Syria. The water level in the Hesekê dam has dropped massively. A humanitarian catastrophe is looming in the greater regions of Hesekê and Deir ez-Zor.
“By militancy we mean the true overcoming of the lifestyle and mentalities of the individualist capitalist system and the fight against patriarchy in all aspects of life through organization and active militancy that can lead a real social change. To end patriarchy, it is not enough to point out and oppose to the hegemonic system; we need a women’s revolution to question and change the most deeply rooted patriarchal relations and mentalities.”
The people of Cirnika Bicuk village, one of the model settlements where communal life is built, are determined not to leave their homes and lands despite all the attacks.
Women fill many roles in agriculture because they are the only ones who can work in hard and challenging working conditions, which include working in the heat, and even on frosty days.
