Category: Women
Women’s freedom, or women’s liberation, is one of the three main pillars of the Rojava Revolution and the stateless self-governance model of the Autonomous Administrations of North and East Syria (AANES), as well as the Kurdish freedom movement more broadly, which initiated the revolution.
Women’s liberation is the most central pillar of the Kurdish freedom movement, and it is no exaggeration to say that the Rojava Revolution is a women’s revolution. There are many elements of the new system of radical democracy which have been created to build up women’s autonomy and freedom, such as the co-chair system, women’s co-operatives, and autonomous women’s councils in every democratic structure at every level of the system.
This is a strategy based on a historical understanding that patriarchy was the first system of oppression, developed more than 5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, and that all other systems of oppression such as race, class, imperialism, colonialism and slavery, as well as capitalism and the state itself, all have their roots in patriachy – the rule of men and enslavement and subjugation of women.
In the articles below, you can find information about women in North and East Syria, their lives, co-operatives and communal economy projects, and how the new system aims to build up women’s confidence and autonomy. There are also articles about women’s lives, livelihoods and struggles for liberation in the regions of southeastern Turkey known as Bakur by their largely Kurdish populations.
Female farmers of Deir ez-Zor strengthen their bond with soil by organizing
Female farmers of Deir ez-Zor keep working in agriculture despite the cut of the water supply of the Euphrates River by Turkey. They have dug water wells to water crops in order to not be forcibly displaced. Despite the difficult working conditions, the women of Deir ez-Zor are going to organize under the umbrella of the Farmers' Union.
Women of Kobani hurry together to harvest the last olives of the year
Olive oil, an inevitable part of Mediterranean meals, will be produced after the collection of olives. But for now, the women of Kobani hurry to complete the last olive harvest of the season.
First women’s village of 21st century: Jinwar
Jinwar village, which opened on November 25, 2018, is an all-women village. Women building a common life have built a small model of the Democratic Nation in this village. Stating that this village strengthens women, Ruken Rojda says the door of the village is open for all women.
Kindergartens opened by Kongreya Star help children grow up in a healthy environment
Kongreya Star’s Aleppo Office continues to open kindergartens to reduce the burden of working women and to help children grow up in a healthy environment.
Interview with Meghan Bodette, Researcher on North and East Syria
Bodette discusses her observations of a people seeking self-determination, the democratic spirit and values that are visible everywhere in the region, her take on the women’s revolution in North and East Syria, and her recommendations on US policy toward the region going forward. She recalls walking into the Raqqa Civil Council building and “seeing women everywhere” in public life, in the city where ISIS was in power half a decade ago. She shares her observations on Turkish aggression and the Turkish occupation of North and East Syria. She recommends that the US draw closer to North and East Syria, promote negotiations between Turkey and Kurdish groups to resolve the Kurdish question, and “end its support for Turkey’s efforts to seek a military solution.” She encourages others to deepen their awareness of the region, saying, “Their fight is not over. And because their fight is not over, ours isn’t either. Anyone with any interest whatsoever in peace and democracy must continue to talk about North and East Syria.”
“Women must defend women!”
Women Defend Rojava interviewed Naima Mehmud, co-chair of the Mala Jin (Women’s House) in the canton of Heseke. They talked with her about the work of Mala Jin and how it is influenced by the current Turkish state’s invasion and war and the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
Women’s Foundation works in every part of life
Syrian Free Women's Foundation works for women in every part of life. The foundation has recently begun to work for the education of women and children.
“Tandoor House” run by three women in Çêwlig becomes hope for women
Three women bake local bread in their “Tandoor House they opened in Çêwlig to have economic freedom. The Tandoor House become the hope for women living in the city and the people of the city prefer to buy bread made by these three women. Zehra Ataoğlu is one of three women and she tells us how they decided to open their bakery.
“Women of Deir ez-Zor are stronger now”
In Deir ez-Zor, more women have taken part in decision-making at all levels since their city was liberated from ISIS. The women of the city have become stronger since the foundation of the Women’s Council.
The Kurdish women’s Kibele Cooperative experience
Beginning just three years ago with only two women, the Kibele Cooperative run by Kurdish women in Urfa has almost 50 members today and is run using a co-presidency system.
TJA will open women’s cooperatives in Van
TJA started preparations to create women's cooperatives in Van.
