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.
Red Wednesday: the Yazidi New Year
The Yazidi people have been the constant target of attacks—even before the rise of ISIS. Still today, after reclaiming their right to self-determination, they continue to be attacked by states (including the Iraqi state) and by those who reject pluralism and the idea of self-governance. But today, what is unfolding in North and East Syria is a different story—a story in which all cultures and religions have a space, including the Yazidi faith. The Yazidi New Year, known as Red Wednesday, fell on April 16 this year.
The First National Conference for the Unity of Kurdish Women in Rojava
“With this conference, we are laying the foundation for a new history—the history of the unity of the Kurdish people, led by the vanguard of Kurdish women. Just as women in Rojava have been at the forefront in all fields, they are also leading the way in building a democratic Syria.” — Perwîn Yûsif (PYD)
Women’s project meets needs of people in Tirbespiyê
About 100 women, who participate in the Demsal Project launched by the Kongra Star Economy Committee in the town of Tirbespiyê, provide agricultural and dairy products to the people of the town.
Sara Organization, a place to fight violence against women
The Sara Organization for the Fight Against Violence Against Women has reported 388 incidents of violence, human rights violations and crimes against women in the last 10 months in Northern and Eastern Syria.
IWD2025: The residents of Jinwar women’s village are standing strong
For International Women's Day 2025, we take an in-depth look into life inside Jinwar women's village in Rojava’s Cizîrê Canton, in northeast Syria. Kurdish News platform Mezopotamya Agency recently carried out an important interview with village residents about life and collective resistance at Jinwar.
The Status of women in North and East Syria
Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, Assyrian, Armenian, and Turkmen women have achieved numerous legal, political, military, cultural, and social accomplishments in North and East Syria during the July 19 Revolution (Women's Revolution). Preparations are currently underway to draft a special social contract for women.
Syrian Free Women’s Foundation aims to empower women
The Syrian Free Women’s Foundation aims to empower women by organizing vocational training courses and awareness-raising activities.
Women in Hesekê open Inanna Textile Workshop as part of 8 March activities
The Inanna Textile Workshop opened in the neighborhood of Neşwa in Hesekê as part of the activities for 8 March.
Displaced women bake bread to earn living
Displaced women of Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn) living in the Til Nesri village of Til Temir, have baked flatbread called “Waşûkanî” to earn a living.
Inclusion in Times of War: The Organization Nûdem
In 2021, Nûdem was founded as a non-governmental organization working with and towards the needs of people with disabilities in the Autonomous Region and the whole of Syria. The focus is on pedagogical and societal works aimed at societal change.
Woman in Zirgan plants seeds after collecting remnants of war
Hena Xidir, resident of Zirgan, plants seeds after collecting the remnants of war to breathe life into nature.
