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.
Jinwar Women’s village newsletter February 2023
But also during the intensified war and the earthquake disaster, the daily life continues and the preparation for planting new vegetables and crops have been completed. Besides other things, beans, wheat and barley have already been planted and the women continue to bake their own delicious bread.
Qamishlo Women’s Economy Committee plants 3,800 fruit trees in Derik
Within the scope of the 'Jiyan' project promoted by the Qamishlo Women's Economy Committee, 3,800 fruit trees were planted in Derik.
‘Women are more successful than men in North and East Syria’
North and East Syrian Dêrik People’s Municipality Co-mayor Bêrivan Hisên says the number of women working for the municipality has increased since the revolution in Rojava, adding, “Women municipal workers are more successful than men.
Women develop NE Syria with communal economy
Gulê Murad, member of the Economy Committee of Kongra Star, says women both develop NE Syria and provide employment opportunities for women by developing projects.
Women plant 4,000 trees in Mele Merzê village
Economy Committee of Kongra Star in the Cizîrê region planted 4,000 trees in the Mele Merzê village of Dêrik as part of the “Jiyan” project.
Women of NE Syria maintain cultural heritage through handicrafts
Women in Qamishlo maintain their cultural heritage through handicrafts and ornaments.
Zenûbiya Women’s Community focuses on education
The main aim of the Zenûbiya Women's Community is to provide education for the whole society, particularly for women. It holds education courses based on women's liberation and the democratic nation project.
Handicrafts Turned Into Careers For Syrian Women In Qamishli
Rawada turned her knitting hobby into a profitable career to support her family through the country’s ongoing economic crisis. Rawada Hmeidi, 50, a mother of five, left Deir ez-Zor 10 years ago and settled in Qamishli, in northeast Syria. She began to knit in order to help with the family’s expenses after her husband, a
Women municipal police in Manbij
Even though women municipal police of the People's Municipality of Manbij are criticized by society claiming that “this job is a men’s job”, they keep working for the people. While the problems faced by women have been decreasing in the city with the efforts of women municipal police, the number of women municipal police is planned to be increased.
The growing struggle of women in Rojava
Rojava women's struggle began with Yekîtiya Star and moved to a new stage on 26 February 2016 under the name of Kongra Star. 52 women's organizations have been getting organised more efficiently under the umbrella of the Women's Assembly of North-East Syria.
Aygün’s small shop becomes hope for dozens of women
Aygün Binici has a small shop at the “Women's Labor Market” opened by the HDP’s Silopi Municipality. Her shop has become a hope for dozens of women because Aygün sells their products at her shop.
