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.
Gulistan Murad: Communal economy strengthens women’s self-defense
Gülistan Murad, spokeswoman for the Kongra-Star economics committee, explains the importance of building an autonomous communal women's economy.
Webinar on the Co-Chair system in NE Syria
On May 9th, the Civil Diplomacy Center, in cooperation with Neighborhood Parliaments in India, organized a webinar on “The Co-Chair System in Rojava – NE Syria”.
Time of Harvest in the women’s cooperatives
The Women‘s Economic Committee began harvesting the crops of wheat, lentils, cumin, coriander, fenugreek and barley from the women‘s cooperatives for the 2024 season and delivering them to storage centers in the region.
Project launched in Raqqa to strengthen the economy of women
Azize Al Utba teaches handicrafts, especially to abused and disabled women, so that they can become self-confident and strengthen their economy.
Women build common life in Jinwar
Women living in Jinwar, an all-women village, work together to build a common life. The village is the place that they always dreamed of living in.
4,000 fruit trees planted as part of ‘Jiyan Project’
4,000 fruit trees have been planted in the Melemerze village of Dêrik (Al-Malikiyah) as part of the “Jiyan (Life) Project” launched by the Women’s Economy. The project will turn into a women’s cooperative when the trees start fruiting next year.
Laborers’ Union of North and East Syria creates new job opportunities for women
The Women's Committee of the Laborers’ Union of North and East Syria aims to prevent the exploitation of women’s labor and create new job opportunities for women.
Women as vanguard of the ecological and anticolonial struggle
Interview with Berivan Omer and other insights from the ecological conference.
Spokesperson of Mala Jin: Our aim is to save women from patriarchy
“Our aim is to save women from patriarchy, slavery and the tribal system,” said Yasmîn Îsa, Spokesperson of Mala Jin (Women’s House) in the El-Teyî neighborhood of Qamishlo.
Kongra Star’s 12 cooperatives provide employment to women in Til Temir
12 cooperatives started by Kongra Star Economy Committee have developed projects in Til Temir to provide employment to women and strengthen the local economy.
Family law protects rights of women and children in NE Syria
One of the achievements of women's struggle in North and East Syria is the “Family Law” that protects the rights of women and children and spreads the idea of common life in society.
