{"id":14301,"date":"2026-01-14T12:58:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T12:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mesopotamia.coop\/?p=14301"},"modified":"2026-01-14T12:58:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T12:58:00","slug":"womens-communes-an-organizational-framework-to-face-challenges-and-promote-equality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mesopotamia.coop\/womens-communes-an-organizational-framework-to-face-challenges-and-promote-equality\/","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s Communes: An Organizational Framework to Face Challenges and Promote Equality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cWomen\u2019s communes in North and East Syria strengthen women\u2019s roles and organize them democratically, ensuring participation in society. Born from the women\u2019s revolution, they promote equality, freedom, and confront social and political challenges<\/strong><\/strong>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell Tamr \u2013<\/strong> Since the dawn of history, women<\/a> have played pioneering and influential roles in communal societies, contributing strongly to collective life. They formed the vanguard of society and laid the foundations for its progress, leaving a lasting impact on the course of humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite thirteen years of the Syrian crisis, the issue of women\u2019s freedom remains a fundamental challenge. Societal democracy<\/a> is closely linked to women\u2019s freedom, making it essential to understand and correctly implement this principle, as it underpins the continuity and development of democratic experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kongra Star<\/a> and the Yazidi Women\u2019s Gathering began establishing women\u2019s communes<\/a> across the regions of North and East Syria. This initiative aims to strengthen women\u2019s roles and organize them within a community framework that reinforces values of participation and democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each women\u2019s commune consists of 11 women, three of whom handle administrative tasks, with one serving as the co-chair of the general commune. Specialized committees are formed based on need, including the Economic Committee, Health Committee, Women\u2019s Protection Committee, Cooperatives<\/a> Committee, Justice Committee, Environment Committee, Golden Crescent Committee, and Finance Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All resources of the women\u2019s communes are dedicated to serving women, with 30% of the general commune\u2019s budget allocated to the women\u2019s association. Kongra Star and the Yazidi Women\u2019s Gathering continuously monitor the work of these communes, and the communes report monthly on their activities and achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Establishing Women\u2019s Communes Began in Jabal Kizwan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Tell Tamr<\/a>, part of the Jazira region, Kongra Star initiated the establishment of women\u2019s communes, beginning in Jabal Kizwan as the starting point of an organizational path aimed at strengthening women\u2019s roles and expanding their participation in social life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jabal Kizwan was chosen because the area still faces challenges related to women\u2019s freedom and the need to instill a correct understanding of democracy, alongside promoting equality between men and women. The region also continues to struggle against violence targeting women, making it a natural starting point for the creation of women\u2019s communes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To better analyze problems and develop suitable solutions, an independent women\u2019s organization is required in each village and neighborhood, ensuring effective responses to challenges and enabling women to participate in decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviving the Commune System and Redefining Gender Roles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nihad Shendi, an administrative official at Kongra Star, stated that the Rojava<\/a> Revolution revived the commune system. Through the principle of co-chairing by women and men, a radical shift in societal mindset is being achieved:
\u201cThe co-chair system<\/a> represents a new step in redefining the roles of women and men in contemporary society, after their roles were marginalized and excluded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shendi emphasized that the communes have moved beyond traditional dependency and service roles. They are now structured so that each individual is responsible for their role within society. \u201cIn this way, the democratic system can evolve to grant everyone the right to expression and participation, enhance individual independence and freedom, and make them active members of a democratic nation<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She stressed the importance of men and women jointly making decisions and determining solutions to community and family issues within the commune. \u201cDecisions should not be made individually by one co-chair and imposed ineffectively on others,\u201d she noted, emphasizing that women reject mindsets that marginalize or exclude their role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After establishing general communes, the need for women\u2019s communes became clear. These communes, alongside general ones and without discrimination among women or communities in the region, strengthen the struggle against various forms of dominance, tyranny, and occupation, and address attempts to fragment society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women in villages and neighborhoods face greater and more intense challenges, necessitating direct outreach and raising awareness about the importance of democratic family structures and protection. \u201cHence the need to establish women\u2019s communes as an organized framework to ensure women\u2019s active participation and enhance their role in confronting difficulties.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communes as a Fruit of the Women\u2019s Revolution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shendi confirmed that women\u2019s communes provide women with a broader space to exercise their rights in education, health, economy, environment, and arts. \u201cThey enable a deeper understanding of justice principles and laws that guarantee their rights, contributing to legal awareness and strengthening their societal position.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that the establishment of women\u2019s communes represents a significant achievement of the women\u2019s movement over fourteen years of struggle. \u201cAlthough this step came late due to years of ISIS attacks and Turkish occupation, which continue today, the struggle continues with greater momentum through ongoing building and development efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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