Xedîcê Mehmûd, who runs a bakery with her spouse in the town of Til Temir, does not allow the negative views in society to affect her life. She thinks women’s labour force participation should be supported more.
The ongoing Syrian crisis, the embargo imposed on North and East Syria, the closure of the crossings and the attacks of the Turkish state cause the people of the region to suffer from financial difficulties. Both deteriorating economic conditions and some customs affect women.
She opened a bakery with her spouse in Til Temir
Despite all the difficulties, Xedîca Mehmûd never gives up resisting. Mother of six, Xedîca Mehmûd’s spouse opened a bakery in the city of Hasakah. She worked in the bakery with her eldest son; however, her eldest son was killed when a clash broke out between the Baathist regime and the Free Syrian Army in the city. After a while, Xedîca Mehmûd and her family had to leave their home in Hasakah due to the clashes. They settled in the town of Til Temir and opened a bakery in the town.
‘I do not allow the negative views in society to affect my life’
Xedîca Mehmûd suggested to her spouse to run the bakery together and her spouse accepted. “I began to run the bakery with my spouse. Men, women and children come to our bakery at dawn to buy bread after the smell of the tandoori bread spreads across town. Our tandoori bread is popular in the town because I bake tandoori bread with love.”
Xedîca Mehmûd had never worked before until they opened the bakery. “We earn money by working very hard,” said Xedîca Mehmûd, who never allows the negative views in society to affect her working life. “We do not want the negative views in society to affect our life.”
‘Women should be supported’
Xedîca Mehmûd indicated that women should be supported to develop projects so that they can participate in the labor force. “Women need support to develop projects. Some women do not have money to start their own business. These women should be supported more. Women should believe in themselves. We need gender equality in the workforce. Women put their signature under important successes when they are given the opportunity.”
