Women in Manbij, Deir ez-Zor, Tabqa and Raqqa who were liberated from ISIS are waging an organized struggle against all forms of violence and social problems within the Zenobia Women’s Gathering.
After the liberation of Manbij in 2016, Tabqa in 2017, Raqqa in 2018 and Deir ez-Zor in 2019, the first women’s councils and centers were established in these cities under the leadership of the Kongra Star, as women organized themselves within them. So a conference was held in Raqqa cantons on June 1, 2021, in which 150 women participated, and resulted in the announcement of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering.
The name of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering came from the warrior queen of the Palmyra Empire, Zenobia, and this empire is described in historical references as “a symbol of women’s loyalty to the land and people” and was founded in the city that ISIS mercenaries tried to destroy.
Furthermore, Arab, Circassian, Turkmen and other women from other components, in the gathering centers in Manbij, Tabqa, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa work to solve all social problems such as violence, underage marriage, polygamy, murder, divorce and inheritance, and they are waging an organized struggle to change the mentality of male dominance.
248 women work in the 4 gathering centers (Manbij, Tabqa, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor) and within its 11 committees (justice, training, families of martyrs, economy, press, protection, diplomacy, finance, media, health, culture and art).
Resolving more than two thousand cases
According to the gathering’s work results from January 1 to October 31 of this year, 2044 cases were resolved out of 4605 cases, while 478 cases are being followed up and 981 ones were referred to the Court of Justice.
The Gathering Council member, Gian Derik spoke to ANHA agency about the gathering’s activities.
Gian Derik pointed out that the establishment of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering came in light of women’s needs.
“Zenobia exists wherever there are women and children, our gathering plays an active role in confronting problems and society sees it as a best choice for the solution,” Gian Derik said.
She added,” We work in cooperation with the judiciary and the Internal Security Forces, and in the event that any woman is subjected to violence, we first transfer her to the hospital, and we receive a medical report of the beating, then we present the case to the Public Prosecution to begin the trial procedures.
Derik explained that the goal of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering is the struggle against all forms of violence. She concluded her speech by saying: “To support each other, we must organize ourselves better. Women deserve freedom, and they have sacrificed in all fields. The women who fought ISIS founded Zenobia. On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we will increase the pace of our struggle according to the philosophy (Women, Life, Freedom).
