North and East Syrian women will greet the 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with the slogan of "freedom and equality". As the Rojava Revolution leaves behind its 12th year, the revolution, which is the "Women's Revolution" in the Middle East, has brought many innovations, changes and transformations. Women, who are implementers of these radical changes, have become the pioneers of life in the process. The economy, which had become a mechanism of violence during the Baathist regime by "disciplining" women through starvation, was removed from the capital-power-men's wheel of capitalist modernity and transformed into a communal, social and labour-oriented field.

 

Communes constitute the most basic structure of the economic system in Self-Government. The economic branches of the communes, as local organisations, identify the needs and bring them to the Economic Committee of the People's Assembly in the city. The committee submits these to the relevant council of the canton to which that city belongs. In the Cantonal Assembly, these needs are discussed at the monthly meetings of the relevant institutions such as the Agricultural Board and the Economic Board. Kongra Star is the main umbrella under which women's economic organisation, as well as women's organisation in many other fields, comes together.

 

ECONOMY

 

One of the first fundamental changes in the economy was the establishment of the Women's Economic Committee in 2015. Women organised themselves in communes and cooperatives throughout the region. Women account for a significant portion of agricultural production and have created dozens of market areas within the committee to ensure that products are delivered directly to consumers cheaply and healthily. The income of the communes and co-operatives established within Kongra Star is shared equally among the members.

 

JINWAR EXAMPLE

 

On the other hand, Jinwar Village, the second women's village in the world and the first in the Middle East, was established. Located in the west of Dirbêsiyê city of Cizîr Canton, the village was opened to women and children on 25 November 2018. In the village, which is a place where women feel safe in the 6th year of its establishment, in addition to 30 houses; there is a school, a communal dining hall, a shop and a Şîfa Jin (Women's Clinic). The women, who meet their needs through agriculture and animal husbandry, also ensure the security of the village. The women meet all their needs from education to health and produce their own electricity with solar energy. The administration of the village is carried out by the council. The council meets twice a month to evaluate and discuss developments in the region, including life in the village. The 35 women living in the village are also recognised as natural members of the council. In the Jinwar Academy established in the village, general history, women's anatomy, history and gynecology are taught.

 

Director of the Women's Economic Committee of Northern and Eastern Syria Gülistan Murad, stated that the economy has found its meaning and essence again through the hands of women in the autonomous administration.

 

FIRSTLY CHANGE OF MINDSET

 

Gülistan Murad noted that before the revolution, women had been removed from the field of economy and the maintenance of their own lives and said: "Women were removed from this field due to patriarchal, masculine mentality. Even as a mentality, women did not think that they had a say in the field of economy. They saw the economy as a 'male field'. When we came together with women for the co-operatives we would establish after the revolution, we first tried to change this mentality." Gülistan Murad stated that with the employment of women, their views in the field of economy, in which they are practically involved, have changed and they have gained courage.

 

'THE IDEA OF BEING TOGETHER HAS DEVELOPED'

 

Gülistan Murad emphasised that women developed their own projects by themselves and said: "Women were ensuring their own progress. This was strengthened by the unity of providing ideas, creating discourse and putting them into action. In this process, women learnt how to exist in the economic field and witnessed that this field was already created by women. In doing so, women also changed the mentality of the society. Women also came together with other women in these works and developed the idea of 'being together' because they were carrying out something. Women have increased the attachment of the citizens here to the land. These works have also reduced many dichotomies such as hungry and poor, above and below, rich and poor in these lands. We cannot say that it is over, but it has decreased visibly."

 

'TRAINING IS ALSO GIVEN TO MEN'

 

Gülistan Murad underlined that the problems experienced are the result of thousands of years of male mentality and patriarchal order, and noted that they provide trainings to both women and men in order to change and transform this mentality. "We know that this problem is a problem that cannot be solved with unilateral solutions. Both women and men are the addressees of this problem. For this reason, we conduct our trainings with both sexes," Gülistan Murad said.

 

'WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP IT ALIVE'

 

Gülistan Murad stated that despite all the difficulties and attacks they have been experiencing in the recent period, they continue their struggle in every field by women and continued her words as follows: "Leading women were specially targeted. On the other hand, Rojava is kept under an embargo. Climate change due to ecological destruction was another factor affecting us. The Leader of Peoples Abdullah Öcalan, said, 'In order to exist, agriculture is necessary (Ji bo hebun ê çandinî)'. In other words, those who want to preserve their existence need to do agriculture. We attach importance to agriculture based on this. In the past, there was always migration and there was no stability. With agriculture, cities were created and trade developed. We are doing all this with women. The Rojava Revolution made a name for itself with women. For this reason, we reiterate our promise once again. We will strengthen our will even more. We will not take a step back. We will continue to maintain and sustain the economy with our own hands. Because with this we also ensure our self-defence."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli