ROJ HOZAN

Qamishlo – Women, who are isolated from many spheres of life due to the patriarchal mentality, also face many forms of violence. Despite the enacted laws combating gender-based violence in northeastern Syria, women are still subjected to violence, particularly domestic violence. The Democratic Unity Party (PYD) Women’s Council has established an initiative to combat violence against women. The initiative has held many awareness-raising activities and events, such as releasing press statements, holding marches, seminars, workshops and meetings and reached many women as part of the campaign launched by it with the motto “With the struggle and unity of women, we eliminate violence.”

Third stage of the campaign

The PYD Women’s Council announced the start of the third stage of the campaign several days ago. Until now, two activities have been organized as part of the third stage. One of two activities was a panel on the role of the press in combating violence against women. Another activity was the distribution of brochures in neighborhoods, villages and marketplaces. Şadiya Omer, a member of the PYD Women’s Council and the committee of the initiative, spoke to NuJINHA about the third stage of their campaign.

“We undertook a sacred duty”

Speaking about the aims of the campaign, Şadiya Omer said, “We see that some people in our society have not been able to get rid of the patriarchal mentality yet and they continue to think that women deserve violence. Violence against women is an inhuman practice and unacceptable. As the PYD Women’s Council, we undertook a sacred duty and established an initiative to combat violence against women.”

“Our aim is to support women to discover the power within them”

Underlining that the cases of violence against women and femicide is increasing due to the patriarchal mentality, Şadiya Omer said, “We launched the campaign to give information to women about their rights, the current laws in order to combat violence against them. Women are attacked everywhere. If women organize themselves, they can protect themselves. Our main aim is to support women to discover the power within them. Our campaign consists of three stages. We successfully completed the first and second stages by holding marches, seminars, workshops and meetings and releasing statements. Many women participated in our activities and events and learned their rights.”

“They see the truth but prefer not to see it”

Pointing to violence against women in occupied regions such as Afrîn, Girê Spî and Serêkaniyê, she said, “We aim to combat violence against women not only in our regions but also in the occupied regions. Thousands women living in the occupied regions are subjected to violence; they are killed, kidnapped and raped. The international and local organizations see the truth but prefer not to see it. No one has taken responsibility for the liberation of these women until now. Now, we discuss how we can help and support these women.”

Call on women all around the world

Şadiya Omer called on women all around the world to support their campaign. “A woman's cause is the cause of all women. For this reason, all women should stand by each other. We call on all women to support each other for freedom of women.”