SORGUL ŞÊXO

Hasakah- Election campaigns for the municipal elections to be held on May 30, 2024 in North and East Syria continue. On April 17, Kongra Star announced that Kongra Star and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) formed an alliance for the elections. After the announcements, primary elections were held in cities and towns to elect co-mayoral candidates. Women candidates for the elections were determined by women.

 At the primary elections, Hebûba Ridwan Miheme was chosen as co-mayoral candidate for Zirgan (Abu Rasin), a town in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province. Hebûba Ridwan Mihemed,30, was born in Zirgan and completed her primary, secondary and high school education in the town. Then, she studied English at the university in Deir ez-Zor. However, she could not complete her education at the university due to the war that started in Syria and the intensified attacks by Al Nusra Front. When the revolution started in Kobanê, she participated in the creation of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). In 2014, she began to work for Zirgan People’s Municipality.

‘I pursued my goal’

In an interview with NuJINHA, Hebûba Ridwan Mihemed spoke about her experiences in municipal works. “I started working as a municipal police officer. At first, my father supported me a lot. I was, of course, criticized by many people saying, ‘A woman cannot work with men’. I pursued my goal without taking care of the criticism. I met people and talked to them. I listened to their life stories and problems.”

‘I fought my family and society’

Hebûba Ridwan Mihemed is determined to walk on her own path with the support of her husband and children.

‘I did struggle in all facets of life; I fought my family and society. I made great efforts to build a family based on unity and solidarity. This is how I participated in municipal works. When Afrin was under attack, I left my two-month-old son with my mother and went to Afrin to support the people. When I returned, my son refused to drink my milk. People must fight everywhere for their country's children and their own children. People around me asked me not to participate in the elections. I was told, ‘You already have heavy burdens as a mother’. But I did not listen to them and participated in the primary elections. I was elected as the co-mayoral candidate for Zirgan.”

 ‘We will support the resistance of women’

Hebûba Ridwan Mihemed will use all opportunities to “meet the expectations of women who trust me. Zirgan is in the line of fire due to Turkish attacks. It is subjected to attacks from air and land. Women resist all the attacks. We will support the resistance of women.” Women’s support to Hebûba Ridwan Mihemed in the primary elections gave her moral support. “Women are supporters of women in rebuilding their country. I will do my best to develop my town and support women to the end.”

‘We will make our city green’

Recalling that Zirgan is in the line of fire, Hebûba Ridwan Mihemed talked about her projects, if she is elected as the co-mayor of Zirgan in the municipal election on May 30.

“The enemy is attacking our infrastructure, including our health centers, power and water stations. We will work to develop our town. We will rebuild our power and water stations. Due to ongoing attacks, the projects for women have not been realized for five years. We will create spaces for women. We will open a kindergarten so that working women can leave their children there. We will make our city green again. We will implement many projects within the bounds of possibility. We will work with people for our city.”