NAGHAM JAJAN

QAMISHLO – Driving a car is no longer just a new skill for women in Qamishlo in Rojava to learn; for many of them, it has become a step toward greater independence and self-reliance.

In this context, Amad Dilbak launched, about three months ago, a special office for teaching women to drive cars in Qamishlo city, after she had begun training them since 2024. Through this project, she seeks to help women overcome fear and social obstacles, enhance their self-confidence, and enable them to move and work more independently.

She says that her goal is not limited to teaching driving, but goes beyond that to changing the prevailing view that "women cannot" do certain things that are seen as exclusively for men.

"I Want to Break the View That Women Cannot"

Amad Dilbak explains that she began teaching women to drive in 2024, while she officially opened her office about three months ago. "Thanks to the Rojava Revolution, women today participate in all areas of life, and therefore there was a need for women to also learn to drive cars."

She believes that learning to drive is not difficult for women, confirming that they possess the ability and will to learn different skills and succeed in them. "My goal is for women to work independently and continue their lives independently. I want to break the view that says women cannot and do not know."

According to Amad Dilbak, driving has become one of the means that help women enhance their independence. She noted that thousands of women in various areas of Rojava today know how to drive cars, confirming that enhancing women's self-confidence represents a fundamental part of her project. She explained that she has so far been able to train about 600 women to drive.

Fear and Social Obstacles

Amad Dilbak does not see that the basic obstacle before women lies in learning to drive itself, but in the fears and social obstacles that may prevent them from taking the first step.

She says that the demand for learning to drive is increasing day after day, and that women come from different areas with enthusiasm and a desire to acquire this skill. "Many women cannot take this step easily due to social obstacles and fear. But through training and teaching methods, this fear is overcome, and women gain self-confidence."

The desire of women, according to what she explained, is not limited to learning to drive cars, as she believes that many of them aspire to acquire other skills that help them rely on themselves and enhance their presence in various areas of life.

A Special Space for Women

Amad Dilbak established her office independently, and she was the first woman to start this project, as she says, before other women joined her in this field. She noted that the presence of other women working today in the same field represents a source of happiness for her, considering that it reflects the growing interest of women in learning to drive.

She describes her office as "a special and comfortable place for women," noting that she grants trainees a certificate at the end of the training period. She pointed out that she receives women who are 18 years old and above, as training has not been limited to young women; the experience has reached women who are 65 years old as well.

She says that many of the women who received training are today able to drive cars easily, adding that she has plans to expand the project in the coming phase.

"I Was Afraid at First, Then My Confidence Increased"

Among the women receiving training at Amad Dilbak's office is young Kibana Osi, 19 years old, who chose to learn driving with the aim of relying on herself in meeting her daily needs. "I came to learn driving, so that I can meet my needs myself. Women learning to drive cars is an important step."

She points out that fear was present at the beginning of her experience, but she was able to overcome it with the help of the trainer. "I was afraid at first, but Amad helped me and removed fear from me, and also increased my self-confidence."