ZEYNEP XELİF

Dêrazor (Deir ez-Zor)- As the International Women’s Day is approaching, women in four parts of Kurdistan have been getting ready to celebrate their day in different ways.

‘Our resistance gives people moral support’

“We stand firm and resist despite the fact that we have already suffered a lot,” Hadiya Muhammed, a woman of Deir Ez-Zor, told NuJINHA. “I send my greetings to all women, who have suffered and lost their children in the Syrian civil war. Our resistance gives people moral support. Syrian women plant hope for having a free life, always make efforts with smiles on their faces despite their losses.”

Despite all the challenges…

Syrian women have lost their loved ones, faced difficult living conditions and suffered from economic problems, emphasized Hadiya Muhammed. “Despite all the challenges, they achieve harmony in their families and society, lighting the way for hope.”

‘March 8 is a day of determination’

Madiya Muhammed also talked about the International Women’s Day. “This day is a day of struggle for the women of Deir ez-Zor. March 8 is a special day for all women. But it is a day of determination for Syrian women because they are determined to struggle for freedom. In Deir ez-Zor, women have been preparing to celebrate their day. They have decorated the streets by hanging banners and photographs on the walls. We will wear our traditional clothes on March 8 and cook local food because March 8 is also a day for us to embrace our cultural identity.”

‘The co-presidential system is adopted in North and East Syria’

“Women in North and East Syria play an important role in all facets of life,” said Khitam Muhammad, another woman of Deir ez-Zor. “Since the start of the Syrian crisis, they have proved that they have played a leading role in politics and decision-making positions. The co-presidential system is adopted in North and East Syria. Women and men have equal rights, participating in all decision-making processes. Today, we enjoy true equality in our regions, where women have the right to make important decisions.”

‘They preserve their culture despite all the challenges’

In the city, women have cooked traditional food such as flatbread and bitter coffee for the International Women’s Day. “Our traditional food symbolizes our culture and cooking them is a way for us to preserve the collective memory of the region. Syrian women will keep preserving their cultural identity despite all the challenges.”

Khitam Muhammad believes that Syrian women are “the symbol of determination and freedom. No one can dim the sunlight of free women. As women, we will continue to be the sun lighting the future. We wish a happy Women’s Day to all women, who struggle for their rights and raise their voice against injustice and inequality. March 8 is not only a day for celebration but also for the struggle for freedom and equality.”