YUSRA AL-EHMED

Raqqa- Seven years have passed since Raqqa was liberated from ISIS. Since then, women have achieved significant gains in all facets of life by mobilizing around Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s system based on democracy. NuJINHA spoke to some women of Raqqa about what has changed since Raqqa was liberated from ISIS.

“The Women's Defense Units (YPJ) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) played an important role in liberating Raqqa from ISIS,” said Itemad El Ahmed, member of Syrian Women’s Council. “The fighters sacrificed their lives to eliminate the world's most dangerous terrorist group.”

‘Women have put their signature to many successes’

Life changed for women when Raqqa was liberated,” Itemad El Ahmed stressed. “After the city was liberated, women began to participate in decision-making positions in all facets of life, including communes and assemblies. They have put their signature to many successes in all facets of life, including politics, military, art and culture and social life. One of the most important gains achieved by women is their participation in the military. The Zenubya Women’s Community founded in the city makes great efforts to change the patriarchal mindset in the city and protect women from oppression caused by this mindset.”

‘A free society is possible with free women’

Noting that they have embraced the life philosophy of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, she said, “Leader Öcalan mentions women’s issues in many of his books. We have taken important steps towards change in the light of his philosophy. Thanks to this philosophy, we, as women, get to know our reality, become aware of our roles in society, and have a strong will. A free society is possible with free women.”

‘We make efforts to follow in the footsteps of our martyrs’

Women pay the heaviest price of the Syrian crisis, Itemad El Ahmed stated, adding: “After ISIS entered the region, women were subjected to many rights violations; they paid the heaviest price. The ongoing Syrian crisis has doubled their suffering. The establishment of the Syrian Women’s Council was very important for women. As the council, we have participated in international forums, strengthened women’s political participation, worked to find a solution to the Syrian crisis and to participate in the negotiation process to resolve the Syrian crisis. We aim to unite Syrian women both inside and outside Syria. As women, we should unite under the umbrella of the Syrian Women’s Council to protect our gains. We should make more efforts to follow in the footsteps of our martyrs.”

‘Thousands of Yazidi women were sold in slave markets’

Women were subjected to many rights violations when the region was controlled by ISIS, Kenana Abdo, Spokesperson of the Syrian Women’s Council, told us. “The people of Raqqa, especially women, were subjected to many rights violations when ISIS controlled the region. ISIS committed many crimes against women, forcing women to wear black burqa and veils, stoning and lashing women and putting women in prison. ISIS attacked Shengal (Sinjar) and abducted Yazidi women and children. Thousands of Yazidi women were sold in slave markets. ISIS was financed by the Turkish state. Since Raqqa was liberated from ISIS, women have played important roles in the city. We do our best to protect our homeland and our gains.”

‘Women have managed to break gender stereotypes’

“The Rojava Revolution led by women in North and East Syria has become a role model for women all around the world,” said Fatima Al-Eli, Chairperson of the Future Syria Party Women’s Council. “The women, who liberated Raqqa from ISIS, have achieved many successes in all facets of life, including politics, military and social life. They began to participate in politics after the establishment of the Future Syrian Party Women’s Council. As women, we have managed to break gender stereotypes in society. Now, women play important roles in politics and actively participate in decision-making positions.”