ZEYNEB ÎSA

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- Women have played an important role in rebuilding life in North and East Syria since the Rojava Revolution, also known as women’s revolution. The Women Protection Office established by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) Women’s Council carries out many activities to support women in the region.

In an interview with NuJINHA, Huweyda Muhammed, Deputy Chair of the Women’s Council in the Jazira Canton of North and East Syria, gave information about the activities of the Women’s Protection Office.

‘Women are threatened with death’

Speaking about the women’s shelters of the office, Huweyda Muhammed said, “The office opened women’s shelters to protect women, who are threatened with death and violence, from all kinds of oppression by the patriarchal mindset. We support them to rebuild their lives without violence. The first women’s shelter was built in 2015. Women survivors of violence can stay in women’s shelters as long as they want.”

 They provide training courses and psychological support

 The women’s shelters provide training courses and psychological support to women survivors of violence. “We have a daily program for women staying in shelters. We provide training courses to teach women how to write and read and improve their knowledge. The Amara Center provides psychological support to them.”

‘Our aim is to open women’s shelters in every canton’

Currently, more than 40 women stay permanently in the women’s shelter in the Jazira Canton. “At the beginning, seven women stayed permanently in the women’s shelter but now their number has increased to more than 40. Our aim is to open women’s shelters in every canton. The door of the women’s shelters is open to all women, who receive death threats and who are subjected to violence.”