RONÎDA HACÎ

Hasakah- Women have been achieving great success in all facets of life since the revolution in Rojava, also known as “Women’s Revolution”. On December 12, 2023, the General Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) approved the amended 134 articles of the Social Contract guaranteeing the rights of the women leading in military, politics and social life.

NuJINHA spoke to Ariya Mele Ehmed, Co-chair of Peoples’ Assembly in Jazira Canton, about the contract.

 ‘Women will build their own system’

Mentioning the importance of the Social Contract for women, Ariya Mele Ehmed said, “The Social Contract was approved at a very critical period. The contract is based on women’s freedom. The contract has many articles on gender-based equality, protection of women’s rights and gains, the co-presidential system and the establishment of a Women's Council. The Social Contract states that women will build their own system. In order to build a women’s system, women first should draft a contract so that they organize themselves and protect their rights and gains.”

 ‘Women’s social contract must be drafted’

Ariya Mele Ehmed believes that a women’s system will guarantee women’s rights. “According to the Social Contract, a system based on women's confederation should be built and a women's social contract should be drafted. Since the world is ruled by dictators having a sexist system, women should build their own system, a democratic system guaranteeing freedom for all individuals and developing society led by women. The aim of the women’s social contract will be to protect the values, gains and rights of women and eliminate violence against women in North and East Syria.”

Pointing to the important gains achieved by women in the 21st century, Ariya Mele Ehmed said, “We always say that the 21st century will be the century of women. Drafting the women’s social contract will be an important step for women in organizing themselves and maintaining their successes and leading their society. Our aim is to draft a women’s social contract not only in North and East Syria but also across Syria because we feel responsible for protecting the rights of all women no matter where they live.”

‘The attacks on North and East Syria have intensified’

Recalling the ongoing attacks targeting women in North and East Syria, she said, “The attacks on North and East Syria have intensified since the approval of the Social Contract. These attacks target the contract. Undoubtedly, there will be many attacks because the states, hegemonic and sovereign powers do not want a system based on democracy and equality. Despite all the attacks, we know that the Women’s Social Contract will be a model for the whole world.”