NEFEL ÇIYA

Shengal –In 2014, Daesh attacked Shengal and killed, abducted thousands of Êzidîs. Many of them had to leave Shengal. Nowadays, they have returned to their holy land.  Êzidî women, who returned to their holy land, have educated themselves and taken part in every sphere of life. They have been rebuilding the Êzidî society through co-presidential system based on women’s freedom, ecological and democratic society. Yazidi Women's Freedom Movement (YWFM) has held courses, workshops, and other educational activities about gender, women’s body, history, especially about the history of Êzidîs in order to build such a society and ensure gender equality.

Cane Qasim: As a woman and Êzidî, I have learned my history

Cane Qasim has attended many courses organized by the YWFM. She told us that all families should remove the barriers against their daughters to have an education. “Now, I attend a three-day course. I am happy to attend this course. We learn the history of women and Êzidîs. We enjoy being here,” said Cane Qasim, who highlighted that she notices how she has changed after attending the courses. “Êzidî women need education. Before the attacks (Daesh attacks on Shengal), the number of girls going to schools was very limited. The education at schools was different from our culture but now we have alternative education systems. I feel more confident after attending the courses.”

“Before women were told they had to wash dishes, clean the house, and not leaving the house. But after attending the courses and workshops, the approach of our family members has changed. Now, we can go everywhere and we can make decisions about ourselves,” said Emira Revo.

Ayla Îdo: We learn more about the world

Ayla Îdo said that all women living in Shengal need to educate themselves.

“As a woman, I am very happy. I see progress in my personality. Êzidî women previously knew nothing about themselves. Today, our horizon is expanded and as we educate ourselves, we learn more about the world. Even our walk, talk, and behaviors have changed without notice. If we had had opportunities, if we had gone to school when we were children, maybe we could have made very different choices. But today it is not too late…”