EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo – The world suffers from economic, political, social, cultural, military crises. Hegemonic powers try to strengthen their dominance in this chaotic atmosphere. These powers see women’s freedom and their will for having a democratic life as a threat. They also consider that women pose an obstacle to developing their own interests. Every day, women are kidnapped, killed, raped, and subjected to inhuman practices. Despite everything, women continue to resist for their rights and lives. Arzo Temo, director of the Law Department of the Sara Women’s Organization founded in NE Syria to prevent violence against women and girls, spoke to our news agency about pressure on women.

Child marriage is common

Arzo Temo announced the data of violence against women documented in 2021. “Violence is an inhuman practice. It is used mostly against women. There are many forms of violence such as physical threats, psychological and economic violence. Child marriage, which is common today, is one of the dirtiest forms of violence.”

31 women killed in eight months

According to the data recorded in NE Syria, Qamishlo, Kobanî, and Hesekê by the Sara Women’s Organization in 2021, “31 women were killed in the first eight months of 2021. 11 women were subjected to rape, 33 women became second or third wives, six women were subjected to violence, seven women were subjected to sexual abuse and 18 women committed suicide,” Arzo Temo told us.

“Violence becomes a culture”

Power mentality paves the way for violence, Arzo Temo indicated, adding, “Violence occurs not only in the Middle East but all around the world. We can say that 40 percent of the forms of violence occur in NE Syria. Male-dominant mentality leads to such incidents. This mentality claims that women’s role is just giving birth to children and cleaning the house. This mentality exists for centuries. Violence becomes a culture in society. Unfortunately, women think violence is their fate.”

“We follow the process of cases”

Underlining that the Sara Women’s Organization was founded to prevent violence against women, Arzo Temo said, “Sara Women’s Organization was founded in 2013 to end violence against women. As an organization, we have the rights to follow the harassment and violence against women cases in courts. We work with Women’s House and Justice Assembly to follow the cases.”

“Women should apply to women’s organizations”

Emphasizing that the laws enacted by the Autonomous Administration serve women, Arzo Temo said that women should know their rights and laws. “In 2014, the Autonomous Administration enacted laws to protect women’s rights. These laws serve women. Women should know their rights and laws. When women are subjected to violence, they should apply to women organizations such as Women’s House, Sara Women’s Organization and Women's Rights Defense and Research Center. These organizations were founded for women. Women should apply these organizations to receive support.”

Women will hold protests every week

The Sara Women’s Organizations launched campaigns to protest the murders of İda and Aya. “Issuing statements are no longer sufficient to prevent femicides and violence against women. We will hold protests every week to prevent such incidents. We also hold seminars for women and men to raise awareness.”