Robarin Bakr

Shahba- Women have been involved in blacksmithing since the middle ages. Fatima Shamo, 60-year-old woman displaced from the occupied city of Afrin to the city of Shahba, northeastern Syria, has worked as a blacksmith for more than 30 years although this profession is considered as a men’s profession in society.  

“My husband is also a blacksmith. When we got married, I decided to help him because this profession is a difficult profession to be done alone,” she told NuJINHA while talking about when she began to work as a blacksmith.

Although her husband did not want her to work with him because he thought that it was hard work, she was determined to be a blacksmith despite everything. “We opened a workshop in Afrin and started to work together. We also taught our children this profession. Then, we opened a store to sell what we produced.”

‘We left everything in Afrin’

Fatima Shamo had to leave Afrin along with her family when the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions occupied the city. “We settled in Shahba. If you are a displaced person, you face double suffering due to difficult living conditions of displacement. We left everything in Afrin. We have been living in Shahba since 2018. Despite the siege imposed on Shahba, we resist.”

Fatima Shamo has worked as a female blacksmith for years despite gender stereotypes in society. “Some think that women and men have different roles in society. However, I never accept this. My husband and I overcame the stereotypes that marginalize women.”

Speaking about the challenges in blacksmithing, Fatima Shamo said, “Blacksmithing is hard work not only for women but also for men, especially after getting older. It is a very physical craft and you need to have a passion for it.”

‘When women have a strong will, they can prove themselves everywhere’

Fatima Shamo concluded her speech by calling on all women to participate in the labor force. “When women have a strong will, they can prove themselves everywhere. All women are capable of doing all jobs.”