Bara’a Jali

Raqqa – Women in North and East Syria play a central role in leadership and political participation. They hold leading positions across various sectors within the self-administration system and strive to launch their own projects to enhance financial independence and achieve economic freedom. This reflects their active presence in building a balanced and inclusive society.

At the same time, they face systematic attacks by hostile forces seeking to undermine their role and achievements. Nevertheless, this revolution—led by women from the start—represents a bold challenge to traditional perceptions that portray women as weak beings. It has revealed their strength and determination in defending their rights and their community, proving their ability to bring about real change and build a fairer, more equal future.

 

Women’s Resistance Continues

Adalat Omar, Co-Chair of the Women’s Authority in the Democratic Self-Administration, emphasized that the Women’s Revolution in North and East Syria marked a major transformation since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. It focused on liberating women, particularly after the declaration of self-administration in Jazira, followed by Kobani and Afrin.

She explained that the revolution’s uniqueness stems from women’s struggle and resistance. Women proved their competence in all fields—especially the military—defying ideologies that confined such roles to men. Despite challenges, suffering, restrictive traditions, Turkish occupation threats, the Ba’ath regime, the Syrian Interim Government, and ISIS attacks, women’s resistance continues with great strength and determination.

Omar highlighted the pioneering role of women during the years of liberation, noting their active participation in the 2014 battles against ISIS, where they formed their own movement and demonstrated their capability to fight. She affirmed that the women’s cause transcends geographical borders—it is a global cause. The slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Women, Life, Freedom) has echoed from North and East Syria to Iran, France, India, Lebanon, and Iraq.

 

She stressed the importance of linking the struggles of Syrian women with global feminist movements, considering the women’s revolution not merely a military resistance, but a political and social project aimed at dismantling traditional structures and rebuilding society on the foundations of justice and equality.

 

Achievements of the Women’s Revolution

Adalat Omar noted that women in North and East Syria have achieved remarkable progress in various fields. In the military sphere, they established the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Women’s Internal Security Forces, and the Community Protection Forces (HPJ) to strengthen societal security.

In the political field, the co-chair system was adopted, ensuring equal representation of women in leadership bodies such as the Executive Council, the Justice Council, and the People’s Councils—with 50% participation from the grassroots level to the top. Women’s offices were also established in every institution.

She also mentioned the existence of independent women’s organizations such as Kongra Star, Zenobia Women’s Gathering, and the Women’s Council of North and East Syria, alongside dozens of NGOs dedicated to women’s affairs. Legally, laws were enacted to protect women’s rights in custody, divorce, and inheritance, and to criminalize violence against women under the Family Law.

Omar added, “Women’s communes and councils have been established to enable their participation in decision-making, along with specialized academies such as the Jineology (Women’s Science) Academy, and various training and awareness programs aimed at enhancing women’s capacities in all fields.”

She further explained that the nomination of Ilham Ahmed, Co-Chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration, for the Nobel Peace Prize represents a major achievement reflecting the global influence of Kurdish women. This nomination is an international acknowledgment of women’s role in peacebuilding. Ilham Ahmed strongly defended the self-administration project, refused to join any authoritarian bloc, and carried the Kurdish and Syrian women’s cause to international platforms such as the United Nations and Europe, confirming that women’s struggle in the region has crossed borders and become part of the global feminist movement.

Omar emphasized that women’s organization is the foundation for building a democratic confederal project, considering women’s unity an essential condition for the success of any revolution on a national level. She called for transferring the experience of the Women’s Revolution in North and East Syria to other Syrian cities and to the world.

In conclusion, Adalat Omar, Co-Chair of the Women’s Authority in the Democratic Self-Administration, affirmed that the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” is no longer just a cry- it has become a global call for every woman fighting for dignity and freedom. She stated that this slogan marks the beginning of a comprehensive revolution, asserting that true belief lies in the idea that there is no homeland without women.