EVÎN ZENDA

Shengal- Yazidi Women’s Solidarity Network was officially established three years ago because Yazidi women needed a network to support women and children rescued from the genocide committed against them on August 3, 2014. This network was founded to support women in Shengal but it has been working coordinately with the Yazidi Free Women's Movement (TAJÊ) to support and help women in other cities. Feride Şengalli, an executive member of the network, spoke to NuJINHA about their projects for women, children, and nature in 2021 and 2022.

5 captivities rescued

Stating that 2021 was a busy year for them, Feride Şengalli said, “In 2021, we rescued five Yazidis from ISIS together with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Yazidis’ House (Mala Êzidian). One of them was a man while the others were women. Our main aim is to rescue Yazidi women abducted by ISIS. We will continue to work with the SDF and Yazidis’ House to rescue more Yazidis. We would like to thank the SDF and the Yazidis’ House for their efforts to rescue the abducted Yazidis.”

They built a kindergarten

Speaking about their project to build kindergartens, Feride Şengalli said, “We built a kindergarten in the village of Xanesor for children aged 3 to 6 years old. 100 children attend this kindergarten now. Kindergartens are important for the region. Now women can send their children to this kindergarten with peace in mind. The construction of the kindergartens in Shengal, Serdesht, and Borik will be completed in 2022.”

They launched a greening project

Feride Şengalli also talked about their greening project.

“Environmental projects are important. The people of Shengal suffered from poverty between 2013 and 2009. Our mountains were left without trees because the people earned a living from trees. We launched a greening project to plant trees. We will keep planting trees in 2022.”

They organize courses to teach women how to write and read

Speaking about their courses to teach women how to write and read, Feride Şengalli said, “The women's literacy rate in Shengal is very low. For this reason, we have organized courses to teach women how to write and read. The women facing the genocide committed on August 3, 2014, have suffered from trauma. We organize six-month courses to support them. Until now, we have organized three courses; two in Shengal, one in Til Izêr. Before the genocide, the women’s literacy rate was 25%.”

Projects for orphans

Speaking about their projects for orphans, Feride Şengalli said, “336 children lost their parents during the genocide. In 2021, we launched projects for them to meet their needs. Supporting these children is our duty.”

“We will succeed together”

Stating that 22 women killed themselves only in Shengal, Feride Şengalli said that they, as the network, have carried out activities to prevent suicide and femicide. “But the ongoing attacks on Shengal prevent us from carrying out more projects. We will keep working despite the attacks.”

Project for Arab women

Speaking about their projects for 2022, Feride Şengalli said, “We will launch new projects in 2022. We will continue to work to rescue the women having been abducted by ISIS. We will launch a special project for Arab women in Shengal. We will keep opening new kindergartens for children.”