Sourkel Sheikho
HASAKAH — Amid the turmoil of war and crisis, the successes of women in Syria shine as beacons of hope. In a country long burdened by patriarchal traditions, women are not only fighting back against extremist mindsets but also reshaping social norms by fearlessly pursuing their dreams.
The women’s revolution in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria opened new doors for women to realize their ambitions through struggle and determination. What might seem like a small act in one society can, in another, be a quiet revolution against centuries of restriction.
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A Woman’s Dream and Iron Will
Aya Hamza stands among Syria’s first female blacksmiths. Far more than a craftsman, she has become a symbol of persistence and empowerment for women in her community. Aya is the eldest in her family and has worked beside her father since childhood.
“Blacksmithing is my passion,” she says. “In the hardest times, it’s been both my strength and my companion.”
She first picked up a hammer when she was just five years old. Now, after more than a decade of experience, she proudly manages her work alongside her father. “If my father were ever to leave,” she says, “he would rest easy knowing I can carry on his craft.”
Aya performs every task expected of a blacksmith—measuring, cutting, welding, and shaping—proving that no job is too difficult for a determined woman.
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“They Told Me: You’re a Woman, This Job Isn’t for You”
Aya recalls the criticism she faced when choosing this path:
“People said, ‘You’re a woman, this work isn’t for you.’ But when there’s passion and purpose, nothing can stop you. The more a woman pursues her dream, the closer she gets to it.”
For years, Aya hid her identity to avoid the harsh judgment of others.
“I pretended to be a young man for eight of the nine years I’ve been working,” she admits. “But a year ago, I took off the disguise. Now everyone knows that Aya the blacksmith is a woman.”
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Confidence and Craft
Now, standing proudly in her workshop—with sparks flying and the sound of metal striking metal—Aya works with confidence and grace. She refuses to accept that a woman’s role should be confined to the kitchen or the classroom.
“I’m not trying to be like men,” she says. “I’m a woman, and I’m helping my family. I’m strong in my own way.”
Aya rejects the idea that her future should be limited to marriage and dependency.
“I don’t wait for someone else to make my dreams come true,” she says firmly. “Life isn’t only about marriage—it’s about creating, achieving, and building something meaningful.”
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A Message to Families and Women
Aya speaks directly to parents who restrict their daughters’ ambitions:
“You’re limiting your daughters’ futures with your own hands. Respecting parents is important, but not everything they decide is right. Marriage doesn’t always guarantee stability—having a skill does. When you have a profession, you don’t need to depend on anyone. You become your own source of strength.”
And to women who feel powerless, she offers a message of courage:
“Choose a new path. Believe in your strength. Our society has tried to keep us ignorant, but the road to freedom and creativity is waiting for us. Blacksmithing isn’t just welding and cutting—it’s art, learning, and imagination.”
Aya dreams of opening her own workshop where she can teach other women the craft.
“I’m ready to train any woman who wants to learn this trade,” she says. “All a woman really needs is support—to believe in herself and to find her own willpower.”
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In a world that often underestimates women, Aya Hamza stands as living proof that resilience and artistry can reshape even the toughest steel—and the toughest traditions.