SORGUL ŞÊXO

Qamishlo- 11 years have passed since the revolution took place in North and East Syria. After the revolution, a Women and Family Law was prepared led by women. In an interview with NuJINHA, Ariya Mele Ehmed, Co-chair of the Legislative Assembly in the Cizîrê Region of North and East Syria, spoke about the Women and Family Law written from 2014 to 2022.

‘The revolution paved the way for the writing new principles’

“The revolution in North and East Syria has turned into a social revolution,” said Ariya Mele Ehmed. “This revolution, of course, paved the way for the writing of new principles based on social equality and has ensured a fundamental change in society. After the declaration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, many radical changes took place between 2012 and 2014. In 2014, women’s organizations and movements submitted their principles to the Legislative Assembly in the Cizîrê Region and their principles were approved.”

‘The Family Law prepared to ensure equality’

Emphasizing that the principles submitted by women paved the way for drafting a family law, Ariya Mele Ehmed said, “These principles made serious and fundamental changes in the status of women in the region from 2012 to 2022. Since there was no family law in the region, the women’s organizations and movements worked together to have a family law. The Women and Family Law was prepared to ensure the rights of women and children and social equality.”

‘The penalties given to criminals were unclear’

After the Women and Family Law was prepared, some challenges occurred regarding the implementation of the principles and rules in the judicial system. “The principles were clear; however, their implementation was unclear; the penalties given to criminals were unclear. The penalties given to people using violence against women were unclear. In order to determine the penalties, the Women and Family Law was prepared.”

Speaking about the amendments in the Family Law, she said, “The women’s rights remain same. Everyone in society demanded the amendments in the Family Law about child marriage and polygamy.”

Efforts for the implementation of the Family Law in all cantons

The Women and Family Law has been implemented only in the Cizîrê Region. “In North and East Syria, the Legislative Assembly of each canton and region takes the initiative to prepare a family according to their cultural differences. Now, women’s organizations and movements make great efforts for the implementation of the Women and Family Law in all cantons. One of the problems faced by us is the crimes committed against women. As all women’s organizations and movements, we make great efforts to protect the achievements of women,” said Ariya Mele Ehmed.

‘The revolution has ensured a fundamental change in society’

Noting that the women’s revolution in North and East Syria has ensured a fundamental change in society, Ariya Mele Ehmed added, “Women in North and East Syria have become a role model for women all around the world with their participation in military, politics, decision-making positions.”

The women’s principles were approved in 2014. “But we have to struggle more for their implementation. We should work hard for the implementation of the women’s principles, the Women and Family Law across North and East Syria.”