ROJ HOZAN

Qamishlo-Violence against women has a long history and is one of the permanent rights violations. There are different forms of violence and almost all women experience violence at least once in their lives.

Following the Revolution in Rojava, the North and East Syrian women resisted and managed to build a life that has attracted the attention of the whole world. They have waged a great resistance against gender-based violence not only on all days. NuJINHA spoke to Sara Organization Spokesperson Arzo Temo about the resistance of women against violence.

“Violence is imposed on women”

Speaking about the effects and consequences of violence against women, Arzo Temo said that the patriarchal system considers women valueless and therefore women are despised.

“Since women are despised, they are subjected to all forms of violence. Violence against women is an indicator of unequal power relations between men and women, because men, who have the power, always try to bring themselves into existence over women. Violence against women has many forms and it is practiced by men, states and families. The forms of violence against women are; rape, domestic violence, sexual, physical, economic, emotional, verbal and psychological violence. All these cause women to break down both physically and mentally and then they are driven to suicide. Women are peaceful and compassionate because of their nature, so they express their feelings the most. If women are emotionally supported, they have the capacity to turn the world into a peaceful world.”

“Women’s unity can end violence”

Talking about the situation of women in North and East Syria and the role of Sara Organization in education and organization of women, Arzo Temo said, “Of course, violence against women has not completely disappeared in North and East Syria but women living in the region react to gender-based violence now. Self-education and organization of women against violence is the first step for uprising against all forms of violence.” Arzo Temo also spoke about the situation of women before the revolution as follows: “Before the revolution, the rate of violence against women was very high and the women victims of violence were often ignored. Gender-based violence was left unspoken or women did not report violence because they were ashamed. The social pressure caused women to bow to violence because they thought violence against them was a fate. Now, some women do not report violence but they should know that this is not a fate. They can change their future by their free will. The Sara Organization was established to support all women victims of violence and educate women to save them from violence. The situation of women in northern and eastern Syria has been positively changing with the spirit of resisting women. Yes, women still face problems but the rate of gender-based violence has decreased. We want women to believe in their power and have their rights. Women’s unity can end violence.”

Emphasizing that they play an important role in changing their society, Azro Temo explained that the Sara Organization supports women to stand against all forms of violence with their thoughts, identities and characters. “We live in a battle line and women are subjected to more violence in conflicts and wars. Women living in Girê Spî, Serêkaniyê and Afrin, which are under the control of Turkey, are subjected to more violence. We do not have an exact data on violence against women in these cities because violence against women in these cities are hidden. As Sara Organization, we have disclosed many femicide cases this year. Since 2019, we have been following the murder case of a woman named Şaperin by her husband. We solved the murder case of an Arab woman murdered by her brother in the Hitîn market of Qamishlo, and the murderer was sentenced to 15 years. We solved the murder case of a woman named Meryem, who was killed by her father last year in Hasakah and her father was sentenced to prison, and there are still many murder cases, we follow them to protect women's rights. The number of femicide cases is less than previous years.”

“All women should take to the streets on November 25”

Speaking about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Arzo Temo said, “This day is important for all women to raise their voices against gender-based violence. All women should believe in themselves to end gender-based violence. Now is the time for women’s freedom. We call on all women to unite on November 25. All women should take to the streets on November 25 to demand their freedom.”