SORGUL ŞÊXO

Til Temir- The approval of the Social Contract by the General Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria on December 12, 2023 led to many structural changes in the region. One of the most important of these changes was the restructuring of the communes. Communes built in accordance with the Social Contract represent direct democracy. Communes, the smallest administrative unit of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) are structures that find solutions to social problems jointly. Each commune has a women’s commune aiming at ensuring social equality, women's freedom and women’s active role in communal life. The AANES allocates 20 percent of its budget to activities of communes and 30 percent to women's communes.

“The Social Contract gives more role and importance to the organization and system of the communes,” Gulîxan Tahir, Co-chair of the Til Temir City Council, told NuJINHA. “Communes are the cornerstone of society. The establishment of committees is needed by the communes and the people living together. For instance, there was a committee called ‘women’s committee’ of communes but its name was later changed as the Committee of Free Equal Life. The aim of the committee is to protect women from all kinds of violence and change the patriarchal mindset by educating men. The protection of children is also one of the committee's aims. It aims to have democratic families and build a free common life. The Committee of Free Equal Life works coordinately with Mala Jin (Women’s House) and Kongra Star.”

‘A committee for families of martyrs, wounded and prisoners will also be established’

Gulîxan Tahir gave information about committees as follows: “A committee for families of martyrs, wounded and prisoners will also be established to learn the demands of the families of martyrs and meet their demands. In addition, a committee was established to promote and implement democratic Islam and to shed light on crimes and acts committed in the name of Islam. The committee will increase solidarity among religious groups. An ecology committee will be established to reduce the damage caused by the weapons used by ISIS and the occupying Turkish state.”

‘Our efforts started late due to attacks’

The communal system was built in the region in 2014; however, “We could not establish communes due to the displacements caused by the attacks of ISIS and the occupying Turkish state. Co-chairs and communes had no space to come together and work together. Our efforts to build communes started late due to attacks. Implementing the Social Contract at every stage will be a response to the challenges. We will make great efforts to implement the contract until next year.”

‘We will build a democratic communal system led by women’

According to the Social Contract, Saturday is commune day. “Because the communal system is the cornerstone of the democratic nation. If we mobilize all our strength and energy to the communes, the communal system will be successful. If this system becomes a reality in the Middle East and the whole world, we will have a unique model. We hope that we will build a democratic, equal and fair communal system led by women.”