BERÇEM CÛDΠ

Kobanê- After the revolution on July 19, the people of North and East Syria began to write their own history. In order to build a system based on democracy and equality with the participation of people from all nationalities and religions, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) was established at the Third Conference of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) on July 16, 2018. There are 22 communes in neighborhoods and villages of Kobanê, located in the Euphrates Region. NuJINHA spoke to the women members of the communes. 

‘Communes are the spaces where people find solutions’ 

“Actually, communes were established based on social reality,” said Neyîma Aqîl, member of the Peace Committee of the Martyr Serhed Commune. “In the past, old people solved problems in villages and neighborhoods. In addition, people used to support and help each other when they wanted to build a house or start a farm. Today, the aim of the communes is to support the people when they need support. When people need something, they apply to the communes because they know that the communes will definitely find a solution for them.” 

‘This system will make us successful’ 

Mentioning the importance of the commune system, Neyîma Aqîl said: 

“Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) once said, ‘I will return to my village and establish a commune when I am released’. This shows how communes are important. Our system is based on the will, opinion and power of society. I can say that communes are the seeds to build a democratic, ethical and political society. Before the revolution in Rojava, there were assemblies but then communes were established to support the people. We know that we still have a long way to go but I believe that this system will make us successful. As members of the Peace Committee, we visit families to learn if they have any problem so that we can support them to solve their problems.” 

‘The aim of the committees is to provide solutions’ 

In her speech, Hedîl Cuma, co-chair of the New Neighborhood Committee, drew attention to the decisive role of women in the community. “The community consists of five core committees that complete each other. The aim of these committees is to provide solutions. The committees have a co-presidential system. There is a Women’s Committee aiming to ensure gender equality. Women have played a decisive role in the committees.”