NORŞİN ABDİ

Kobanê – Since the start of the revolution in Rojava on July 19, 2012, women have been playing a leading role in all facets of life in North and East Syria. Adla Bekir, who lives in Kobanê, a city in the Euphrates Canton of North and East Syria, is one of these women.

‘The Rojava Revolution opened a door for me to improve myself’

Adla Bekir was born in 1974, in the Kanya Kurdan neighborhood Kobanê; however, she could not go to school due to traditions and customs. “Although I could not go to school, the Rojava Revolution opened a door for me to improve myself,” she told NuJINHA. “Yes, I could not go to school due to traditions and customs but this did not weaken my will. On the contrary, it made me resist even more to achieve my goals. When I was 23, I decided to fight against the patriarchal mindset that limits women’s roles in society.”

‘The thoughts of leader Öcalan impressed us’

Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan wants freedom for oppressed people, especially the Kurdish people, stressed Adla Bekir. “I joined the Kurdish Freedom Movement after learning the thoughts and ideology of Abdullah Öcalan. At that time, we carried out our activities secretly not to be arrested by the Syrian regime forces. We used to organize public meetings to give information about the thoughts and philosophy of leader Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish question and the Kurdish Freedom Movement. We were not afraid of death or arrest because the thoughts of leader Öcalan impressed us.”

From Yekitîya Star to Kongra Star

When Yekitîya Star, a women’s organization in North and East Syria, was founded in 2005, Adla Bekir became a member of the organization. “Yekitîya Star struggled for women’s rights by organizing awareness-raising activities. Following the start of the revolution in Rojava in 2012, many women’s organizations were founded. For instance, the name of Yekitiya Star was changed to its current name of Kongra Star and Mala Jin (Women’s House) was founded. I attended trainings to improve myself in politics.”

On July 16, 2018, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) was established at the Third Conference of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC). “Then, communes, councils and assemblies were formed,” Adla Bekir said. “We began to organize public meetings as communes and assemblies to give more information about the ‘Democratic Nation’ and the ‘Autonomous Administration’.”

‘I consider myself lucky’

When ISIS started its attacks on Kobanê on September 15, 2014, Adla Bekir decided to stay in the city and resist ISIS. “As the people staying in the city, we faced many challenges due to the freezing weather and food shortages. Despite everything, we were determined to gain victory. I consider myself lucky because I joined the resistance against ISIS and witnessed the heroism of the YPJ and YPG fighters in Kobanê. The resistance of YPJ fighter Arîn Mirkan impressed me a lot.”

Adla Bekir was injured in the foot in a Turkish drone strike targeting a civilian convoy heading to the Tishreen Dam. “We are bigger than death,” said Adla Bekir, citing of the words of Zehra Penaber, a YPJ commanders who lost her life in Kobanê while fighting ISIS. “As the Kurdish people, we are bigger than death. Death no longer scares us. Our will is stronger than death. Although I was injured in the foot, I walked 10 kilometers to reach the dam. We will gain victory on the Tishreen Dam as we did in Kobanê.”