HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- Kongra Star held seminars in the towns and villages of the Shahba Canton to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The three-day seminars ended yesterday. NuJINHA spoke to the women attending the seminars and coordinating members of Kongra Star.

“The mentality of men has also changed”

Organizing the seminars, Hemîda Mihemed, coordinating member of Kongra Star in the Ehdas town of Shahba Canton, said, “Awareness-raising seminars were held in the Shahba Canton and Afrin’s Şêrewa town for three days. At the seminars, women discussed how to eliminate violence against women. Since the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria was established, our society has changed; the mentality of men has also changed. Even men stand against gender-based violence. This year’s activities are different from previous years. At the seminars, the discussions were mostly about male violence. Many women attended the seminars and they stated that they would not accept violence against them. They rise up against gender-based violence now.”

“The rate of gender-based violence has decreased since the establishment of women’s organizations”

Indicating that women have been subjected to violence and oppression for centuries, Xedîce Miho pointed to the women’s struggle against gender-based violence. “But the Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan has changed this situation with his philosophy. Since the philosophy of leader Apo was revealed, the Kurdish women have not accepted violence against them. After the establishment of women’s organizations such as Kongra Star and Women’s House, the women victims of violence find a space to ask for support. The activities of these women’s organizations have led a decrease in violence against women cases. The rate of gender-based violence has decreased since the establishment of women’s organizations. Women always demand peace and freedom. Women in North and East Syria and all around the world rise up against violence. They take to the streets to say no to violence against them.”

“Sovereigns are afraid of women”

One of the women attending the seminars, Nazliyê Xelîl said that she learned many things at the seminars. “We have educated ourselves thanks to the thoughts and philosophy of leader Apo. We no longer accept violence against us and do not bow to sovereigns. Today, women direct their societies and protect their people. We condemn violence against women. Sovereigns are always afraid of the power and will of women. For this reason, they target and kill women.”

Zelox Henan is another woman who attended the seminars. Condemning violence against women, she said, “We condemn violence against women wherever it occurs. Women have no space to breathe due to the concept of “Shame” imposed on them. Women are confined to home. The killing and targeting women mean the ignoring of women’s thoughts and identity. Women are targeted all around the world. We do not accept this and we will never bow to violence.”