BERÇEM CÛDÎ

 Kobanê- Kongra Star, an umbrella organization of women’s organizations in northeastern Syria, has held many activities for women in order to participate in all facets of life. Kongra Star Education Committee has founded academies in the region to maintain the gains of the Rojava Revolution through education. In July 2018, the committee opened the Martyr Şîlan Academy in Kobanê to carry out education activities for women. Named after Şîlan Baqî, a female fighter who lost her life while fighting ISIS, the committee has carried out education activities for women for six years.

NuJINHA spoke to Firyal Temî, Spokesperson of the academy, about the activities of the academy.

‘We maintain our activities despite the attacks’

The aim of the academy is to develop women both scientifically and ideologically, Firyal Temî said. “The academy was founded in the Euphrates Canton for both Kurdish and Arab women. The academy is a space for women to come together and receive education and improve themselves. We maintain our education activities despite the ongoing Turkish threats and attacks.”

‘We benefit from the perspectives of Abdullah Öcalan’

We benefit from the perspectives of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan while determining the educational materials, Firyal Temî stressed, adding: “While determining our educational materials, we use different materials especially for young women. We give education on many topics such as women's history, sexism, the ideology of leader Apo, Jineology, revolution, self-defense, criticism and self-criticism.”

‘Education is important to understand the male-state system”

The academy has also carried out education activities for men. “For thousands of years, women have been murdered and alienated from their own reality by the male-state system. We also carry out education activities for men to change the patriarchal mindset. As the academy and women, we believe that women are capable of changing their society and play a leading role in society. As women, we believe in our strength and will. We maintain the gains of the Rojava revolution through education.”

‘Being a part of this success is meaningful for us’

“I participate in such education activities for the first time,” said Zeyneb Mamo, one of the women receiving education at the academy. “I want to receive an ideological education to improve myself. Education is more important than bread and water. The revolution in Rojava is our revolution. Being a part of this success is meaningful for us.”