SORGUL ŞÊXO

 Til Temir- Women striving to preserve the social structure, make Mount Kizwan (Mount Abdulaziz), located in the Jazira Canton of North and East Syria, and its surroundings green.

This year, what the most affected women farmers in the region is the low rainfall.

Water shortage in Wasta

One of the villages suffering from water shortage in the region is Wasta, a village located on the foothills of Mount Kizwan, 80 kilometers southwest of Til Temir, a town in northeastern Syria. The village suffers from a water shortage due to the lack of a water network providing drinking water to the village. The villagers fetch water from a water source located 40 km away from the village. The water shortage also affects agriculture in the village.

Symbol of resistance: Kînya tree

Despite all the challenges, the women have managed to make their village green. In the village, a tree called “Kînya” by villagers attracts notice. The tree planted in October 2019, one year before the Turkish state's attacks on Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn), is now seven years old. The tree was previously watered by water provided from the Alouk water station; however, the women in the village have used salty water to grow the tree since the Turkish state and Turkish-backed armed groups occupied the station and stopped the Alouk water station from pumping water. The tree stands firm in the village despite the salty water, becoming a symbol of resistance.

Take a break in the shade of the tree…

I planted the tree in 2019 to take a break in its shade, Meha El-Hesen told us. “We cannot plant more trees due to the lack of opportunity. We dug a well 10 years ago and we use the water of the well to water the tree. However, the water of the well is salty. We earn a living by raising sheep and cultivating corn. I planted it and now it is seven years old. I planted it to take a break with other women in its shade. Last year, I planted four more trees.”

Sediya Cabir also earns a living by raising sheep. She also suffers from the water shortage in the village. “You cannot see any green space in the village because of the low rainfall and the lack of irrigation. We drive our tractor for 40 km to fetch water from a water source in the village of Xera.”

Trees have a special importance for the villagers, Sediya Cabir told us. “Trees should be protected. I have planted four trees in the village until now; however, sheep ate their leaves. Walls should be built around the trees to protect them. We also suffer from power outages. We use solar panels but they do not provide sufficient power.”