Mala Jin (Women’s House, a kind of women’s shelter) was first opened in Qamishlo. Now, it has 62 branches across northeastern Syria. It has become a space of hope and solution for women in the region and a role model for the whole world.

RONAHÎ NÛDA

Qamishlo –Women of Rojava began to organize themselves under the umbrella of Yekitiya in 2004. After the July 19th Revolution, they established many organizations and institutions. One of these institutions is Mala Jin, which manages to be the voices of women facing challenges. Mala Jin (Women’s House, a kind of women’s shelter) was first opened in Qamishlo. All members and employees of the Mala Jin are mothers. They support and help women facing problems and violence. NuJINHA spoke to the members and employees of the Mala Jin to learn more about their activities.

The revolution led by women

One of the nations that have been deprived of their rights for centuries is the Kurdish people. The Kurdish people have always been subjected to the oppression and cruelty of the governments. The Sykes–Picot Agreement divided Kurdistan into four parts. Eastern, Northern and Western Kurds were left alone against the assimilation policies. However, before the governments achieved these goals, they faced the resistance and struggle of the Kurdish people. The Kurdish people living in Rojava succeeded in turning the Arab Spring into the revolution in Rojava. The people of Rojava, who lived under the pressure of the Baathist regime for decades, were able to realize the July 19th Revolution led by women.

Kurds did not accept surrender

The ruling powers used many armed factions such as Al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, Sultan Murad Division and lastly ISIS in order to end the revolution of women and peoples. While these factions attacked the achievements of the revolution, they abducted, killed and raped women and carried out mass massacres against the civilians. Despite everything, the Kurds never accepted surrender and fought these factions. This spark grew and spread to Manbij, Tabka, Raqqa and finally Deir ez-Zor where mostly the Arabs live. Thanks to the revolution of women and peoples, Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, and Armenians organize themselves today around the Democratic Modernity Project presented by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Society can be liberated through the liberation of women

The problems faced by women are the source of all problems broken out in all societies. The situation of women in their society reflects the society itself because society can be liberated through the liberation of women. Women used to be the source of life because they defended the equal, participatory, fair and communal life in society. However, the dominant, sly and tricky patriarchal mentality stole the roles of women in their societies and deprived them of all their rights. When the rights of women were stolen from them, the social structure was completely broken down and the nation state thinking only of its own interests took to the stage. The destruction of societies began with the enslavement of women. For this reason, women should break the chains of slavery in order for the society to have willpower again. Women should play their leading role in their societies to rebuild an equal and fair life.

Establishment of Mala Jin

Mala Jin was established in Qamishlo on March 20, 2011. It has many branches across North and East Syria now. It aims to stand against inhuman practices faced by women and children with the philosophy of equal society, democratic family culture and free-equal life by carrying out awareness-raising activities. It carries out its activities in cooperation with women’s committees in the region.

It has 62 branches

Mala Jin has a Peace Assembly, Education Committee, Justice Assembly, Press Committee to support women and children. It has 62 branches across northeastern Syria. While organizing under the umbrella of the Kongra Star, Mala Jin carries out activities to seek solutions to the problems of society and women. It has 11 branches in Qamishlo Canton, 10 in Hasakah Canton, four in Afrin Canton, eight in Kobanê, two in Raqqa, five in Manbij, six in Deir ez-Zor, 11 in Tabqa and a branches in the Zorava neighborhood of Damascus, the capital of Syria. Mala Jin also has two branches to solve the problems faced by Syriac women.

Membership Terms

Membership applications to Mala Jin were sent to all branches of Mala Jin in North and East Syria. The applications are also evaluated by the Autonomous Administration and civil institutions. Those who want to be a member of Mala Jin must know their communities and want to serve for their communities. They should submit their applications giving information about themselves to Mala Jin. They should be over 18. When their applications are approved, they should receive training courses held by the Scientific Academy.

Organizational structure of Mala Jin

All members of the Peace Committee and women’s committees are also the members of the Mala Jin. All members of the Peace Committee are also council members of the Mala Jin. The council members who received the most votes are also spokespersons of the Mala Jin’s branches in their cantons. Three council members are elected by Mala Jin.

Weekly and monthly meetings

Mala Jin is responsible for controlling the works of the committees. The members of the Mala Jin prepare a monthly report on their actions, activities and financial situation. The members hold weekly and monthly meetings to discuss the activities of Mala Jin. The committees affiliated to the Mala Jin hold a meeting every week. All members of the Mala Jin hold a meeting every week and submit their reports to the council members.

Social Peace Committee

The Peace Committee is responsible for finding solutions to all problems faced by women. A representative of Mala Jin monitors/ follows the trials about women held by courts.

Education Committee

The Education Committee is responsible for organizing educational programs and courses for women. It holds seminars on women’s rights and activities.

Press Committee

The Press Committee is responsible for documenting and archiving all activities carried out by the Mala Jin. It documents the applications submitted to Mala Jin. It publishes all decisions, statements made by the Mala Jin on their website.

Women's Social Committee

The Women’s Social Committee is responsible for monitoring the situation of women in all communes. It carries out awareness-raising activities for people with disabilities. It works coordinately with the committees of Kongra Star in order to support women and meet their needs.

Women’s Justice Council

The Women’s Justice Council works coordinately with all institutes and organizations of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria to ensure justice. A representative of Mala Jin takes part in the Women's Justice Council to solve unresolved cases.

Mala Jin “Eşterot” for Syriac women

Two branches of Mala Jin were opened in Hasakah and Qamishlo under the name of “Eşterot” for Syriac women with the support of the Autonomous Administration and Women’s Justice Council in order to raise awareness of Syriac women and solve their family problems.