SORKEL SHEIKHO

Qamishlo – Syria today faces escalating economic crises, considered among the most severe in the country's modern history. The population had counted on the interim government to improve living conditions, but the current reality reflects the continuation and exacerbation of economic challenges, amid deteriorating living conditions and increasing burdens on citizens day after day.

Absence of Financial Resources and the Unemployment Crisis

Member of the Women's House in Qamishlo city, Rojava, Nizam Khalil, shed light on the economic crisis spreading across the world, which is not limited to Syria, saying: "Through economic crises, attempts are made to exercise greater control over women's will, power, and existence, and this leads to increased family problems. Sometimes matters reach a stage where a mother, due to helplessness, is forced to give up her child because she is unable to provide milk and food for it."

She explained that recently, after cases of separation and divorce, some mothers are forced to hand over their children for a period of time to their fathers, because women "do not possess financial resources that enable them to support themselves and their children, so they are forced to take this step. It can be said that we receive weekly three or four cases related to family problems, marital disputes, and psychological and economic pressures, alongside life's difficulties. There are no job opportunities, and both women and men are affected by the economic crisis."

"Women's Absence from the Labor Market Increases Economic Pressures"

Nizam Khalil indicated that the entire Middle East region suffers from economic crises, but the pressures on the Syrian people are more severe. "Many divorce cases occur, and the main reason behind that is increased violence against women," noting that the majority of women, under economic crises, try to find alternatives; and due to weak capabilities, they turn to domestic work, from cleaning houses to cleaning streets.

She confirmed that women's absence from the labor market and trade, along with the lack of factories, companies, and shops belonging to women, has become a dangerous problem. "If women possessed an independent economy and had a strong presence in the economic field, economic crises would not have been able to affect their lives to this extent."

"Women's Unemployment Is Multiples Higher Than Men's Unemployment"

She pointed out that the unemployment crisis in Syria has reached its highest levels, noting that women's unemployment is multiples higher than men's unemployment. "Today, women search with empty bags among piles of garbage for something to put in the bags and then sell, so that they can support their children, and this in itself is a form of violence."

At the same time, there are no laws and rights protecting their legal, health, and social rights. Accordingly, she emphasizes that "the United Nations and organizations concerned with human rights should work to establish laws to protect these women, ensuring their right to life, and developing their livelihoods and economy."

Tragic Incidents in Syria

Nizam Khalil also addressed an incident of a woman in Aleppo who threw herself from the third floor, considering that the risks facing women have become extremely dangerous. "It is painful and sad that women, due to hunger, violence, and poverty, reach a stage where they throw themselves from tall buildings and end their lives. Depriving a woman of her rights, her life, and her will represents a great injustice practiced against her, and matters are not limited to this incident, as there are many cases of suicide, killing, torture, and violence. Women are the foundation of family and societal life, and therefore they are among the groups most affected by these conditions."

"Urgent Solutions Must Be Found"

Nizam Khalil confirmed at the end of her interview that the interim government must consider itself responsible before the people and perform its duties toward them. "It is necessary for the current government to work on ending the economic crises, because of them a man carrying a child in his hands poured gasoline on himself in an attempt to burn himself. If the transitional government does not work to address the economic crisis urgently, many crimes and incidents, such as killing, suicide, self-immolation, and prostitution, will increase. It is very important that this crisis be addressed quickly, and that the people's suffering not be postponed, for the path to reaching equality and justice passes through addressing these problems."