Agriculture project helps women of Afrin to earn livelihood

Displaced women of Afrin try to overcome the economic difficulties due to the embargo by producing. Women taking part in the agriculture project initiated by the Women's Economy Management on seven hectares say that they are happy to have their economic freedom as well as to produce.

FİDAN ABDULLAH

Shehba – Women of Afrin, who have been living as internally displaced people since 2018, work in agriculture in order to maintain their lives, support their families and overcome the economic difficulties due to the embargo imposed in the region. Women living in the Til Şeîr village of Shehba are harvesting vegetables they planted in a seven-hectare area.

“They will be sent to thousands of people”

Xezal Hesen, a member of the Women's Economy Management, said that providing moral and material support to women’s economy is important for them. “We initiated this project on the seven-hectare area as a beginning. 25 women are working in the field now. It is seasonal work but 25 women mean 25 families. Despite the few numbers of women participating in the production, hundreds and perhaps even thousands of households will have these vegetables.”

Reminding that they maintain their lives under embargo, Xezel Hesen indicated that their most important problem is to provide diesel oil that they use in agriculture.

“I survive by producing”

Fida Seîd is only one of the women taking part in the agriculture project initiated by the Women's Economy Management. She has worked in the field since her childhood. She is now 35 years old and carries the weight of her family on her shoulders. “I take part in this project launched for women. I am happy to produce, to work in the field. This is how I can make a living for my family. I survive by producing.” Fida Seîd hopes the embargo to be lifted.