Women in north and east Syria have organised events for the upcoming 8 March International Women’s Day, Mezopotamya News Agency reported.
A confederation of women’s groups in Rojava, Syria, Kongra Star (Kurdish for Star Congress) organised a seminar this weekend in Hesekê, northeast Syria, to promote the global celebration.
The seminar was delivered by the co-chair of Hesekê canton council, Semer Ebdullah. Ebdullah said that even though women suffer the world-over under patriarchy, women acheive freedom with determination and strength. Ebdullah also noted that women of today can work in all roles.
The confederation celebrated 2023 as an important year for women’s liberation and embraced the Kurdish slogan, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” [Woman, Life, Freedom], which became the symbol of female-led protests to sweep Iran since September.
Preparations towards International Women’s Day also continued in the Hol District of the canton, at the Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) hall. A seminar was conducted by Stêra Murad, the co-chair of the regional and environmental body of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Murad gave a detailed account of the history of women’s protests all over the world.
The Jineology Academy, which promotes the feminist school of thought key to the Kurdish freedom movement, also organised lectures and seminars for 8 March. The Academy’s activities included a forum held on Sunday in cooperation with the University of Rojava, Kobani University, and Sharq University.
Similarly, dozens of women participated in a seminar in Til Temir (Til Tamr) district of Hesekê, while in Tebqa, an exhibition of women’s handicrafts was opened, and the Kurdish group Koma Hêlîn Cûdî performed their songs. A seminar was also held in Reqa (Raqqa).
In Eyn Îsa (Ayn Issa), young women from Girê Spîli (Tel Abyad) opened an exhibition displaying photographs of women who have lost their lives in the struggle, and a park in the district displayed images of woman seen as symbols of liberation.
Women in Tel Abyad suffered considerably when the town was under the control of the Islamic State, until it was seized by Kurdish forces in 2016.